Well, now that JJ Hardy is all-but-certainly not becoming an Oakland Athletic anytime soon and Billy Beane has all-but-dismissed any intention of signing veteran free agents this winter, it seems like I can now officially move past my admittedly half-baked, crackpot off-season plan and re-evaluate my hopes/thoughts concering these Oakland A's as they prepare for the 2010 season.

At this point, it certainly looks like the organization is not motivated at all to contend next season, and I guess that's a realization that's better accepted now than sometime later in the off-season/beginning of Spring after a winter of nervous/excited rosterbating and rumor-mongering. With that in mind, I'm starting to "come around" on a few ideas that I've seen posted here at AN or other sites in regards to our Green and Gold of 2010 and beyond:

Continue reading this post »

Fellow ANers,

In the recent ROY award press conference for Andrew Bailey, Billy made it very clear that he views this award as vindication/validation of the A's current youth movement, and that any trades made this offseason will be for more young talent rather than proven veterans.  "We're going to stay disciplined," Billy said Tuesday.  "We're going to go with young players. We want long-term answers, like Andrew."

Now, who knows if the guy is actually telling the truth, or if Billy just decided to throw up a huge smokescreen for the duration of the offseason.  What we do know however, is who's likely to be traded if and when a deal for said youth goes down; Catchers.

To put it mildly, the A's are freaking loaded at the catcher position, and before anyone goes out and gets their shorts in a tussle, Im not advising that Billy trade Zukes. (Errr.....yet!)  Lets look at the depth in the organization at the position.

Zukes: Probably at peak value right now.  He will most likely hit around .280 with 15-20 HRs, and has proven himself one of the better catchers in the league handling a staff. (and a ridiculously young and growing staff at that)  I think trading Zukes at this point would hurt the development of the rotation.  However, if Zukes has another great year in 2010, as we all expect, I would not put it past Billy to trade the guy at peak value, especially if those further down the system continue to impress.  The pitchers will be more established at that point, and losing Zukes might not have that great an impact once the young guys are no longer in their 1st or 2nd seasons on the mound.

Landon Powell: Shown the ability to hit for some good power if given the opportunity to play full time.  Injury history, especially with the knees, lowers his stock, but he is great in the backup role.  Could also be of value as a switch hitting DH and PH off the bench. (Value at 1B too?)

Josh Donaldson:  After a disappointing showing to start the season in the Midwest League in 2008, 'The Donald' was traded to Oakland as part of the Gaudin/Harden deal.  He took off in Stockton to finish the season strong, and had a good 2009 at AA Midland.  We should expect him to advance to AAA in 2010, with a chance to earn a shot at the bigs at some point in 2011.  In a package deal, Donaldson has real value if Billy decides to go after young talent elsewhere.

stats via thebaseballcube.com

Max Stassi: Oakland's 2009 4th round pick with 1st round talent.  Has great upside, and his makeup and instincts have been described as off the charts.  Plenty of trade value here should Billy chose to go that route.

Anthony Recker:  Oaklands 2005 18th round selection has been on the track you would expect of an 18th rounder, the slow one.  Nevertheless, the guy has progressed, and there is some value here as a trade chip.

stats via thebaseballcube.com

Needless to say, there is a lot in the works at the catcher possition in the A's organization.  Im not saying which one, or more, of these guys should be traded, but it seems pretty clear that if a trade is made Billy will have to look this list over and make some tough choices.

Who do you all think should be used as trade bait?  Would you all be willing to let go of Stassi (or even Zukes) if it meant you could get a guy like Yunel Escobar from the Braves?  I could totally accept a package deal of Green or Ladendorf, and Stassi if it meant we could get back talent like Yunel.  What do you all think?  What about other trades?  I only mention Yunel cause there were rumors at the deadline the A's might have gotten him.  Any good ideas?  Anybody wanna take a stab at who Billy is talking about when he says, "long term [young] answers"?

***UPDATE***

It has been made clear that Stassi and Green cannot be traded until some time next year.  So, would you all be willing to give up Donaldson and/or Recker and/or Zukes etc etc if it meant quality returns in the same class as Escobar?

For Reference: Scout's Mid-Season Top 50.

