SB Nation - Michael Wuertz

Davis does it again, leading A's to another win deep in the heart of Texas

Flashfire — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:49:55 -0000

More photos » by Tony Gutierrez - AP

He fast. He good. A's win again. Coincidence? I think not! By the way, Rajai Davis is faster than an unladen swallow. It's true.

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The Rajai Davis Show, which is currently the longest-running form of entertainment in Northern California, continued with a road performance tonight in Arlington. Runnin' Rajai led the way, reaching base all five times he stepped to the plate (FC, BB, 1B, 1B, 1B). He further filled up the stat sheet with a run, four RBI, and he went one for two on his stolen base attempts. As a direct result of his efforts the A's claimed a 6-1 win over the slumping Texas Rangers who, while they finally scored a run on a David Murphy homer, couldn't muster anything else against Edgar Gonzalez (4 IP), Craig Breslow (2), Brad Ziegler (2/3), Jerry Blevins (1/3), Michael Wuertz (1) and Andrew Bailey (1).

Davis is now batting a season-high .314 and has pushed his OPS past .800. What more can be said about the job he's done since becoming a regular? Cliff Pennington pitched in with two more hits including his first Major League triple, continuing his solid play as the A's have now won seven of their last nine to reach twelve games under .500 for the first time since August 17. Adam Kennedy and Daric Barton both had a hit and two walks.

Elvis Andrus had a 16-game hitting streak snapped and Brandon McCarthy only lasted two batters into the fourth, throwing 80 pitches. With both starters exiting before the end of the fifth, the game started to drag on with numerous pitching changes but it's easier to take when the A's win. Boston also won again and Texas has now lost three games in the wild card standings in the last three days.

The only real bad thing about tonight's game was 13 strikeouts by A's hitters, including Jack Cust's fourth Golden Sombrero of the season. That matches his total from last year and it was the tenth time of his career, all with the A's. Given his role on the team it may come as no surprise that when he strikes out that many times the A's struggle to win. They'd lost all eight times he did it in the past before winning their last two (7/11 in Tampa Bay being the first), which both happened to be games in which Davis played a big part in the victories - that time he replaced Ryan Sweeney and hit a tying homer to go with a single and stolen base. I think the point here is now the Oakland offense has become well-rounded enough (relatively speaking) that they can still put some runs on the board even when Cust has a game like this.

A quick recap of other organizational news:

Pacific Coast League Championship, Game 1: Memphis leads 1-0 in the top of the 8th with two out and two on after Chris Carter struck out looking. Travis Buck is about to pinch-hit and Memphis is making a pitching change.

Texas League Championship, Game 1: NW Arkansas had their way with Midland, winning 11-5 after the RockHounds scored four in the bottom of the 9th. They committed five errors, which makes it hard to win.

Keep The Winning Streak Going: Cubs vs. Reds Preview, Friday 9/11, 1:20 CT

Al — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:30:26 -0000

by Gene J. Puskar - AP

May there be many scenes like this today -- Cubs runners scoring.

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Since the Cubs last faced the Reds in Cincinnati on August 5, the Reds are 17-16. That sounds decent, but they have been an extremely streaky team. Starting on August 14, the Reds: lost five straight, then won one, lost two, won five, lost two, won seven, and lost four, their current streak (a four-game sweep at the hands of the Rockies). The seven-game winning streak -- two games longer than the Cubs' longest of the year -- includes a four-game sweep of the Pirates.

So, it should be time for the Cubs to extend that four-game Cincinnati losing streak to seven, to match their previous win streak. (And give the Cubs their longest winning streak of the year, too.)

Bruce Miles today tackles three topics we've discussed here at length recently: the futures of Jeff Baker, Milton Bradley and Carlos Marmol. Bruce correctly sums up what Jim and Lou did to ruin this year's bullpen (and without even mentioning Kevin Gregg):

If Jim Hendry is guilty of anything over the years when it comes to his bullpen, it's overthinking things and overpaying for veteran arms. Field manager Lou Piniella had a hand in things last off-season, when he basically ran Michael Wuertz out of town and Hendry traded for old favorite Aaron Heilman.

