SB Nation User Blog: Rebuilding Season

DLD 1/05/09: Giambi Preparation Edition

Rebuilding Season — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:48:16 -0000

I've never done this before, so I apologize if I'm stepping on anyone's toes, but we haven't had a good DLD in a while, and Urban's recent release that the A's are close to signing Giambi to a one year (possibly two) deal with Giambi felt like a good enough impetus:

Everyone's favorite Jay Mariotti is now writing for AOL Sports:

Baby Mangino looks to pull over Buzz Bissinger for Deadspin's "Sports Human of the Year Award."

Joe Sheehan of BaseballProspectus still hates the Marlins:

And finally, ESPN is reporting that Milton Bradley has agreed to a 3 year deal with the Cubs. I still wish we had Ethier.

Dump, Discuss, Do it!

The Eternal Question: What Jersey is worth buying?

Rebuilding Season — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:08:05 -0000

Around this time last year I realized that the Bobby Crosby shirt I bought at Fanfest 2004 was near the end of its life, and I wanted to buy a new jersey or shirt. When I perused the roster and trades we had made, I was the most excited about Daric Barton and Carlos Gonzalez. I thought I would buy a shirt of one of them, but just never got around to it since they both underwhelmed, as well as my wallet. Once again I am faced with the dilemma, but now it's even more nebulous. Here are a few things I want in my jersey player:

1) The player will at least put up solid numbers on average, or be known to come through when it counts (Marco Scutaro) even if that stat can't be verified.

2) The player has a reasonable chance to be with the A's for at least the whole year, and preferably two or more.

3) The player can be expected to play most of their days in an ideal lineup, or pitch when their spot in the rotation came up (I'm reluctant to buy off injured players.)

Where does that leave me? Daric Barton may not even start at 1st if we pick up a slugger, I don't know who's playing SS, Eric Chavez probably will get injured again, Travis Buck and Aaron Cunningham are battling for right, Holliday may very well be gone after this year. As far as pitching, Duchscherer is oft injured and may very well not be an A after this year, Gio/Gallagher may bust like Barton, and any of the younger players I can't buy jerseys of because they haven't been in the majors not long enough or at all.

That leaves Jack Cust (2008 VORP 31.1) Kurt Suzuki (16.2) Ryan Sweeney (10.9) Mark Ellis (5.9) Brad Ziegler (30.0) Dana Eveland (24.6) Joey Devine (22.1). I'm most inclined to go with Zook or Ziegler at this point, but I'm curious as to what other fans think. Do you buy jerseys? If so, do you put much thought into it, or do you just buy the one with the guy who had the clutch home run the one time you got to go with that one hot guy/gal from work?

Poll

What Jersey should I buy?

Report: White Sox sign Cuban Babe Ruth (Viciedo) to 4 year deal

Rebuilding Season — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:48:46 -0000

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081120&content_id=3687188&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp

mlb.com is reporting that the White Sox have reached a reported 4 year, $11 million deal with Dayan Viciedo, the cuban defect super-prospect that many ANers had their eye on. The White Sox have always been the front runners in that race, but that didn't stop a lot of us from wishing in light of the deal the A's gave Michel Inoa.

In light of this, what's the A's best plan for 3rd base? Should they go with the Chavez/Hannahan plan like last year considering that Chavez seems so optimistic about his rehab? Perhaps make a play for Joe Crede, or more attractively, Josh Fields? Should the A's begin grooming Adrian Cardenas to play 3rd base? Discuss!

Carlos Lee is out: Can we waiver wire deal Brown?

Rebuilding Season — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 03:10:28 -0000

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080810&content_id=3286166&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

The Astros have ruled out signing Bonds, but...."A lack of interest in Bonds doesn't mean the Astros aren't looking for outside help. They can still make a waiver wire deal between now and Aug. 31, and in the next few days, Wade and manager Cecil Cooper will discuss their options."

Emil Brown seems like he could very well make it through waivers to be traded, and perhaps we could get a few prospects out of him. I doubt the Astros would deal JR Towles or anything, but a couple two star prospects like Mitch Einertson and Eli Iorg doesn't sound unreasonable. Thoughts?