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Kendall Traded to the Cubs!

Oakland_tiny by Blez on in News

I'm watching the Cubs/Giants game on ESPN and they just announced that the Cubs have traded for Jason Kendall for catcher Rob Bowen and minor league lefty Jerry Blevins.

The official AN whipping boy is an Oakland Athletic no longer.  Um, not really sure why the Cubbies want Kendall except for the fact that he apparently loves hitting in Houston and he probably won't take a swipe at a starting pitcher.

More to come on this deal...I'm going to take a closer look at the players the A's got in return, particularly Blevins.

Jason, I never hated you, how could I hate someone who would put his face in front of some jagged cleats to win a game?  I just got tired of watching you hit.  The Kendall era in Oakland is officially over and the Suzuki era has officially begun.

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Thank goodness.
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jul 16, 2007 5:47 PM PDT   0 recs

Weird combination

of good memories and good riddance.

"He did a great job. It was hot." -- Bob Geren on Dan Haren

by oblique on Jul 16, 2007 5:48 PM PDT   0 recs

Exactly how I felt

at the same time, it's time for him to move on and allow us to see what we have in Suzuki.  I feel bad that Landon Powell had the issues he has with health or he might've been right there too.

by Blez on Jul 16, 2007 5:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

kendall sucked, but the face-tag and sulk-off

will remain two of the most memorable plays of this a's era.

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 Jul 16, 2007 5:49 PM PDT   0 recs

Word.
P.S. It's nice to have you back.
"Brawls will come, and brawls will go, but there will always be bats to pick up."

by Jennifer on Jul 16, 2007 5:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed

Yes, I loved his grit.  But his offense...not so much.

I love you, k^2. -Poppy

by kaweahkaweah on Jul 16, 2007 5:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

WOO-HOO!
Now for the tincture of tenderness, but I must use only a touch; For without a touch of tenderness it might destroy me, oops, too much.

by andeux on Jul 16, 2007 5:49 PM PDT   0 recs

I'm sorry but

thank the Big Dude.  I respect the hell out of Jason Kendall, and he did some great things for us, but it was time for a change.  Whoo.

by 31Boots on Jul 16, 2007 5:51 PM PDT   0 recs

Sean Marshall.........

the yankees telecast just stated the pitcher is actually sean marshall. i am not sure if that is correct or not but i thought i would pass it along. he has been good this year prior to his last start and was a major prospect of their's not too long ago.

You motorboating son of a bitch

by bigmacattack on Jul 16, 2007 5:52 PM PDT   0 recs

HUZZAH!

Earth's Worst Hitter(TM) is gone!  I'm sure Suzuki will have to go through a period of fans blaming him if the pitching isn't as unusually awesome as it was in the first half, but just ignore 'em, Kurt.

HUZZAH!

by Aaron C on Jul 16, 2007 5:52 PM PDT   0 recs

YES!!!!

I like Kendall, admire his work ethic, appreciate his work with our pitchers, but his batting was atrocious.

I love you, k^2. -Poppy

by kaweahkaweah on Jul 16, 2007 5:53 PM PDT   0 recs

Was just sitting here thinking...

...that tonight's game will be the first truly meaningless game of 2007, two lousy teams going nowhere and playing out the string.  Now, it feels like a new era is beginning!  What a catharsis!  Looking forward to tonight's game with new energy.

by Soaker on Jul 16, 2007 5:54 PM PDT   0 recs

I was just reading the post from Blez

talking about looking towards what BB will do when I heard about this.  So the roster changes are offically starting.  I think Suzuki will do well, albeit, it won't be overnight, so it's time for A's fans to practice patience and look for baby steps from your 2008 Oakland A's.

by kapers on Jul 16, 2007 5:54 PM PDT   0 recs

Now we await

The trades of Kotsay, Kennedy, and Crosby with abated breath.

RagingHarden: Yeah if you get 20 starts out of me I'll be shocked. Like, I'll wreck my drawers.

by walk off bunt on Jul 16, 2007 5:54 PM PDT   0 recs

This feels weird.

I always feel weird when a player leaves, no matter who he is, and this time is no different. I thought I'd be happy to see him go and I suppose I am, but I can't help feeling like I'll miss him in some regard. It'll be interesting to hear Fosse's take that's for sure.

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

by Helloooo 1st on Jul 16, 2007 5:55 PM PDT   0 recs

Me too

now I'm getting all nostalgic about Kendall!  Just focus on the batting average, just focus on the OBP.  Still, it is nice to see Suzuki finally become a regular.  One of the things I like best about the A's is seeing the youth get their shot and hopefully excel.

by dbuzi123 on Jul 16, 2007 5:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

great trade

addition by subtraction. this will automatically make our lineup a whole lot better. and suzuki is the catcher of the future, we need to give him time to establish himself.

by oak1 on Jul 16, 2007 5:55 PM PDT   0 recs

Blevins

had an insane K/BB ratio.  69 K to 13 BB this season.  I'll take that any time.

