SB Nation User Blog: athleticsBB4life

A's Sign Four '09 Picks

athleticsBB4life — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:56:14 -0000

A's Sign Four '09 Picks

06/19/09 Oakland Athletics signed Stephen Parker.
06/19/09 Oakland Athletics signed 3B Michael Spina.
06/19/09 Oakland Athletics signed OF Myrio Richard.
06/19/09 Oakland Athletics signed OF Anthione Shaw

A's Agree to Terms with 14 '09 Picks

athleticsBB4life — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:16:26 -0000

A's Agree to Terms with 14 '09 Picks

The Oakland A's have agreed to terms with 14 players from the 2009 First-Year Player Draft held last week, the club announced today. The players are RHP Murphy Smith (13th round, Binghamton), LHP Max Peterson (18th, San Jose State), RHP Daniel Tenholder (19th, Austin Peay State), LHP Ryan Quigley (22nd, Northeastern), CF Kent Walton (23rd, Brigham Young), RHP Daniel Straily (24th, Marshall), RHP Nathan Long (26th, Texas-Arlington), 2B Michael Gilmartin (27th, Wofford), OF Connor Crumbliss (28th, Emporia State), RHP Paul Smyth (35th, Kansas), 2B Jeremy Wells (36th, Patten), 1B Blake Crosby (42nd, Sacramento State), LHP A.J. Huttenlocker (44th, Missouri Western State) and IF Joel Eusebio (46th, Northeastern State).

A's Bonus Baby Out: Ynoa Has Elbow Issue

athleticsBB4life — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 05:12:09 -0000

Link

Slusser Reports:

Now top pitching prospect Michael Ynoa, the 17-year-old sensation from the Dominican Republic, is out of action because of elbow soreness.

According to assistant general manager David Forst, Ynoa had an MRI exam last week that will be reviewed by Drs.

Ynoa had been doing a throwing program at the A's minor-league complex in Phoenix and there was hope he would pitch in the Arizona Rookie League this summer.

"We're in the process of determining how severe it is," Forst said.

DLD (5/12/09): Chavez Has Bulging Disk

athleticsBB4life — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:38:41 -0000

Link

Already on the DL for an elbow problem, he’s now headed to Phoenix to have his back checked after an MRI yesterday showed a bulging disk.

He’ll be examined by Phoenix-based specialist Dr. Rob Blackaby.

Chavez was targeting Friday for a possible return, but now Geren said his return will be pushed back “a couple of weeks for sure.”

Looks like Crosby/Hannahan at 3B for the foreseeable future. The article mentioned Garciaparra is possible for activation on Friday at Detroit. Chavez' career seems about over. He probably should take the rest of the year off and give it one last try in his walk year.

The link also provided tonight's lineups:

A’s: Cabrera SS; Suzuki C; Giambi 1B; Holliday LF; Cust DH; Sweeney CF; Kennedy 2B; Buck RF; Hannahan 3B
Royals: Crisp CF; DeJesus LF; Teahen 3B; Guillen RF; Butler 1B; Jacobs DH; Callaspo 2B; Buck C; Aviles SS

A's demote Eveland; promote Copeland

athleticsBB4life — Wed, 06 May 2009 00:23:30 -0000

Link

The A's reinstated outfielder Ben Copeland from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday and optioned left-hander Dana Eveland to Triple-A Sacramento.

Not sure why the A's need another OF - maybe trying to find lightning in a bottle.

GRATUITOUS RANDOM ADDED NOTE IN THE HOPES THAT SOMEONE WHO KNOWS BRETT ANDERSON WILL SEE THIS AND PASS IT ON:

Brett, the cure for your blister is aloe vera extracted directly from an aloe vera plant. (I have one in my backyard in Berkeley.) There are few natural "miracle cures" like aloe vera is for cuts, burns, and blisters. Take a stalk, or part of a stalk, from an aloe vera plant and cut it down the middle. What oozes out is a sticky gel-like subtance that you can apply directly to the blister. No bandaid, no drugs. It is amazing stuff. We want you back on the mound soon and for keeps, Brett. Aloe Vera directly from the plant. I'm not kidding. -Nico

Drumbeat Link

The A's optioned ineffective starter Dana Eveland (7.40 ERA) to Sacramento and activated Rule 5 outfielder Ben Copeland from the DL (see roster). There may be another shoe to drop, as it's not immediately apparent who will start in place of Eveland tomorrow. Among the River Cats' starters, Vin Mazzaro or James Simmons could have enough rest.

Not sure that Simmons is ready - Mazzaro got roughed up a bit on his last start, but overall has been decent. Jerome Williams is a possibility as he was just activated by Sacramento.

Eagles: Rookie Free Agent Signings

athleticsBB4life — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:13:49 -0000

Link

The Eagles added to their roster Monday, signing nine rookie free agents.

The players include defensive end Josh Gaines (Penn State); safety Reshard Langford (Vanderbilt); fullback Marcus Mailei (Weber State); running back Walter Mendenhall (Illinois State); guard Dallas Reynolds (Brigham Young); receiver Brandon Robinson (Boston College); cornerback Courtney Robinson (UMass); kicker Sam Swank (Wake Forest); and running back Marcus Thigpen (Indiana).

