The 25 Man Roster After Spring Training

by Zonis on Feb 21, 2007 11:26 AM PST

It will be difficult to cut it down to 25 by end of Spring Training.

I mean, really. We should expect to see several trades during or after Spring Training. Look at this.

Starting with the Position Players, look at who we have competing for spots.

We have 1 starting spot open, LF/1B, with the other side taken by Nick Swisher. We also have people competing for the bench slots as well if they do not make it.

On the bench, we know that Marco Scutaro will be back, and that Adam Melhuse seems locked for Backup Catching duties, despite it probably being a better idea to promote John Baker and/or Jeremey Brown.

That leaves 3 bench spots open.

So for four roster slots, we have the following people battling for them:

1B Erubiel Durazo (Minor League Deal)
1B Dan Johnson (Out of Options)
OF Bobby Kielty (Out of Options?)
OF Shannon Stewart (MLB Deal)
OF Ryan Goleski (Rule 5)
3B Antonio Perez (Out of Options)

So for 4 spots, we have 6 players competing. One is guarenteed a spot, in Stewart. One has to be on the roster, or we lose him with Goleski. Three others can't be sent down to the minors if they fail to make the team.

So who makes the team and who doesn't?

I think that Stewart's signing may lead to the end of Bobby Kielty's stay in Oakland, which is ironic being that they were once traded for each other. Perez might have to stay simply because we need infield depth. Johnson and Durazo are the best hitters of the group, but DJ can play Defense and Durazo can not. And Goleski will most likely make the team because of the price the A's had to pay.

So if you remove Kielty and Durazo, we have 4 for 4. 2 Outfielders, a 1st Baseman and a 3B, then throw in Scutaro and Melhuse and you have your bench and starting 9 (with DJ and Stewart platooning).

On the pitching side, we have the four locked starters:

Harden
Haren
Loaiza
Blanton

and the 5th starter, which is likely to be Joe Kennedy. Or should I say, it will likely be a left hander, which means either Kennedy, Halsey or Meyer. Personally, I am rooting for Meyer, because if he really is back healthy, he will be better then the other two by far.

Then there is the bullpen. We know that currently the locks for the pen are:

Street
Duchscherer
Calero
Gaudin
Embree

with one or two open spots depending on the bench.

Competing for those slots are:
RHP Jason Windsor
RHP Shane Komine
RHP Santiago Cassilla
RHP Jay Witasick (MLB Contract)
RHP Scott Dunn
LHP Brad Halsey (if fail to get 5th Starter slot)
LHP Dan Meyer (if fail to get 5th Starter slot)
LHP Ron Flores
LHP Jay Marshall (Rule 5)
LHP Joe Kennedy (if fail to get 5th Starter slot)

At first glance, it stands to reason that Jay Marshall will end up being returned. But really, there is not really any one who stands out explicitley that it might not be better to have starting in Sacramento rather then being the bottom reliever in Oakland. One thing we could use, however, is a long man, so that makes Komine, Windsor, Meyer and Halsey's cases better.

Jay Witasick is a difficult decision. He could be good, and he is signed to a reasonable contract, especially on this market. He could be a 1 inning blowout guy, and he has to be on the MLB team if he isn't traded. Marshall would be a pure LOOGY, and as Embree is slated to be in Kennedy's role last year (Lefty Setup, not LOOGY), Marshall could be useful. If he fails, he can always be given back.

I think that Windsor, Komine and Meyer, if they do not crack the starting rotation, will end up back in Sacramento. Komine might actually have the best bet of the 3 to make the pen, as the other two are better bets as starters. Cassilla and Dunn have little to no chance making the squad, and Flores seems to be out of favor with the A's managment, or at least was with Ken Macha.

So my prediction on the A's 25 Man roster out of Spring Training will be:

C1 Kendall
1B Johnson
2B Ellis
3B Chavez
SS Crosby
LF Swisher
RF Bradley
CF Kotsay
DH Piazza

C2 Melhuse
SS Scutaro
3B Perez
OF Stewart
OF Goleski

SP Harden
SP Haren
SP Loaiza
SP Blanton
SP Kennedy

CL Street
SU Duchscherer
SU Calero
SU Gaudin
SU Embree
LNG Halsey

Odd Men Out-
Traded:
OF Bobby Kielty
RP Jay Marshall
RP Jay Witasick

Optioned:
1B Erubiel Durazo
SP Dan Meyer
SP Jason Windsor
SP Shane Komine
RP Santiago Casilla
RP Ron Flores
RP Scott Dunn

This leaves us with a 6 man bullpen as opposed to the 7 man pen we usually have gone with. The difference being that this year, we have even more quality in the pen, with 5 good relievers and a good enough long man/lefty.

