After Today's Game: Debriefing The A's

by Nico on Mar 31, 2007 4:10 PM PDT in News

Sorry, ladies; I meant "debrief" strictly in the analytical sense. Here's my 2 cents on some of the A's key issues, after watching today's game, a 6-4 victory by Oakland:

* How did Chad Gaudin do?

You have to like the 0 BBs and could argue that was the most important aspect of a Chad Gaudin outing, but I was far from overwhelmed by today's performance. My main concern is that Gaudin's fastball looked pretty straight and as a result, the Giants made a lot of solid contact off his fastball. The 0 BB line was also a little deceiving in that long counts forced Gaudin to give in several times and certainly took their toll on his pitch count. I still like Gaudin's upside as a starter more than I like Halsey's or Windsor's, but under no circumstances will the rotation be "solid" as long as it has both Gaudin and Kennedy in it--you wanted those two to be an either/or proposition.

* Durazo or Walker?

I gotta tell you, in the final analysis the answer may be Buck. Why sacrifice defense twice by putting an inadequate first baseman out there and putting Swisher in the OF, just to try to get the Hattebergesque production that the 2007 models of Durazo or Walker might give you? Travis Buck just keeps having quality at-bats, he looks calm against major league pitching, he's cheap, and he improves your infield defense by moving Swisher to where he belongs. Platooning Buck and Kielty will give you as good or better overall offensive numbers than you can expect from either Durazo or Walker, and defense is important. Perhaps the Bay Area is where the Buck stops? Probably not, but we'll know for sure by noon tomorrow.

* Lemonade from lemons?

Most of us would take a healthy Kotsay, Johnson, and Loaiza over the depth-buster that is the roster's current state of uncertainty and flux. However, were it not for injuries to both Kotsay and Johnson, Buck would not still be here showing how ready he appears to be for the big leagues. Were it not for Loaiza's injury, Gaudin would never have been considered for the rotation, but now he has leapfrogged (or is it "leaptfrog"?) over two pitchers--Halsey and Windsor--with inferior stuff and less apparent upside. Who knows how much chance they will even have, but if Buck and Gaudin wind up outperforming the players they are replacing, necessity will have proven to be the mother of invention.

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I'm so confused, it is hard to say ..

.. what the 25-man roster is gonna be -- we'll soon see by noon tomorrow ...

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 31, 2007 4:19 PM PDT reply actions

Agree with all three

Gaudin looked shaky and needs to command his fastball more or he is going to fall behind and get hit. Walker didn't catch two throws that were difficult but should have been caught by a major league 1B, and he would have to have a fluky year to be major league average offensively at 1b. I am not looking forward to Walker being our 1B and we may as well let Buck do his thing until at least June. The injuries are frustrating but may not hurt us that much in the long run, and could be positives if Kotsay comes back healthier after his surgery, Gaudin develops into a starter, and Buck is 2007's Ethier.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Mar 31, 2007 4:22 PM PDT reply actions

As I posted somewere else...

Just call me Waddy Lad, cattle rustler.

by LawDaddy on Mar 31, 2007 4:25 PM PDT reply actions

LawDaddy can you please explain?

.. what the heck your graphic/cartoon means? Pardon my density, but honestly don't understand ..

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 31, 2007 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Instead of

"No, you can't have a roster spot" it should say "One more roster spot opened up".

by DMOAS on Mar 31, 2007 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions

OK thanks

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 31, 2007 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Hmmm....

ComicLife + A's photos! What a great idea!

(Calls lawyer...)

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Mar 31, 2007 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions

So you're thinking about trying it huh

Copycat!!!

by theblackpearl on Mar 31, 2007 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Sorry

I can't sue myself. ;)

Just call me Waddy Lad, cattle rustler.

by LawDaddy on Mar 31, 2007 6:31 PM PDT up reply actions

I'd take Walker and Gaudin

Agree with you on Gaudin today. Not bad but not good enough in the bat-missing department. 3Ks but one was a pitcher. No real off-speed pitch.