Hopefully this signing will give Akers some needed competition:

Sam Swank
Kicker, 6-2, 201
Wake Forest

Finished as the all-time leading scorer at Wake Forest with 337 points. Set school records with 71 field goals and 124 career PATs. Concluded his career ranked 16th in NCAA history in career scoring. Excelled on the football and soccer teams at Fletcher HS in Neptune Beach, FL. Born 10/5/85 in Lakeland, FL.

Giese Up; Blevins Down

athleticsBB4life — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:01:14 -0000

According to Susan Slusser at sfgate.com:

The A's recalled right-hander Dan Giese, a onetime Giant, from Triple-A Sacramento this morning and they sent out lefty Jerry Blevins.

Giese said he can spot start and go long. He's also tickled that the A's head to New York on Monday - he was one of the Yankees' very last cuts before Opening Day.

This move leaves the A's without a lefty in the pen. Blevins wasn't getting a lot of work and Geren was in danger of wearing-out Bailey, Wuertz and Casilla. Good move!

DLD (4/1/09): Nico is Famous

athleticsBB4life — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:29:09 -0000

Wolff to meet with Dellums

Many A's fans were happy to hear the team may remain in Oakland, their home of 41 years.

"I'd love to see them stay in the city where they belong," said Nico Pemantle, who manages a fan Web site called Athletics Nation. "But I have sympathy for the owners. There's a lot of passion among A's fans to keep them in Oakland, but there's also a lot of empty seats at the Coliseum."

Big Hurt Still Wants to Play

Free agent designated hitter Frank Thomas is reportedly not quite ready to retire, according to a report by FoxSports.com.

Thomas, 40, has not set a deadline to decide his future and will wait until the All-Star break before making any other determinations.

That's all I got, dump away!

Roster Watch: 2 Week Countdown

athleticsBB4life — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:32:15 -0000

Zonis hasn't done one of these in some time and they always generate some discussion. With today's cuts, we know Mazzaro is out of the mix for a rotation spot. From the same link, we see that Powell is the latest Athletics' player with and injury. My take on the Athletics' roster with what is known so far.

My 25-man roster picks in bold.

Outfield: This seems pretty well set.

Candidates:

Cust
Buck
Holliday
Sweeney
Davis
Denorfia

My Take: I think we can all agree, 5 of the six above will make the opening day roster, with Denorfia not making the grade.

Infield: Lots of injury related questions here.

Candidates:

Ellis (sounds like he is ready to go)
Giambi (some aches and pains, but should be good to go for day 1)
Crosby (he's healthy at least)
Chavez (supposed to play 3B in minor league game Tuesday - tentative for opening day)
Cabrera (back tightness - won't play until Friday at the earliest)
Garciaparra (surprisingly, no problems so far)
Barton (back from injury, playing well as of late)
Hannahan
Pennington

My Take: Chavez will start the season on the DL, which will allow either Barton or Hannahan to make the team. I'll go with Hannahan. If Cabrera is not ready, Pennington makes the team.

Catcher:

Candidates:

Suzuki
Powell (tweaked something on his side recently)
Galarraga

My Take: Pretty simple here, A's cut Bowen to make room for Powell, but if his injury is more serious, look for Galarraga to be added to the 40-man roster and make the team out of spring training.

Starting Pitchers:

Candidates:

Duke (we all know the story here)
Eveland
Gallagher
Braden
Gio (hurt, won't make the team out of the gate)
E. Gonzalez
Outman
Cahill
Anderson
Williams (sent down already, but possibly out of necessity)

My Take: Duke makes the team as a reliever until he builds up some arm strength. Nico made a good case for Anderson. Eveland, Gallagher and Braden seem to be locks and NRI Gonzalez makes the team until Mazzaro or Cahill are ready.

Relievers:

Candidates:

Ziegler (just got from WBC, hope he's ready to go)
Devine (mending, we'll learn more this week)
Springer
Wuertz
Casilla
Outman
Blevins (hasn't looked good this spring)
Schroder
Cameron

My Take: Duke takes up one spot. I'm hesitant to add Devine, but we'll see how much progress he makes this week. Blevins has everyone nervous, but what choice do they have, Outman? Any chance BB makes a run at Ohman? Casilla, Springer, Wuertz and Ziegler are locked in.

Wrap-up: 13 position players - Suzuki, Powell, Giambi, Ellis, Cabrera, Crosby, Garciaparra, Hannahan, Cust, Holliday, Sweeney, Buck and Davis. 12 pitchers - Duke (reliever), Eveland, Braden, Gallagher, E. Gonzalez, Anderson, Devine, Ziegler, Casilla, Wuertz, Springer and Blevins.

I probably created more questions than I provided clarity. Have at it!

A's may face Contraction?

athleticsBB4life — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:29:49 -0000

NY Daily News Article

The rumblings already have started. With three years to go in the basic agreement, baseball's owners are once again sounding the flashpoint "c" word - as in salary cap. But this past week, events in Oakland and Miami - where a new stadium plan for the A's was pronounced dead and one for the Marlins once again put on life support - may leave the owners no choice but to revisit another ominous "c" word: contraction.

Bill Madden continues...

baseball can't afford to keep dumping revenue-sharing money into hopeless franchises. Like just about every other industry in this country right now, baseball is going to have to take stock of its situation and downsize. There are too many teams in baseball anyway and it makes no sense to continue operating them in places that can't or won't support them.