SB Nation User Blog: MoneyManWilliam

Beane in new front office game

MoneyManWilliam — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:57:41 -0000

Beane in new front office game

"Legendary general manager Billy Beane guides gamers to create, manage and lead an MLB team to the World Series."

Sabean Better Than Beane? No way...

MoneyManWilliam — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:14:29 -0000

http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080401/WIRE/804010322/1010/SPORT01

Feel free to contact Lowell Cohn at 521-5486 or lowell.cohn@pressdemocrat.com.

Preliminary Agreement Reached on Kotsay

MoneyManWilliam — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 23:15:32 -0000

Yay! Great deal for A's! We stole (or bought) Devine from Atlanta. I've seen Devine rated within the top 10 of the Braves prospects. I was hoping just to dump Kotsay's salary - but to get a top 10 prospect and still getting some payroll flexibility back is great. Nice trade.

Lets hope Kotsay passes his physical tomorrow...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/s...

Emil Brown

MoneyManWilliam — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 01:49:51 -0000

Looks like we signed him to a 1.45 million dollar deal (can make .05 million in performance bonuses).

Is the deal worth it?

I think signing Brown allows us to keep some of new prospects in AAA if needed...don't want to start that arbitration clock too early.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseb...

Connor Robertson

MoneyManWilliam — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 09:31:03 -0000

It is important to note the loss of our prospect Robertson. Arizona's GM said today something along the lines that they were reluctant to complete the deal because of the talent they were loosing, however the other trades they made today helped to recover that loss. My guess is that Robertson was included to help Arizona's GM get some type of prospect back in the deal. What concerns me is that Robertson has potential. In 4 minor league seasons, he totaled 234 innings, with a 2.81 ERA, 199 H, 93BB, and 311 SO. While minor league success obviously does not guarantee major league success, it is a bummer to give up a solid prospect when we are trying to rebuild. Yet it seems like other teams are not so high on him. Am I missing something? Thoughts?

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/playe...

Every Year...

MoneyManWilliam — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 03:27:59 -0000

Any thoughts on why every year Beane arrives late to the winter meetings and leaves early?

I would not be surprised if he left the meetings early again this year. Maybe he is simply there just to begin negotiations with other teams? Maybe he becomes more interesting to other GM's if he is nowhere to be found. Forst is really running this team...

Two Interesting Reads

MoneyManWilliam — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 01:44:52 -0000

Two interesting reads about Beane -

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/articl...

http://www.mercextra.com/blogs/kawak...

Kennedy Start? How about Duke?

MoneyManWilliam — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 03:47:03 -0000

Before someone says "he's too valuable as a relief pitcher"(echoing what either Beane or Macha once said...i do forget) - think about it. Duke was a starter throughout the minors, and I'm guessing he would like the chance to start again. With starting pitching overvalued this offseason, we could potentially give Duke 5th starter role and then trade him next season.

What do you think? Personally, I'd rather have Duke pitch over Kennedy.

A note about Kennedy - i think he should really remain a lefty specialist. I think that Kennedy will fail as a starter due to his lack of success vs. right handed batters. Over the course of the last 3 years, right handed batters are hitting .297 against him, with an OBP of .367 and a .462 SLG. (this is compared to .237/.302/.361 vs lefties). (source: ESPN)

It is interesting to note, however, that Kennedy reversed this trend in 2006, with righties posting 220/.304/.275 against him and lefties hitting .326/.370/.465. - this of course in only 35 innings.

Either way, its a gamble for both pitchers.

~Will

Deal for Soriano Just to Drive Price?

MoneyManWilliam — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 19:22:00 -0000

I bet the A's were just trying to drive Soriano's price up for other contenders.

Did the A's submit a deal just so the Angles would drive up what they are offering? I find it hard to believe that we were seriously pursuing Soriano. Beane got the attention of the media which likely got the attention of the Angles. Did we make them try to give up more? I think so.

Andre Ethier

MoneyManWilliam — Wed, 31 May 2006 06:30:21 -0000

Just thought I'd point out that good old Andre Ethier is hitting .313, has a .382 OBP, and slugging .537.

We got Antonio Perez who can't hit and Milton Bradley who is grounded.

I'm not saying that this was a bad trade, but in hindsight it is a bit sad. I think Ethier will slump eventually, bradley will produce once off the DL, and Perez will likely come round - but until then...