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Comments

We didn't have to pay THAT much for Goleski

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay.

by carp on Feb 21, 2007 11:31 AM PST reply actions

$150,000 is a lot

to me :P

by Zonis on Feb 21, 2007 12:34 PM PST up reply actions

They'll keep him.

He's got value going forward. Durazo's value would be more as an 'if someone gets injured at spring training' kinda guy, and can be moved easily enough.

"Kotsay is 31... Kotsay's back is 127." - Jeepers

by Ozzz on Feb 21, 2007 1:41 PM PST up reply actions

Goleski

I agree that the A's will try to keep Goleski, but I am not sure if they ultimately will. The Indians would like him back, and the injury problem may no longer be an lynchpin to forcing a trade. Also, before the Indians and A's can work out a trade, Goleski has to pass through waivers and any other team can claim him as a Rule V draftee. I don't know what other teams think about Goleski, but I would think our chances of keeping Goleski are not good if he does not make our 25 man roster. With Stewart on board, dumping Kielty would appear to be the only way to do that.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Feb 21, 2007 1:50 PM PST up reply actions

Good analysis

Has anyone thought about using Melhuse as our backup 3rd baseman along with Scutaro? They should get him some work over there during spring training and see how he does. We could then trade/release Antonio Perez and gain an extra bench/bullpen spot. Plus, with Piazza on the team we wouldn't have to worry about losing our only backup catcher.

by faninphilly on Feb 21, 2007 11:34 AM PST reply actions

Good idea

Melhuse played a couple games at the hot corner late last year and didn't do half badly. I would like this a lot, since I like Melhuse's bat a lot more than Perez's at this time and I kind of feel that Adam deserves more playing time SOMEWHERE.

by Taj Adib on Feb 21, 2007 4:55 PM PST up reply actions

Position players

I really think the battle among the position players is going to come down to Kielty, Johnson, and Goleski fighting for the last two spots.

I think Johnson and Kielty have the inside track right now, but I could see Goleski making a push with a good spring.

by OkayJay81 on Feb 21, 2007 11:57 AM PST reply actions

Why is Dan Johnson starting?

"...we don't score six, seven runs. We score three, four runs and play defense and pitch" - Eric Chavez

by pickinmachine on Feb 21, 2007 11:59 AM PST reply actions

Couple reasons

#1: its a platoon (Johnson vs RHP, Stewart/Kielty vs LHP)

#2: He's really just there to fill in till Barton and Buck are ready.

by Zonis on Feb 21, 2007 12:11 PM PST up reply actions

Stewart

I dont think he was brought in to platoon.

Its given that because the A's OF is prone to injuries that they will need a 4th and most likely a 5th OF.

Maybe Dan Johnson will have a great spring, I just dont see him as the starting 1B for the A's come opening day. Swisher is a MUCH better option.

"...we don't score six, seven runs. We score three, four runs and play defense and pitch" - Eric Chavez

by pickinmachine on Feb 21, 2007 12:35 PM PST up reply actions

I am curious

Why do you think it is better to promote Baker or Brown over Melhuse?

It is no secret that I adore that guy, so I am going to defend him, but I would really like to hear your reasoning here.

I think Melhuse has been great for us. I would love to see him get a ton more playing time. I know logically that won't happen, but it would be nice.

Personally I don't think Baker or Brown are ready for the show. Maybe in a year or two, but not yet.

I whole heartedly agree with you on Witasick. I would really like to see him traded for someone we can use.

"We don't rebuild in Oakland, man," Swisher cackles. "We re-load." Pics

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Feb 21, 2007 12:15 PM PST reply actions

The reason is simple

Baker and Brown are ready for the majors, because they will simply be backup catchers at best. At least one of them needs to be promoted anyways, because Kurt Suzuki is taking over as the starting catcher in Sacramento.

Melhuse, on the other hand, will still not get a whole lot of playing time on the big club. He will get more then last year, yes, but still not a huge amount. He is neither great offensivly or great defensivly, and I think Baker could fill his role pretty well.

