Which post-hype sleeper do you think will end up having more success in the majors when all is said and done, Oakland 1B Daric Barton or Pittsburgh OF Lastings Milledge?

Barton's having a nice little late season run in Oakland, and in doing so has at least played himself into strong consideration for a starting job with the A's next season. Milledge is not playing extremely well for the Pirates, but this change of scenery could pay off dividends in the long run. Let's hear some thoughts. 

As the dismal 2009 season continues, I think it is time to ask ourselves the question: Can we compete in 2010, or is competition more realistic in 2011 and beyond. Going into next year, our projected rotation looks fairly strong with Braden, Anderson, Mazzaro, Cahill, and Gio as long as they keep progressing as expected. Our bullpen looks very solid, with Bailey, Wuertz, Ziegler all looking very good this year, along with some minor league promotions like Henry Rodriguez and Sam Demel, and the return (knock on wood) of Joey Devine. I think it is perfectly reasonable to think that these pitchers could result in contention. However, will the offense be good enough to put our losing ways behind us?

Next years projected lineup:

C: Suzuki

1B: ? (Barton? FA signing?)

2B: Ellis

SS: ? (Pennington? FA signing? Trade return for Holliday?)

3B: ? (Everidge? FA signing-Figgins? Trade return for Holliday?)

LF: Cunningham

CF: Hairston

RF: Buck

DH: Cust

I actually think the production for the non-question marks could be decent enough if we could acquire some difference makers at the positions in question. At first base, options are fairly limited. I doubt Carter and/or Doolittle will be ready. We could throw Barton out there and hope he lives up to his elusive potential. First base free agent options are not very impressive. Nick Johnson could be an option there but do we really want another inevitable injury victim being relied upon? SS FA options are even more limited; this area should be addressed via trade (Escobar? Wood? Hardy?) if we want to realistically compete next year. Wolff has voiced his love for Figgins in the past, and I honestly believe we are going to land him in the offseason to man the hot corner.

Will Beane patch our holes by next year? Or will 2010 be another year of dissapointment?

According to MLBTradeRumors.com, the Mariners acquired Jack Hannahan for minor league pitcher Justin Souza.  Souza had a 3.35 ERA in Double A, while Jack Hannahan...well he had been doing what Jack Hannahan does-play defense and frustrate on offense. Souza seems like a decent return for Jack. In a strange way, as much as I hated Jack, I think I'll miss him.  What about you guys? Are you sad that the Jack Hannahan era, no matter how frustrating it was, is finally over?

According to MLBTradeRumors.com, the Athletics have signed Shawn Chacon. Yes, the same Shawn Chacon that beat up his former GM, Ed Wade. Chacon last pitched in the Independent League, with the Newark Bears, where he put up decent numbers. I don't really see much upside in this move, just thought it is somewhat interesting and quite out of the blue. Do you think he will get a shot with the big league club? Or will he be used as a mere minor league roster filler, with only a chance to see the Majors once again if an injury or two or three occurs?

Warning: This is a "glass is half full" post, one in which we talk about trading FOR established major leaguers, and one in which no complaining about Bob Geren's managerial tactics shall be encouraged.

If by the trade deadline our Oakland Athletics have trimmed the deficit in the winnable AL West and Billy Beane decides his team can compete, who would you like to see him target? Some names that seem interesting:

Ryan Spilborghs OF/Col

Victor Martinez C, 1B/Cleveland

Aubrey Huff 1B, DH/Baltimore

Mark DeRosa Util/Cleveland

Lastings Milledge OF/Washington

Nick Johnson 1B/Washington

Victor Martinez is most likely  out of the question given what Shapiro would demand for him. The others, however, seem like realistic targets. We have expendable pieces such as Gio, Gallagher, and Simmons to play around with, any of which should land us one of those targets besides V-Mart. Now that I'm in a creative mood, how about Gio, Gallagher, and Pennington for Brad Hawpe? Meh, just an idea. Anyway, who would you like to see the A's target?

As much as the A's have struggled this season, the fact still remains that we are not completely out of reach in the race for the AL West.  We have faced a pretty tough schedule so far, but this week we seem to have things pretty easy, as we will match up against the D-Backs and the Mariners at home. Against Arizona, we will be facing Billy Buckner (maybe?), Dan Haren, and Jon Garland, a trio of whom Haren presents the only foreseeable challenge. The Mariners are slipping badly as of late, and will throw out Angels-killer Chris Jakubauskas in the first game. We need to win atleast four of these six contests, as if we do so, we could find ourselves going into the Texas series with some momentum and a shorter divisional deficit.

This is the time to take advantage of a seemingly mild week to get right back in the thick of things in the AL West. As much as the naysayers have been predicting an 100 loss season, this team still has plenty of time to put things together. And remember, the A's are historically good in the second half (lets forget last year ;) ).

75% of the season is left. If Beane decides to go for it this year at the dealine and acquires a guy like DeRosa and a pitcher like Byrd, this team could prove to be quite strong.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/02/cafardos-late-2.html#comments

With the prospect, albeit a small one, that Miguel Tejada might be facing prison time, the Astros are looking for replacements at SS. One of these candidates might (cross your fingers) be the beloved Bobby Crosby. I don't mean to sound cruel, but here's hoping that is Tejada going to prison!

If Tejada does somehow end up having to buy a trusty soap on a rope, what do you think we could get for Crosby, if we eat most of or all of his salary?

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/02/tigers-could-ma.html

According to MLBTradeRumors, we should expect the Tigers to make some trade before the start of the season, "perhaps a big one", involving them trading away one of their starters. This got me thinking, should we try to trade for Justin Verlander? His down year last year should lessen his value a bit, and if he returns to form, he could give us a solid #2 to bridge the rotation between Duke and Eveland/Gallagher/Whoever impresses in ST. 

What do you guys think? And what do you think Verlander would cost in terms of prospects?