The Day After Tomorrow

by FoolshGame22 on Jan 19, 2006 11:56 PM PST

What will the A's batting order look like the day after tomorrow? Here's my prediction:

2B Ellis
CF Kotsay
3B Chavez
DH Thomas
LF Bradley
SS Crosby
1B Johnson
RF Swisher
C Kendall

I have reconsidered my initial opinion that Bradley would be better in the 2-spot than Kotsay. Bradley's got more pop, so he'd be better in the #5 spot. Crosby may eventually earn that spot with his power, but that screws up the righty-lefty thing.

Poll

When will Frank Thomas don the Green & Gold?

Saturday, January 21, 2006

3 votes

Sunday, January 22, 2006

0 votes

Monday, January 23, 2006

7 votes

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

11 votes

When he's medically cleared... may never happen.

32 votes

BB never had any intention of signing The Big Hurt

1 votes

I'd like to see him DHing for the A's, but I don't think it will happen

5 votes

Hey, what about Mike Piazza?

1 votes

Do you know something we don't?

13 votes

Friday, January 20th, 2006

2 votes

75 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Only Macha really knows

but below is my best idea as to how it should look. My main fear is that Macha won't bat Kendall down where he belongs. Also I would like to get Bobby C up higher in the lineup, but once you have the Big Hurt, Bobby can forget about batting third, fourth or fifth... but then again ...who knows what Macha will come up with.

2B Ellis
CF Kotsay
LF Bradey
3B Chavez
DH Thomas
SS Crosby
1B Johnson
RF Swisher
C Kendall

by robertmelvin on Jan 20, 2006 12:25 AM PST reply actions

Hmmm... The Hurt batting 5th...

I kinda like it. But, I don't think Billy acquired him for anything but the clean-up spot.

by FoolshGame22 on Jan 20, 2006 12:49 AM PST up reply actions

either way is fine

just as long as it's chavez and then thomas.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jan 20, 2006 3:37 AM PST up reply actions

Billy

Hasn't acquired Thomas for any spot in the line up just yet.

by jeffro on Jan 20, 2006 1:17 PM PST up reply actions

shouldn't be long now....

I'll keep listening to KNBR the rest of the afternoon.

by FoolshGame22 on Jan 20, 2006 2:02 PM PST up reply actions

Well....

Personally, I couldn't agree with you more, except perhaps two things.

A1. The EXACT date. Although, if medically cleared to play enough for what BB will pay him.

B2. Kendall will probably lead off, with Ellis batting 9th. Not saying I would do it this way, but I just see that happening for at least the first few weeks.

Also, I'd LOVE to see BoCro earn a higher spot, but I don't care as long as they score. I truly think this offense can score runs a lot better than most think or will ever give them credit for.

"I have nothing against the bunt - in it's place. But most of the time that place is in the bottom of a long-forgotten closet." - Earl Weaver

by PosterNutbag44 on Jan 20, 2006 2:29 AM PST reply actions

Didnt Macha already say Ellis was hitting #1?

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jan 20, 2006 8:11 AM PST up reply actions

How often are lineups the same?

Are stats generated and readily accessible to see how often a particular lineup was used to start a game?

Just curious on this as I feel that an awful lot of focus is aimed at listing potential lineups when I don't believe they're all that stable from day-to-day.

You can find me on other blogs too. I sometimes post as Sassy Sarah and I've had quite a bit of free time lately.

by LowcountryJoe on Jan 20, 2006 5:03 AM PST reply actions

Yeah

Especially not with Macha at the helm. Unless the team isn't hitting at all, whereupon Macha will stick to a particular lineup.

by OaktownTribesman on Jan 20, 2006 5:16 AM PST up reply actions

Resting regulars

I agree, LCJ, especially with the added bench depth (discounting any injuries, knock on wood) and the greenie-ban inspired need to rest the regulars more. Wherever he plays, Thomas isn't getting 500 ABs this year, so there have to be a lot of lineups without him, even if he does end up with the A's. Also, Chavez, Crosby, and Kotsay will absolutely need a good deal of rest (at least a dozen games sitting in the dugout for the first two, and more for Kotsay), and I'm guessing Bradley will need time to rest his knee, as well. Kendall is probably willing to start 150 games, but it would be stupid to do so. Johnson will sit against some lefties, (in favor of Kielty, probably). Swisher may, too. And with Scutaro and Perez, there's no reason to overwork Ellis.

