Athletics Nation: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:



Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
New Blog: Backing the Pack for NC State Fans!


Billy Beane Midseason Interview Part III

Last week, I posted Part I and Part II of the Athletics Nation-Billy Beane Midseason interview.

Now, it concludes with Billy's thoughts on the draft, some players in the minors that deserve our attention and whether or not Moneyball gave away trade secrets.

Enjoy.

Blez: Can you believe that Huston Street has come out and been able to do what he's done this year?

Beane:  I think we all felt that at some point he'd be there.  But even his response to being a major leaguer, what six or seven months after pitching at Omaha even surprised us.  But if you get to know the kid, you realize his makeup is just off the charts.  He's just a bright kid, a bright talent and just a tremendous athlete in that role.  We thought he'd get to this point at some point, but to get there so quickly and respond to all the pressures of being a major league rookie in such a short amount of time is surprising to myself and everybody surrounding him.

Blez:  The A's did something rather unexpected, at least to those who read Moneyball.  The team drafted very high school heavy this year.  What was the MO behind that thinking?  I read that you had a lot of depth at the higher levels of the system.

Beane:  That would be true, but that isn't the reason we drafted the way we drafted.  If all people took from the book that we only draft college players, then a lot of people out there who completely missed it.  What we have to find is where the inefficiencies in the market are, what people are valued and what people are not valuing.  That's because the market is always going to shift.  What's happened over the last three or four years is that there is a significant push, especially in the higher rounds to draft a lot of college players.  We felt like this was going to come at some point.  For us, it's now about what is being undervalued.  In this draft, who was available to us and where we drafted, this is what we felt.  

Ironically, two days after the draft, they ran an article on Baseball Prospectus that said the greatest value in the draft was first round college position players.  Now, this is a mercurial study that's going to change all the time.  But right now, it's college position players, in this study, where you got the most value was choosing a college position player in the first round.  Ironically, the next best value in the second round was high school pitchers.  This is after the draft.  Now, this is one study and there are a number of clubs that are always studying where the best value is and where is the best time to take a player.  This is going to change.  And we try to do those studies as well.  And seeing the trend and where it was going the last couple of years, we needed to be prepared to say, listen this high schooler in the second round was once rated as one of the top 15 picks and now he's dropped down to pick number fifty-something.  This is now a good value for us.  I don't want to speak for Michael (Lewis) because he wrote the book, but that's really what the book was about.  The same thing with on-base percentage because now the market is valuing it.  

You know how we know the market is valuing it?  Because $18 million a year to Jason Giambi.  Eight or nine years ago, people weren't paying for it at the level that they are now.  Now they are.  The highest paid statistic in the game now is on-base percentage.  We're not dunderheads here, if other teams are paying for it and we can't get it, we're going to go out and try and find out what other teams aren't paying for.  One of the reasons we got Mark Kotsay is because of his defense.  We had to start shifting and finding guys in other areas.  We led the league in fielding percentage last year and we were second in the league in pitching.  So, if you listen to the people that cover this team, there's this assumption that we're this slow-pitch softball team.  At one point, we were probably close to it.  Back in 1999, we had a lot of homers, we were a high on-base percentage team and we scored a lot of runs.  But we didn't have a particularly great defense.  The shift over time was because the market started valuing those things.  We were the top team in the league, fielding percentage-wise, but you would've never believed that five or six years ago.

Blez:  Do you think there's a chance that the market started overvaluing this stuff, in part, because of Moneyball?

Beane:  That, you'd have to ask those people.  There's some smart guys out there, in my opinion.  I think they would've found this regardless of whether or not the book was written.  Theo Epstein.  Brian Cashman is very bright.  He's got a lot of money, but he's also very smart.  Obviously, in my opinion, Paul DePodesta.  I'm very partial to the JP's (Ricciardi) and Paul DePodesta's of the world.  But there are some smart guys out there.  Theo's bright.  The guys could do it on their own, they didn't need a book.  The young guys coming into the game, well, there's just some impressive guys out there.  In 10 years, I won't be able to even apply for this job.  (Laughing)  I'll be fly fishing somewhere.

Blez:  What do you think of the quality of this year's A's draft?

Beane:  We're very happy with it.  But all 30 of us are usually after the draft.  Time will tell.  We were happy at the end of the day to be able to get what we got.  Pennington, he's a leadoff guy.  And we can use that type of player.  A leadoff guy who runs well and a guy who has succeeded at the highest level.  We were lucky he was there.  Travis Buck, who kind of fits our profile, and we think he's a corner guy who will hit for power.  The younger guys, we'll see.  But they're all very talented guys in these points in their careers.  I think when you look at a draft you almost have to ask that question in another year.  Because you go back and look at last year's draft and we're very happy with it despite one of our first rounders blowing out his knee, Landon Powell.  Going through that draft, you've got Danny Putnam, Kurt Suzuki, Huston Street and Richie Robnett is just starting to get going.  I'm very, very excited about what's going on there.  You're not always going to get a hit, and the draft is something you're never going to nail down.  

Blez:  Was there any name, maybe a surprise name that was taken deeper in the draft, that people should pay attention to?

Beane:  Oh, Dallas Braden.

Blez:  Actually, I'm talking about this year's draft.

Beane:  It's still a bit too early to say.  You also don't necessarily want to single certain guys out.  There are guys that we think we got, but I think it's better left unmentioned and then if they do well, I'll claim I knew it all along. (Laughing)

Blez:  (Laughing)  Who is currently in the A's minor league system that A's fans should pay attention to that they may not be all that familiar with?  You mentioned Dallas Braden.

Beane:  Braden is a great one.  That was one I was going to go back to.  Dallas was someone we drafted in the 15th or so round and he's only 21-years-old and he's already at Double-A.  He won again last night.  He's a low-round pick who is just flying through the system.  Windsor, the kid we took from Fullerton last year, is already at Double-A.  And again, I'm eliminating guys that people already probably know about, you know the Herrera's of the world and Putnam.  But the first one to come to mind is Braden.  To be that young and already pitching at Double-A is a pretty rapid rise AND he's pitching well there.  

Blez:  What do you attribute it to?