Wuertz, for whom the Cubs have nothing to show, is 6-1 with a 3.00 ERA and a tidy WHIP (walks plus hits per 1 inning pitched) of 1.01 with Oakland. Heilman is 2-3 with a 4.35 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.

For next season, the Cubs ought to focus within. Keep Marmol the closer, let Angel Guzman set up and re-sign lefty John Grabow, who has been effective since his trade from Pittsburgh. Promote from within, and you might get the job done at a fraction of what it has cost the Cubs over the years for mediocrity and worse.

Beyond Guzman, Grabow and Marmol, the Cubs have a large number of good arms at Triple-A, many of whom we've seen this year (Justin Berg, Jeff Stevens, Esmailin Caridad) and at least two we haven't, but who will be in the Arizona Fall League (Andrew Cashner, John Gaub). AFL players are often on the fast track to the majors. It seems to me that you could put together a pretty decent major league bullpen out of some of those arms, rather than overpaying for mediocre veteran middle relievers. And closers, too; Gregg joins a long list of failed veteran acquired closers for the Cubs (Dave Smith, Doug Jones, Mel Rojas -- need I go on?).

Today's Starting Pitchers


Rich Harden Cubs	vs.	Justin Lehr Reds

9-8	W-L	4-1
4.10	ERA	4.43
162	SO	16
59	BB	19
23	HR	5
vs. Cin	--	vs. Cubs

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Rich Harden	9-8	25	24	0	0	0	0	134.0	115	68	61	23	59	162	4.10	1.30

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Justin Lehr	4-1	7	7	1	1	0	0	44.2	46	22	22	5	19	16	4.43	1.46

Today's game is a rematch of the August 5 game in Cincinnati where the Cubs failed to show up. Oh, they were there in body, but let Justin Lehr throw a four-hit shutout. Since then Lehr has been -- not so good, going 3-1 in five starts, but with a 5.58 ERA. That's the guy the Cubs need to pound today. He's walked 19 and struck out 16 in 44.2 innings, so patience at the plate today should help.

Rich Harden threw well enough on August 5 -- two earned runs in six innings. Playing at Wrigley, where the Cubs swept the Reds in July, should help. Harden threw one of those games, on July 26, allowing the Reds only one hit in six innings, a solo HR by Joey Votto. That's the only career hit Votto has had off Harden in 10 AB.

TV today is WGN, plus FSN Ohio (which means EI viewers get to hear the Brennamans. Turn the sound off). For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

SB Nation game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Reds site Red Reporter.

Once again, just two overflow threads today -- 2:30 and 3:30 pm CDT. If there's a need for another one, please post as a FanShot.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

72-65, Quick Game Notes

Jeff — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 07:45:54 -0000

More photos » by Ben Margot - AP

OH GOD NOT AGAIN

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Maybe if I write really fast people won't notice that this is how I spent my Saturday night.

When I went through the PITCHfx data and saw that Luke French threw 63% strikes, I could hardly believe it, because I could've sworn he threw a lot more balls. Turns out maybe he should've, because the strikes he threw got pounded. Though I thought he was a lot better than his results the last time out, today he was awful - just awful - to the point that even the A's made him pay. Slider? Fine. Fastball? Kept missing. Change? Practically non-existant. How does a guy with French's fastball throw 37 pitches to righties and only five changeups?

A step back for a guy whose spot in next year's rotation is in no way guaranteed. While he's not a bad pitcher, I'd wager he doesn't have anyone's confidence right now, and that confidence won't come until he starts getting better results.

Jason Vargas, meanwhile - welcome back. Vargas was good with Tacoma, came up, had his ups and downs, went back to Tacoma, was good, then came up again. Tonight he worked in relief of French and threw 2.1 perfect innings, flashing more of that changeup I love so much (five thrown, three swinging strikes). I think it's a product of having spent so much of my life surrounded by praise for Jamie Moyer and Trevor Hoffman, but the changeup is my favorite pitch, so I love having a guy like Vargas who can use it whenever he wants to great effect. French may very well wash out. Garrett Olson may never improve. Vargas, though, I think is good enough to pitch in the bigs for a pretty long time, even if he doesn't get any better.