Melhuse also will get paid a lot more then a catcher making league minimum, so there's money saved right there.

There is also one more reason I want Baker or Brown there. Suzuki, as we all know, will likely take the starting job in Oakland in 2008, when Kendall leaves for Free Agency. At that time, I would prefer a backup catcher along with him that had some expirience catching the staff. That means that either Melhuse has to stay yet another year, or that Baker or Brown has to be called up this year and get that expirience now.

The only reason I can see to keep Melhuse is to use him, as someone pointed out, as a backup 3B and 1B as well as the backup catcher.

by Zonis on Feb 21, 2007 12:34 PM PST up reply actions

I think they kept Melhuse

because of the possibility of Kendall getting hurt. Melhuse isn't really worth the money as backup catcher, but if we needed a starting catcher he would be perfectly fine, whereas Baker didn't hit in AAA last year and Brown's D is inadequate (his O isn't that great either.)

by mikeA on Feb 21, 2007 12:39 PM PST up reply actions

its not like Kendall's a great hitter atm

by Zonis on Feb 21, 2007 12:59 PM PST up reply actions

I'd take Kendall's

hitting over Baker's or Brown's any day of the week.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin, Seattle Mariners

by Helloooo 1st on Feb 21, 2007 8:18 PM PST up reply actions

but what about Suzuki?

by Zonis on Feb 21, 2007 9:49 PM PST up reply actions

this year

obviously kendall. at this point, suzuki is 23 and did okay at AA, that's it.

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 Feb 22, 2007 12:27 PM PST up reply actions

.295 avg

by comparison with the rest of the A's proformances kendall was a great hitter last year.

"I'd like to reference a brilliant post from Left Coast Lumber today" - notsellingjeans

by methodrampage on Feb 22, 2007 9:46 AM PST up reply actions

2007 is all fine and good

but I need to know what the team will look like after Spring Training in 2012, 2017, 2022, and 2027 so that I can file my five-year plans before the plenary session of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of Oakland.

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Feb 21, 2007 12:48 PM PST reply actions

I'll either be stationed on Mars or Venus by then

so I can't help you.

by Zonis on Feb 21, 2007 1:14 PM PST up reply actions

Don't misunderestimate yourself

I can picture you making the big time with a prime position on The Planet Formerly Known as Pluto.

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Feb 21, 2007 1:25 PM PST up reply actions

Don't you mean

The Pluto Formerly Known as a Planet?

by Zonis on Feb 21, 2007 2:59 PM PST up reply actions

End of the world is forthcoming in 2012

That means your 5 year plan only needs to be prepared now for the next 5.

Dec 19th is the date in 2012 that the Mayan calendar ends and the world is supposed to end on that date.

We can LOL but it has held up to scrutiny in all past eras.

Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN

by Charlie Brown on Feb 21, 2007 4:41 PM PST up reply actions

Darren Daulton agrees with you

As he explained at length last year.

"Earth, Daulton believes, is entering a quadrant of space in which the "vibrational energy" will increase dramatically. "The Mayan calendar stops at Dec. 21, 2012 -- the date the Mayans believed the world would end," he says. "On that day, at 11:11 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time, those who are ready to ascend will vanish from this plane of existence, like the crew of the Enterprise in Star Trek."

Expounding:

"Reality is created and guarded by numeric patterns that overlap and awaken human consciousness, like a giant matrix or hologram. They are created by sacred geometry -- numbers, the language of the universe, codes of awakening -- such as 11:11, which represent twin strands of DNA about to return to balance. Eleven equals BALANCE. I'll wake up at night and look at the clock and it's 11:11. I'll turn on the TV and see a baseball game tied at 11 in the 11th inning. I'll look out the window and see a car passing with 1111 on the license plate. The car will turn into a driveway with 1111 on the mailbox."

Insane? In his defense, Daulton explains:

"I've been thrown in jail five or six times. Nicole thinks I'm crazy. She blames everything on drugs and drinking. But I don't take drugs and I'm not a drunk. Nicole just doesn't understand metaphysics."

"If your athame is a spork, you might be a Discordian."

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Feb 21, 2007 8:07 PM PST up reply actions

Something in the water in Philly

Either that or the synthetic fibers the Phillies use in their uniforms causes an autoimmune response that slowly destroys the neurons in the brain's logic center. Only way you can explain Kruk and Daulton.