Prospects up for Vote:

Matt Spencer, OF, Age 23

Year	Team	Lg	Age	Org.	Level	Pos	Ln	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	HBP	IBB	SH	SF	DP	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
2007	Arizona State	Pac10	21	-	NCAA			55	185	45	70	16	2	8	48	8	2	19	37	5		1	1	2	.378	.448	.616	1064
	Williamsport	NYPL	21	PHI	A-	of		51	179	21	47	10	0	9	26	3	3	11	46	5	0	1	2	0	.263	.320	.469	789
2008	Clearwater	FSL	22	PHI	A+	of		85	307	40	77	12	3	6	42	5	1	30	66	2	0	0	4	8	.251	.318	.368	686
	Stockton	Calif	22	OAK	A+	1b-of		41	169	30	56	12	1	8	27	7	1	6	39	6	0	0	1	1	.331	.374	.556	930
2009	Stockton	Calif	23	OAK	A+			30	117	20	32	5	0	10	29	3	1	12	15	0	1	0	1	2	.274	.338	.573	911
	Midland	Tex	23	OAK	AA			93	371	59	109	29	3	9	62	2	3	26	75	7	1	0	5	3	.294	.347	.461	808
Minor League Totals - 3 Season(s)								300	1143	170	321	68	7	42	186	20	9	85	241	20	2	1	13	14	.281	.338	.463	801

 

Pedro Figueroa, SP, Age  23

Year	Team	Lg	Age	Org	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SH	GF	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	WP	H9	HR9	BB9	K9	WHIP
2006	Azl Athletics	Ariz	20	OAK	Rk	2	6	6.07	13	8	0	0	1	0	43.0	59	39	29	4	11	27	2	12.3	0.8	2.3	5.7	1.63
2007	Vancouver	Nwst	21	OAK	A-	2	2	4.30	17	7	0	0	3	1	44.0	41	26	21	2	31	35	4	8.4	0.4	6.3	7.2	1.64
2008	Vancouver	Nwst	22	OAK	A-	2	5	3.93	15	15	0	0	0	0	68.2	62	37	30	3	32	77	3	8.1	0.4	4.2	10.1	1.37
2009	Kane County	Midw	23	OAK	A	10	2	3.23	16	16	0	0	0	0	86.1	89	37	31	6	31	78	6	9.3	0.6	3.2	8.1	1.39
	Stockton	Calif	23	OAK	A+	3	4	3.56	11	11	0	0	0	0	65.2	62	27	26	3	35	67	4	8.5	0.4	4.8	9.2	1.48
Minor League Totals - 4 Season(s)						19	19	4.01	72	57	0	0	4	1	307.2	313	166	137	18	140	284	19	9.2	0.5	4.1	8.3	1.47

 

James Simmons, SP, Age 22 - Video

Year	Team	Lg	Age	Org	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SH	GF	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	WP	H9	HR9	BB9	K9	WHIP
2005	UC Riverside	BigWest	18	-	NCAA	3	1	2.95	6	6	1	0		0	36.2	37	17	12	2	4	24	2	9.1	0.5	1.0	5.9	1.12
2006	UC Riverside	BigWest	19	-	NCAA	9	5	2.96	16	16	0	0		0	109.1	108	47	36	11	19	94	3	8.9	0.9	1.6	7.7	1.16
2007	UC Riverside	BigWest	20	-	NCAA	11	3	2.40	17	17	5	1		0	123.2	103	48	33	9	15	116	3	7.5	0.7	1.1	8.4	0.95
	Midland	Tex	20	OAK	AA	0	0	3.94	13	2	0	0	2	0	29.2	36	16	13	2	8	23	0	10.9	0.6	2.4	7.0	1.48
2008	Midland	Tex	21	OAK	AA	9	6	3.51	25	25	0	0	0	0	136.0	150	58	53	11	32	120	3	9.9	0.7	2.1	7.9	1.34
2009	Sacramento	PCL	22	OAK	AAA	7	7	5.72	23	22	1	0	0	0	119.2	139	81	76	8	47	81	7	10.5	0.6	3.5	6.1	1.55
Minor League Totals - 3 Season(s)						16	13	4.48	61	49	1	0	2	0	285.1	325	155	142	21	87	224	10	10.3	0.7	2.7	7.1	1.45

 