Rank of Michael Wuertz's swinging strike rate among all relievers:

2009: 1st
2008: 22nd
2007: 4th
2006: 1st
2005: 3rd

Seems like the Cubs could've used something like a ZiPS projection before trading him for pocket change. Wuertz has often been accused of falling in love with his slider, but considering his slider is literally the most unhittable slider in baseball, I think he can be forgiven, and if the A's handle this right, they'll be able to use him to trade for a lot more than they originally gave up.

Of the two feel-good stories we've plugged in at DH, I never expected Mike Sweeney to be the one to catch fire down the stretch. His homer today was longer than any Jose Lopez has hit all season.

I can't find an exact count, but on only something like 120 occasions has a player ever struck out five times in a game. BIll Hall just wants to be remembered.

Since he got so close today and I don't think I'm going to be around tomorrow, let's get this out of the way - congratulations, Ichiro, on reaching 2000 career hits. 2000 career Major League hits, anyway. People will always bring up his Japanese stats and some will insist that their exclusion is insulting, but the Japanese (A) don't play in the Major Leagues, and (B) don't play at a Major League level, so for our purposes, those stats are meaningless. What does hit #2000 mean? Nothing, really, at least nothing more than hit #1999 or hit #2001, but America loves a big round number as much as it loves its big round people, and to get there in fewer than nine seasons is one of those things that I don't think we're going to appreciate in full until Ichiro's gone.

We all take Ichiro for granted. Every single one of us. Let his big day be the one day we try - just try - to understand how extraordinary he really is.

Miguel Batista : Mariners :: appendix : humans. He doesn't serve a critical purpose and all he ever does is make you hurt.

Could it be...? No, it can't be... OMG it really is! It's a Minor League Update!!!

grover — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:00:25 -0000

Hello again.

Work called me away for a while and it’s been tough getting back into the groove of things. For those who don’t know, I’m a wildland fire fighter and August got a little busy for those in my career field. So when I disappear again for a couple weeks just remember… I envy your access to in-door plumbing.

Anyways, I want to focus this week’s minor league update on the 40 man roster and the options that are going to have to be decided upon in the coming months. Why do this now instead of waiting until September 1st? The topic tickles my fancy, that’s why. As I seem to have (once again) misplaced my Cap o’ Omnipotence I’m forced to resort to basic logic and common sense reckoning to try and deduce the future roster.

That’s right… none of what I’m about to tell you is guaranteed!

The way I see it, there are 28-29 spots on the future 40 man roster all but guaranteed. On the pitching side, Brett Anderson, Andrew Bailey, Jerry Blevins, Dallas Braden, Craig Breslow, Trevor Cahill, Joey Devine, Gio Gonzalez, Jeff Gray, Jay Marshall, Vin Mazzaro, Clayton Mortensen, Josh Outman, Henry Rodriguez, Michael Wuertz and Brad Ziegler all seem certain to have jobs in the Oakland organization next year. That’s 16 pitchers of varying combinations of success/cheapness/options that aren’t going to be released just to make room on the roster. (There’s a pretty good chance that Outman will open next season on the 60-day DL, opening up an additional spot on the 40 man.) Santiago Casilla and Edgar Gonzalez are both arbitration eligible next season but neither pitched so well that the A’s are going to be eager to give them big pay raises, which could mean either or both players could end up as trade fodder or possibly even released. Dana Eveland is still on the 40 man roster as well, but his poor performance led to a demotion that will keep him from seeing any arby money next season. Unfortunately, Mr. Eveland’s suckitude forced the A’s to use his last option this season; meaning he can’t be stashed on Sacramento’s roster next season without first passing through waivers. Chances are Eveland isn’t going to be one of the 5 best SP candidates for the A’s come Opening Day 2010 and as a lefty with a pulse he’d probably get snapped up by some other team desperate for pitching. Therefore, I think this is good-bye to Mr. Eveland.