Beane:  If we were that smart, we would've taken him a lot higher.  I always love the Rich Harden, who was what, our 16th or 17th rounder that year?  And people say, great job, if that was your 17th, what do the first 16th look like?  There's a significant amount to luck.  It's an imperfect system.  That's why the job is so difficult with scouts.  When a guy like Hudson comes out in the sixth round or Harden comes out in the 17th round or Piazza comes out of the 50th round or wherever he came from, it shows you the risk that's in there and that no one has really nailed it down.  There's a lot of luck and miscalculation involved.

Blez:  How do you feel about the Kendall deal at this point?

Beane:  Well, first of all, you talk about a leader and Jason has just been unbelievable even though he's struggled early on.  Now, if you look at his performance recently, and I think I actually saw this in something you wrote, if you look at the last 30-40 games, he's hitting .307 which is closer to his career average.  Jason is going to be better judged over his tenure here as opposed to short-term results.  The league adjustment for him has been exactly that, an adjustment.  But you're talking about a guy who is a .306 lifetime hitter and you're going to see that over the course of time.  Nobody cares more than he does.  He's been great.  I love having the guy around.

Blez:  Does he have an undisclosed injury with his arm because it seems like teams have been running wild on him?  I know it's not all him...although he is two-for-two in throwing basestealers out over the last little while.

Beane:  You're right that it isn't all his fault, but in fairness to him, it's something he's been working on.  Catchers can get in a bit of a funk mechanically.  I know he's been working on it.  But just know that in some cases, it isn't always the catcher's fault.  Jason has thrown better in his career and it might be just a little bit of a blip on the screen.  I don't think he would tell you that he was going to be Ivan Rodriguez in his prime, but no one is.  I think it's a mechanical thing and I think you see on pitch outs, when he even has plenty of time, he's going through the thought process and as a catcher you can't do that.

Blez:  You just have to react.

Beane:  Yeah, and I love him on this team.  He brings a lot of intangible things that are very hard to define.  But if you're around that team and around that guy, this guy just loves to play and loves to win.  He takes every loss to heart.  And it's just been an absolutely pleasure to have him around.  He's a guy who if fans really knew how much he cares, they'd really attach themselves to him.  

Blez:  Do you think he's part of the reason some of the younger guys were able to kind of turn things around?

Beane:  I'm sure he's a part of it because Jason is a very self-confident guy. He's not a physically big guy, but he's very self-confident.  He's got a presence.  He's the type of guy when you're around him, you feel like he is in control.  Not only that, but if they don't perform well, then he's going to take responsibility for that and that's one of the things you want in a catcher.  Jason cares as much about that as he does about getting hits.  He's not one of the guys who just takes his at-bats behind the plate.  He really cares.  That's really important to him as a catcher.

Blez:  You talked about Lew Wolff earlier.  Have things changed much from Steve Schott to Lew Wolff?

Beane:  Well, not anything day-to-day.  I have a lot of communications with Lew.  And he's really involved in a great way.  Steve, in many cases, wasn't around as much and our communication wasn't on a daily basis.  Lew, I'll talk to him or have communication with him two times a day.  He's just such a fan and that's the great thing as an A's fan.  He's just a fan.  He's a very intelligent and passionate guy who is dedicated to solving the stadium issue.  I get emails from this guy at 5:30 in the morning.  He was in France and he had to go there for like seven days during a really rough patch.  I'm getting emails from him all hours of the night, in a good way, though.  He's a very refreshing individual to be around.  He has seats behind the dugout and he wants to go out there and sit and meet people and say hello to them.  He's a lot of fun to have around and is just such a positive individual.  It's no criticism of anyone else, it's just that he's really unique.  He's made me really smart because we're going through this really difficult time in his chart year.  You want to talk about breeding loyalty?  You want to go through walls to make sure that this guy realizes some success.  It's been a pleasure to have him around.

Blez:  Has your overall budget increased since Lew took over?  Or will it be basically more of the same?

Beane:  There's the right time to do things and Lew is all for making good baseball decisions.  I would probably say, let's do it at the right time.  When the right baseball decision comes along and it fits short-term and long-term, then I have no doubt (the budget will increase) as he said it to me.  But there's a right time to do some things.  I won't necessarily go out tomorrow and take on some bloated contract so everyone can say, "Hey, they're spending money."  That's not the right thing to do or the right way to run the business.  

Blez:  But using the money, in this instance, to resign someone like Kotsay?

Beane:  Possibly, there's a number of things.  But you don't want to go out there just to tell people you're spending money.  You have to be making good baseball decisions.  The good thing is to blend the two.

Blez:  Billy, I have a Kotsay jersey.  Just tell me you'll resign him.

Beane:  (Laughing) There's nothing to extrapolate anything out of this and assuming I'm talking about Mark.  I'm not really talking about Mark.  There's times that yes, maybe we should've done something, but there was a decision based on economics.  That doesn't mean that, me as a general manager, is going to agree with everyone else.  To go back and talk about the people writing things on the team, if we did everything they said, we'd be in big trouble right now.  So we sometimes have to make decisions that separate emotion from a good decision.     But we have to make a lot of decisions based on economics.  That's why Lew is spending a lot of his time on a new venue.  It's that big elephant back there, for lack of a better term.  I know everyone is tired of it, but it's something we need.  Lew is doing everything he can to make it happen.

Blez:  Has your perspective changed at all now being part of the ownership group?

Beane:  Not at all.  I feel every bit as competitive.  I didn't wake up one day and things change, other than perhaps changing my business card, which I still haven't done.  I've always taken the approach to this franchise as if that was a part of my job any way.  I always thought, what's best for the franchise long-term?  I've always taken that approach any way, so it really didn't change much.  

Blez:  I think that's pretty much all I have for you today.  Thanks so much for taking so much time out to talk with AN and myself.

Beane:  No problem, Tyler.  It's always a pleasure.                      