Ben Hornbeck, SP, Age 21

Year	Team	Lg	Age	Org	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SH	GF	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	WP	H9	HR9	BB9	K9	WHIP
2006	Kansas State	Big12	18	-	NCAA	3	1	1.24	18	1	0	0		1	29.0	22	8	4	3	16	35	2	6.8	0.9	5.0	10.9	1.31
2007	Kansas State	Big12	19	-	NCAA	2	2	7.22	16	10	0	0		1	52.1	66	44	42	4	28	46	10	11.4	0.7	4.8	7.9	1.80
2008	Kansas State	Big12	20	-	NCAA	1	1	3.22	13	2	0	0		0	22.1	25	12	8	3	9	17	7	10.1	1.2	3.6	6.9	1.52
	Vancouver	Nwst	20	OAK	A-	2	2	4.88	18	0	0	0	5	1	31.1	30	18	17	2	18	40	3	8.6	0.6	5.2	11.5	1.53
	Kane County	Midw	20	OAK	A	1	0	2.25	3	0	0	0	2	0	4.0	3	1	1	0	1	5	1	6.8	0.0	2.3	11.3	1.00
2009	Kane County	Midw	21	OAK	A	4	0	1.24	7	4	0	0	1	0	36.1	19	6	5	2	10	47	4	4.7	0.5	2.5	11.6	0.80
	Stockton	Calif	21	OAK	A+	5	4	3.52	21	11	0	0	3	1	76.2	64	36	30	3	32	111	9	7.5	0.4	3.8	13.0	1.25
	Midland	Tex	21	OAK	AA	0	1	16.20	1	1	0	0	0	0	3.1	5	7	6	0	4	1	2	13.5	0.0	10.8	2.7	2.70
Minor League Totals - 2 Season(s)						12	7	3.51	50	16	0	0	11	2	151.2	121	68	59	7	65	204	19	7.2	0.4	3.9	12.1	1.23

 

Shane Peterson, OF, Age 21

Year	Team	Lg	Age	Org.	Level	Pos	Ln	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	HBP	IBB	SH	SF	DP	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
2006	Long Beach State	BigWest	18	-	NCAA			39	125	12	41	3	2	2	19	2	1	11	19	8		3	2	2	.328	.411	.432	843
2007	Long Beach State	BigWest	19	-	NCAA			53	199	40	65	11	3	4	40	11	3	27	27	7		2	4	1	.327	.418	.472	890
2008	Long Beach State	BigWest	20	-	NCAA			59	213	52	83	16	2	7	50	10	3	44	47	7		3	1	1	.390	.506	.582	1088
	Batavia	NYPL	20	STL	A-	of-1b		65	230	35	67	20	2	1	39	3	2	39	65	4	3	0	2	1	.291	.400	.409	809
2009	Palm Beach	FSL	21	STL	A+			76	285	32	85	11	4	6	39	10	1	21	52	11	4	0	2	5	.298	.367	.428	795
	Springfield	Tex	21	STL	AA			18	74	10	21	4	1	1	7	2	0	5	10	1	0	0	0	0	.284	.338	.405	743
	Midland	Tex	21	OAK	AA			57	228	26	63	14	1	4	24	6	0	18	42	3	0	1	2	5	.276	.335	.399	734
Minor League Totals - 2 Season(s)								216	817	103	236	49	8	12	109	21	3	83	169	19	7	1	6	11	.289	.365	.412	777

 

Sam Demel, RP, Age - 23 - Video

Year	Team	Lg	Age	Org	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SH	GF	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	WP	H9	HR9	BB9	K9	WHIP
2005	Texas Christian	ConfUSA	19	-	NCAA	5	5	4.64	20	12	1	0		1	95.0	97	62	49	5	44	100	5	9.2	0.5	4.2	9.5	1.48
2006	Texas Christian	MWC	20	-	NCAA	6	6	4.08	23	13	0	0		6	92.2	93	52	42	8	37	100	8	9.0	0.8	3.6	9.7	1.40
2007	Texas Christian	MWC	21	-	NCAA	7	1	2.17	32	0	0	0		13	49.2	36	17	12	1	17	71	7	6.5	0.2	3.1	12.9	1.07
	Kane County	Midw	21	OAK	A	0	1	0.96	9	0	0	0	8	4	9.1	3	2	1	0	4	10	2	2.9	0.0	3.9	9.6	0.75
	Stockton	Calif	21	OAK	A+	0	0	7.07	11	0	0	0	2	0	14.0	16	16	11	2	15	13	4	10.3	1.3	9.6	8.4	2.21
2008	Stockton	Calif	22	OAK	A+	5	2	3.36	54	0	0	0	35	18	67.0	61	31	25	5	32	90	10	8.2	0.7	4.3	12.1	1.39
2009	Midland	Tex	23	OAK	AA	0	2	0.61	27	0	0	0	23	11	29.1	23	5	2	1	9	26	1	7.1	0.3	2.8	8.0	1.09
	Sacramento	PCL	23	OAK	AAA	2	3	3.62	28	0	0	0	10	3	32.1	27	14	13	1	21	33	5	7.5	0.3	5.8	9.2	1.48
Minor League Totals - 3 Season(s)						7	8	3.08	129	0	0	0	78	36	152.0	130	68	52	9	81	172	22	7.7	0.5	4.8	10.2	1.39