Durazo is horrible at 1B (he hasn't really been in the spring but I'm not fooled), and I'm not convinced he can hit any better than Walker. Make Buck (and Barton) prove they can hit in AAA before the jump.

What makes Stewart a stalwart in LF? I'm thinking of him as a placeholder the same as Walker. If they take Buck over Walker, I'm hoping they play him every day and platoon Stewart and Kielty. I realize it sounds strange to platoon two right handed hitters. Bring up Barton when he's ready. DJ is just depth when he comes back.

I actually like Windsor better than Gaudin as a starter this year, but I'd like to see him come up with a breaking ball before thrusting him into the rotation.

by WaddellCanseco on Mar 31, 2007 4:26 PM PDT reply actions

I recall Walker's errors in the ALDS

gave the A's and Zito a win versus Boston.

Seems like, since 2000, when I see Todd Walker on TV, in a MLB game, more often than not he has a fielding miscue (at 2nd).

JMHO, but I wasn't happy to see him join the Athletics. Always liked Durazo, but that is more sentiment rather than eyeballing the OPS etc.

"- J. Duchscherer relieved J. Duchscherer" per Yahoo! Sports Box Score

by One won lost won on Mar 31, 2007 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Unfortunately, it's not so much

that I think Buck is a good option (I'd rather see him in AAA for 1-3 months), it's that I fear Durazo and Walker are bad options. They seem like "mid-90s A's with Carlos Reyes starting Opening Day" options, not "ALDS, here we come" options. Gak.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Mar 31, 2007 4:30 PM PDT reply actions

do you play Buck less than every day?

because at this stage of the game I'd hate to see him on the bench for half his games. That's one of the main reasons I'd prefer that Buck play for a couple of months at least in Sacramento -- get plenty of at bats. Frankly, he has yet to see really good major league pitching on an ongoing basis, through a full game -- which is what he'll face once the season starts if he starts with Oakland.

by OaklandSi on Mar 31, 2007 4:30 PM PDT reply actions

For me, if Buck made the team

it would be to platoon with Kielty, meaning he'd start 75% of the time. It's still not my first choice, but currently Durazo and Walker are choices that just make me cringe. I wish that instead of picking up Walker, the A's had found a discarded OFer, so they could move Swisher to 1B. Walker's offensive potential just doesn't mitigate his defense and lack of power, IMO.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Mar 31, 2007 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreed.

Though, I'd shoot for getting Buck in there at least 80-85% of the time. Bradley and Stewart will need to be spelled from time to time and I'd like to see Buck get played as much as he might at AAA (shorter season). Let him get his feet wet against some of the easier lefties but make sure Kielty is in their for all of them.

by DMOAS on Mar 31, 2007 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree with you

...who might that have been? (and still might be?)

by OaklandSi on Mar 31, 2007 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreed--I love the looks of T-Duck, but

bringing him up to ride the bench worries me, I'd rather see him get regular work in Sacto. Guess it depends what Geren & Beane have planned for Buck's future, but I'd just hate to start his clock now if he's not going to get some good, solid time in the game.

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Mar 31, 2007 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions

more on radio feeds

I just switched from 1550 am (where there's an annoying buzz) to 106.9 fm. There I heard the same discussion that I'd just heard on 1550. Seems that (in addition to the sync problems with the telecasts) the A's flagship FM station is later than its AM flagship station.

by OaklandSi on Mar 31, 2007 4:38 PM PDT reply actions

With you on Buck

starting in right and bringing Swisher into 1st. What is also confusing is that they're saying they would use Walker as a backup 1s baseman, but it's hard to see how they keep him in that capacity.

by sslinger on Mar 31, 2007 4:38 PM PDT reply actions

Kielty

would have to be in right full time.

by DMOAS on Mar 31, 2007 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions

that's why

it is confusing

by sslinger on Mar 31, 2007 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions

To be honest...

I'd rather have Kielty starting over Walker.

by DMOAS on Mar 31, 2007 5:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Same, DMOAS--

I'll take Kielty's lefty swing over Walker's defense any day of the week.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Mar 31, 2007 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions

me too

by OaklandSi on Mar 31, 2007 7:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Thirded.