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Feb 22, 2007 6:10 AM PST up reply actions

1111

"I'll look out the window and see a car passing with 1111 on the license plate. The car will turn into a driveway with 1111 on the mailbox."

well, obviously that means the world is ending.
or maybe some guy has a specialized license plate.

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 Feb 22, 2007 12:30 PM PST up reply actions

'Or sometimes I'll be thinking about a plate of...

shrimp, and somebody, out of the blue, will say 'plate' or 'shrimp' or 'plate of shrimp'."

"Okay, now I know who drank the rest of my six-pack of Bitchy McSnarky's Snarkalicious Snarkade..." -Poppy

by McFood on Feb 22, 2007 1:16 PM PST up reply actions

that often happens to me

when i'm eating at all you can eat seafood restaurants.

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 Feb 22, 2007 4:33 PM PST up reply actions

Great News!

That means I'll only have to pay my student loans for 6 more years.

"[Frank's] a big battler. He's the mother of battleships."

-Nick Swisher

by kaweahkaweah on Feb 22, 2007 4:30 PM PST up reply actions

No reason to promote Baker or Brown

Neither are in the long term plans. Suzuki should be the backup plan if they don't find a better option by the time Kendall is headed out of town. Still, strange as it may sound, the only catcher in the system with a decent upside seems to be Landon Powell. He's the only one with major-league hitting potential and a superb arm. Suzuki has an excellent, quick release, but probably is only a backup at best. So I think the plan would be to keep Melhuse and trade Perez, unless you get great value for Melhuse in a trade (which could easily happen with a team like the Giants, who have their future catcher for the decade in the system but a few years from the majors).

by iceplant on Feb 21, 2007 1:55 PM PST reply actions

Suzuki

Suzuki is not going to be a star, but he is more than a "backup at best." Suzuki appears to be a guy who can play league average defense while putting up somewhere around a .750 OPS, and that's a viable major league starting catcher. I do agree with you that Powell is the higher ceiling guy, he can be a better defensive catcher and far better hitter if he can control his weight issue and stay healthy.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Feb 21, 2007 2:12 PM PST up reply actions

Melhuse should stay for two years

I assume Kendall is gone after this year. I think the A's should keep Melhuse so he's the backup/competing starter next year along with a young guy. Come June or August, they might be able to trade him, but I'd prefer they keep him for an extra year.

by connie mack on Feb 22, 2007 9:23 PM PST up reply actions

Sounds good to me

I wouldn't mind having Melhuse around as a backup/safety net in 2008 while Suzuki gets his chance to prove he can do the job.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Feb 22, 2007 11:00 PM PST up reply actions

do you know how old melhuse is?

he's like 35 if he's competing for a starting role at 36 we're in trouble.

"I'd like to reference a brilliant post from Left Coast Lumber today" - notsellingjeans

by methodrampage on Feb 23, 2007 9:02 AM PST up reply actions

I'm not a huge Melhuse fan

But I don't have a problem with him as a backup. It's not like we have a whole lot of production to replace when Kendall is gone . . .

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Feb 23, 2007 9:06 AM PST up reply actions

melhuse

ain't gonna hit .295

"I'd like to reference a brilliant post from Left Coast Lumber today" - notsellingjeans

by methodrampage on Feb 23, 2007 2:28 PM PST up reply actions

re:

i still like the potential of recker as catching later on, try and trade suzuk or powell and get somethin for them

by AsBeTheWay on Feb 21, 2007 2:03 PM PST reply actions

good job

I'd really want to see Durazo contribute for us this year but it may be bad timing. You gotta think we just have too many guys and a trade will shake down, I assume for minor leage prospects.

"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 Feb 21, 2007 3:06 PM PST reply actions

Nope

I don't buy the idea that the A's keep Goleski because of the price they had to pay, because it's the classic investment folly of throwing good money after bad. IIRC, there are $3M being wasted on Ginter right now, and they're not starting him just because they already spent the money.

Each player on that roster of 25 is going to have to prove himself useful on the field.

by GlassHeart on Feb 21, 2007 3:06 PM PST reply actions

Keith Ginter

Is an NRI with Cleveland.

As for the roster, I pretty much agree with what's been posted. I think Melhuse is a lousy hitter and a waste of resources, but I think the same can be said of Watisck and Embree given the minimum earning bullpen arms we have strewn about.