0 recs | Comment 96 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Nice interview...
Billy always impresses me with his knolege of how to ivaluate young prospects...

by josh smith on Jul 4, 2005 10:02 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

just got back from a 4th party
and just when i thought the day couldnt get better after lighting so many fireworks, i come home to the last part of a great interview. i'll sleep well tonight knowing the A's future is in good hands. plus the fact that i'm really tired...

great work blez

--Nebraska--

by Ryan Armbrust on Jul 4, 2005 10:11 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

very non-committal on Kotsay...
Of course, he's not going to tip his hand during contract negotiations, but he didn't even throw you a bone.  In fact, his comment about having "to make decisions that separate emotion from a good decision" seems very ominious in the context it was used, i.e., in response to your question about Kotsay.
Eric Byrnes - Offensive and defensive dynamo!

by FoolshGame22 on Jul 4, 2005 10:15 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Thoughts
I thought the same exact thing.  It's 50/50 whether Kotsay is on this team August 1st.
Let's Go Oak-Land!

by Colorado Fan on Jul 5, 2005 10:20 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

remember the timing, folks
Blez did this interview before he and kotsay sat down and talked last week.
oaktoon

by oaktoon on Jul 5, 2005 10:37 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

the meaning of "moneyball"
"What we have to find is where the inefficiencies in the market are, what people are valued and what people are not valuing.  That's because the market is always going to shift."

someone send that to joe morgan, ray ratto, and everyone else that has misinterpreted the book...

by xbhaskarx on Jul 4, 2005 10:27 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

those two
are soo beyond redemption. They'll look at that quote and answer some other, non-related question, like "The A's are ten games out, and the Hudson trade was a HUGE bust".

Why do you think ESPN likes them so much?

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien on Jul 4, 2005 10:31 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Very good point
To go even deeper, it's actually Ratto's and Morgan's job to not "get" Moneyball: it's their job to reiterate and represent the mainstream values of the market. If OBP is being overvalued, it's Joe Morgan's job to overvalue it as well. If consensus market belief is that the Hudson trade was a bust, it's Ratto's job to reflect that. They're not market leaders, they're market indicators. It's written into their contracts thhat they be behind the curve.
Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 5, 2005 10:39 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Seems Kotsay is gone
The signs all seem to point to Kotsay being gone. With the A's lack of power I wouldn't mind a trade of Kotsay, packaged with an Ellis or Ginter, for a power guy (who that would be I don't know). But a sure power hitter would solve a few of their runners left on base problem. I really was angry at Beane after the Mulder/Hudson deal, but I trust him fully now with whatever decision he makes.
You've got to live like you're on vacation - P. Stanley

by Durden on Jul 4, 2005 10:31 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Pack your bags!
My take is that Kotsay, Byrnes and Thomas should keep their bags packed. My wish is that they do not go to the Yankees. Let the Yankees get their players from other sources.

by Graybeard on Jul 5, 2005 2:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Kotsay and Centerfield
It does sound like Kotsay is gone. If Kotsay is gone after all, then that means that either we will have Byrnes and Thomas platooning in Center, or we will made a trade for another Centerfielder (I wish it was Vernon Wells, but who knows).

Any ideas?

Athletics Nation Chatroom! Join us at #AthleticsNation @ irc.zirc.org

by Zonis on Jul 4, 2005 10:35 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It'll be Byrnes in CF...
there won't be any platoon with Thomas unless and until he shows he can play in the major leagues, which to date, he hasn't.
Eric Byrnes - Offensive and defensive dynamo!

by FoolshGame22 on Jul 4, 2005 10:38 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No way
I think Beane is the main reason that Byrnes never plays, its unlikely he'll ever give him a more major role, Kotsay or not.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien on Jul 4, 2005 10:41 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I agree...
I wish Blez had asked him that question.  But, when Kotsay goes... and, he is going, Beane will have little choice.
Eric Byrnes - Offensive and defensive dynamo!

by FoolshGame22 on Jul 4, 2005 10:46 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Billy wasn't going to go on record
talking about who would be his replacement center fielder.  He wasn't going to deal in hypotheticals.

Billy probably just wants to keep his options open when it comes to Kotsay.

by Blez on Jul 4, 2005 10:59 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No, of course, he wouldn't...
I wouldn't expect him to.  The question I had in mind would have been more along these lines:
  1.  Why do you hate Eric Byrnes?  or, if that's too undiplomatic...
  2.  Why did you keep Eric Byrnes?  He's relatively expensive compared to Kielty, Swisher and Thomas and you, obviously, don't like him... So why?  Or...
  3.  Billy, I have a Kotsay jersey... couldn't you just trade Eric Byrnes and re-sign Kotsay?
Eric Byrnes - Offensive and defensive dynamo!

by FoolshGame22 on Jul 4, 2005 11:12 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

if beane "values" defense...
...he sign kotsay.

it appears the money is there to sign kotsay. give him a limited no-trade and get on with it. i really can't see beane permitting byrnes anywhere near CF on the a's.

nice interview blez.

"Free Matt Watson from Sacramento/Live 8-End Poverty NOW" "....join the movement!

by bigelephant on Jul 5, 2005 5:58 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

value
Beane, as he said, values the undervalued. That being said if Kotsay wants 10 million then he is at value or is overvalued = A's cant afford him. that means that Beane could pick up several undervalued players that can outperform kotsay's value for the same or less cost. Man its tough being an A's fan Kotsay's awesome...

by NYC on Jul 5, 2005 7:47 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

do we believe reports that Kotsay
is looking for @$7 million a year for three years (including 2006)? If so, the sticking point is probably not the money (that's what he's earning already, and it's not unreasonable for what he brings). I'm sure Kotsay wants a no-trade clause, since he especially values being able to stay in one place for a while and playing for a contender. I'm also sure the A's won't give him a no trade clause. The question is: will they A's consider, and will Kotsay accept, a limite no-trade clause?

by OaklandSi on Jul 5, 2005 8:23 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

How close will 3 years
take him to ten-and-five?
"Look what we did!"

by ArakSOT on Jul 5, 2005 8:27 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

answering my own question
Kotsay's first full season in mlb was 1998. So 2005 is his eighth season. 2007 would be his tenth season in the majors.

by OaklandSi on Jul 5, 2005 9:05 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

and if Kotsay is with the A's
in 2008 that would be his fifth season with the same  club

by OaklandSi on Jul 5, 2005 9:06 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If Kotsay signs a three year extension
with the A's (including 2006, which would replace his current player option third year), he would be a ten year veteran during the 2007 season, but would not have five years with the same club (the A's) until 2008. although an effective "no trade clause" would kick in for him in 2008 as a "10 and 5 guy", that would also be the last year of his contract with the A's. by that time the contract will end and the A's would be under no obligation to re-sign him.

by OaklandSi on Jul 5, 2005 9:10 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

re: $$$$ vs no-trade
this was my orignial point. by most reports the money being asked for by kotsay seems reasonable and affordable...its the demand of a no-trade that is the apparent holdup. beane gave chavez a selective no-trade...give one to kotsay and end this speculation.  
"Free Matt Watson from Sacramento/Live 8-End Poverty NOW" "....join the movement!

by bigelephant on Jul 5, 2005 8:50 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Exactly
The Moneyball philosophy says you value what is undervalued.  If it takes 10 million to sign Kotsay for his defense than it is no longer undervalued.  Billy Beane values defense, OBP, power, and every positive trait in baseball, but you can't afford everything in our financial situation.
"Baseball is dull only to dull minds."
Red Barber, announcer

by Furious George on Jul 5, 2005 8:26 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Rincon
would be a good starting point. A LOT of teams could use him (Red Sox, Yankees, White Sox just off the top of my head).

