So here is the Napa Police Press Release......

Napa Police Department

Press Release Information

August 21, 2009

Assault Investigation (Oakland Raiders)

On August 6, 2009, the Napa Police Department was dispatched to the Queen of the Valley Hospital regarding a report of an alleged assault that had occurred the previous day at the Raiders Training Camp Facilities in Napa, CA.  The victim reported he had been assaulted by a staff member of the Raider’s organization.  The incident took place at approximately 10:00 AM on August 5, 2009. 

Upon initial contact the victim did not want any police action or formal charges filed.  The victim refused to identify the responsible or any potential witnesses.  Due to a lack of information provided to the police department the case was closed.  Since that time, new information has come to light which has resulted in the investigation to be re-opened.  Due to this being an ongoing criminal investigation no other information will be provided at this time.  Any future updates related to this case will be posted in the Press Releases section on the Napa Police Department’s webpage at the following address:

www.napapolice.org

AND THE HITS JUST KEEP ON COMING!!!

Breaking News!  Raider Nation, someone needs to dial 911, cause several Raider players were absolutely assaulted today.   The victims?  Try the entire defensive line!  Now, looking back at the film from the Dallas game, and we should have seen this coming.

On the very first series of the game, the Cowboys absolutely caved in the right side of the D-line. If not for a batted ball by Ellis on 1st down, the whole line could have pressed charges as a unit.  It was that bad!  Then, you look at the second series, and the heart palpitations begin simultaneous with a shooting pain up your left arm. (always remember to have Bayer asprin at the ready when studying Raider run D, it could save your life!)  Of course Cable, whome Raider Nation trusts in all things linemen, disregarded the poor play as poor fundamentals, and the entire team, not just the D-line, playing with their hips too high.

As a desperately loyal member of the Raider Nation, I accepted Cable's excuses, and chose to chalk it up to the fact that it was "just the first game of the preseason."  Then today, I started reading the reports from the Tuesday Raider-49er two-a-day practices, and I say its officially time to panic.  Here are just a couple of the tweets from Jerry Mac and David White today a the practices.

David White: @bydavidwhite

"Teams on Field, Frank Gore gets through line without contact all 4 tries."

"Warren cursing after Gore flies right on through."

"Another Gore run, another unattended gap, No one sealed the edge on a sweep."

"Gore up the middle, Raiders assistant yells 'get off the block!'"

Jerry Mac: @jerrymcd

"49ers getting push on inside run series vs. Raiders"

"Kory Sheets runs untouched for 5 yards at the heart of Raiders 1st team D"

"Full team session - Gore big gain up middle"

"Morrison tells Howard, Watch his eyes T, it's a run... Gore does run, he gets yards"

First thing I wanna know is, who the hell is Kory Sheets, and how does he get 5 yards untouched?  I can understand some of the criticism the Raider's LBs have taken as a result of the poor run D the last several seasons, but if a no name RB is getting 5 yards untouched, then first and foremost that falls on the D-line; and I gotta say, at this point Im freakin out.

Look, the Raiders have been down right awful against the run, and thats no secret.  The team was 31st in the league last season giving up a whopping 145.9 yard per game, and absolutely nothing was done in an attempt to fix the problem in the offseason.  Ellis is a pass rush oriented DE just like Burgess was, Warren got destroyed against Dallas, and Scott was folded like a rag doll on numerous occasions against the boys.  The only positive against the run seems to be Kelly.  He is entering the second full season post knee surgery, typically when players get back to 100%, and has looked great when not false starting/encroaching.

I don't care how J-Money, DMC, DHB, Walker, or anybody else on the Raiders performs, cause if we cant stop the run its just not gonna matter folks!

Get it together Marshall, and start holding these guys accountable like you said you would!

OakFoSho

Sweeney Haters, you have finally driven me to the limit.  In almost every post where Sweeney is mentioned, someone comes out the woodwork and complains about his lack of power.  Enough!  You people are so obsessed with his power development, to the point where his amazing growth in other areas has been totally overlooked.  With all the baseless criticism, its a wonder the kid hasn't started juicing!  Ok, maybe thats taking it too far, but hear me out.