Suzuki is the starter of the future at catcher. I think he'll be a fine .280/.350/.400 type with defense that gets better by the day. Powell's a wild card, but I'm not holding out for much from him.

If we see Durazo get significant time this year, I think it means Piazza's done just awful or we've had some bad injuries.

With the whole double vision deal, I'd also let to see DJ get a crack, albeit while tethered to a short leash, to see if he can be a solid bat again, because I'm not sure Stewart is anything more at this point than a pretty good fourth outfielder.

I'd be surprised to see Buck or Barton in the majors this year. Barton's recovering from injury and still needs to show he can slug over .400 in the minors, let alone the majors. Buck's more likely, but with Stewart, Goleski, and (right now)
Kielty blocking him from so much as being on the bench, I wouldn't say very likely.

BeaneBall: This is a guy playing baseball. BeaneBall: But then, suddenly, MONEYBALL! HendryHuggins: Wait, I missed the part where moneyball.

by walk off bunt on Feb 21, 2007 4:34 PM PST up reply actions

I think you're wrong about Buck

He is a starting calibre corner outfielder, and you have him being blocked by 3 bench players. If/when he is ready to make the team (likely mid season), he will be there and be in the outfield ahead of those three. Starter > Bench Player.

by Zonis on Feb 21, 2007 7:00 PM PST up reply actions

No I agree

Sorry I didn't make that clearer. Buck is definintely starting calibre. I only mean that I don't think he'd unseat any of Kotsay, Bradley, or Swisher just this year.

BeaneBall: This is a guy playing baseball. BeaneBall: But then, suddenly, MONEYBALL! HendryHuggins: Wait, I missed the part where moneyball.

by walk off bunt on Feb 22, 2007 7:44 AM PST up reply actions

He doesn't have to unseat Bradley, Swisher or Kot

just Johnson/Stewart

by Zonis on Feb 22, 2007 8:44 AM PST up reply actions

Yeah that's where my point got all convoluted

I just don't really see the A's wasting him on the bench for any amount of time this season when he could be gaining experience and such in Sacramento.

I mean if injuries and the like accumulate then, obviously, he'd definitely have a shot. But if the rotation of Swish/Stewart/Bradley/Kotsay/(right now)Kielty holds up at all, I don't see why Buck would be brought up early.

But yeah, he's going to be a solid, solid regular, and I very well could be wrong. He could go all Andre Ethier on everyone this season if any number of things happen. (DJ sucks/gets hurt, Swish moves to first. Kotsay/Stewart/Bradley have health/performance problems. etc.)

BeaneBall: This is a guy playing baseball. BeaneBall: But then, suddenly, MONEYBALL! HendryHuggins: Wait, I missed the part where moneyball.

by walk off bunt on Feb 22, 2007 10:23 AM PST up reply actions

Ginter

Ginter is no longer on the books.
Witasick has some trade value if he throws well this spring. He has got to be the odd man out if everyone else stays healthy (including Halsey).
Durazo was offered a minor league contract for a reason. He's not making the team unless DJ gets hurt or is traded.
Goleski is 50/50 to stay with the team. The $150,000 thrown at Goleski/Marshall will probably be written off as an Insurance Policy for inabilities to sign Embree and S.Stewart. Oh, well.

by Colorado Fan on Feb 22, 2007 12:02 AM PST up reply actions

Nice article and comments

I feel that you are on the right track and your analysis is right on as far as the things we can see for the immediate future. But the scenario could change quickly being forced by life events, be it injury or even death.

Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN

by Charlie Brown on Feb 21, 2007 4:46 PM PST reply actions

Or the end of the world.

Which, btw, if you check today's DLD, will NOT happen in 2012. If the Mayans knew so much, how come they couldn't prevent their own civilization from collapsing?

