Drinking the Kool Aid
For those of you that are newer to this site, I'm proud to say that I drank the Beane-flavor Kool Aid.
I've said it before, but I'll say it again, the man knows how to cover for his mistakes. First, Kotsay for Hernandez and Terrence Long. Now, Kendall for Rhodes and Redman.
It's just wondrous to watch the man work. He should do children's parties. Watch him stuff Redman and Rhodes into a top hat and pull out Kendall. Beane the Magnificent.
I love this trade for Kendall, and I think Faust did an excellent job of dissecting it below (This is why I love the diary function on AN because the opportunity for the community to make such an argument is unprecendented in the sports blogging world).
Does this also give Beane additional trading chips to help the team out down the stretch in 2005? Chips named Baker, Brown, Suzuki and Powell? Every team wants a great young catcher and since our big club is set in that position for the next three seasons (barring trades), is it possible that Billy uses those youngsters as his "orange chips?"
You can use this thread for more discussion of Kendall's addition and what this means for the future of the Big Three as well as other tremors through the organization.
I'm going to go back to playing MVP Baseball 2004 on my XBox and drinking my Kool Aid. Oh, not that it means anything, but Kendall hit two home runs in his first two swings in his first two at-bats after I traded for him.
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update
by ucla kid on
Nov 27, 2004 9:52 PM PST
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High heat baseball 2002
by Athletics fan and runner on
Nov 28, 2004 7:45 AM PST
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Hey Blez,
Anyway with this trade we may have acquired that 100-RBI guy people want. His name is Eric Chavez. Or maybe Erubiel Durazo. (Or both?) It's easier to drive in Jason Kendall from first or second base than it is to drive in Mark McLemore from the seat he took in the dugout after grounding out.
by Faust on
Nov 27, 2004 10:01 PM PST
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Why be so kind?
by grover on
Nov 27, 2004 10:04 PM PST
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Come now
by scareduck on
Nov 27, 2004 11:21 PM PST
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USS Mariner on the trade
I swear that Billy Beane is satan.
We need to have some kind of advertising campaign for the other poor 29 teams that have to deal with this.
"Just say no! It may sound cool now, maybe some of your friends are doing it, but dealing with Billy Beane will destroy your team, your family, and your internal organs"
Jesus, the guy could sell ice to eskimos...then steal all of it! Then take their clothes and charge them $10 each for the trouble!
by jmoney on
Nov 28, 2004 12:59 AM PST
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Billy Beane is THE BEST!
by LongTimeFan on
Nov 28, 2004 12:32 PM PST
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Re: Comments from the Pirates blog
This is highway robbery at it's best!
by Mikkoo on
Nov 28, 2004 1:45 AM PST
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you're being too hard on Beane
...but he wouldn't steal it back!
...he'd talk them in to giving it back!
-with a smile on their faces! ;-)
by Bleed Green on
Nov 29, 2004 9:10 AM PST
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AL WEST ETC.
Amazing, maybe Schott will open his eyes (and his wallet.) Look at what is happening in the AL West. ESPN mentioned two deals in the works up in Seattle; Carlos Delgado and Richie Sexson, nothing definite, just a rumor, not unlike Kendall was last week. Plus you know Moreno is going to get something down south. The AL West gets tougher every season. We all know with just a bit more money Beane can do wonders.
After watching Swisher in Phoenix last spring I wasn't overly immpressed. However I feel his time spent in Sac really improved his game. Now all can see is Swish flying out of nowhere to snag that ball. He may not have the arm of Dye but he looked good at the plate, patient and capable of doing the job.
by DC in WC on
Nov 28, 2004 8:04 AM PST
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Swisher...
by Colorado Fan on
Nov 28, 2004 9:37 AM PST
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I saw him play
by ohad on
Nov 28, 2004 10:36 AM PST
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It is possible
by rickeytime on
Nov 28, 2004 10:34 AM PST
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Predictions
by OaktownTribesman on
Nov 28, 2004 8:09 AM PST
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let's give ownership it's due
begrudgingly i applaud schott, etc.
NOW JUST SIGN HUDDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by bigelephant on
Nov 28, 2004 10:18 AM PST
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Ownership
Will Lewis Wolff be the new A's owner in 2007 and beyond?
by OaktownTribesman on
Nov 28, 2004 11:40 AM PST
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Lewis Wolff
by paul75 on
Nov 28, 2004 1:09 PM PST
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Payroll
by iglew on
Nov 29, 2004 2:35 AM PST
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Beane's dealings more impressive at lower levels
by AlamedaAphid on
Nov 28, 2004 12:50 PM PST
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A little perspective
It's doubtful that the Reds or Brewers would ever have developed Crosby or Harden (the list is even greater) the way the A's did. Beane has acknowledged that we have hands down the best player development director in Lieppman. I tend to agree.
by OaktownTribesman on
Nov 28, 2004 12:58 PM PST
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Our farm system
by jmoney on
Nov 28, 2004 5:07 PM PST
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Yes
by OaktownTribesman on
Nov 28, 2004 6:52 PM PST
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re: Swisher 2005?
