SB Nation User Blog: Yellowhorse

Remainder of 2009 Season - Key Questions

Yellowhorse — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:21:21 -0000

Right now as we approach the inter-league games might be as good as a time as any to look at the key questions for the team for the rest of the 2009 season.

First, the AL West. I may be fooling myself but I still don't see a team that will run away with the division. This makes in my view all of the close losses up to now so painful as I really believe that this season was there for the taking. The Rangers pitchers usually wear down in that heat and the Angels injuries have kept them from rolling. I still think with improved play from Oakland they can battle for a playoff spot.

Second, the starters. I think that barring an injury the A's should stick with the 5 and see how they develop. They were thought to be the biggest weakness on the team in the Spring but they are far from it right now. It will be interesting to see who can improve the most. I really think they can be the start of something special. Will be interesting to see how the AL hits them once they get thru inter-league. For many AL opponents it will be the 2nd 3rd time seeing our pitchers, will our staff keep up the decent work.

Third, injuries. IF ( I know its a major IF) IF Duke, Ellis and Garciaparra can come back and play the 2nd half that would be huge for this team. I think they should put Duke in the pen to pitch in the close ones like tonight. He is a major upgrade over the chumps in the bull-pen. I think both the GM and Manager share in the blame for the selection and mishandling of the bullpen this season. Nomar even if he could play only 2-3 games a week is an upgrade in hitting over Crosby and Hannahan (neither at this point should be considered up and coming talent, thus there is no fear that a rookie is loosing valuable playing time). Kennedy may cool down and thus Ellis can platoon or they can stick one at 3B to upgrade the offense from that spot.

The biggest question however has to (or the 2nd year in a row) be will the team start hitting. I never thought that Giambi and Cabrerra would be so unproductive so far, will they turn it around. If not its another year fighting with the Mariners to stay out of the cellar. Also, Holliday and Cust need to improve as well. Yes, the lower part of the order is killing us (possibly solved with the return from DL of GArciaparra, Buck, Sweeney) but the top of the line-up is not pulling its weight either.

I think that Beane should give the team until the ASB to see if the team can 1- get healthy and 2- start hitting. If so then he should make a move or two to add another piece to the team to see if they can sneak into the playoffs in a weak AL West. Once in the playoffs (heck even with a 85 or so win total anything can happen).

The decision to tear down the 2006 team?

Yellowhorse — Sun, 31 May 2009 04:21:31 -0000

O.K. right now it appears to me that the decision to tear down the 2006 A's has put the team in the basement.

First, the case of the manager. Macha is back in baseball and is winning. Another coach off that team Washington is in first place. Why exactly did the GM dump Macha and bring in Geren. This was obviously the first mistake.

Second, the decision to get rid of Milton Bradley. BTW the A's had a winning record when they DFA Bradley in 2007. Why? How did that work out for the team- bad. If my memory is correct, the OF was crowded with the rise of Cust and Buck. Bradley was seeing his playing time reduced and snapped. Obviously, the decision to go with Buck over Bradley has not led to more victories on the field. However, if Bradley was such a major disaster in the clubhouse, why not wait to make a legit trade as opposed to just dropping him out of the blue for nothing.

Third, dumping Swisher and Haren. They were relatively low-paid young guys. Neither had been health risks. Why trade them? The players brought in especially in the case of Swisher have not made up for the value of a top 5 ace starter and a decent everyday outfielder. I would much rather have Swisher than R. Sweeney. The pitchers received from Chi. have been busts as well. As to the crop brought in for Haren there are some good players but Haren is an ace and his value to a team was an enormous cost. There is no reason to believe that he would be putting up great numbers for the A's in 2008, 2009.

Trading Harden, Scutaro and Gaudin overall low-cost players for little in return.

The promotion of Suzuki and the dropping of Kendall from 2006 has been a good move but it would most likely have occurred in time anyway, as Suzuki was a rising star in the system.

Also, not signing Zito was a good move but I don't think the A's had much of a choice with the cash the Giants shelled out.