Some ugliness at the plate is worth it to not have a liability at 1st.

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Mar 31, 2007 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions

It's also perfectly possible that

given everyday playing time, Kielty could hit .250 left-handed, which could translate into hitting .270 overall with decent power. That's no more to hope for than hoping Walker doesn't embarrass himself at 1B or that he hits 10+ HR--neither of which I'm willing to bank on.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Mar 31, 2007 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions

I think it's more likely that

given sufficient playing time, Walker will do just fine at first base. Remember, the guy hasn't had a spring training due to his arbitration issues with the Padres. The man was never a good second baseman, but he's been a major league middle infielder for a lot of years. I think he can handle first.

by Nate on Mar 31, 2007 11:05 PM PDT up reply actions

he played first last year with the Cubs

and not very well

by OaklandSi on Apr 1, 2007 12:11 AM PDT up reply actions

On the bright side

the expectations from both roster spots were never exactly high so covering them, even if only partially, won't be too difficult.

by DMOAS on Mar 31, 2007 4:44 PM PDT reply actions

Durazo not on team opening day

Also Suzuki and Murphy. Durazo's choice to go to Sacramento.

by WaddellCanseco on Mar 31, 2007 4:59 PM PDT reply actions

I'm really glad if Durazo accepts

going to Sacramento, so there's some insurance in case the first solution turns out to be a disaster (I'm looking at you, Todd Walker). I am feeling very nervous about the 1B situation, unless the A's roll the dice with moving Swisher to 1B.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Mar 31, 2007 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions

I heard it was his choice whether to accept

but not that he has made that choice

by OaklandSi on Mar 31, 2007 7:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Yup

just heard that too.

by sslinger on Mar 31, 2007 4:59 PM PDT reply actions

me too, on buan's extra innings

.. and I posted to the diary on "how many wins?" -- instead of here - homer simpson says, Doh!

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 31, 2007 5:06 PM PDT up reply actions

I can't think the A's were too impressed

with Walker over at 1B today, and it's not like he's a .330 hitter or a 25 HR threat. He's a rich-man's Doug Mint-kay-vitch as a hitter, and a rich man's Durazo as a fielder. Whoop-dee-doo and Whoop-dee-dee. I'd rather have "Minky" himself, frankly, and at least present a solid defensive infield.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Mar 31, 2007 5:06 PM PDT reply actions

Too bad for Durazo

IMO, he's had a great approach at the plate, going up the middle and opposite field while waiting for his pitch. I guess he just won't cut it defensively. I still don't like Walker at 1B anymore than Durazo, and I like his bat less.

What to do...what to do...

"The future's like, who cares?" ~Eric Chavez

by rebus on Mar 31, 2007 5:14 PM PDT reply actions

I suppose

we could always call the commish and inform him that, while his offer to play baseball for 162 games this season is generous, we respectfully decline. But if he's willing to offer an 81 game deal starting around mid-Juneish, we'd be more than willing to listen.

by DMOAS on Mar 31, 2007 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions

hehe

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 31, 2007 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions

I hope Buck, but fear Walker

I really like Swisher at 1B. I think today showed that it IS important to have a good fielding 1B. For a team that relies on pitching and defense so much, the potential offense that either Durazo or Walker could contribute isnt enough to cover the liability on defense. Plus Buck has the makeup a big leaguer, for all the points Nico mentions. He looks like he is adapting quick, and could be an early spark to the A's. Plus no other teams have seen him, so maybe he can catch that rookie lighting in a bottle. Just like DJ in 2005 June/July.

After watching Ruby in ST in person this year, I think this is the worst option for the A's. He just cant move at all. I watched him try and track down a routine pop fly in foul ground, and he looked ridiculous. I also think that if he DID start, then your gonna have MLB teams dig up all the old video archives on him and how to get him out. There is a reason he is not in the big leagues anymore.

So that leaves the A's with Walker, why would they pick him up if they were seriously considering Durazo.

