Hi Folks, Niner Fan here.
We are sucking so hard and so long that well, it sucks.

I was wondering what you guys thought of Jerry Sullivan? I know he was the OC in Arizona for 2003. but his job performance is best evaluated by you all.
So please let me know, what were his strengths and weaknesses.
Personally, I don't like him.

He was with you for one year, so what can you tell me about him?

It is time for a new head coach. Tom Rathman. He comes from the offensive side of the ball. He will have the players respect. He is well connected in the NFL.

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The Niner's defense seems to lack the big play element in the secondary. We all agree the Free Safety position is the biggest hole to fill.

So here's the thought, convert Michael Vick, a quarterback, to Free Safety. It worked with John Lynch ( I realize he was more of a hitter, while Vick is a speedster, but I bet Vick would be a total ball hawk). Quarterback's tend to be very aware athletes (on the field) and Vick has such amazing speed and instincts that he might be incredible as a Free Safety.

On a roster note, this frees up salary and 1st and 2nd round draft picks for a Defensive End and Offensive Lineman.

Imagine what he could bring on an interception return.

I also think this might be an easier, instinctual return to pro football for his first year back than coming back as a quarterback. and a fresh start.

I know Niner's Nation likes its stats, I'm a half-assed saberhead over at Athletics Nation, but imagine Michael Vick as a Free Safety.

One More thing: weekly film studies with Ronnie Lott to get his head right and keep it right.

 For the purpose of this thread, I left character out of the conversation. Clearly the man has issues. But he has gone to jail, been bankrupted and served time. America loves a redemption story.

I think it is time for BB to fess up, not only was he wrong about signing Eric Chavez to the long term contract that he did, but also (that one is for you Nico) Chavvy's shoulders, back, hamstrings, groins, ankles, wrists, fingers and head are not going to recover to play 3B at an All Star level during the contract.

That's okay, mistakes happen, but until this gets acknowledged, the FALSE HOPE THAT CHAVVY IS GOING TO GET WELL COULD COST THE A'S AT LEAST ONE EXTRA YEAR OF REBUILDING.

I think Chavvy needs to be treated as follows:

1. Long Term DL, get completely healthy

2. Hit only at DH with the goal of getting Chavvy's old bat back as a DH every day.

3. After two months of hitting every day, if Chavvy feels like playing 1B, give it a shot.

The advantage of this approach is that we then no longer settle for guys like Jack Hannahan as our 3B, we hold open tryouts at 3B.

From our system: Baisley, Barton, Crosby (maybe the position switch and demotion from SS will jolt his stick)

Cheap outside options: Dallas MacPherson. Russel Branyan both free agents

Wildcards: Edgardo Alfonso (finally healthy?) some guy from Japan,  Hank Blalock (if he checks out medically)

My main point is that Beane's inability to say he was wrong about the Chavez contract in the first place has prevented him from cutting losses at 3b.  there is a saying among stock traders: "never let a trade become an investment". Beane's inability to acknowledge the poor outcome of the Chavez contract, coupled with his bad luck in the health department, has crippled the A's far more than the contract itself.

UPDATE: one other wildcard, trade back for Swisher, if possible, and throw him at 3B. He's athletic enough.

 2nd UPDATE: Add Jesus Guzman to the list, and while we are at it, whoever the backup 3B in Pittsburgh is now, since they picked up LaRoche.

Okay,
Since we are clearly rebuilding, I think we should take a look at using the minor leagues in a different form than we have in the past.
In short I would fill the AAA roster with 4A players picked up from around the league and signed as minor league free agents, with the promise of a cup of coffee in the majors if the guys on the 25 man roster don't get it done.
Basically look for Jack Cust/Graham Koonce/Halsey/Jeremy Brown types of guys from around the league. Get at least one of them at each position and honor a commitment to them to give them a shot if the major leaguers get hurt or falter.
The idea is to become the place to be for guys giving it one last chance who feel like they have been blocked for different reasons.
Now, for AA and below...

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162 x 9 = 1458 IP

Can we do it? It used to be routine in an age when GMs didn't really pay attention to their bullpens.  As I've said before it opens up CRAZY platoon opportunities.

Economically it has two huge advantages:

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You gotta give something to get something.
Lets trade our third baseman to the Yankees for an out of position shortstop, God knows neither team is giving up clutch hitting. they need relievers, maybe they'll take Witasick.

To the A's fans that say no thanks, I'd rather have Chavez, my response: ARE YOU CRAZY? ARod brings way more to the offense, he is a legitimate #4 hitter in the prime of his career on the way to the hall of fame. He would give us above average defense at SS, sorry BoCro, and a solid presence in the lineup.

Chavy would be a role player in NY, great defense would win the fans over, and he'd probably hit 7th or 8th in the lineup. The expectations on him would be much lower. this is a reasonably face saving move for the Yanks, and they might take it.

As for Witasick, hopefully they'll take him too.

As for BoCro, trade him for a part we can use or give him a position in the outfield and tell him to learn how to hit the outside pitch.

Greetings all,
If I were the GM, I would sign the big hurt before the end of the season to the following contract (assuming he would take it)
4 years
3 million per year base salary
2 million bonus for 500 PAs per year
1 million bonus for 600 PAs per year
1 million mutual buyout provision after the first year for each side. Which could be exercised after years one, two and three.
Benefits to Frank,
If he has a good or great year, he makes 5 or 6 million.
He's guaranteed 4 million at first.
If he has a MONSTER year, he can buyout and renegotiate.
Its not priced so high that he has to keep wandering every year or two from team to team.
The A's training staff/Macha worked well with him.
Benefits to the A's:
They get to keep Frank F-ing Thomas
He legitimizes their order.
In the event he breaks down, they are "only" out four million.

the second contract I'd write: I would sign Marco Scutaro through the year he turns 34 for the major league minimum each year. (with a mutual 1 million buyout for each side).
Benefits to Marco:
He gets security. for investments et cetera, can afford to buy a house and all that stuff.
Benefits to the A's:
they begin to develop a quality bench.  they lock him up through the years expected to be his prime.

Third contract, sign the Duke RIGHT NOW to a six year deal that takes him three years past arbitration.
Duke gets security, the A's sign a long term contract with an effective ML pitcher while his value is based on being a reliever. then convert him to a starter.