More Trade Noise

WannaBeGM — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 02:21:08 -0000

The media just won't stop pounding this drum. Going back to last season, we've seen reports concerning prospective trades involving A's starter Joe Blanton. But now Dan Haren's name has continued to surface in a number of potential trade scenarios.

The latest is from Ken Rosenthal:

A's GM Billy Beane says he is undecided about the team's direction, but he could take a step back in order to go forward in preparation for the opening of the franchise's new ballpark in 2011.

Beane, always looking to exploit market inefficiencies, could take advantage of the weak crop of free-agent starting pitchers by trading one or both of his top right-handers, Dan Haren and Joe Blanton.

Blanton has gone 42-34 with a 4.09 ERA and averaged 208 innings in his first three full seasons — numbers that compare favorably with John Lackey's first three full seasons for the Angels.

Haren, meanwhile, started the All-Star Game in July and outpitched Santana over the full season. Unlike Santana, who is a year away from free agency, and Orioles left-hander Erik Bedard, who is two years away, Haren is under contract for three more seasons — and his salaries of $4 million, $5.5 million and $6.75 million (on a club option) make him highly affordable.

I understand that such a trade may yield a front-line bat that the A's sorely need, but I just can't see parting with Haren. In Haren, the A's have what I consider to be one of the elite starters in baseball, and he's under contract for the next three years. I suppose that Blanton - a work-horse who just wins - could fetch something on the open market, but I would hope that it's more than the preverbial "Lastings Milledge"; a guy who's becoming an alleged BB fantasy that rivals prior obsessions (see Erubial "the holy grail" Durazo, Kevin "the god of walks" Youkulis, heck, even Jack Cust).

I know that this has been discussed in the last few weeks, but I'd love to hear what AN has to say about the possibility/benefit/genious/stupidity of such a trade. Would anyone be willing to trade Haren? Blanton? Both? If so, to who and for what return?

Fosse Really Said It

WannaBeGM — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 02:07:10 -0000

Look, I love the A's radio broadcast just as much (if not more) than the next guy. I can't remember the last game I watched that didn't have the TV sound turned down and the radio on. King is a legend and Korach has become a solid and entertaining announcer, but Fosse? Bless him for the great years behind the plate and I love how he digs into the Giants. But every now and again Fosse dons the "Homer" role. Tonight in Arlington, Foss went way beyond the usual "the wind held that up and cost a home run." Tonight he uttered words that I don't think have ever been mentioned before with respect to a particular Oakland Athletic. Fosse referred to a run scoring play involving Durazo crossing the plate and actually uttered the words.."He can motor." I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP. Admittedly, Foss prefaced the statement with "Once he gets going", but still...I'm of the school that there is something good to say about everybody. And Durazo is no exception, slow start or not. But "He can Motor??????"

Go A's!!

SB Nation User Blog: WannaBeGM

More Trade Noise

Fosse Really Said It