  

Brad Kilby, RP, Age 26 - Video

Year	Team	Lg	Age	Org	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SH	GF	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	WP	H9	HR9	BB9	K9	WHIP
2003	San Jose State	WAC	20	-	NCAA	1	0	3.21	10	0	0	0		0	14.0	14	5	5	1	5	10	2	9.0	0.6	3.2	6.4	1.36
2004	San Jose State	WAC	21	-	NCAA	4	1	1.71	25	0	0	0		6	58.0	42	13	11	1	29	46	5	6.5	0.2	4.5	7.1	1.22
2005	San Jose State	WAC	22	-	NCAA	7	2	1.85	16	8	2	1		1	77.2	60	22	16	5	31	54	1	7.0	0.6	3.6	6.3	1.17
	Vancouver	Nwst	22	OAK	A-	2	0	1.95	23	0	0	0		14	27.2	20	7	6	2	11	38	1	6.5	0.7	3.6	12.4	1.12
2006	Kane County	Midw	23	OAK	A	5	1	1.63	49	0	0	0	26	9	60.2	38	13	11	0	23	73	2	5.6	0.0	3.4	10.8	1.01
2007	Stockton	Calif	24	OAK	A+	0	0	3.24	7	0	0	0	5	3	8.1	6	5	3	0	6	16	2	6.5	0.0	6.5	17.3	1.44
	Midland	Tex	24	OAK	AA	3	3	2.88	48	0	0	0	12	0	65.2	63	24	21	6	22	69	1	8.6	0.8	3.0	9.5	1.29
2008	Sacramento	PCL	25	OAK	AAA	7	2	3.47	51	0	0	0	14	2	70.0	51	33	27	9	26	66	3	6.6	1.2	3.3	8.5	1.10
2009	Sacramento	PCL	26	OAK	AAA	4	2	2.13	45	0	0	0	6	2	63.1	40	15	15	5	24	77	5	5.7	0.7	3.4	10.9	1.01
	Oakland	AL	26	OAK	MLB	1	0	0.53	11	1	0	0	1	0	17.0	10	2	1	1	4	20	0	5.3	0.5	2.1	10.6	0.82
Major League Totals - 1 Season(s)						1	0	0.53	11	1	0	0	1	0	17.0	10	2	1	1	4	20	0	5.3	0.5	2.1	10.6	0.82
Minor League Totals - 5 Season(s)						21	8	2.53	223	0	0	0		30	295.2	218	97	83	22	112	339	14	6.6	0.7	3.4	10.3	1.12

Inspired by Sunday's release of the New Super Mario Bros. Wii, I will continue in my "series" of Nintendo console DLD's.  If you didn't see in the last DLD, here was the "premiere" of the game in NYC.  BUT I will save the Wii for another Daily Dump, keep your Wii discussions to "should I buy one" only. We can go in depth IF you want later.

Next up is the Nintendo 64.  Ah 1996, such a good year :-)

Continue reading this post »

Link

The news Nico and his tin foil antenna have been waiting for: the A's have inked a deal with Xtra Sports 860 am to broadcast up to 20 spring training games, plus the entire 162 game season and any post season games, through 2019.

Let's hope Xtra Sports will sign Marty Lurie to 10 year deal also.

No word yet if Miller Genuine Draft has signed on to run it's jingle for the next 10 years also.

Fellow ANers,

It would appear, as a relatively new member of this community, that I have unknowingly stepped into the middle of an ongoing debate with regard to the legitimacy of Blown Saves.  Personally,  I am very interested in any and all reasonable arguments on either side of the spectrum, but currently I stand with the belief that blown saves are significant.  (By the way, some sites do track the stat, including YahooSports.) 