Wells would be wonderful to get, but why would the Jays part with him? I just don't think Billy is going to give up to much to improve this years team. How much are the A's willing to package with Rincon to get something really worth their while.

Also, would anyone take Ginter off our hands?

However, I still say that Kotsay is staying.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien on Jul 4, 2005 10:39 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Good job again!
My fave quotes this time:
"We're not dunderheads here, if other teams are paying for it and we can't get it, we're going to go out and try and find out what other teams aren't paying for."
Sounds exactly like Moneyball to me!

"So, if you listen to the people that cover this team, there's this assumption that we're this slow-pitch softball team."
Sounds exactly like what I wrote in my 1st diary... no respect from the media!

"Blez:  Billy, I have a Kotsay jersey.  Just tell me you'll resign him."
Sounds like an honestly excited fan. At least you got him to laugh, but no real info :(

by streetfan on Jul 4, 2005 10:38 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I wonder now IF Kotsay is gone...
Can't imagine Byrnes the regular in C-field but then it may be sink or swim time for him in that role and he may be more brilliant than bumbler.

Great interview Blez, as always.

Got my pc fixed after numerous safe mode tweakings.  Ordered a Mac once I got the pc going.  Currently suffering from buyers remorse.  Pissing down rain all weekend here...I miss my week in the Bay Area already.

Replayed the Sunday Sox game from the 6th inning on...that Zito chant was fantastic.

by ak_A on Jul 4, 2005 10:49 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

no worries
That mac will be the answer to all your problems.  
What is a "blue screen" again?
The only thing worse than being a guy in his late 20s who still plays video games is being a guy in his late 20s who still ogles video-game cheerleaders.

by haze on Jul 4, 2005 10:54 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Kotsay has no loyalty to us.
He's played for a lot of teams, didn't come up through our system, and probably is looking for a multi year deal that Billy just won't commit to for a player of Kotsay's age.

Oh, and then there were those seven magic words:

http://athleticsnation.com/story/2005/7/2/15242/16253

Even with a new ballpark and increased revenues, I never see Billy Beane signing a long term deal with a Mark Kotsay.  My guess is that the long term plan is to lock up Crosby, Swisher, Johnson, Harden, etc, when their time comes.  

Zito will be the first indication of whether we are indeed in a "new era".  But he'll need to work with us like Chavez did.

by Rob on Jul 5, 2005 8:41 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Thanks Blez/BB
Great intervew Blez.  Been holding my breath all weekend for part 3.  I wish all the teams i root for gave me the same feeling of confidence the A's  do. I dont always understand the deals that are made at the time but I sleep easy knowing that they were made by a smarter man than me.  There is a greter plan......
The only thing worse than being a guy in his late 20s who still plays video games is being a guy in his late 20s who still ogles video-game cheerleaders.

by haze on Jul 4, 2005 10:52 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

There are other teams to root for?
<puzzled look>
...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 5, 2005 9:41 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Whoa there
not other baseball teams.  Sometimes when baseball isn't on i've been known to watch a basketball game or two.
"It's cold, it's hard and I wanna feel it." --Ron Jaworski describing a football in cold weather, and why he wouldn't wear gloves.

by haze on Jul 5, 2005 12:19 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I love the part...
...when he talks about how some people seriously missed the point of Moneyball when talking about drafting college vs. high school and inefficiencies in the market.  Most people out there still seem to think that we are a team based completely on or around on base percentage when that isn't really the case.  It was just the undervalued stat at the time.  People who haven't even read the book, Morgan et al., think they know what they are talking about but will NEVER get this even if they eventually do read the book.  I hate thickheaded people.

by Mabster on Jul 4, 2005 11:03 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

we should love the thickheaded
especially those running the other teams.  The A's can't beat the market forever being outspent 4-to-1. That window will last longer, the more idiotic and religious the other ballclubs are.

by Apricot on Jul 4, 2005 11:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Fantastic job again!
I just love reading these interviews, I think its great that you have such a good relationship with Beane.  He knows your not some douchbag reporter just trying to get a story.

Im a big fan of the Beane and Wolff combination.  They see the big picture, when its time to add payroll, they will (I assume when the new ballpark comes rolling in).  They wont just spend just to spend like so many foolish organizations.  I never got the feeling that Schott cared about the A's ('02 playoffs against Twins) like I get from Wolff.

by pickinmachine on Jul 4, 2005 11:27 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Tyler......
...He called you "Tyler".  We don't get to do that!

I'll bet he even knows your wife's first name, too!

by Rob on Jul 4, 2005 11:31 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Reading too much into the interview
Kotsay may be traded, but I don't see how Beane is tipping everyone off in this interview.  Blez asked him about Kotsay, and he was noncommital.  What is he going to say?  Kotsay hasn't signed an extension.  The A's have not fielded any offers (that I know of) yet.  The team's place in the 2005 playoff race is uncertain.

Based on the entire interview, I can imagine Kotsay being dealt as part of a package that nets the team a young power-hitting outfielder in return.  

But trading Kotsay creates a huge void, as he is the best non-pitcher on the team.  The only people on the 40-man roster who can play center field (Swisher, Byrnes, Thomas) are stopgaps at best.  And Kotsay's defense has saved a bunch of runs, and games, for the young pitching staff.

I think Beane wants to preserve his options, and avoid making promises he can't keep.  That's all.

by bear88 on Jul 5, 2005 12:02 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

tea leaves
I know reading tea leaves is fun but, jeez... after BB specifically said not to as a preface to what he said "about" Kots...  I don't think we should ignore one part of the sentence/paragraph and discect the other part for hidden meanings.