So even if 2005 is a "go-for-it" season for the A's, that doesn't mean you can accelerate a player's progress "just because." I wouldn't count on better than a .240 avg, .320 OBP for a first full season. Anything better = gravy. Of course, you have to take with a grain of salt anyone who mentions gravy just three days after Thanksgiving. Ooh, did somebody mention salt?
OK, that's it--I clearly have a serious addiction to Thanksgiving leftovers. The only solution is to quit cold turkey.
Get it?
by Nico on
Nov 28, 2004 1:24 PM PST
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as long as
by ucla kid on
Nov 28, 2004 4:46 PM PST
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SO's
by AlwaysSweatin on
Nov 29, 2004 10:08 AM PST
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is Swisher supposed to be strong defensively?
by OaklandSi on
Nov 28, 2004 5:24 PM PST
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Slusser and Eric Byrnes: big 3 stay
A done deal: Kendall to A's
Pirates take Rhodes, Redman; will pay part of catcher's salary
Susan Slusser, Chronicle Staff Writer
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Jason Kendall officially became a member of the A's on Saturday. The addition of the pricey All-Star catcher signals that Oakland plans to contend again in 2005 and is willing to add to the payroll to do so.
"More than anything, to me, the biggest part of this whole trade is that it shows the organization is committed to winning a championship,'' A's outfielder Eric Byrnes said.
Kendall is owed $34 million over the next three years, but in sending pitchers Arthur Rhodes and Mark Redman to the Pirates, the A's are shedding two contracts worth a combined $15 million over the next two seasons. (That was a primary reason the trade was able to be completed, according to GM Billy Beane.) Oakland will send $1 million to Pittsburgh each of the next two years, and will get back $7 million in 2007, when Kendall will be due $13 million. So overall, signing Kendall only adds a total of $14 million to the A's payroll if he remains the full three seasons. Beane stressed that he acquired Kendall to keep him, contrary to some reports.
"Everyone understood the need for us to acquire a catcher,'' said Beane, who described Kendall as a great offensive catcher in the prime of his career. "People can see the market for catching is going quickly. Some big-market teams need catching, so we didn't want to wait.''
And the A's didn't settle for either of their modestly priced free-agent targets, Gregg Zaun and Doug Mirabelli. There had been suggestions in the national media that Oakland would be in a rebuilding mode after failing to make the playoffs for the first time in five years. With that came rampant speculation that Beane would trade one of the Big Three, pitchers Barry Zito, Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson.
Redman was the team's fifth starter, however, which means that the A's don't have starting pitching to deal unless they were to obtain a reliable starter in return.
"It kind of makes sense not to break those guys up at this point, because you've traded a starter away,'' Byrnes said. "I can't see the organization wanting to do that unless they absolutely needed to or unless we get something great in return.''
Kendall, who hit .319 with 51 RBIs last year, is an upgrade offensively at catcher (Damian Miller hit .272 with nine homers and 58 RBIs last year for the A's). Kendall's a lifetime .306 hitter with a career .387 on-base percentage. The one thing he lacks is power (three homers last year, 67 in his nine-year career), but Beane won't necessarily look to add a big bat, not even a relatively cheap option such a free-agent Juan Gonzalez. Beane said in a conference call that he's fine with the outfield as currently projected, with Byrnes, Mark Kotsay and rookie Nick Swisher starting, with Bobby Kielty also available. The A's essentially are done talking to their own free-agent right fielder, Jermaine Dye, whom they'd considered bringing back for one year if he didn't find another spot to his liking.
"It looks like going in, Swisher will probably fill that spot,'' Beane said.
If no slugger is added, the offense may have a different approach, especially with Kendall near the top of the order.
"This guy can put the ball in play, can hit-and-run and he doesn't strike out much,'' A's manager Ken Macha said. "The way he handles the bat, there are a lot of things we can do.''
Kotsay, last year's leadoff batter much of the season, suggested that Kendall might hit leadoff, as he did with Pittsburgh, but with left-handed batting Eric Chavez hitting third, it's more likely that Kendall will hit second, behind Kotsay.
Rookie Joe Blanton is the best bet for the fifth spot in the rotation, and recent addition Seth Etherton also is a possibility. The odd man out may land in the bullpen, and 2004 first-round draft pick Huston Street also is considered an option in relief, according to Beane.
The one spot Beane might look to beef up is second base, because Mark Ellis' status remains uncertain as he attempts to return from a season-ending shoulder injury, leaving Marco Scutaro as Oakland's only sure-fire second baseman. The A's have been in contact with Barry Larkin's agent, and, according to reports, they have inquired about Atlanta All-Star Marcus Giles, although it would take a Big Three member to land that caliber of player.