We are in the transition period to, or the beginning phase of, the 'post PED era'.  This is a time when we as fans need to look at ourselves and ask one key question, is our idea of a prospects development skewed as a result of previous players use of PEDs?  It is my belief that the answer in most cases is ABSOLUTELY!  It used to be, pre PEDs, that it was taken for granted that the development of a prospect, especially when considering POWER,  took YEARS! (Like a half decade or more!)  Not just the years spent in the minors, but the initial years in the big leagues.  Sweeney, in my humble opinion, is the perfect example of a 'post PED era' player needing years to develop the power that his frame and build would seem to have built in.

You see, a long time ago a great man said (Stan Musial!) that a players prime was from the ages of 28-32.  This was taken as baseball law until Bill James, through statistical analysis, lowered that range to 26-30, from 28-32. However, even Bill James will admit (has in articles) that the actual age range has been in flux throughout the years, and there is no reason to believe this range was not adversely effected by the very impact of PEDs I am discussing in this post. As a result, I believe that in a 'post PED era' this range will again begin to creep back towards 28-32, as it will take longer for people to fully develop and players bodies will last longer sans the negative impacts of PEDs on their bodies, in addition to modern medical tech advancements.  For the sake of argument, I will use the age range 27-31, splitting the difference.

And this leads us back to Sweeney.  First of all, the kid is only 24, still 2 full seasons away from THE START of his prime, even by Bill James standards. (Just in time for the 2011-2015 run Billy is building toward)  Second, the White Sox jacked up his initial development by playing him only 33 total games in the 2006 AND 2007 seasons.  Bad move! We have seen first hand what constant movement of a player from AAA to The Majors can do (Travis Buck Anyone?), and it messed with Sweeney and stalled his growth.

Truthfully, this is only Sweeney's second full year in the Bigs, and he has batted ~.280 over that time with the A's.  On another team, that would be decent, but on the A's .280 is fantastic.  He has no one to protect him in his youth, intensifying the growth process.  This is a problem for everyone in the A's lineup, as there is no one to really fear, but the impact cannot be overlooked.  Also, just because the power has yet to arrive, Sweeney's improvement in other areas cannot be overlooked.

For instance, did you know that Sweeney is 4th in the league in outfield assists?  Do I need to remind you of the amazing catches he has made this season? (Texas anyone!)  It seems we dont go more than a couple games without Sweeney flashing the leather, or gunning someone down in spectacular fashion.   It used to be AWESOME defense and a great arm had some weight in this game.  Are we really so power obsessed that we cant appreciate these talents in a young developing player?  It amazes me I tell you!

So I ask all you Sweeney Hating ANers, please check your PED skewed beliefs at the IP address, and give the kid a legit chance to develop the way it used to be, NATURALLY!

OakFoSho

Ok folks, Los Atleticos are playing great baseball that is fun to watch, and considering the A's are going nowhere this season regardless of how they play the rest of the way, I thought it would be fun to think a little more about 2010. Next year is still very much a transition year on the way to 2011, when many a great prospect is slated to arrive, but the way the A's are playing recently there seems to be hope for a very fun and competitive 2010.  After all, the young starters will have a year under their belt, and good starting pitching can make any team competitive. However, its still important to recognize that the A's will be EVEN YOUNGER next season, and as a result, Billy needs to keep/acquire some good veteran talent to provide leadership and direction to the youngsters.

On the pitching side, Zarro seems to be coming out of his recent funk (three runs isn't a big inning, right?) with two straight wins aided by good run support, Anderson (Fee Fii Fo Fum) is looking more and more like the real deal #1 Ace of the future since the 2 hitter in Boston, Cahill finally got through a start without giving up a home run, and Gio has been down right filthy his last 4 starts.  Truly, for the first time it appears ALL four are settling in, making adjustments, and learning how to pitch at the major league level.