Billy's running a business. He knows that Blez will faithfully report what he says (thank you, Blez!!!) and it will be part of the public record for everyone (including other GM's if they care to) to read.  BB's gotta keep a few cards close to his vest.

I agree with the general sentiment that Kotsay = secuirty & Byrnes = adventure but fear. Personally, I'd rather have a secure feeling about my center fielder.

Homage to Ohad: "California Here I Come..." Home July 29 and at the game (if awake) July 30.

by NomAd on Jul 5, 2005 12:42 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's what Beane didn't say that is important...
When someone asks him if Zito will be traded, he has repeatedly stated that he has no intention of trading Zito.  While some cynics point out that could just mean he has "no current intention (but, that could change at any moment)," most of you seem to take him at his word and have come to accept the fact that Zito will not be traded.

Just the same, when Blez asks BB about re-signing Kotsay, he could have responded something along the lines of: "We think Kots is an integral part of our future and I'm working diligently with his agent to get an extension done."  That doesn't give away any deep, dark close-to-the-vest secrets.  That's what we're all supposing is happening, right?

The reason he didn't say something like that is because, I suspect, it's not true.  In other words, the silence is deafening.

Eric Byrnes - Offensive and defensive dynamo!

by FoolshGame22 on Jul 5, 2005 3:22 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Again...
I'm not saying Kotsay is 100% here for sure.

But the timing of the interview preceded Kotsay's discussion with Beane last week, which produced more optimism in various reports.

oaktoon

by oaktoon on Jul 5, 2005 10:39 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Good stuff Blez...
I really enjoyed the three piece session as I found it to be not only informative but very interesting material for all to chime in on.

My immediate concern, as is with many, is of coarse re-signing Mark Kotsay. This is such a no brainer, especially since all reports seem to be indicating he is only seeking roughly the same amount of money three years from now, compared to his current salary. If Jason Kendall can get paid 10 mill. plus a year(yes I know the parameters of his contract situation with the Pirates picking up salary in a few more years) being a "leader" with many intangibles, then I believe Mark Kotsay is worth the 7.5 to 8 mill per year that he is believed to be asking for. ( "Attention K-Mart shoppers, this is the bargain of the century!!!") Talk about a guy that just makes you feel at ease fielding his position....Not to mention that he just goes out and leads by example and commands the respect of so many of the younger guys on the club.

Actually, I think re-signing Mark is not only imperative, but absolutely neccessary, period. Can you imagine what it would do to the team morale if he got traded in thr middle of the season???? I just don't see how trading him could possibly make the team better: Prospects  or no prospects! It's time to show the fans that the A's are willing to spend a little more cash on guys that are key ingredients to the ballclub and, that it is possible to continue with a philosophy of building a winner with drafting good talent while retaining players that are true big league ballers. So that's my piece on Kotsay.

The next one of coarse is Barry Zito.........

Well, I think his performance on Sunday against the ChiSox pretty much speaks for itself and now all the Zito haters can kiss my arse! Seriously, though, I never stopped believing in Z as a fan or a baseball fiend and that 124 pitch 8 inning affair was a beauty. Just masterful....

Now, can we all stop wondering why Biil Beane decided to keep him instead of Huddy or Mulder?
I think keeping Zito was a briiliant call and him staying beyond his current contract will depend on how we fair the rest of this year and thru next. He's one guy I would like to see in an A's uniform into his early thirties, along with Rich Harden. Wearing the green n gold for life is not something we are accustomed to seeing much anymore but it's never too late to start that tradition again with the right players....

Signing off with a wish of peace and love for mankind. Happy 4th to all and yours....MRod

by mrod on Jul 5, 2005 12:14 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I see a new t-shirt on the horizon...
AN: We're not dunderheads here!
In Billy We Trust
Homage to Ohad: "California Here I Come..." Home July 29 and at the game (if awake) July 30.

by NomAd on Jul 5, 2005 12:43 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I like it
obscure, but a sentiment everyone can get behind. Except dunderheads.

by Apricot on Jul 5, 2005 10:46 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Thanks, Tyler
Just having a chance to see Beane's insights, is awesome, especially when it comes to things us fans don't see, like the drafting and his insights on the ownership group.

Lew Wolff is certainly looking better and better, now if he could just quickly announce a stadium plan and make a commitment to Oakland (or at least the Bay Area)

Look at me! I'm blog-pimping too! http://7thinningstretch.blogspot.com

by secret ASian man on Jul 5, 2005 12:44 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Good stuff, good stuff...
My favorite part of the interview is when he talks about Dallas Braden, even though you weren't even asking about him. He's one of those beat-all-odds and feel good stories. Why did Billy Beane say this though? "If we were that smart, we would've taken him a lot higher." Why should it matter when he was taken, since I thought the whole point was that you just don't know where the hidden gems will be? If anything, he should stand as further proof that the round you were drafted in isn't any indicator of how successful you will be.

Anyway, once again, thank you so much for bringing us this interview! We take for granted that we're so lucky to get this insider's view. Even though his answers to the trading questions were quite cryptic.

by Melody on Jul 5, 2005 1:19 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Trading questions
Even though his answers to the trading questions were quite cryptic.

Imagine what would happen if Beane was 100% candid with Blez.  Gammons would then quote AN on possible A's deals?

Speaking of Gammons, I think the anti-Joe Morgan should get an interview.

But that's just me.