Wow, could it be that Beane actually got something for Kendall?

by Blez on Jul 16, 2007 5:55 PM PDT   0 recs

time will tell

its just hilarious to hear the cubs announcers right now. they're just cock-a-hoop crazy over the deal. i guess its a good fit for them because they traded barrett to the padres and their current catcher is hitting .159 with the backup hitting .143.

by oak1 on Jul 16, 2007 6:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It's a sign of what Hendry has

done for the Cubs that Kendall is an offensive upgrade.

by IndianaAsfan on Jul 16, 2007 6:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

he did get something for kendall

that kendall actually has "value" is proven by the fact that he was actually traded to a team that is in contention!  

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 Jul 16, 2007 6:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He was garbage in 2006:

6.13 ERA.

Don't knock Kendall's value to a GOOD TEAM.

I hope he wins the WS this year.

http://www.silverandblackpride.com/

by saint on Jul 16, 2007 6:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I have nothing against Kendall, he

was just pants for us. I wish him well, and hell if we're not winning the World Series he might as well.

by OldhamA on Jul 16, 2007 6:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

How are both Milton

and Kendall going to win the WS?  You have to pick one since the Cubs cannot play the Padres in the WS.

by IndianaAsfan on Jul 16, 2007 6:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

There You go Again: :)

I hope Kendall does now that he won't be here. Until the trade I wanted the Pads to win.

http://www.silverandblackpride.com/

by saint on Jul 16, 2007 7:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Blevins

Maybe I'm missing something, but here it looks like he just really hasn't pitched that much at any level, throwing 76 innings in '05 and just 39.2 in '06. Maybe he's spent time injured? That sure would make him a perfect fit around here!

by BerkeleyDawg on Jul 16, 2007 10:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

What will the pitchers do?

AHHHHHH! I bet RayFo is coming out of retirement.

"Brawls will come, and brawls will go, but there will always be bats to pick up."

by Jennifer on Jul 16, 2007 5:56 PM PDT   0 recs

he's shooting zebras
I'm not throwing in the towel, but I'm using it to wipe the sweat off my face and enjoy the rest of the season. ~ oaklandSMASH @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jul 16, 2007 6:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Zambi instead of Bambi, eh.
"7/16/07 is the day our 2nd half run will start."

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 16, 2007 6:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Somewhere, SPWC died a little inside . . .
I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Jul 16, 2007 5:57 PM PDT   0 recs

Good luck to Jason.
Thanks to him for his  work with the young pitchers. He was as gritty as advertized and he made a few good memories for us using that grit.  But...I'm looking foward to seeing Suzuki get regular at bats.

by IM4Oakgal on Jul 16, 2007 5:58 PM PDT   0 recs

My first reaction:

When we acquired Kendall, Billy Beane said "You're gonna love this guy," to which I say, "You don't know me, Billy."

My second reaction: Thank you, Jason, for the good things you did.

My third reaction: Jerry Blevins! Rob Bowen! Anyone else!

Regarding Suzuki, I'm seeing him as a Doug Mirabelli type. I think he'll hit for some decent doubles and HR power and I like his arm, but I'm not convinced he'll hit more than .230/.300 in the near future, if ever. It will be interesting to see how he looks the next month or two.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jul 16, 2007 5:58 PM PDT   0 recs

I was like...

We actually got something for Kendall? I was shocked that anyone would want him.

by IM4Oakgal on Jul 16, 2007 6:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

But now we have 70 games...

...to find out whether that's true or not about Suzuki...not just the games against non-contenders in September, and 1 of every 8 games between now and then.

by Soaker on Jul 16, 2007 6:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

what makes you feel

suzuki will hit .230/.300? he's consistently put up good offensive numbers coming through the system and has been impressive in his limited appearances to date.  
his average has dropped recently but that's understandable given the limited number of plate appearances over the past few weeks. i see him hitting .270-.280 with an OPS of .800-.850+ consistently in the major leagues.

by oak1 on Jul 16, 2007 6:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't agree that Suzuki has

"consistently put up good offensive numbers coming through the system." He hit .277 in A-ball, .285 at AA, and .280/.340 at AAA. Good major league hitters usually hit better at those levels, sometimes batting .350-.400 at A-ball because they simply overmatch the competition until they are promoted.

To give an idea of how inflated AAA numbers are, for example, consider that this year at Sacramento, Kielty hit .394, Donnie Murphy hit .327, and Bocachica hit .318.