For my part, this whole conversation got started with this years ROY award going to Andrew Bailey.  Almost immediately, parallels were drawn between Bailey and former Oakland Athletic Huston Street.  I happen to feel that comparison is unfair to both players.  Its unfair to Street, because he has proven longevity at the closer position in the bigs, and thats no small feat.  It's unfair to Bailey, because he technically had a better rookie year than Street, and doesn't have a penchant for Blown Saves (and crucial ones at that).  And there in lies the controversy, at least for my part, that got this conversation going.

Some in this community believe "that blown saves are irrelevant", some in this community believe Huston Street was a good closer as an Athletic, and some in this community believe both of those things.  I, with no disrespect to anyone here, do not, on either account.  I don't even think he was average, and for me his penchant for Blown Saves bears that out.

Lets look at the facts, shall we?  During his time in Oakland, Huston Street had 27 blown saves in 121 regular season opportunities.  That means Huston only saved 77.69% of his opportunities; It also means he blew almost one fourth of his chances, depending on how you look at it.  IMO that is outrageous, and well, well below even average for the league.  Hence, my feelings on Street.

***UPDATE*** [Because Micdog wanted more stats] ***UPDATE***

Here are some other players to compare.  Players listed are those whose careers began after SVO becam a tracked stat.  Older players like Mariano don't have career SVO totals, but these are closers your all familiar with from across the spectrum.

Eric Gane: 187 SV, 204 SVO, 91.66%

Joe Nathan: 247 SV, 276 SVO, 89.49%

Francisco Rodriguez 243 SV, 283 SVO, 85.86%

Brad Lidge: 195 SV, 233 SVO, 83.69%

Francisco Cordero 250 SV, 306 SVO, 81.69%

Huston Street 129 SV 158 SVO, 81.65%  [In Oakland: 94 SV, 121 SVO, 77.69%]

***END OF UPDATE***

By the way, while Street did have one of his best years in the bigs with the Rockies last season, saving 35 and only blowing 2 regular season games, it seems he still cant hold/save the biggest games......

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/13/street.rockies.ap/

Sounds all to familiar doesn't it.  At least it wasn't another 'no doubter' into the stratosphere, right? (Ahem 2006!) That ball is still in the air somewhere over Eastern Europe I think.

As for the legitimacy of Blown Saves, I really am interested in arguments to the contrary.  IMO the legitimacy of a certain statistic should not be called into question simply because there are a few instances in which the accumulation of said stat may seem harsh or unfair.  Sure there are ridiculous ways that an individual pitcher can pick up a blown save, but IMO the vast majority of blown saves are just regular, run-of-the-mill, Brad Lidge type blown saves.  A closer comes in in the 9th inning with a three run or less lead, and just blows it.  Maybe he catches a bad bounce or two (these things happen), or maybe he gets shelled, either way the save is blown and its significant cause there is rarely recovery possible;  The game is usually over, and in the end thats what its all about (yes bbgirl), Ws and Ls, with blown saves most often leading directly to the latter.

Sure, Blown Saves may not be the "be-all-to-end-all" statistic for closers, but it certainly seems significant to me.  I really am interested in all opinions here, so open my eyes to your truth on this matter, and maybe we can all kick the ball forward in this debate.

Does a ballpark have a culture? If so is it an extension of the fanbase or is it somehow manufactured by the stadium atmosphere? Maybe a mix of both?

We have been to a few big league parks. We plan on adding a few to our list next season (see June trip to the Midwest inter-league style).

Before last season, when the frog in my pocket and I journeyed to Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium, I was not really sure that a ballpark had a culture.

But we now know that there are definitely some characteristics we would like to see in a new Bay Area ballpark. And we think those characteristics would go a long way towards creating the best culture in the big leagues.

Below the fold, we shall bloviate on how a new stadium should look and feel (special thanks to cityplANner and vertig0 for their assistance, even if they didn't know they were giving it).