"Okay, now I know who drank the rest of my six-pack of Bitchy McSnarky's Snarkalicious Snarkade..." -Poppy

by McFood on Feb 22, 2007 1:21 PM PST up reply actions

The ol' looking to far ahead to see what is right

in front of you syndrome.

by theblackpearl on Feb 22, 2007 3:12 PM PST up reply actions

Goleski and Cleveland

The A's have surplus of relief pitchers and the Indians have a lot of depth of outfielders at the AAA major league level. With Keith Foulke retiring maybe a Witasick and Flores nets us Goleski? Then next year you have 2 players that could be outfielders next year. Remmber Bradley, Kielty, Stewart are all free agents.

by Bud Light on Feb 21, 2007 5:54 PM PST reply actions

Maybe

But Goleski has to clear waivers with every other MLB team having the opportunity to "draft" him off waivers and comply with Rule V prior to us having the opportunity to talk trade with Cleveland. It might for the best if Goleski sucks in the Spring, if he hits well some other team may pick him up.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Feb 21, 2007 6:53 PM PST up reply actions

If Goleski does bad enough

to somehow make it through waivers, then Witasick and Flores would be too much to give up for him. We'd give up likely someone who is not MLB ready at all.

by Zonis on Feb 21, 2007 7:01 PM PST up reply actions

Not sure

The A's have made it clear that they really want Goleski in their organization, and the Indians have made clear that they would like to have him back. I don't think either the A's or Indians is likely to be influenced very much by how Goleski performs in his first major league spring training while recovering from an injury after not having played in AAA. I think other teams may, however, which might him to slip through waivers. I would love to have Goleski in Sacramento and see how he does in a full year at AAA. He is an intriguing prospect, but would not be in the major leagues if it were not for Rule V.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Feb 21, 2007 9:00 PM PST up reply actions

How does he have to clear waivers? If the A's

don't want him he goes back to the Indians straight up, just like Tyler Johnson went back to the Cardinals. HE might be out of options, so if he doesn't make the Indians Roster he has to clear waivers, but once he goes back to the Indians, they could do whatever they wanted, including trading him to the A's

by theblackpearl on Feb 21, 2007 10:09 PM PST up reply actions

Them's the rules

Here is the scoop from ESPN's Transaction Primer:

"A player drafted onto a Major League roster in the Rule 5 draft must remain in the majors (on the 25-man active roster or the DL) for all of the subsequent season, or the drafting club must attempt to return him to his original club. However, since a returned Rule 5 player must first be placed on outright waivers, a third club could claim the player off waivers. But of course, that club would then also have to keep him in the majors all season, or offer him back to his original club."

We can't work out a trade with the Indians if some other team claims him off waivers. This has happened before, but I can't think of any of the players' names at this point.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Feb 21, 2007 10:33 PM PST up reply actions

I could swear I responded to this post

earlier today, yet I don't see my comments anywhere.

Oh well...I probably put it by mistake in some work thing...!

anyway, I thought Ryan Armbrust's take on the 25 man roster was also interesting.
(see "Spring pruning") http://catfishstew.baseballtoaster.com/

Assuming both DJ and Durazo hit well this spring, I wouldn't be surprised to see Durazo start in Sacramento (since he can), while DJ is tried out or perhaps even showcased for a trade.

If Wash was right, Durazo is capable of being decent at 1B if he puts in the work (and is told he may be playing some 1B). It will be interesting to see if he's assigned to Sacramento but put at 1B at least a bit. (Yeah I know Barton is there, but he's no whiz there either.)

by OaklandSi on Feb 21, 2007 6:58 PM PST reply actions

I'm a little less solid on my thinking than I was

when I wrote that. The only real change in my thought process is whether the A's decide to give Goleski or Marshall a roster spot.

When I originally wrote that, the reports of Goleski's good health and good hitting weren't yet in. Now, I'm leaning towards Goleski making the team, which could mean Kielty is gone.

The Rule V guys will have a ripple effect on the roster if either makes the team, I suspect.

--Nebraska--

ThePastime

by Ryan Armbrust on Feb 21, 2007 8:25 PM PST up reply actions

So many contingencies for so few spots

If DJ looks ready to be a starting ML 1B, then Swisher is the everyday LF, Stewart is the 4th OF and they probably have more comfort keeping Goleski around and shopping Kielty. If DJ bombs and Swisher is the starting 1B, then I think they'll lean towards keeping Kielty rather than chancing things with Goleski. That also may put Durazo on the roster as a spot starter at 1B and to rest Piazza. I have no problem with Durazo getting 300 ABs in that role.

Infield health probably necessitates keeping around Scutaro and Perez, the latter being a horrible waste of roster space unless he can hit David Wells' weight.

I have no question that the 11th man on the pitching staff will be a 2nd lefty, meaning Witasick is out of the picture (unless Gaudin suddenly falls apart).

by boilerdan on Feb 22, 2007 8:05 AM PST reply actions