Obviously, guys like J. Payton, Thomas and Loiaza whom are mostly out of the game right now would have been gone anyway and could have been replaced.

Adding a veteran DH to the mix each season with the core group of guys from the 2006 season would have made the A's a more successful team.

I still don't quite understand why the GM felt the need to blow up a successful, generally young team. I didn't agree with it in 2007/08 and I still don't.

Why are the A's in trouble? - Blame the Democrats!!

Yellowhorse — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:34:37 -0000

Not sure if anyone noticed this trend before (sorry if it has been posted before) but our beloved Oakland A's have fared MUCH, MUCH better in the years in which the Republicans have controlled the White House.

1968: Johnson Democrat:Losing season

1969-1976: Nixon and Ford Republican: 8 winning seasons 0 losing seasons (3 World Series)

1977-1980 Carter Democrat 3 horrible losing seasons 1 winning season (1980)

1981- 1992 Reagan and Bush Republican: 6 winning seasons 5 losing 1 year at .500

1993- 2000 Clinton Democrat: 2 winning seasons (99, 00) 6 losing seasons

2001-2008 Bush Republican: 6 winning sesons 2 losing ones.

The transition years were the most striking. In going from Ford to Carter the A's wen from 87 wins (1976) to 63 wins (1977)

Reagan's first year was the best Billy Ball year.

Going from Bush I to Clinton was a huge drop off as well (1992 won AL West) to a horrible 1993.

Anyway. I thought that besides poor managing, weak starting pitching and weaker power hitters we could find another reason as to why we are really struggling this year.

Of course I think its a total coincidence but thought it might distract us from this losing streak.

Does anyone thin Geren will be on the hot seat??

Yellowhorse — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 02:44:46 -0000

I was wondering if Bob Geren will have to worry about his job security if the team continues to struggle?

I did read Moneyball and know that the 'importance of the Manager' was not rated that high according to the author's perception of Beane. Yes, I also know that he received a contract extension. Furthermore, I understand that he is friends with Beane.

All of that being said. He did take over a playoff team that had several winning seasons and has had 2 straight losing ones. This fact would usually have meant the loss of his job in many cities.

This post is not meant to argue in favor or against changing the manager. I am merely asking IF the team has a bad year will he start to get more and more of the blame? If the team struggles and underperforms will the stress start to build on him? Would the owner panic if the team is in the cellar in June?

Just wondering what the fans thought about Geren's job security.

Direct- TV for people outside of West Coast

Yellowhorse — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:47:30 -0000

I have Direct TV and live in the south thus am in no way the A's territory. Is this Direct TV blackout of CSN-CA going to effect me and the other subscribers to MLB Extra Innings on Direct TV outside of the West Coast?

On my viewing guide on Direct TV there are two channels showing the A's- Angels game on monday. This was the set-up last year when the A's and the other team were showing the game. I am hoping that this and the call I made to direct TV is evidence that those outside of the west coast will get the A's telecast.

Does anyone have an answer?

I think that this whole thing is garbage for my fellow fans who know they are blacked out who live in California and Oregon.

To those who are tired of all of these direct TV posts I only set this post up to address the question of those outside the area. Nealry all of the other posts appeared to be from people in California or the A's territorial rights.

Some Questions for the board.

Yellowhorse — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:21:51 -0000

Of course there are many big questions swirling around the team, primarily regarding trades. Tonight I have some questions on different issues.

First, do you think some of the guys rumored to be traded will turn it around in the last 2 months? If you look at the last 2-3 weeks many of our players on the trade rumor list (Street, Ellis, Crosby) have been off. Does anyone think these guys will impove once they know their status?

Second, will Daric Barton be back before the September call-ups? The last report (SF Chronicle) suggested he would be back on the next road trip. I am wondering if they will give August to Sweeney and Chavez as kind of auditions for next season.

Third, how much longer will the team keep sending Patterson and Conrad out there. I would hate to see them continue to get embarrassed out there and continue to cripple the offense. I would imagine that with Thomas back, Cust will have to play LF. So I suppose Patterson has tomorrow and maybe one or two in Boston.