"...we don't score six, seven runs. We score three, four runs and play defense and pitch" - Eric Chavez

by pickinmachine on Mar 31, 2007 5:26 PM PDT reply actions

have to agree, pitching/'D' is more impt

.. I now don't understand why the Walker pickup either, unless the A's just grabbing at straws and trying to gain some options from the waiver wire ..

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 31, 2007 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions

defensively, I agree on Durazo, but the reason he

wasn't in the majors, is he was getting over TJ surgery. His last full healthy year, he was one of the top 5 DH's. I doubt he will go to Sacramento, I could see him in Minnesota. Is Rondell White still the DH?

by theblackpearl on Mar 31, 2007 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm with you

I think Durazo can probably still hit, but not enough to be a 1B. Pinch-hitter in the NL or DH in the Al would suit him well. I hope he catches on somewhere (not in the AL West) and hits well.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Mar 31, 2007 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions

I forgot about the surgery

good point. He probably still isnt any teams first choice as a DH, but yeah, hes better than Rondell White.

"...we don't score six, seven runs. We score three, four runs and play defense and pitch" - Eric Chavez

by pickinmachine on Mar 31, 2007 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree

I get the feeling that Walker was a last ditch attempt to avoid giving the job to Buck. They want Buck to get time in AAA, but given their cards, he's their best option. If Walker was able to handle 1st, they could send Buck down, but that failed miserbly.

by DMOAS on Mar 31, 2007 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions

what do you do with ruby and walker in sac?

if buck stays in the big league what do you do with those 2 in sac?

i guess walker can play 1st and ruby DH but then what do we do with the Strokes guy we just aquired?
If we put ruby at 1st and walker at 2nd then what do we do with melillo?

ALLEZ LES A'S!!!

by J Rod @ Athletics Nation on Mar 31, 2007 6:13 PM PDT reply actions

oh and i forgot about barton

which makes it even more of a mess

ALLEZ LES A'S!!!

by J Rod @ Athletics Nation on Mar 31, 2007 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Barton as well

He's going to play every day, and my guess is that Billy would like Stokes to get every chance to show he is healthy and productive again.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Mar 31, 2007 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions

The ideal June lineup is....

C Kendall
RF Swisher
CF Bradley
DH Piazza
3B Chavez
SS Crosby.
RF Buck
2B Ellis
1B Barton

P1 Harden
P2 Haren
P3 Blanton
P4 Loaiza
P5 Windsor

Unfortunately April and May with Walker, Stewart, Kennedy and maybe Gaudin are going to be ugly.

by WaddellCanseco on Mar 31, 2007 6:31 PM PDT reply actions

What is wrong with Shannon Stewart?

He looks fine to me {witness that triple today}; he seems healthy; just few years ago with Minnesota he was in the MVP voting ..

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 31, 2007 6:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Stewart looked really good legging out the triple

Maybe playing home games on grass for the first time as a major leaguer will keep him healthy and revive some of his former glory. I won't speak for WaddellCanseco, but in my opinion Buck has more upside than Stewart in 2007 (and far more in subsequent years). If Stewart stays healthy and productive he will be playing, as Geren has made that clear from the outset.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Mar 31, 2007 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Also if you want the best defensive infield ..

.. should have Swisher at first base, IMHO ..

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 31, 2007 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Agree mostly

I would like Meyer over Windsor. It's hard to see how Windsor is really going to get better absent some miraculous new pitch. He is never going to throw harder, he already has good control, and his changeup is already about as good as it can get. I want to like Windsor, but it's hard for me to see any real upside with him. Meyer has the chance, if healthy, to be a left-handed version of Haren.

Also, by the middle of June it would not surprise me if Kotsay is back, and he will of course play if healthy.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Mar 31, 2007 6:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Totally Agree about Windsor ..

.. he has yet to show he can win at MLB level ..

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 31, 2007 6:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Im with you, minus Barton

I think Barton could use one more year of minor league ball. I think he could be ready this year, but why rush him. He is only 21 yrs old.