On the hitting/fielding side, I think its safe to say BoCro and Nomah will not be back, if they even make it to the end of the season. (Doubt it...) Also, it is likely Wallace will start next season in the bigs, and will be given a legit chance to stick at 3rd. (Remember Chavy was terrible defensively early on, so don't write the kid off at 3rd.)  Pennington is proving a capable stopgap at SS until Ladendorf or Green (sign please) are ready, Ellis will be back at 2nd, and Tommy Time, given his great/unexpected play and local kid appeal, will most likely be playing 1st.  Cust of course will remain at DH, absurdly playing the occasional right field.

Speaking of the outfield, it appears as though Hairston will play LF, Rajai with his amazing recent run will play CF, and Sweeney (despite constant hate from many at AN) will play RF.  Cunningham and (hopefully) Buck will get their shot at the 4th outfielder spot.

Truly, with the exception of Ellis and a couple vets in the Pen, this team will basically be a bunch of kids screaming for veteran guidance and leadership.  No, Cust and Raj don't count, even if they are approaching 30. As a result, the A's need to re/sign three key veterans.

First, AK has proven himself a leader and a damn good utility player that can play everyday if injuries take their toll. (as they always seem to do with the A's) He can play 3B/2B/1B very well, and even play a respectable SS in an emergency spot start.  Second, the A's should resign Duke.  Coming off yet another injury, he will be a relatively/comparatively inexpensive option given his All-Star skill level when healthy.  Duke would push Braden from the rotation into the Pen as the long man/spot starter.  Sure, Braden is serviceable as a 5th starter.  Much like a Jaime Moyer, a decent lefty can always find a place somewhere as a 5th guy, but he would be fantastic out of the pen. Duke is just better when healthy and would provide key All-Star leadership to the youngest rotation in the league.  Besides, Braden will most likely get a spot in the rotation at some point, as it would be a minor miracle for the A's rotation to make it through a season unscathed.

Lastly, the A's should acquire one more veteran utility infielder that can play SS. I believe this veteran should be a right handed bat to offset Pennington, and because AK would be playing the lefty role off the bench.  Some of you will say Billy should go after O-Cab, and I would not be against that if he were willing to come off the bench in a utility role.  I do not imagine O-Cab allowing that to happen, and as a result he is not the answer.

Instead, I am calling on Billy to take one of two alternative options.  First, and my favorite option, would be to re-aquire Marco Scutaro.  He will be 35, and I think it would be great to get him back in Oakland where he can rekindle the late inning magic he is so famous for.  The other option, dare I say it, is El Guapo Omar Visquel.  I have always loved the guy, and I would love to see him in green and gold.  Either way the youngest team in the league would have all the veteran leadership and guidance they need.

OakFoSho

Dear Billy,

I know it was hard for you to cut The Giambino, you two being so close and all, but now that it is done, its time to clear the pantry and donate the contents to charity.  Thats right, BoCro and Nomah need to be designated for assignment or straight released.  Nomar is too old/injured to be the kind of threat that would warrant keeping a young kid in the minors, especially given the current situation in Oakland.  Don't get me wrong, I like Nomah, but not at the expense of youth development.

BoCro is worthless, (yes Bobby, the only joke around here is your batting average) and AK has more veteran leadership in his pinky than BoCro has in his whole body.  Not only that, but Pennington is just more fun to watch, not to mention I don't want to kick my TV every-time I see him in the lineup.  I am happy to have Pennington hold the SS spot till one of the two (sign your draft pick damn it!) good young SS prospects are ready.

Releasing/Designating these two will allow Barton to stay with the big league club, and allow The Duke to join the rotation when he is ready.  In the meantime, you can bring back another deserving prospect, say Buck/Patterson and give them another shot for the rest of the season.  It is important to give Barton, Buck, and Patterson a legitimate/long look for the rest of the season, like you are doing for Pennington.  We need to know if these kids can make it long term, and they all deserve one more shot.

Clearing AAA Sac of these players will allow those mashing at AA to continue their development at the next level, and keep the A's on track for 2011.  Carter, Cardenas, Weeks are all deserving.  

