I sure hope that Brett Wallace, Shane Peterson, and Clayton Mortenson, the 3 prospects we got in return for Matt Holliday, pan out and at least one becomes an MLB star.  If not, Beane's Street and CarGon for Holliday trade is starting to look as bad as Sabean's awful Nathan and Liriano for AJ trade.  Street has been a solid closer, and CarGon sure looks like a future star - better than anybody in our current outfield.

He just got thrown out of a game arguing a real bad pickoff call at Atlanta.   And the next two batters hit a dinger and a single.  Don't tell me that showing fire doesn't inspire your players.

Maybe if Geren argues harder on that horrible call last night the A's get inspired and score more on Lincecum.  Geez, even Mike Krukow said it was a bad call and that if he were Geren he'd go get thrown out.

Ever since the Oakland - Boston playoff game 3 several years ago I can't stand the wussy Oakland managers.

Looking first at position players by position:

Kurt Suzuki, Catcher.  Maybe.  Kurt is a fine all-around catcher having a good year.  His problem is that Victor Martinez and Joe Mauer are clearly better.  Inge, Varitek, Posada, Barajas and  Pierzynski are also reasonable candidates from popular teams.  Depending on the health of Martinez and Mauer, and how many catchers Joe Maddon plans to carry, Suzuki has an outside chance.  But see below.

Jason Giambi, 1B.  No.

Adam Kennedy, 2B.  Probably not.  Adam has had a great couple of months for the As.  Not playing the full season will hurt.  Kinsler, Cano, Pedroia and Aaron Hill are better known and having better years.

Orlando Cabrera, SS.  Doubtful.  Jeter and Scutaro are locks.  If there will be a 3rd SS spot, Jason Bartlett, Elvis Andrus, and Alexi Ramirez are competition.

Jack Hanahan, 3B.  No

Matt Holliday, OF.  Maybe.  I doubt he will get voted in, because he got off to a slow start and plays for a lesser known team.  There is a lot of worthy OF competition from popular teams: Jason Bay, Carl Crawford, Torii Hunter, Damon, Ellsbury, Ichiro.  Plus other worthy players like Nelson Cruz, Nick Markakis, Rios, Wells, Cuddyer, Abreu, Dye.  Not to mention Ben Zobrist, my vote for the best all around AL player of 2009.  Besides, he's likely to get traded before the All Star game, so we can't count on him to represent the As anyhow.   :-(

Ryan Sweeney, Jack Cust OF.  No

Now to Pitching...

Starters:  The young guys have pitched well, and Braden and Outman have an outside chance.  But I suspect that Madden will think "they are young, they will get chances in the future" and not pick any.

Relievers: With an ERA of 2.28 and WHIP of 1.02, Andrew Bailey is truly one of the top AL relievers this year.  He has a better WHIP than Papelbon, a better ERA than Rivera, and more Ks than those two or Nathan.


Since Oakland will probably get only one representative at the 2009 All Star Game, tough luck for Suzuki, and congratulations to Andrew Bailey.

Here's my modest proposal:

The As hire me.  Give me minimum wage, insurance, and a signed Art Howe jersey lingering somewhere upstairs in the Coliseum.

During most of batting practice, I don a nice clean green As jersey and lead off of second base, as if they have a runner there. I'll even dance around, look back and point just like the big boys do.  The batters notice "hey, we have a guy on second, maybe if I get a hit we will score one of those run things, I hear they look good in my fantasy league".  If they hit a popup or a weak grounder in front of me, the batter owes me $100.

Then I'll head over to third, take a short lead and shoot the breeze with Mikey.  Batters will notice, and think "hey, if don't strike out or hit a feeble infield fly,  we'll score one of those run things".

Now, if they want me to actually run home, they may want somebody with younger knees.  But I'm available.  For a small additional fee, I'll yell "hit the F***ing ball", and can even toss the ball with Chavez on the side.  And this sure beats practicing  pointing out balks to score a run, which was our best strategy last night.

Seriously, the As have got to change their batting philosophy and results when men are in scoring position.  They have been sad sad sad for several years.