"We're not dunderheads here..." -Billy Beane

by secret ASian man on Jul 5, 2005 1:27 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I wonder that too
If you can get a great value from lower rounds like Braden than it's great and you still got (hopefully) good picks earlier in the draft.
I still don't completely understand why Jeremy Brown was drafted where he was unless it was to show our faith in him and to make sure he signed.  It seemed like we could have drafted him in the 50th round without anyone even thinking about drafting him.
"Baseball is dull only to dull minds."
Red Barber, announcer

by Furious George on Jul 5, 2005 8:36 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Braden
The Dallas Braden comment is a compliment to the kid...nothing more, nothing less.
Let's Go Oak-Land!

by Colorado Fan on Jul 5, 2005 10:37 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

that was great
it's like he had Dallas Braden Tourette's syndrome; he just had to talk about him.

by Apricot on Jul 5, 2005 10:46 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nice job, Blez
The most important thing he talked about was that if we had done everything other people wanted us to do we would now be in a hole we couldn't get out of.  Imagine for one second that we had given Giambi a no trade contract of almost $100 million.  The A's would be in KC territory.  
If BB decides we must trade Kotsay, so be it, we will be better off because of it.  I love Kotsay but the truth he is a good centerfielder which we will overpay to keep, no power, and at an age he might decline rather quickly.  BB knows what he is doing and he won't trade him unless it is necessary and he gets something worth getting back.  The A's are in a great bargaining position, they don't need to trade him or anybody else, but they have some decent chips to get rid of to other teams more desperate.

by china bob on Jul 5, 2005 1:41 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Kotsay is 29
for an outfielder that is not close to the age when he might quickly decline. For a catcher yes. But should Kotsay remain healthy (which is a risk with any player) there is no reason to believe that his defense would quickly decline over the next three years.

by OaklandSi on Jul 5, 2005 6:11 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

His age isn't a problem...
...but don't forget his history of back troubles. That's something that simply doesn't get better, and will likely mean a steeper decline in defensive ability than his age would indicate.

by Oakland East on Jul 5, 2005 9:04 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He has a chronic back problem
that is not a degenerative condition. It's the kind of problem that, if he takes care of himself, is no more likely to cause him to lose time than if he didn't have it.

Since Kotsay has become a Pilates practitioner he has greatly increased the strength and flexibility of his back. He has not gone on the DL since then, and has only missed a few games.

I have the same condition, and I know from experience that if he takes care of himself he probably won't lose significant playing time. In fact, he's learned to do things with his body correctly, which as he ages will help keep him fit for playing ball.

by OaklandSi on Jul 5, 2005 10:41 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

great job, Blez
I found it interesting that, on the one hand, Beane spoke at length about how good the A's defense has been and how important -- and undervalued -- that has been....and on the other hand he was extremely non-committal on Kotsay. We all know there is currently nobody within the A's organization that can fill Kotsay's shoes in the defensive department. Beane knows that the outfield defense will suffer -- and lead to more runs scored by the opposition -- if Kotsay is traded. Therefore, if Kotsay gets dealt his D -- or compensatory O -- will need to be acquired.

by OaklandSi on Jul 5, 2005 5:24 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

just to clarify
by "compensatory O" I don't mean Kotsay's O, but rather the extra "O" provided by a new power-hitting outfielder, that hopefully would help make up for the extra runs scored that Kotsay would have prevented.

by OaklandSi on Jul 5, 2005 5:26 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just for the record
Dallas Braden was drafted in the 24th round last year.

BTW I was surprised that Billy just came out and told us about why the A's took high schoolers in this years draft and why they were looking at defense more these days. Those were the explanations most of us had already given for those two trends, but to hear the man say it was awesome in the "great minds think alike" way... :)

by OaktownTribesman on Jul 5, 2005 5:38 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Billy eschewed high school players
not because they were overvalued, but because by their nature they are long shots. Empires can rise and fall between when an 18-year old compiles stats against mediocre competition  in the 12th grade and when the draftee is due to be promoted to the majors.

My question is: can our team afford to take long shots with the draft, our lifeblood?

"Moneyball", chapter and verse (p. 16):
"You only had to study the history of the draft to see that high school pitchers were twice less likely than college pitchers, and four times less likely than college position players, to make it to the big leagues."

-- Although I admit it's ironic that the above passage is in reference to when the A's drafted HS player Bonderman, who's turned out to be a damn good pitcher.

Throw strikes, dammit.

by Checkswing HR on Jul 5, 2005 7:58 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yes !!!
I think the part of the equation that your ignoring is that college players success or failure is much easier to predict.  Obviously at some point the long shot high school player becomes a better % play then the college player whose stats predict he will become a medicore AAA player.  I think that is what you saw this year, the A's took a couple college players with their first 2 picks, the safe % play, after that point there was no "safe play" among the college players still remaining. (i.e none the A's felt were going to make the big leagues) So at that point why not roll the dice and take a player with huge upside.  (after all sometimes the Bonderman's of the world actually achieve their potential).
ogallalabob

by ogallalabob on Jul 5, 2005 1:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You make a compelling argument,
if the remaining college players were dregs who had low odds of success comparable to those of the teenagers. But if this wasn't what drove Billy B., if instead Billy wanted to snap up HS players simply because everybody else had gotten on board with the concept that HS players are too risky to draft, then I disagree with his tactic. You have to look for the undervalued variable, but the variable has to show a causative effect on batting or pitching, and it also has to have enough of a sample size in order to be able to draw conclusions. HS players, IMO, haven't enough experience for a scout or GM to figure out if they're undervalued.

I want to make clear, though, that I think Billy is a fabulous GM. We all wonder who has been the most valuable to this franchise since '99, be it Miggy, Hudson, Kotsay, etc., but to me Billy has been the wheels on this wagon.

Throw strikes, dammit.

by Checkswing HR on Jul 5, 2005 3:31 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Draft
But the other teams attitude plays into what the A's have to do, as an example if half the teams are drafting high school players in the first 2 rounds then 30 are taken and maybe 40 by the time the A's pick in the 3rd.  But if the number increases to 75% all of a sudden 45 are gone and 60 by the time the A's draft.  That extra 15-20 can real deplete the available talent pool.

Also if you look at the NBA draft, though a lot of the high school players drafted never do anything but some of those who were drafted have been super stars taken in the middle of the first round (Kobe, Stoudamare, Garnett, Jermaine O Niel etc) I can not see a drafting strategy which ignores an entire class of prospects being a good idea.  

ogallalabob

by ogallalabob on Jul 6, 2005 7:11 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"Moneyball"
is categorical about HS players. "The odds [are] against them." So I find it disconcerting when Billy appears to violate a core principle.

I work in the stock market. I'm a value investor, so I can appreciate the concept of picking up a $15m hitter for $300k per year. But drafting a HS player is like buying stock in a venture capital situation. It is impossible to value a business whose sole asset is a business plan. Cashman and Epstein can afford to take flyers on HS players, but how can the A's?

I'll defer to Billy's judgement, though.