So the fact that Suzuki has hit only .277-.285 at all minor league levels A-AAA is cause for concern that he might not be able to hit for average in the major leagues.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jul 16, 2007 6:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Those are pretty awful comparisons

Cmon Nico, you know better. Bocachica is like 28 and Kielty is 30 or so by now. Suzuki is 23. And Murphy is actually not a bad prospect. I don't know where the idea came from that Murphy was on par with the AAAA likes of Bocachica and such, but he was a top prospect of Kansas City's before having a bad year last year and he's only 24 himself.

The point is that Suzuki has been a pretty consistently decent hitter for a catcher throughout every level he's been at. Does that mean he's going to transition to doing that at the majors right away? No, but there's little reason to think he can't develop into a .270ish/.340ish hitter at the major league level, which is fine for a catcher.

RagingHarden: Yeah if you get 20 starts out of me I'll be shocked. Like, I'll wreck my drawers.

by walk off bunt on Jul 16, 2007 7:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Wait wait wait wait wait--

This wasn't my point. Other apt comparisons would be Esteban German and Charles Thomas, who both hit well over .300 at AAA. My point is that it isn't "great" or even "solid" to hit in the .270s at low levels or in the .280s at high levels of the minor leagues.

Also, I didn't say Suzuki would never be able to hit .270/.340, but at this point I would expect less. I just think people are getting too excited about the hitting potential of a guy who hits .270-.280 in the minors. That doesn't translate to .270 in the majors. Right now, I'd expect a low average with decent power. Which is closer to Rod Barajas and Gerald Laird territory than to the beloved A. J. or your favorite Molina.

I like Suzuki. I just don't see him necessarily hitting for a good average at this point in his career, that's all.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jul 16, 2007 10:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ouch

please no mention of Charles Thomas.  Might I offer another - Adam Piatt?  I hope Suzuki is better than that, but even Crosby has better lived up to expectations than Piatt did.

by IndianaAsfan on Jul 17, 2007 2:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Rick Sutcliffe

Just said, "Wow, the Cubs just got a whole lot better."  Um, he's actually seen Kendall play in Oakland, hasn't he?  He's not just remembering him from his Pirates days?

Also, they were just throwing out the fact that Kendall is close to a .300 hitter.  LOL

by Blez on Jul 16, 2007 5:59 PM PDT   0 recs

Sutcliffe is an idiot...

At leats he is sober tonight.  He did just say after a Cubs Catcher hit into a DP..."And the Cubs cant wait for Jason Kendall to get here"....

Yea....cuz he never hits into DP's.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jul 16, 2007 6:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

hahaha

Kendall is the the king of DP's!

by chavyizdamn3 on Jul 16, 2007 6:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

sutcliffe video

http://www.foundrymusic.com/opieanth...

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 Jul 16, 2007 6:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Thank you God

I don't care if we still lose, at least we are slowly losing dead weight.  Next up, Crosby.

by sprtsnwyn on Jul 16, 2007 6:00 PM PDT   0 recs

i cant belive he ansered my prayers now im going

to pray for something like winning the lottery.
Two impossible things couldnt happen right?

"Those people who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do". - Asimov

by Anarch on Jul 16, 2007 6:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

this was the easy part....

With Suzuki in the wings, it was an easy move to dump Kendall.  Now I want to see if Beane is going to fix the Crosby problem, or if he's going to foist him upon the team for years to come.

by coffee roaster on Jul 16, 2007 6:00 PM PDT   0 recs

well, if piazza, DJ, stewart, kotsay,

kennedy, etc. are all available, i'd hope crosby is too, and that one of the goals here is to acquite an above-average SS.

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 Jul 16, 2007 6:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

acquire
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 Jul 16, 2007 6:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

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

by Helloooo 1st on Jul 16, 2007 6:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

will the glove fit?
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 Jul 16, 2007 6:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL
"He did a great job. It was hot." -- Bob Geren on Dan Haren

by oblique on Jul 16, 2007 6:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Kendall's memoir: "If I Hit It"
I'm not throwing in the towel, but I'm using it to wipe the sweat off my face and enjoy the rest of the season. ~ oaklandSMASH @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jul 16, 2007 6:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If the glove doesn't fit

You must trade for some grit.

by Blez on Jul 16, 2007 6:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nice. AN will be shutting down soon due to Blez

going on a comedy tour.

"7/16/07 is the day our 2nd half run will start."

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 16, 2007 6:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If a whole team can't hit,

it musta quit.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jul 16, 2007 6:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

< celebratory monkey dance >
I'm not throwing in the towel, but I'm using it to wipe the sweat off my face and enjoy the rest of the season. ~ oaklandSMASH @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jul 16, 2007 6:01 PM PDT   0 recs

Thank you Billy

That was the best news for this season

Lets go A's

by Jackson_A on Jul 16, 2007 6:01 PM PDT   0 recs

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!!!!

hopefully you Cal Berkeley folks get the reference.

by Bearcat on Jul 16, 2007 6:01 PM PDT   0 recs

LOL

I'll have to make sure he adds Kendall to his sign tomorrow

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Jul 16, 2007 6:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

prediction:

kendall hits .300 with a .700 OPS for the rest of the year, proving once and for all that the NL is an absolute joke.

prediction II (not serious):
suzuki struggles, a's bring kendall back as starting catcher next year!