Nows the time Billy! Make it happen!

OakFoSho

So I was reading/flipping through the "Dickson Baseball Dictionary" and was reminded of one of the most hilarious early stories surrounding the A's in their KC days, an experiment once tried by Charlie 'O' Finley, former A's owner.  For those of you that aren't A's history buffs, or old enough to remember, Charlie O was a big fan of experiments/wacky ideas; like the time he hired teenage Stanley Burrell (aka MC Hammer) to be Executive VP, or the time he tried using orange baseballs, or the time......well you get it.  

The experiment: "The KC Pennant Porch"

In 1963 Charlie O was having a conversation with former Yankee player and then A's manager Eddie Lopat.  Finley was pondering the consistent dominance of the Yankees when Lopat made what he though was an insignificant comment about the short porch in right at Yankee Stadium, and the Yankees ability to take advantage with left handed power.  Well, hearing this, Finley immediately went into action, redesigning right field in KC to exactly match the dimensions of Yankee stadium, 296 ft down the line.  He then traded two of his better players for left handed power hitters.

Unfortunately for Finley and his master plan, the league informed him after two exhibition games that the rules for new or renovated parks stated that no new fence can be closer than 325 ft.  As a result the fence was moved backand the name changed to "One-half Pennant Porch", but out of spite Charlie O had a white line drawn on the field where the fence would have been.  Then he tried putting a canopy over this new section, only it extended 29 ft into the field. Again, the league made him remove it.  For a short time, he even had the PA guy announce "That would have been a Home Run in Yankee Stadium" every time a fly ball was caught in this area.  As a result, when the A's were in Yankee Stadium later that year and a Yankee made a long but routine out to a humungous Yankee Stadium left field, the PA announcer said, "In Kansas City, that would have been a home run."

Undaunted, "One-Half Pennant Porch" was still much shorter than normal, and was in effect for the entirety of the '64 season.  Only problem was, statistically speaking, it was a total failure.  The '64 A's gave up more 'home' HRs, 132, than any team in MLB history,  as well as an assortment of other not so flattering records.

After the season Charley O would dismantle the failed experiment and just a few seasons later the A's would be off to Oakland.  Good times, and just another great example of Charley O at his finest.

One great article I found while doing some extra reading on the subject is here........

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/the-pennant-porch-pie-in-the-face/

So here is the current rundown...........

1. The Cards are still after a reliever, and continue to talk with the A's regarding Springer.

2. The Twinkies, Braves, and Angels continue to talk to the A's about Wuertz

3. The Twinkies, and BoSox (and Braves if you believe the Escobar rumors) continue to talk to the A's regarding Cabrera.

4. The Yankees and Brewers attended Dukes 1st rehab start and are reportedly mulling options.

5. And then there is the traditional "Billy Deal" that nobody knows about until it happens, and tends to rip the hearts out of segments of the fan base........(keep your fingers crossed folks!)

If you are up to speed on the daily if not hourly A's rumors that are swirling right now then you've likely heard Billy is driving a hard line in a very bare and desperate market.  The Jays have done that with Halliday, and it may have just backfired on them.  Had they traded him to the Phils they could have gotten a better deal than the Indians got for Lee.  And now, if they cant get rid of him, his value is cut in half the second after the deadline.  

Don't get me wrong, Im not comparing the Jays and A's as they are in totally different situations with totally different pieces to deal, but if Billy drives too hard a bargain to keep pieces that aren't key to the future, they could end up in the same boat all washed up and nothing to show for it.

That being said, Billy just got more leverage today with the trade of Jack Wilson from the Pirates to the Ms.  The Twins and others were looking at Wilson as an alternative to Cabrera.  Cabrera has greater short term value do to his bat, but Wilson has a contractual option for next season and he is also a former all star.  Nevertheless, the Twinkies and others have less options in a bare market today than yesterday, and thats good for Billy.

