Got Mulder?

I'm sick of damaged goods.  We need someone who can throw several innings and not get hurt.

He's a damn fine pitcher. I expect his asking price to be way overvalued given the FA pool, though.

Mulder, though... Honestly, the sentimental side of me loves it because I love that man, but even the pragmatic part of me is a bit interested. I don't think it would happen think I think some team out there'll be willing to take a bigger chance on the track record.

But depending what the team doctors say, if he was willing to sign a Frank-esque incentive-laden 1- or 2- year deal? Can't really lose out too much on that, if it does look like he'll be ready to go for the beginning of the season. It'd be far more sensible to take a shot on that than a lot of other options.

If Mulder wants serious guaranteed money, though... Screw that.

but like others have already indicated here, I'm not totally convinced he'll be undervalued enough in the marketplace to be affordable. It really depends what the medical reports are on him as the offseason progresses; if they're positive enough, then there'll be other clubs with more breathing-room financially who'd maybe take a shot on a one or two year deal with a higher base than we would/could offer, just based on age and track record prior to the spate of injuries that derailed this past season and affected him the year before, too.
Lilly wouldn't be a bad idea either, but in a free agent market that looks tight on quality starters again this year he'll probably command more guaranteed money and years than Beane can offer him.
Never know, though. I'm sure Beane wants a lefty in the rotation (who doesn't?!) so you can't rule out either idea, but I'd be more inclined to think he'll give Kennedy a shot at the rotation (though I think he's proven he's better in a relief role now) or have some other "under the radar" guys in mind...
I wouldn't be averse to either Mulder or Lilly though- they both have their question marks attached, but then that's why we're even thinking it could happen, right?

considerable incentives for one year might be something to consider. If it didn't work out the A's would still need to bring in someone that they're considering anyway...and you can never have too much pitching (either for the roster, in training in the minors, and as trade bait).

it would be on a Frank Thomas type 1 year deal.

To be honest. Mulder was in steep decline even by the time he left the A's, and now that his arms all amess I wouldn't touch that unless it were like a really low risk type deal. We're talking Frank Thomas or Wade Miller type deals.

some GM will pay mulder more than he's worth.  he's not coming back.

lilly would be interesting since it would probably only be between the a's and the giants if he really wants to return to the bay area.

I think we all want to fall in love with the idea of Mulder returning to the pitcher he once was instead of being honest with ourselves.  The guy is horrible now and may not be worthy of our #5 spot.

If the deal is based on incentives then I'm all for it but my expectations are extremely low and I probably have more confidence right now in Saarloos.

Seem odd enough, it may not happen. Although, a rotation of Mulder, Haren, Harden, Loaiza, and Blanton sounds interesting. Also, Beane likes a lefty in the rotation. Is there another lefty starter in free agent market?

Hey Blez, thanks for putting my Diary on top!!

Bring back Mulder!!!

But unfortunately I'm not convinced that we'll ever see a good Mark Mulder ever again.

to pitch in front of only 20 fans?

First, let's not fool ourselves with comparisons between Mulder and Thomas.  Thomas was one of the best hitters of his generation, a near-certain Hall of Famer, who suffered a broken foot that basically kept him from playing for 2 years.  If the foot healed, there was no reason to think he'd lost his ability to hit well, even if he wouldn't be hitting .320 with an OPS of .950 or anything.

Mulder, on the other hand, was a very good pitcher for a couple of years who was never, ever considered the best pitcher of his generation by anyone for even one second.  He was thought of as the best pitcher on his team for about 2 or 3 months. He has a bad back (which was a problem even in the minors), a bad hip, and now evidently a bad arm (shoulder, IIRC), and he has absolutely sucked lately.

If Mulder makes it back, IMHO, he's gonna have to transform himself into Frank Tanana or Jamie Moyer -- a lefty slopballer who never throws better than 83 or 84 mph.  But with three significant injuries, any one of which could end his career, I doubt seriously that he'll be good ever again for any significant length of time.

The only way I'd want him back is in the minors.  Let him make at least 15 starts in AAA to prove his arm/hip/back can handle the stress of a regular turn in the rotation, and that he's figured out how to remake himself as a slopballer or made a miraculous recovery to throwing 90-91 again with good mechanics.

At this point, I'm more confident in giving Gaudin the #5 slot in the rotation than I am in giving it to Mulder.  Come to think of it, giving Mulder the spot will probably ensure that Gaudin pitches every 5th game anyway -- except that instead of starting, he'll relieve in the 3rd down by 4 or 5 runs already.

Mulder? No.
Lilly?  No.

Mulder was declining in all the important statistical areas BEFORE the A's traded him.  His K-Walk-per-9 ratio was slipping pretty rapidly, and now he's coming off surgery?  Sorry.  I'd rather take my chances with Joe Kennedy in the rotation; or hell, even Jason Windsor.

I would be totally ok with Mulder coming back! for a few reasons:

1. If we sign him to a similar deal as Big Frank, then the risk is minimized and really could be a great thing for both sides.
   
2. I always thought he was a brilliant pitcher. And when he is healthy, DAMN!
   
3. We NEED another lefty. I don't like the idea of Zito leaving and not have a lefty starter. I think that is a terrible idea. And a huge reason, I believe, why he wasn't traded at the deadline.
   
4. A really good friend of mine would start going to games with me again! She LOVED Mulder! When he left, she went back to the dark side of the bay!
   
5. I will always welcome that hot ass back to the team! ;)

Sign him to an incentive laden deal and if he sucks put Joe Kennedy, Saarloos, or Gaudin in his place. If he's great, awesome.

http://www.athleticsnation.com/comments/2006/10/15/13118/731/61#61

why take a cahnce with him.

are further than they appear, especially when they are base jumping from the Gateway of the West or coughing up a seven run lead before you can say "what exchange rate?"

Drench the counter with 409, put some Tommy John elbow grease into it and move on.  Eric Chavez is morphing into the A's version of Bryant Young (minus the f-you ring).

Um, Billy, please come to the lobby - Wengert, Wojciechowski, Johns, Prieto and Wasdin are threatening the receptionist and Chouinard is out in the parking lot peppering the port-o-lets with buckshot. The giggling you hear is Reyes and Taylor sharing a doob on the roof of the Arena, hucking rocks at Seikaly's SUV while hoping Corsi doesn't dig into their takeout from Sam's Hofbrau.

Meanwhile, Berroa and Bournigal are here early for extra BP, Alejo has Mashore doing the Steeplechase over the moat beneath the BART ramp, Plantier is waving to the sophomore Acalanes girls, Batista is placing his bucket in the first row of 123 and Ernie Young is dodging cranes out in center.

Wonder how long Spiezio can stay in the bigs...

By the way, here's a damn fine trivia question for y'all: Of all the team names in the big four professional leagues, which is the only one that is gramatically incorrect?

we should get Scott Kazmir. :) my campaign is: trade Harden for Kazmir in '07!

anyone wanting to jump on this bandwagon, let me know. but I get the feeling I mighttt just be alone on this one. ;)

If he is cheap enough.

A guy I like and loved rooting for.  Would be fun to have him back.

aspect of the discussion: This year, when Harden went down, the A's still had an anchor in Zito. Next year, if Harden goes down (and if the Angels improve as appears to be likely), the A's are toast. They can put together a rotation that can compete for the AL West title in 2007, but to withstand losing their ace after losing their ace to free agency? Losing Harden again might signal "time to reload for 2008".

Lilly will go to the highest bidder Giants or A's.  Giants need to replace Schmidt if they don't resign him and we need to place Zito (if we don't sign him..ha).  I think the Giants are going to work on offense first.