Beane talked with Blez about this year's depth, and Macha has never had real talent to work with on the bench, mostly role players with isolated abilities (e.g., Saenz, Singleton, Karros). If I were managing the A's, I'd begin to think up a half-dozen or so base combinations that make sense defensively and offensively, check out how guys are playing (and who gets hurt, of course) during Spring Training, and go into the season with some kind of plan for rotating days off and getting everyone onto the field as early as possible. Incidentally, I'm not a huge Tony LaRussa fan, but I do think that he was very, very good at using his bench and resting his regulars when he managed in Oakland. It would be good to see that kind of rotation happening again in 2006.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jan 20, 2006 6:47 AM PST up reply actions

Mixing it up

I'd go:
Ellis
Kotsay
Chavez
Thomas
Bradley

Crosby
Johnson
Swisher

Kendall

I'd mix up Crosby, Johnson, and Swisher based on matchups, who's hot, etc. No need to lock into a 6-7-8 slot.

by boilerdan on Jan 20, 2006 7:11 AM PST reply actions

I would be surprised if Kendall actually hit 9th.

I think he should, but I think Beane and Macha like him too much and believe in him too much to hit him 9.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jan 20, 2006 8:12 AM PST reply actions

Recent Macha Quote

"Jason is a table-setter," said Macha. "He's a top-of-the-order guy, not a power guy. But he's certainly capable of getting his fair share of doubles, and he'll drive some runs in. When it's all said and done this year, I expect him to have the kind of numbers we saw when he was in Pittsburgh.

Unfortunately, it sounds like he'll be batting 1st or 2nd in the lineup. I think it's a terrible decision.

Let's Go Oak-Land!

by Colorado Fan on Jan 20, 2006 12:20 PM PST up reply actions

I thought this was a Diary about

Jake Gyllenhaal!! ;) j/k

Personally, and everyone will think I am a bit bias - cause I am, but I think that Crosby will be just fine higher in the order. When he was healthy, he was sitting pretty in the 3rd spot. I think this year he is going to be, not only healthy, but strong in the 2nd or 3rd spot. IMO!

"If you know Nick, having someone to talk to is a prerequisite for his sanity." ~Billy Beane on Swisher playing 1st Base.

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Jan 20, 2006 9:23 AM PST reply actions

what?

Who could possibly accuse you of being biased? That said, I don't disagree that Crosby could be fine at 2 or 3, but if we bring in both Bradley and Thomas, it's going to be tougher to merit a spot that high. Until next year, of course, when he'll be batting cleanup.

by TempletonPeck on Jan 20, 2006 6:08 PM PST up reply actions

Two thoughts (actually more) on 2006 lineup

First of all, Jason Kendall. While he finished strong, in the minds of fans he has a lot to prove in order to remain near the top of the lineup. Not being as swift of foot as in years past painfully reminds me of when Jeremy Giambi was batting inthe upper third of the lineup. The risk of GIDP as well as not being able having exceptional base speed decreases the potential for run for run scoring. I propose he bats in the bottom 3rd until he proves Macha et. al. otherwise.

Secondly, Eric Chavez, our notorious slow starter. Batting 3rd to start the year is asking for trouble. We all know his trends by now. Why would an offseason of shoulder rehab be any different? Assuming Thomas signs, we have multiple options for the 3rd spot. Chavez can bat 5th, until proven otherwise. He's a very driven player, but his ego doesn't get in the way as we see in other players. With Kotsay, Bradley, Thomas, Meyer and Crosby, the middle of our lineup can be presented many ways due to our versatility.