Fourth, will Buck make it back this year?

Fifth, Do you think the team will bring back Thomas or Mike Sweeney next season?

Sixth, barring any trades do you think the rotation will stay the same for the rest of the year?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Emil Brown

Yellowhorse — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:29:52 -0000

I wonder more and more if he will remain on the club for the remainder of the year.

A few weeks ago I assumed he would be DFA when guys like Thomas and R. Sweeney got back. I even posted that he better start learning another position to increase his value as a reserve in order to keep his roster spot.

Two days ago I thought he or Davis would be dropped. Now I am not so sure. I think the A's may trade him but I really don't think they will waive/ release him. A few weeks ago, it was R. Davis who was seeing more starts when R. Sweeney was out. Now its Brown starting the last 4 games.

Now Brown might be starting because the team is trying to boost his stats/ presence in order to trade him.

I think dropping him and keeping Murton or Davis would be pretty tough to do considering he has an advantage in many offensive categories and the fact that he has been with the guys since March. Provided he was a nice guy and positive teammate, I would think that just dropping a guy who has better stats for another wouldn't help team chemistry.

I wouldn't be surprised if he was traded, even as a throw-in. I wouldn't be surprised if he was sent to the bench, but I doubt that he will be DFA.

Roster Question- 11 pitchers??

Yellowhorse — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:14:06 -0000

I made a post right before the Harden deal that wondered what the A's roster would look like when Frank got back. At the time I thought his return was imminent and furthermore the Harden trade was a pretty big deal. I was still wondering what you think the A's will do with the roster. Is going to just 11 pitchers an option??

With games like today where key guys get hurt and a Pinch Hitter was essential to the victory I am more and more thinking that the A's should consider going to just 11 pitchers. (then again the extra innings puts a strain on the pitching staff).

First off, I would consider doing this right now for the Angels series. Considering Sweeney will probably not be able to play we are looking very thin on the bench. Furthermore, with the break coming up I would believe that Blanton and Smith could pitch in an inning on Sunday if needed. (I think its common for starters to throw on a set day between starts). I would bring up an outfielder as without Sweeney (who probably might not need 15 days on DL) we only have 4 OF (counting Cust).

I know having just 11 guys would put a strain on the staff but it would only be for a month and a half (September allows us to expand the roster).

It seems to me that A. Brown is probably contributing the least on the team right now. He is pitching about 1-2 innings a week. I would think that his inning or so could be absorbed by the others.

With Frank's return we would be very limited in defensive replacements. I would think that Crosby easily replaces Petit or Murphy. Sweeney could replace Bankston or Barton. Big Frank causes the major problem. If he took Davis or Emil's spot our OF is very depleted.

Yes, yes there are going to be many changes with trades. But some problems remain no matter who is on the roster. If we stick with 12 pitchers we have only 13 hitters. With Cust, Thomas, Bankston, Barton we have 4 of 13 hitters who are very limited in the number of positions they can play.

If the A's stick with 12 pitchers the A's may have to get very creative with the roster.

Maybe we need to find some guys who can function at another position. I think if Emil wants to stay once all the injured return he may have to work at being a back-up corner infielder. Hannahan may have to be willing to try a middle infield or outfield spot if Chavez ever returns. Or the GM can trade for a player who can play most OF and infield positions.

I think the team will be just fine once we get to September but it may get real tight in August.

Any thoughts?

Roster Thoughts- When the injured return??

Yellowhorse — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:34:14 -0000

The A's management will have some tough decisions to make when some of our injured players return. Sure, the GM may make a trade or two, and worse some more players could get hurt but some tough decisions will be made regarding the roster in the next week or so because some of the injured will be returning.

We have 6 important guys on the DL.

Thomas and Crosby should be back first- right around the All-Star game. Frank maybe before it and Crosby right after. Frank may be cleared to start 'baseball' activities today. I doubt he will need much time as he is not a fielder nor much of a runner. I think if he can swing successfully he will play.