I think Barton will be a cornerstone of the franchise for many years, so the A's would be wise to hold onto those prime age years before hes a FA.

Besides, I think Stewart is going to be a big suprise to the A's this year, so if hes playing well, they wont need Barton.

If he is raking at AAA this year and the A's are struggling, then Im with you on the callup.

"...we don't score six, seven runs. We score three, four runs and play defense and pitch" - Eric Chavez

by pickinmachine on Mar 31, 2007 7:07 PM PDT up reply actions

A's defense looked putrid today...

not only were there 3 errors but Ellis could not flag down some balls that he got to last year and Kendall's throws to second were way off line. The A's must have set a record for errors this spring. I hope it does not carry into the reg season.

With the Oakland A's, the intravenous drip is always half full!

by OaktownRajah on Mar 31, 2007 7:03 PM PDT reply actions

just gotta get the cobwebs out ..

.. still ST, -- the beginning of regular season, along with the adrenaline rush when games really count, should help do it ...

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 31, 2007 7:07 PM PDT up reply actions

OT - Commiseration to any UCLA fans ..

.. they are gettin killed by Florida ..

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 31, 2007 7:26 PM PDT reply actions

There goes my bracket

My father's work does a bracket every year, and the this year it came down to My father and I (we're usually at near the top every year).

I was 15 points behind my dad, and in order to win, I needed UCLA to win their Final Four game, and win the Championship.

But since they've lost this game, I am out and my dad has won it all.

by Zonis on Mar 31, 2007 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions

florida-ohio state

this must be the first time the football and asketball championships have matched the same teams. of course, there's only been a football champion for about 10 years.

by vk on Mar 31, 2007 7:47 PM PDT reply actions

This raises an obvious hope

Since it's a football reprise, can we get that swine Billy Packer out of the booth and replace him with Keith Jackson? I can hear it now...

"Those big uglies Horford and Oden are battlin' inside. Greg'll put a dent in his ice cream cone. And lookit Mike Conley runnin' around Gators like hay bales at a rodeo. But he FUM-BUUULLLLLLLS! Whoa, Nellie!"

"He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man." --Dr. Johnson

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Mar 31, 2007 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions

As I said in ohad's thread,

it looks like we'll have Kielty in RF, Swisher at 1B against lefties and Swisher in RF, Walker at 1B against righties. That's a defensive downgrade at RF at 1B, but will probably decently approximate what Dan Johnson might have provided.

Walker hit 302/368/425 against righties last year and Kielty hit 325/358/607 against lefties last year. Throw in a little regression and we might be looking at an 800-850 OPS from a Walker/Kielty platoon, which is what a realistic expectation from DJ would have been. As bad as Walker might be at first base, it's worth remembering that he's almost assuredly better than DJ. And while Walker doesn't have nearly the upside of the Great White Whale, I don't think he has nearly the downside either. Walker has actually hit acceptably at the major league level over the last few years, something Durazo hasn't done. Yes, it was injury, but Durazo was white hot against Mexican league pitching and the AA trash that populates early spring training. He's cooled off considerably as late.

I doubt that Buck would be able to post an 800-850 OPS in the majors right now. Furthermore, when DJ comes back, we can DFA Walker without losing much in the way of depth. If Buck is playing fulltime, a healthy DJ would mean a demoted Buck, thereby wasting an option year and starting the arbitration clock unnecessarily. I know it's more fun to watch the young guys come up the big leagues and hope for them to make a splash, but this move makes the best of a bad situation while preserving flexibility now and in the future.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Mar 31, 2007 8:29 PM PDT reply actions

I agree with 98% of that, salb--

the only quibble would be that I'm not at all convinced Walker is a defensive upgrade over DJ (I do agree, though, that a Walker-Kielty platoon can match or exceed what DJ would have provided, and I agree that DJ's defense is nothing to get excited about).

The thing about Walker is that he was a poor 2Bman who is now playing a less familiar position. So he's at a newer position as a guy who was a liability at his "better" position.