***UPDATE***

The G men have acquired Freddy Sanchez from the Pirates.  He is a 2nd basemen, and that would not seem to impact the market for Cabrera, but it does.  If Cabrera can play short, he sure can play 2B

Till Manana (tilde above the first n)

OakFoSho

Mentioned on ESPN Rumor mill today that the Angels might be willing to move Rodriguez!

This kid is supposedly a top flight SS prospect.  He has struggled in his limited time in the bigs, but a change of scenery, and playing his traditional position SS, instead of 2B, might be what this kid needs.  This kid was a cant miss prospect before his recent stint in the Bigs, and seems like a great option to grow and play with the A's long term.  Not to mention, he may just be an Angel killer out of Spite, and that would be great.

This is incridible value for a middle reliever, and if Billy can get this kid, I say fire away.

So, everyone realizes that Cabrera and probably Wuertz are most likely going to the Twinkies by the end of the week, and there are rumors Duke could be gone too.  But who else could/should be traded?

My pick: Dallas Braden

Think about it.  He is at peak value, and most likely not in the A's long term plans.  A rotation of Anderson, Cahill, Mazarro, Gio, FDLS, and eventually Inoa has no room for a 5th starter come 2011.   For me, he is the guy Billy is shopping under the table that nobody expects, as he could likely get more now than at any time in the future.  There're gonna be a ton of losers in the Halliday market, and those teams should come calling soon after.

The argument against this is that he is the only consistent veteran in the rotation (I guess he qualifies as a veteran even though its his first full year starting too), and Billy would not create a hole like that in the rotation.  But I say look at history, and it is clear to see that Billy one, has no problem with blowing up a rotation mid season, and two, Billy likes to trade high/at peak value to get the best return long term(who doesn't?).

Lastly, I believe it is in the A's best interest to keep Duke for the rest of this season, and re-sign him next year on the cheap, at least relatively speaking, for his level of talent.  Again, very much a Billy move.  He is all about Value, and you can get much more next year for a healthy Duke signed to reasonable contract, then a recovering Duke on an expiring contract.  That eliminates the need to keep Braden for his questionable "Veteran" status.

Just makes too much sense to me.  OK, FIRE AWAY, but dont come with no weak sauce! ROFL!

People need to relax. This was always about 2011, and the A’s got more back for Holliday then they gave up. That is, if Wallace can lose a little weight to improve his range, and get coached up to stay at 3B. That is the key. The A’s have a BLACK HOLE at 3B in the organization, so if Wallace isnt the long term answer there, this deal is a LOSER and were in trouble cause Chavy is really done, even the last holdout must now admit that.

But, Ima say the A’s can do this, as Chavy was not a good defender until Ron Washington (still sorry he is not our manager instead of Geren) got a hold of him, so I think he will get the coaching he needs to stay at 3B. And that means…..

THE 2011 PROJECT IS STILL ALIVE!!!

Projected Lineup in 2011…..(best case scenario)

1. Weeks 2B
2. Sweeney CF
3. Wallace 3B
4. Carter 1B
5. Cust DH
6. Hairston LF
7. Doolittle RF
8. Green SS
9. Zukes C

Bench-OF Rajai & Cunningham, IF Patterson & Kennedy

I bat Zukes 9th to take some of the load off his legs over the course of the long season, as he likes to play everyday much like Kendall used too, and having a guy with decent speed and decent average in the 9 hole is a good thing.

Rotation (assuming Duke healthy and still an Athletic)

1. Anderson
2. Cahill
3. Braden
4. Inoa

5. Duke/Mazarro

LR-Mazarro/Gio

So, again, this was always about 2011 and beyond, and according to the current scenario, we are still looking GREAT and ON TARGET for 2011. By that time our young stud rotation will be ready to carry a young team to the postseason much like the former Big 3, and the hitting will get progressively better as the talent gains big league experience. In all honesty, playoffs in 2011 is totally doable, and a real shot at a title in 2012-15 if all goes well. Billy is looking for a 4-5 year window of playoff opportunity, and its looking like thats a real possibility now.

However, if Wallace isnt the answer at 3B, all this is put into limbo.