Beane said that Adam Melhuse will remain the A's backup catcher, as expected. With the addition of Kendall, the team will not have to rush any of its excellent minor-league catching prospects, according to Beane, who isn't worried about having a glut of talent at the position.
by OaklandSi on
Nov 28, 2004 6:02 PM PST
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Sucking Up
Hmmm, that sounds like Byrnes is also drinking the Beane-flavored Kool-Aid... Anything to get land the starting LF job and a contract extension, right Byrnesie? :)
by OaktownTribesman on
Nov 28, 2004 7:19 PM PST
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poker face
that said, i love this deal. kendall's an on base machine and it looks like the big 3 will probably stay in oakland. we'll need as much as we can get since i guarantee the angels will sign at least one huge free agent.
by scooter o on
Nov 28, 2004 7:16 PM PST
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Catching Prospects
by Colorado Fan on
Nov 29, 2004 7:16 AM PST
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haha, MVP baseball as predictor
Kendall trade is ok. I guess less Rhodes and less Redman is always great. Addition by subtraction. I don't seriously believe the A's are expecting much out of Kendall. Eric Chavez has to wake the fock up. Look at Beltre--one of the best seasons out of a 3B, playing in another pitcher's park Chavez Ravine. Eric Chavez is consistently good, no greatness. I don't think he will ever have a breakout season. But I digress.
Kendall realistic outlook
(+)
Share leadership w/ Hudson. Eric Chavez will never be leader, and hopefully, he can give 40 HR power.
super D
no more Rhodes/redman.
(bonus)
scores runs 80-100.
hit .300, stay out of groundouts.
Yup, that is their realistic expectation. I really think the A's are not concerned about his OBP or his SLUG percentage. the guy has only gap power.
by suggy on
Nov 29, 2004 10:07 AM PST
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Kendall not known for super D
So it looks like the A's will accept some defensive dropoff, in exchange for his offense and leadership qualities.
by OaklandSi on
Nov 29, 2004 10:11 AM PST
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error stats
Kendall at least still has a chance when he throws it to 2B, and if some of his throws sails away, then so be it.
I think Pass Balls would be a better defensive indicator for catchers. Aggressive catchers will surely have a higher error.
but i agree the same, Kendall needs to step up his defense regardless.
by suggy on
Nov 29, 2004 10:19 AM PST
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2nd Base...
by jarforcefatherofforce on
Nov 29, 2004 10:08 AM PST
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2B Giles
by suggy on
Nov 29, 2004 10:11 AM PST
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sign polanco
by bigelephant on
Nov 30, 2004 5:21 AM PST
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We already have a two hole hitter
by ohad on
Nov 30, 2004 5:26 AM PST
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bat him wherever...
by bigelephant on
Nov 30, 2004 6:04 AM PST
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Guzman
by OaktownTribesman on
Nov 30, 2004 6:38 AM PST
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i thought i heard...
boston is in tough with cabarra- wants 5 yrs- boston saying go to hell. if they want polanco for shortstop, then i think that's a mistake. he's much better at 2nd.
money-wise. i'd agree. if he wants more than
4 mm then i might walk away. it depends on what you want to do at other positions i.e. trade hatteburg and his 2.5 mm ass and replace with johnson.
by bigelephant on
Nov 30, 2004 7:10 AM PST
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sorry...
by bigelephant on
Nov 30, 2004 8:43 AM PST
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What about Barry Larkin?
by A'sfansince1970 on
Nov 29, 2004 8:46 PM PST
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Barry Larkin
by secret ASian man on
Nov 29, 2004 11:22 PM PST
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if Larkin won't consider 2B
by OaklandSi on
Nov 30, 2004 5:04 AM PST
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Is Q ready?
by mikedaviswhereareyou on
Nov 30, 2004 8:37 AM PST
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not ready...
- needs to learn a new position.
- has not yet proven he can hit big league pitching.
by bigelephant on
Nov 30, 2004 8:40 AM PST
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Not to Rain on Q's Parade...
by jrbh on
Nov 30, 2004 10:47 AM PST
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What are you talking about?
Q hit .314 in the Cal League in 452 ABs. Are you sure you weren't looking at the wrong guy?
by grover on
Nov 30, 2004 10:49 AM PST
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he isn't ready...
p.s. great link though!!!
by bigelephant on
Nov 30, 2004 11:10 AM PST
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Q... more like "q"
by grover on
Nov 30, 2004 12:18 PM PST
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i think the point is...
by bigelephant on
Nov 30, 2004 10:51 AM PST
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Q in the CL
His CL stats are pretty good, you're right, although his walks total isn't too impressive.
by jrbh on
Nov 30, 2004 10:59 AM PST
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What about Scutaro?
by mitche82865 on
Nov 30, 2004 11:00 AM PST
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