I love Daric Barton.  He is the future at 1B.  That being said, I'd still rather have Scott Hatteberg wear #10 at this point and time.  Why?  Same reason Hurt is here.  This team can win now.  Barton has shown the ability to get hot, but consistency, well, that's another issue.  With Hatty, one knows they will get at least a .265-13-70 player.  Not flashy.  Not great.  But consistent.  So, with the Reds looking to trade Hatty, should we get him, for say, a mid-tier AA prospect, or just go with what we have now?  I leave the debate open to AN

Good piece on David Forst and the A's on espn.  Here's the link.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2008/news/story?id=3299785

Ever notice how anytime the A's make a transaction, it's David Forst who has the quote?  Well, I do.  While Billy is off living his dream to oversee a MLS franchise, Forst has been pulling the trigger with a lot of moves.  Yes, it is Beane who oversees everything, but don't think for a moment Beane isn't assuming Davie knows best.  So, while the big trades like Haren and Swisher are no doubt conducted with the advice of Beane, the "minor acquistions" like Denorfia, Devine, Linden, Cust, Brown, ie 80% of the team, etc, are mostly the work of Forst. Let's be honest; this is David Forst's 1997 Billy Beane-esque sqad.  When Beane hands the reigns over to Forst when he wants, we can look back and say 2006-2007 was the making of Forst.  So, how do you think David Forst's Oakland A's will fare in 08? 

Just so everyone knows, I have gone to at least 50 home games per year since 1994.  I'm 25, and my Dad has season tix. I'm working to get Tix to pay him back.  Be kind.

#1:  Joey Divine seems to be one of those relief pitchers that just gets it done.  He has a great name, a great dilivery, and, by the way, has three pitches.

#2:  Denorfia is still a work in progress.  My intuition says he can't cut it, and Linden is the better option at this point.  If a guy is hot, he is hot. CF is playable in Oakland, as Swisher proved a year ago.  Go with Todd until he makes you go with Denorfia, not the other way around.

I think this team, if healthy, will shock the living crud out of people, if off to a nice start.  A nice start (aka above .500 after April) means having guys like Linden and Divine on the team, more than Denorfia and Rule 5.  Just my thoughts.  Here's to shocking the world in 08!

Looks like a major league deal.

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There are many reasons to think that the A's are going nowhere fast in 2008.  However, I believe a change in philosophy that will allow the A's young, fresh legs to go out and steal bases and create havoc on the basepaths for opposing pitchers will ultimately lead to more runs than the way business has been run during the Beane era.  Because expectations are low, and fans will understand losing, why not unleash the dogs and see what happens?  We have young players with above average speed, guys like Buck, Crosby, and Swisher who if given the chance could steal 20 bags next year.  Anything that could create offensive help for this team should be welcomed, and I for one would rather go down trying new ideas, than go down sticking to business as usual. Unleash the fury, and who knows, this team could surprise a lot of people in 2008.

But he just signed a 1 (ONE!!!!) year deal with the Cardinals.  Would have been an awesome and cheap addition, but we all know if a guy can hit for average, has speed, plays good defense, and would make for a pretty good leadoff hitter, the A's won't consider him.  At least we have Bobble Crosby and Donnie Murphy to ease our minds.  Boy, what a relief.

I blame myself.  I write logs about how Marco Scutaro is better than Bobby Crosby. Big friggin deal.  You know what? It does not matter.  America just celebrated Thanksgiving.  We should be thankful.  And it's too bad it takes Joe Kennedy's death to remind me of that.  No matter what, most of us were able to spend time with family, eat a great meal, and wake up in the morning.  Joe Kennedy got 2 out of 3.  
I booed Kennedy louder than anyone. I despised the fact he was on the A's.  I was glad to see him DFA'd.  I did not want this.  This reminds me that we are all in it together.  Athlete or not, we are all human beings.  
Joe Kennedy was 28 years old with a wife and a 1 year old son.  I hope to be as fortunate.  RIP Joe Kennedy.  #37....

So, let me get this straight. If you are a high draft pick with decent size that "looks" the part of being a baseball player but in reality couldn't hit land if you fell off a camel (Bobby Crosby), you can have a starting gig with the Oakland A's. But, if you work hard, scrap your way to the big leagues, and continue year in and year out to earn a roster spot by constantly getting game winning clutch hits and never bitching or moaning about your role (Marco Scutaro), the Oakland A's will trade you. This, my friends, is why the A's are what they are. Close, but no cigar. Good luck Marco, I'm happy you're going a team that will appreciate a player like you a f@ckload better than Billy Beane ever did. I'll never forget the bases loaded double that cleared that bases in Game 3 of the ALDS in 2006 against the Twinkies. Or the pinch hit bottom of the 9th game winning homer off Mariano Rivera in April. You are the man, Marco. Bobby Crosby isn't worth your jock. More to come. Go Jays! Serenity now...

No, I am not officially crazy, just really awkward and weird.  For some reason, I can't get it out of my head that David Eckstein will be the new leadoff hitter/ss for the A's next year.  First of all, he can probably be had for two years/ $8-9 mil total.  He will be 33 next year, and would be a nice little spark plug at the top of the order.  Plus, if he were on the A's, the A's wouldn't have to play against him, thus making him a bit more tolerable to watch.  Yes, he was hurt last year, and the last thing the A's need is another injury plagued SS, but he still played in 117 games and hit over .300.  He'd be better than Crosby and Murphy.

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