As it just so happens, it looks as if the A’s are going to need maybe 3 openings on the 40 man roster just to protect some arms that should attract a lot of interest in the Rule 5 draft. Pedro Figueroa hasn’t advanced past High-A ball but he’s a lefty with a low-90’s fastball. Brad Kilby is another lefty who’s put up back-to-back quality campaigns in Sacramento’s bullpen. Fautino De Los Santos is still trying to bounce back from 2008 TJ surgery but he wouldn’t last long if the A’s made him available for the Rule 5 draft. Jason Ray is in the same boat but I don’t think there’s much risk of someone grabbing him and keeping him on a 25 man roster all season.

There’s also a chance the A’s might be interested in bringing back Brett Tomko or Justin Duchscherer next season. Dan Giese should be fully recovered in time for next season; maybe the A’s are still interested in him as a swing man type. Plus, guys like Sam Demel and James Simmons could be knocking on the door next season and they’d need a spot on the 40 man to do so. Like I said, I could see 3-4 spots going to the guys I just listed and we haven’t even looked outside the organization to find help.

The hitting side of things is even more in flux.

Kurt Suzuki, Landon Powell, Eric Chavez (who?) Mark Ellis, Daric Barton, Travis Buck, Aaron Cunningham, Rajai Davis, Scott Hairston, Ryan Sweeney, Jack Cust, Tommy Everidge, Cliff Pennington and Gregorio Petit have spots on the 40 man roster. (Although I’m not sure if Petit has another minor league option available to him in 2010… if someone has a conclusive answer I’d appreciate hearing it.) C Anthony Recker is the most prominent bat in the A’s system that would be eligible for the Rule 5 draft this winter and I’m not sure if the A’s would consider his departure to be a great loss. So any Recker fans out there can protect him on their 40 man lists, but I’m thinking the A’s leave him off the protected roster. Chris Denorfia and Eric Patterson are both out of options, so if they aren’t in Oakland come Opening Day there’s a good chance they’ll be playing for another organization in 2010. I can maybe see Patterson as a back-up at 2B and in the outfield but I’ve got to squint and angle my head to one side to see it. I think it’s more likely that the A’s will try to bring back Adam Kennedy to serve as a deluxe back-up option/veteran mentor type.

The real twist comes when you consider the minor league bats that the A’s have in AA or higher that aren’t yet on the 40 man roster. Sean Doolittle, Adrian Cardenas, Josh Donaldson, Corey Brown, Chris Carter and Brett Wallace highlight the next wave of Oakland offense… which could be much more refreshing than the current ripple in the still waters we’ve experienced as of late. Yet again we haven’t looked outside the current organization to determine if maybe there’s another bat to be had.

So bring back Kennedy, add the newbies and you’re looking at 38-39 players on the 40 man roster before the Rule 5 draft. Does anyone see any glaring omissions?

Until the next time...

Final Twins Trade Rumors: Heath Bell, Mike Wuertz

Jesse — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:35:14 -0000

25 minutes to go.

This is old news (see: more than 20 minutes), but Buster Olney says the Twins are marking both Heath Bell and Michael Wuertz. Wuertz was supposedly off the market since Monday, and with all the interest in Bell I can't imagine what he has to cost.
Wuertz should be arbitration eligible for 2010 if not 2011, according to his service time, which means he won't come cheaply.
Bell's service time is almost identical to Wuertz's, so...ditto.
Nothing new coming across on Marco Scutaro.

Twins Trade Rumors: Mike Wuertz, Orlando Cabrera, Matt Capps

Jesse — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:38:02 -0000

I advise swinging over to LEN III's blog to check out his latest. But here's a summary.