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 Jul 16, 2007 6:03 PM PDT   0 recs

I liked rooting for Kendall.

I still really like him and hope he does well with the Cubs.  As xbox said earlier, the face-tag and the sulk-off will be defining moments of the last few years.  And I was happy that he got to finally see the postseason with the A's.

At the same time: don't let the door hit you on the way out, homey.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Jul 16, 2007 6:04 PM PDT   0 recs

Salb ...perfect post.

I think that you summed up the way the majority of us are feeling.

by IM4Oakgal on Jul 16, 2007 6:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I saw the title of this story,

and thought it was some sick joke.  But it's true!  Horray!

"Danny Haren is ours, not yours."

by Kimberly on Jul 16, 2007 6:04 PM PDT   0 recs

At least we can sleep easy knowing that

Jason Kendall will absolutely not be back next year at any price on the A's.

by IM4Oakgal on Jul 16, 2007 6:04 PM PDT   0 recs

You can never be certain but I assume

you are probably correct.

"7/16/07 is the day our 2nd half run will start."

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 16, 2007 6:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Timing was right

Cubs were starting to make a run and they had absolutely no one. So they're going crazy about picking up a veteran.

Meanwhile, the A's season seemed to have ended this weekend, and so no one could make much noise about trading away Kendall and the damage it would to to the pitching staff. Whether that's a myth or not, Dan Haren and Joe Blanton certainly seemed to believe in it. But with us seemingly out of contention, what's the risk. We needed to play Suzuki and we needed to do it in a complaint-free, controversy-free setting.

Now we can.

So good going all around.

by RLangford on Jul 16, 2007 6:06 PM PDT   0 recs

Kendall Gone YAAAAAAAAAAAAA !!!!!

More than happy to be patient with Suzuki's growing pains ! at least the guy smiles ! I mean if any of you thought Kendall's toughness was intimidating to opposing clubs it wasn't they just thought he was a red ass ! good riddance ! I never thought a pitcher punching out a catcher in chicago would be such a blessing in disguise, guess it's the butterfly effect.

by panamanianexpress on Jul 16, 2007 6:09 PM PDT   0 recs

This is a really good trade for the Cubs

As a new Chicagoan, I've had ample time to watch the Cubs in the last couple months.

There catching situation is simply atrocious--Bowen kinda sucks, and, well, so does Hill.

They have some young pitchers (particularly Rich Hill), who will benefit from having Kendall around.

Moreover, you have to look at how the Cubs are different from the A's. They are a pretty good offensive club--Ramirez, Lee, and Soriano in your lineup will do that for you.

Kendall will now be in a situation where his subpar offense won't be quite so apparent. And maybe that (and possibly a return to the NL) will relax him and allow him to hit better.

by Alien on Jul 16, 2007 6:10 PM PDT   0 recs

Alien

I like your post because it makes me happy to think that Kendall will be in a place where they might like him. With our lousy offense ...we just couldn't like his play, No matter how good he is with the young pitchers.

by IM4Oakgal on Jul 16, 2007 6:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh I completely agree

I'm soooo glad Kurt is going to get his chance.

Like it said in the article, he gets his "baptism by fire", so hopefully he'll then be primed and ready for '08.

by Alien on Jul 16, 2007 6:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah...that's right.

Suzuki will go into 08 experienced. I like that thought.

by IM4Oakgal on Jul 16, 2007 6:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It was a great pick-up for the Cubs:

Their catchers are atrocious and Kendall has been a great second half hitter. He has great bat control and does not strike out too much. Watch what happens when he is on a team that uses the hit and run.

The Cubs just locked up the Central.

The hottest team in baseball JUST GOT BETTER.

The A's will not be a good team for a few years. I just keep getting reminded of that movie, "Major League", where they diluted the team in order to move them.

Until they break ground in Fremont I am not sold they are even staying in the Bay Area.

http://www.silverandblackpride.com/

by saint on Jul 16, 2007 6:10 PM PDT   0 recs

What

The A's are trading away the worst regular in the major league and this is somehow equivalent to a "Major League" style fundamental breakdown of the big league club? What?

Dude.

What?

RagingHarden: Yeah if you get 20 starts out of me I'll be shocked. Like, I'll wreck my drawers.

by walk off bunt on Jul 16, 2007 6:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Super Rich Ownership group: (Top 3 in MLB)

Cheap budget and complaining of being a small market while they close the third deck and dump salaries.

The brin