Macha, at times created deference to older vetereans that I believe created problems in the lineup. Kendall batting 2nd or 3rd were prime examples for much of last year. Let's hope we see a "creative Macha" this time around.

"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King

by Gerard on Jan 20, 2006 10:24 AM PST reply actions

Give it a chance first

I disagree that we should mix things up at the start of the season. Many of the moves were made to protect and help our best hitters. The thinking being that with a balanced (left & right)order full of patient contact hitters, the season long pressure on the opposing pitching staffs will pay dividends greater than any single individual. We need to continue to protect our young hitters while they continue to develop. Chavez is a key to the entire lineup. He belongs at the three spot until he shows his injury will not allow him to perform.

The more I think of this the signing of Thomas is a no brainer. Assuming the finances make some sense he at the four spot makes the entire lineup better. I think he will be signed soon. The fact that we will not be losing anyone in return just makes the decision all the more sweeter.

The veterans are there for a reason. Let them lead the way and take the pressure off the kids. Lets play the percentages with all of our balance. Let let people play against the pitchers they have had the most success against. Give everyone a little less time to play but put them in positions that give them the best chance for success.

Finally on Kendall, you are in for a big surprise. His big job last year was to make a pitching staff that had one real veteran and a world of wild talent into the strenght that everyone talks about here. It still amazes me that he (and Curt Young) kept these guys believing in themselves as their won loss records were heading into the dumps. He kept their confidences up and gave them an opportunity to learn how to battle and win. The development of our pitchers is the main reason we went from the biggest rebuilders in baseball to the favorites to win the division in one year. Kendall gets a lot of credit for this. This year I believe he will be able to focus on his hitting. The extra year in this league will pay dividends.

I even have great hope for Macha. It is a lot easier to manage when you have options. Especially when you have healthy options. I knew the team was better then its April May record last year so I blamed Macha for many losses that I thought should have been avoidable. But he developed also. Once he had more (healthy) options he seemed to get a lot smarter.

Face it Gerard--it is all good! (as long as we get Thomas)

Thomas Walker

by Thomas Walker on Jan 20, 2006 12:20 PM PST up reply actions

IT IS ALL GOOD!

The problems that we saw last year, I believe were due to injuries, which exposed, in a sense, the potentially worst outcomes. Issues such as a drop in Chavez' OBP and slugging percentage were examples of that. The protection he is due, now that Thomas and Bradley have arrived WILL make it easier for him to relax. His phlegmatic persona notwithstanding continues to get mis-characterized in the media. MY ideal is to see him in situations where he doesn't press too much early on. That's why I suggested moving down in the lineup to #4 or 5. I don't think the lineup would be tweaked too much.
Kendall's leadership as well as his expertise with the staff is to be admired. He and Zito were definitely stabilizing forces for the younger pitchers. His job of learning the AL, to some degree made his task all that more of a challenge. His hitting fell off for reasons that can be expected such as, once again a new league, but on last year's team his short comings were that much more noticeable. With potentially more speed in the lineup ( Bradley vis a vis Thomas) the offense may not be as vulnerable as it was to the GIDP numbers he put up. The question remains, however, where does he fit in the lineup that now has two very talented batters that typically don't fit anywhere deeper then 4 or 6? Hence, my suggestion of him ednding up somewhere near the bottom.
Second to last thought, last year when this team made its incredible run, it was the bottom of the lineup that had significantly increased productivity. Perhaps with the leadership Kendall offered to the pitching staff last year, defensively, we will now see his contribution in helping the hitters who are lower in the lineup with offensive strategies through his example.
Lastly, Macha deserved Mgr of the year in my mind with the "limited" talent he had. This year, he may be called a "genius" due to the success the team will have but his job will be filled with better problems to have such as a deeper staff and bench.
ps, see you in a couple of weeks!

"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King

by Gerard on Jan 26, 2006 4:53 PM PST up reply actions