Throw strikes, dammit.

by Checkswing HR on Jul 6, 2005 9:16 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I wouldn't get too hung up
  1. Moneyball is the Golden Book of Sabermetrics, not the actual manual.
  2. 'odds are against' is a relative, not an absolute idea. If we had to choose between the 100th through 105th college player and the 1st through 5th HS player, I think our odds are much better with the HS player. Our case isn't that extreme, but because of the market overvaluing college players and overselecting college players, the A's decided the HSers were worth the risk compared to the college players that dropped down.
  3. I do think there is an idea that our system has mainly medium-risk medium-gain players and doesn't have too many Chavy's in the system. I think Beane's scheme needs a small core of young stars to build around, and getting them in HS is the only real way to do it.

by Apricot on Jul 6, 2005 9:28 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Taking Flyers
I also believe that the Money Ball risk/reward factor dealt with taking a HS pitcher in the 1st round and giving him a huge signing bonus and slot money.  Sort of like what the Royals did with Colt Griffin.  In the A's case, I could be wrong but my guess is that the cost of signing a 3rd and 4th rounder (assuming they are not represented by Boras) are not that great.  (what a 25,000 bonus and maybe 3 yrs at 30-40,000? just guessing)

The little I have read it sounds like one of our pitchers is probably a good comparison to Colt in that he is the hardest throwing pitcher in the draft and in some years some team would have taken him in the first round based on that alone.  Thinking that they can teach him a  breaking pitch and some comand.  Now taking him in the first round and paying him a huge bonus and slot money maybe a bad investment, but in the 3rd round where you can get bye with a reasonable price looks like a reasonable gamble.

ogallalabob

by ogallalabob on Jul 6, 2005 11:00 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Being an A's fan means...
Being an A's fan means not getting emotionally attached to individual players. It's tough but that's just the way it is. Once any A's player becomes really well known as an outstanding one, the odds are good that the "overvalued" light goes off on Billy Beane's dashboard, and that player is gone.

Mark Kotsay is a wonderful baseball player. Two years ago hardly anyone knew that. Now you know it, I know it, Billy knows it. But now George Steinbrenner and every GM in baseball know it too, and Kotsay's agent knows that they know.

I want Kotsay signed, but for how much? $100 million  a year guaranteed for twenty years? Obviously that's too much. BB has some other much smaller figure in mind, above which Kotsay's contract would hurt the team more than it helps. He won't go there.

As an A's fan I can only trust that if he trades Kotsay he'll get something better in return. Hard to imagine, but it was hard to imagine Ramon Hernandez being traded too.

by matthias on Jul 5, 2005 8:06 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I Can't See Them Trading Kotsay
If they A's continue to play well it would make little to no sense to trade their best player and big time clubhouse leader. A 3 year extension would make sense as there is no true centerfield prospect waiting in the wings, and when Billy moves a veteran, there is usually a prospect already waiting. Lastly if the A's cant work out an extension, yet are playing too well to trade Kotsay, can't they offer him arbitration at the end of the year and at least get a first round draft pick? Beane has done a great job in the past few years with his Compensatory picks, i dont see why this case should be any different.
A's Fan in Philly

by Duby on Jul 5, 2005 8:28 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Would agree
The only way Kotsay goes is that if NY over bids for him, which may happen depending on who George is listening to at the time.
ogallalabob

by ogallalabob on Jul 5, 2005 1:43 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

interesting quotes
On Kendall: "He brings a lot of intangible things that are very hard to define."  Wow... Billy said the word "intangible" (I guess there IS such a thing as intangible).  I wonder if the statheads on this site could get to work on this intangible thing: maybe you could make it easier to "define."

On Kotsay, I think Billy's just being a little reserved since contract talks are warming up with him.  I'd give him 50-50 odds on being an Athletic next year.  The quote about Wolff increasing the payroll ("When the right baseball decision comes along and it fits short-term and long-term, then I have no doubt the budget will increase as he said it to me") is very encouraging (though I still don't trust Wolff to keep the A's in Oakland).  Might re-signing Kotsay AND Zito be the "right baseball decision" that fits short-term and long-term?  If I had a bazillion dollars, it would be.  

by Brian in 317 on Jul 5, 2005 8:40 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Exactly
If you've got a 27 yr old pitcher and a 29 year old CFer than help anchor your team for 2-3 years, why not spring the owner's $ for that?

Partic. if, as I gloom and doomed a while back, the attendance does not drop off and the team appears ready for a deep run into the playoffs very soon.

oaktoon

by oaktoon on Jul 5, 2005 10:41 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Perhaps that's what they have in mind...
...and we just don't know it yet. Certainly ESPN doesn't know it. Remember, Billy's said that he really likes next year's team. I assume he still does. And that was before we had questions about Kotsay's and Zito's future.
AN Members Nationality Survey II: Now with color-coded goodness!

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Jul 5, 2005 1:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Outfield Depth
Trading Kotsay, or letting Kotsay leave via Free Agency will be a very bad thing...we have absolutely no depth in the outfield (in Oakland and Sacramento).  Potential CF replacements down the road include Herrera, Putnam, Robnett...all Single-A level players.
Let's Go Oak-Land!

by Colorado Fan on Jul 5, 2005 10:49 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

disagree
Disclaimer: Kotsay is one of my favorite A's.

We have enough decent OF to fill in for Kotsay. Can we replace him? Absolutely not.  But remember the days when T-Long and Jeremy G were roaming the OF?  Compared to those days, having Swish, Byrnes, Kielty and Thomas out there is a pretty good bunch.

by Apricot on Jul 5, 2005 11:02 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Speaking of Jeremy G
a nice poem from ESPN to remind us:

From the "Enemy of the State" article, about the player A's fans should hate the most:

Jeremy Giambi. The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Oakland nine that day/The score stood 1 to zero, with but a few innings left to play/So upon that stricken multitude, sat grim melancholy's fate;for there seemed but little chance of the A's getting to the plate/But Giambi let drive a single, to the wonderment of all. And Long, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball ... Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright./The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light./And, somewhere men are laughing, and little children hide,/but there is no joy in Oakland - mighty Giambi has failed to slide.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien on Jul 5, 2005 11:19 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

nice poem but...
It was Dye who hit the ball, not Long.

by skwid on Jul 5, 2005 1:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Escuse me, but I was there
and Terrence Long most certainly ripped a ball right down the line that Shane Spencer (now playing in Japan) took forever to dig out of the right field corner, then compounded his error by airmailing the cutoffman.
oaktoon

by oaktoon on Jul 5, 2005 2:06 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

absolutely
it was T-Long, not Dye. T Long had a pretty good series, as I recall.