I'd rather see what Kielty can do from the left side if he gets in the everyday groove, and have Swisher play superior 1B. At least the defense and power would be decent, and a Kielty-Kielty platoon should be able to hit at least .250 with great hair.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Mar 31, 2007 8:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Ooops.

I meant to say that Walker is almost assuredly better than Durazo. He's probably not as good as DJ.

Kielty I'm not sold on as an everyday player, particularly against righties. Since we've got a lefty bat to platoon with him, why not? He's not a whiny b---- who'll complain about platooning.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Mar 31, 2007 8:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Cool--now we're up to 100% agreement

(Though in the sample size of two comments, the difference bewteen 98% and 100% was statistically insignificant.)

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Mar 31, 2007 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions

LOL--I'm glad I checked out the link

because I assumed you were referring to Kotsay! Guess he's not the only OFer who whines about being platooned.

Speaking of Geoff Jenkins...Wouldn't he look damn good in an A's uniform right about now? Platooning with Kielty while Swisher plays 1B?

Maybe we can trade Durazo, Walker, and any other pathetic, desperate attempts at fill-ins we can scrounge up, for Jenkins.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Mar 31, 2007 8:57 PM PDT up reply actions

I think that

grover advocated the acquisition of Jenkins over the offseason. The big problem is that he's being paid 7 MM this year and has a 500 K buyout on his 9 MM option for next year. So he's a 7.5 MM commitment, plus whatever players it takes to acquite him.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Mar 31, 2007 9:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Couldn't we just ask him

to play for free? In exchange we could promise not to make fun of the way he spells his first name.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Mar 31, 2007 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm very upset about Ruby

One of my favorite players

And I hate Todd Walker

Hi, I am closetasfan, and I am a NRAF, and an ANA

by closetasfan on Mar 31, 2007 8:54 PM PDT reply actions

What do you hate most about Walker?

1. That he only has power against Ricardo Rincon?

2. That he can't even catch a cold?

3. That he's like Hatteberg, only uglier and less cool?

4. That no team starting Todd Walker at 1B can be considered a contender?

5. That he eats babies and strangles puppies? (Strictly rumor)

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Mar 31, 2007 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Probably that he was on the Red Sox WS team

Hi, I am closetasfan, and I am a NRAF, and an ANA

by closetasfan on Mar 31, 2007 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Goodness...

I will be disgusted if they keep Walker over Buck....Disgusted.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Mar 31, 2007 9:49 PM PDT reply actions

Put it this way:

Sometimes 23.5 year old rookies are ready to make a splash and/or settle in nicely. But Todd Walker is never the 1Bman on a team with high ambitions. Why don't we just start Chris Codiroli on Monday?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Mar 31, 2007 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreed....

There is zero, ZERO, upside with Todd Walker as a starting 1B.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Mar 31, 2007 10:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm double-posting this

comment I made above, so that it's also an addendum to your comment, OP:

It's also possible that given everyday playing time, Kielty could hit .250 left-handed, which could translate into hitting .270 overall with decent power. That's no more to hope for than hoping Walker doesn't embarrass himself at 1B or that he hits 10+ HR--neither of which I'm willing to bank on.

And this at least allows Swisher to play 1B. Why would Walker be a better option than a Buck-Kielty platoon or just a Kielty-Kielty platoon?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Mar 31, 2007 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Depth, and further avoidance of injury?

Why would Walker be a better option than a Buck-Kielty platoon or just a Kielty-Kielty platoon?

.. because, perhaps, if you overuse Kielty, who himself is recovering from knee surgery, you risk getting him reinjured, maybe even worse, losing him for longer periods or even for the season?

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 31, 2007 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Kielty has hit

.230/.333/.350 for his career (1240 PAs) left handed. And his defense sucks. A Kielty/Kielty platoon is flat out crazy and should be (and is) Plan Z.

by mikeA on Apr 1, 2007 12:39 AM PDT up reply actions

Agree.

For reasons outlined above, Walker over Buck is the right call. It's give us the best option today and maintains our flexibility tomorrow. Why burn through your alternatives?

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Apr 1, 2007 4:23 AM PDT up reply actions