Continue reading this post »

*There has been some discussion as to the status of Chris Denorfia after he was outrighted by the A's last week.  According to this LINK at the Game of Baseball.com, Denorfia's name appears on the list of A's players eligible for 6-year minor league free agency.*

Oakland (17)

Pitchers: RHP Daniel Barone, RHP Andrew Brown, RHP Shawn Chacon, RHP Dewon Day, RHP Leonardo Espinal, RHP Angel Garcia, RHP Chris Gissell, LHP Daniel Haigwood, LHP Justin Hampson, RHP Scott Mitchinson, RHP Scott Patterson, RHP Jerome Williams

Catchers: Raul Padron

Infielders: Carlos Arrieche, Frank Martinez

Outfielders: Chris Denorfia, Archie Gilbert 

In a move that we all expected, the A's outrighted Chris Denorfia to Sacramento and freed up another spot on the 40-man roster.

Official Release:

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland A's outrighted outfielder Chris Denorfia to Triple-A Sacramento, the club announced today.

Denorfia spent most of the 2009 season at Sacramento where he batted .271 with nine home runs and 49 RBI in 107 games. He also went 0 for 2 with a run scored and RBI during a four-game stint with Oakland from June 9 to 17. Denorfia is a .279 career hitter with three home runs and 19 RBI in 100 games with the A's (2008-09) and Cincinnati (2005-06).

via media.scout.com

How about a little discussion on the direction of this team on and off the field since it appears to be the A's most monumental offseason in more than 40 years.  We are on the cusp of a new city, new ballpark perhaps as well as key decisions on free agents.

What are your opinions on San Jose being the A's new home?  Is it far enough away from San Francisco and the Giants' giant reach and marketing?  Is a 32,000 seat ballpark big enough?  (No).  What about a bigger ballpark?  Where else could the A's move to (Vancouver, New Jersey, Norfolk)?   Not since the A's moved to Oakland has there been a bigger offseason set of questions.  Actually, this move is even more crucial given the state of the lousy economy and Caifornia's particular economic challenges including its crowded baseball, sports and recreational offerings.  Personally, I think the A's are better off out of California.  The proposed 32,000 seat stadium is too small.  The whole decision to move to San Jose and into relatively small ballpark seems self-defeating and myopic.  This franchise deserves a grand slam approach, not some limited 'let's accomodate the Bay Area.'"  The Bay Area has never fully supported this grand franchise and team, save for a few years in the 1980's under Wally Haas.  This franchise has done the best job of developing players over the years.  How many of you ANer's keep saying look at the All-Star team we would have if we kept our players.  That has been the complaint for the last 40 years.  It is time to end this nonsense and move on literally.

If you are going to compete, then compete.  There is no model in baseball except the perpetual scouting, drafting and retaining.  We do well in the first two phases and then cannibalize ourselves in trying to retain and reinvent.

Stop the madness.  Move out of California altogether.  As far on the field, Miguel Tejeda should be brought back along with Jermaine Dye and a few others, so that the team can at least compete.

Any thoughts?

Note by baseballgirl: I LOVE this pick. I thought the voting was really reminiscent of when Street won, but I was worried about Andrus. Bailey took the award with 13 first place votes, 6 second place votes, and 5 third place votes. He won with 88, Andrus finished second with 65, and Porcello took third with 64. Didn't think it would be such a big gap.

I LOVE IT!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS ANDREW BAILEY! (Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy, and it's nice to see the A's get a little recognition.)

From the A's press release:

A’s reliever Andrew Bailey was named the American League Rookie of the Year on Monday, becoming the third A’s player in the last six years to earn the honor. Bailey, 25, posted an Oakland rookie-record 26 saves in 30 chances and a 6-3 record with a 1.84 ERA in his first full season as a closer. Named to the All-Star team in July, Bailey also delivered a 0.88 WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched) and 91 strikeouts against 24 walks in 83 1/3 innings over 68 appearances. Bailey, who was transformed from a starter to a closer in the summer of 2008, follows in the footsteps of A’s winners Huston Street (2005) and Bobby Crosby (2004) among the seven Oakland A’s to have won the award.

The A's and ESPN.com are reporting that Andrew Bailey has won the AL Rookie of the Year award.  Woot!  At least someone has been watching our boy(s).  Way to go, Drew!! 

Heard a rumor to this effect and tried to find it on MLB.tv but they weren't posting results yet.  Just saw it on Facebook and Twitter, though, so it must be true!   More words needed:  OK, let's say it again:   Way to go, Bailey!  Awesome way to finish your season.  Can't wait to see more next season.