My brother and I were sitting right behind the A's dugout and saying, "Byrnes pinch runs here, right? Byrnes...Byrnes...where's Byrnes?"

I had a great time at the game, but damn did that one hurt.

by Dog Days on Jul 5, 2005 3:01 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

AHHHHH!
I'm trying to FORGET those days, c'mon!
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~Rogers Hornsby

by Kyli on Jul 5, 2005 11:41 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

2009
It looks like except for a few spots like catcher (Kendall), 3b (Chavez) veteran pitcher (Zito), and veteran CF (Kotsay), the rest of the A's payroll through 2009 will be made up of guys now in only their first and second year who can't command really big bucks and who are being locked up now salary-wise (Harden, Crosby, etc.), as well as some lower cost veterans.

One would think the money will be available for Kotsay and Zito as long as their salary demands are reasonable.

I would think signing anyone like Kotsay and Zito beyond 2009 will be problematic if the team wants to keep people like Harden, Haren, Crosby, Street, Swisher, etc. when they would become eligible for free agency.

by SA on Jul 5, 2005 11:10 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Presumption of Not resigning Kotsay is...
   not accurate.
   BB has never tipped his hand to the press and certainly will not do so despite Tyler's best hopes. From all that has been said in the press, we have gathered more info from Kotsay than anybody else. Kotsay, when last quoted, seemed optimistic. There is no way AN should feel otherwise. If he was traded at this juncture, maybe it would be more acceptible given the current play of our team. With that said, any trade involving Kotsay will not be made based upon the team's recent success.

   Kudos to Hudgens and Young who have quietly worked and worked with our young players to develop them. The maturity of Blanton, Haren, Swisher and Crosby is for all to see. These guys, like BB don't crave the spotlight. Any coach in Oakland who has put himself before the team, has found himself ultimately working elsewhere. That's Beane's style and it has worked  well.

   Going back to my previous post of whether or not the A's can go 9-3 to get above .500 before the All-Star Break. Now the question is can we go 4-2 against Toronto and Chicago? If not what do you predict?

by Gerard on Jul 5, 2005 11:12 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

From Ryne Sandberg
on Yahoo, this morning:

ON THE RISE

 Oakland Athletics (40-41) - Everything is coming together since the A's have gotten healthy. They have sneaked back into the AL wild-card hunt by winning 13 of their last 15. There was talk of dismantling the team during their early-season struggles, but now Billy Beane might be thinking about adding instead of subtracting.

"If there is a fear of falling, the only safety consists in deliberately jumping." -- Carl Jung

by Steve in Napa on Jul 5, 2005 11:57 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sandberg
type of guy who probably woke up the morning after the Red Sox won the world series, read it in the paper, and stated "You know, those Red Sox might just have a shot this year"
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien on Jul 5, 2005 12:02 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

questions for BB
i'd be curious to know what BB thinks the next area of focus is for valuing players? i'd guess it's the draft, since OBP and defense have already disseminated around the league. i also remember him mentioning the effect of different coaches, so i'd like to ask him if/how he values coaching staffs.

by sec119 on Jul 5, 2005 12:49 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

great interview
thanks Blez!
I'm the guy with the Carney/Jared Lansford jersey

by gojohn10 on Jul 5, 2005 1:09 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Thank goodness Lew Wolff...
...doesn't seem to be Daniel Snyder. Snyder tried to make a splash after buying the Washington Redskins by spending like mad on free agents because he likes them -- but not really "football decisions." Now the Redskins languish in mediocrity.

Of course, they don't have to worry about attendance or a new stadium like the A's do.

Good job, Blez!

AN Members Nationality Survey II: Now with color-coded goodness!

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Jul 5, 2005 1:49 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Spend $$$ at the right time
The thing I liked the most about the interview was that BB said that when the time is right, he would not be surprised to see the payroll increase.

Now I know many here feel like that time is now, but I urge everyone to look forward a year or two to when the young guys have matured and we are in 2001-esque position and need a big bat (or a big arm) to get farther than a BB-era team ever has (e.g., past the divisionals).

If Wolff sticks to his guns, a boost in payroll may give us the $ to trade for and extend a top guy at the deadline. While we have made big deals in the past, the extra $$ could be the difference in signing one of those signees after the trade to bolster the team for years to come . . .

Imagine if we had extended Damon . . . or Guillen . . . or instead of helping to move Beltran, we traded for and signed him?

by Josh on Jul 5, 2005 3:10 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Awesome interview, Blez!
And thanks a bunch to Billy for doing this.  He rocks!  How many GMs in pro sports would do this for a fan website?  
Fear not for the future, weep not for the past. --Percy Bysshe Shelley

by AsGirl on Jul 5, 2005 3:41 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about Oakland Athletics.

Community Guidelines ANcillary Terms
Start posting about the Athletics »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Small
2010 Oakland Athletics: Internal and FA Options
Small
Possible Trade Partners: Giants
Tsgirlbass_th_small
DLD 7/1/09: Less about baseball, more about baseball movies
Small
Possible Trade Partners: St. Louis Cardinals
Tsgirlbass_th_small
DLD 6/30/09: Pardon me if I'm sentimental

Recent FanPosts

Small
next A's philosophy: High $ International FA signings and High draft picks- pitchers only
Small
A's demands for Holiday
142564582_9b68f505fa_small
GOG 2009 #27
Small
Minor Athletics on vacation -- Minor League Dump
Ziegler160px_small
Quick Texas League All-Star Game Recap
Small
Does Sabean still like gritty veterans?
Small
A'S/Red Sox 2001 classic game on now on A's CSN channel 698 on direct tv
Ph3spec_small
doctorK invades PNC Park

Post_icon New FanPost All FanPosts Carrot-mini

SPONSORS


Managers

Baseball_small baseballgirl

Poochini-butt_in_box_2_small Nico

As_kings_cal_small louismg

08-_the_author_small 67MARQUEZ

Martin_brodeur_300_small Blez

Ziegler160px_small Flashfire

Editors

Countdown_small Taj Adib

527918550406_0_bg_small notsellingjeans

Authors

P1010266b_small devo

Super_grover_small grover

The_baby_small salb918

Official Partner of Yahoo! Sports