The cost of Freddy Sanchez would have been Aaron Hicks or Daniel Valencia. Am I glad this didn't happen? Yes I am.
Michael Wuertz is not on the block.
LEN III doesn't like Orlando Cabrera as an upgrade. High-5, La Velle!
Twins would have to out-bid a lot of teams if they're really up on Jarrod Washburn
Matt Capps isn't on the block either. The Pirates like him as a future closer.
Still waiting on Roy Halladay, to get to Marco Scutaro.

That's all for now! It's been pretty quiet today...

Braves pursuing relief options; inquire on the A's Michael Wuertz

gondeee — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:52:29 -0000

It's never a quiet deadline for the Atlanta Braves. Even when they're supposed to be standing pat, they're still putting out feelers all over baseball. It's not coincidence then that they are, and will be linked to a lot of players over the next few days. Here is the first of what could be many:

The Braves are trying to add one more reliever. They are one of the many clubs that inquired on A's right-hander Michael Wuertz, but are in heavier pursuit of a more under-the-radar, unidentified option, according to major-league sources.

Wuertz is an above-average reliever for Oakland who strikes people out and limits walks. He is also a former Cubs reliever -- we've had good luck with Cubs relievers. Wuertz is still under team control for another year, and makes just over a million this year -- making him readily affordable for Atlanta. Here are his stats with Oakland this season:

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Michael Wuertz	5-1	45	0	0	0	3	1	47.1	37	18	17	5	13	62	3.23	1.06

This would be a solid acquisition for Atlanta, and would definitely strengthen the Braves pen -- giving Bobby Cox another setup man to pair with Peter Moylan and/or Mike Gonzalez.

How Much Might He Actually Be Wuerth?

Nico — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:21:07 -0000

More photos » by Ben Margot - AP

Perhaps Michael Wuertz' biggest achievement this season was when he dodged five teammates to tag three Twins players and one coach and end a 14-13 A's win.

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All the reasons I'd like to see the A's keep Michael Wuertz -- he's under contract through 2011, he provides true depth in the bullpen, he's a very solid reliever with exceptional strikeout numbers -- is also why teams may be considering offering the A's a lot for a player at a position most associated with the term "fungible."

If Rotoworld is to be believed, not only are the Angels "pushing hard for Wuertz," but now the Braves have expressed interest, suggesting that the price for Wuertz might not be "an offer" but rather "the best offer." The A's, for all their wheeling and dealing, and long list of promising prospects in the minors right now, still have plenty of needs. Grant Green is neither signed nor close to seeing a big league field and it would be a bit loco to suggest the A's don't need a good young SS if they can land one.

In my opinion, CF has also not been fully addressed, in that the ideal CFer has plus speed, covers left-center to right-center like an athletic gerbil on crack, presents a SB threat -- basically more Andrew McCutchen than Ryan Sweeney. I guess I'm saying at least closer to Mike Cameron than Kirk Cameron.

The A's have some potential CFers in the pipeline, but none is considered to be a great bet to make it in the major leagues and the problem with the current applicants is that they either play defense like corner OFers, hit like 4th OFers, or they hit like Eric Patterson and play defense like Eric Patterson.

So back to Wuertz. I hope the A's won't move him just to get a shiny prospect that gives Oakland more minor league depth, but if the opportunity comes along to get "more than you should get for a short reliever" and specifically if the opportutnity is there to use a bidding war to address a clear need, then God bless the trading deadline and teams desperate for an edge.

If the Angels and Braves make a real push for Wuertz, and if maybe another team or two might jump in trying to outbid, what do you think the best offer might be that the A's get for this fungible dude with all the strickouts?

Links of Note: Johnson, Uggla, Wuertz, Sanchez

Jesse — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:59:27 -0000

A batch of links to help you keep up to date on the latest Twins-related information...or at least on the latest on available players at positions of need.

In Atlanta, second baseman Kelly Johnson is currently riding the bench. He's not a clear upgrade, since his defense hasn't been great and his offense has fallen since his breakout in 2007, but if Minnesota wants a change-of-pace they might be able to convince the Braves to make a swap. They'd be buying low.