Foulke and Devine- its tricky because they are pitchers. Devine is starting to throw off the mound. Foulke's injury didn't sound too serious but there might be other issues with his return.

Chavez and Mike Sweeney- who knows if they will be back if at all. The A's webpage said August for Sweeney. I am not going to discuss them as their return is, relatively speaking into the future.

So what happens to the current guys once Crosby and Thomas get back?

With Crosby it is somewhat an easy choice. Petit or Murphy will have to go. The team can't afford to keep 2 back-up middle infielders. I think the manager should give each a few starts in the remaining 6 games before the ASB and see who wins the job. Petit has hit better overall this season but Murphy is a tad better at defense, he can also play 3b. If all things are equal they should consider base-running because we will need a PR for Thomas.

Thomas presents the greater difficulty. Ideally, a team would want 12 pitchers and 13 hitters (2 C, 3 corner IF, 3 middle IF, 5 outfield). Frank can't play one of those hitting spots thus the team will have to sacrifice at one position.

The catchers are safe as are the 3 middle IF. R. Sweeney and Gonzalez are safe as well. That leaves 6 guys who may get sent down.

1- Cust- Safe- even though Thomas takes away his at bats at DH. He is in a slump but leads team in HR.

2- Hannahan- Safe- even though his offense is weak because he is pretty much the only 3B on the team. I think he will be here barring a trade.

The other four are more likely casualties of Frank's return.

3-4 Bankston or Barton- We go with one 1B. That spot is the easiest to put a guy in as an emergency back-up. Barton has been on the team longer and is a better defender (manager used him as defensive replacement last night for Bank.). Bankston is killing the ball lately and maybe the A's can ride him until he fades, or perhaps he will continue to hit well. A tough call.

5-6 Brown or Davis- I think it would be risky to go with 4 outfielders (considering one of them is Cust). Neither are future stars, neither have been hitting. Brown is a better hitter but Davis is a better fielder. If the team can find another guy to serve as a PR, Davis' value drops.

There is another option. Keep all of the hitters and go down to 11 pitchers. I think the A's should consider this. The A's have all year used 5 starters and 7 relievers. I think the team should go with 6 relievers, for a while. I don't want to tire out the pitching staff (we do have the ASB) but I think we could be o.k. for about 2-3 weeks with just 6 relievers. Remember, Devine and or Foulke will be back in late July, thus one of the current relievers will have to be moved anyway. I think we could survive a few weeks with the following bullpen= closer- street, 2 left set-up men- Blev, Embree, 2 right set-up men- Castilla, Ziegler and long reliever Gaudin. That leaves out A. Brown. Right now Brown is getting about 2-3 innings of work a week, usually in games that aren't close. I would think that Gaudin, as a former starter could absorb those innings. Also, Castilla is getting healthier.

The extra 2 weeks until Devine or Foulke gets back could be some more chances for some of the hitters who are borderline to prove that they should stay.

Eventually, one or more of out hitters will have to be sent down or moved. Right now there may not be enough evidence to make some key decisions. Primarily Bankston- Is he for real? It would stink for the A's to drop an outfielder or Barton when Frank is activated and find out that Bankston was a flash in the pan.

Any Thoughts??

Go A's!!!!!

PS- I didn't want to talk trades but it appears that we have 14 pitchers (12 current and 2 on DL) I wonder if the team will trade one for a prospect or combine with a hitter to bring in an upgrade.

Is there anyone out there we can pick up

Yellowhorse — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:59:40 -0000

off the waiver wire?

We picked-up Raj Davis off waivers earlier this season. Is there anyone out there we can get even if it is just for the next week or so? I think the team will have to make a move between now and first pitch otherwise we will be going into the game with only 1 reserve.

Is Jeff Davannon or Todd Walker available?

Don't say Bonds. He would have been a consideration about 6 weeks ago but right now there has to be someone we can get who is better than the guys playing the left side of the infield.