Kelly Johnson

#2 / Second Base / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-1

Weight: 205

Bats: L

Throws: R

Born: Feb 22, 1982

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2009 - Kelly Johnson	71	239	36	54	17	2	6	22	22	41	5	2	.226	.298	.389

The Miami Herald speculates that the Marlins are entertaining trading Dan Uggla (not very good defense at second base, but that offense is still an improvement). 126 doubles, 117 homers and counting in less than four major league seasons.

Dan Uggla

#6 / Second Base / Florida Marlins

Height: 5-11

Weight: 200

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Mar 11, 1980

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2009 - Dan Uggla	96	341	45	78	14	1	17	52	53	86	1	0	.229	.338	.425

The LA Times hears that the Athletics pulled Michael Wuertz "off the table" for any deals as of Monday.
In regards to Freddy Sanchez, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believes the Pirates could be open to taking on part of his 2010 option; not just to avoid the "salary dump" appearance of such a deal, but to make a swap more appealing to a larger number of clubs.

Gio Comes Up Grande On "A's Hang On" Day!

Nico — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 20:31:45 -0000

More photos » by Frank Franklin II - AP

11 ER in da Bronx? Feggedabouddit!

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First things first. Coming off a nightmarish 11 ER debacle Monday night, Gio Gonzalez rebounded with 6.2 sterling innings under the toughest of circumstances: Facing the Yankees' lineup in the launching pad known as Yankee stadium. Not until Melky Cabrera beat out a bunt single with two out in the 5th did the Yankees even get a hit, and that was one of just two hits Gio surrendered along with three walks. Even when Brett Gardner's one-out triple in the 6th drove in a run, giving the Yankees a short-lived 1-0 lead, Gio bore down big-time, retiring Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez on ground balls with Gardner frozen at third.

Enter the A's offense, jumping to life like Poochini to a pig's ear, erupting unannounced for 6 runs in the top of the 7th against Andy Pettitte and an unusually ineffective Alfredo Acevas. Highlighting the explosion: A perfect bunt single laid down by Bobby Crosby to load the bases, followed soon after by a clutch two-run single by Landon Powell on an 0-2 pitch. When Orlando Cabrera brought home the final two in the inning with a double, giving the A's a 6-1 lead, it seemed like gravy. It would turn out to be the difference.

You see, Michael Wuertz wants to stay with the A's, so after being so good all season that teams are calling about him before the trading deadline, Wuertz tempered the enthusiasm by giving up a pair of HRs -- a two run shot by Jeter and a solo blast by Teixeira -- making it 6-4.

So when Andrew Bailey walked the first two batters in the 9th and Jorge Posada came up representing the tying run, it looked like we might have a dramatic Yankee comeback win and that I might be pushed over the edge, driven to torture innocent kittens out of frustration. Good news for everyone: Posada bounced into a 4-6-3 DP, Jeter flied to center, and kittens everywhere could rejoice.

If Gio turns out to be a good major league pitcher, it won't be farthest a pitcher has hit "rock bottom" before bouncing back to have a good career. But at least as single failures go, it's up there so props to Gonzalez for his resilience and let's hope this is step one to more consistent success ahead.

Landon Powell now has 18 RBIs in a season where he has 17 starts. It would be great for the A's, who are lacking power, slugging, and hitting in general, to get Powell's bat in the lineup more consistently the rest of this season and in 2010. Unfortunately, due to Powell's physical limitations the only way the A's could get him in more often is at DH, which would come at the expense of Cust. It's a shame, because I'd really like to see Powell get more ABs.

Finally, I know he struggled today but Wuertz is a very good reliever and as fungible as relievers are supposed to be, I don't think true bullpen depth is that easy to develop. I'd like to see Wuertz, who comes cheap and is under contract control through 2011, stay with Oakland unless a team calls with the offer of a piece the A's truly need -- and that would be a SS to get excited about, a possible starting CFer, or a power hitting righty, none of whom is likely to be offered for Wuertz. Good relievers should not be overrated, but neither should they be underrated.

Good job, Gio.