Now, I just wanted to get everyone's thoughts in one thread.

I see a good amount of moves coming in Friedman's favorite month, January. An extension or 2, a trade or 2, a signing or 2 and so on.

Targets that I can think of will follow. Please add on who you would want and any new additions and later on, I will see how we did on our targets.

(in no particular order)

1B: Anthony Rizzo, Mark Trumbo, Kendry Morales, Carlos Pena, Brett Pill, Logan Morrison
Fall Back: Casey Kotchman and the Desperation Pick for me: Derek Lee

DH: Anyone from 1B, possibly Matt Joyce and Brandon Guyer gets a chance, Johnny Damon, Luke Scott
Fall Back: Jorge Posada, pretty much anyone not too exciting but can still hit

RP: Might not be neccesary but: Joel Zumaya, Andrew Bailey, Luis Ayala, Joakim Soria, Greg Holland
Fall Back: 6 spots are basically taken, sign no one and make the 7th spot a competition of Leuke, Ramos, Bush, De La Rosa, maybe one of the starters.

Extensions:
Likely: Matt Joyce
Hopefuls: Desmond Jennings, Jeremy Hellickson and David Price

After this post, I will let Friedman take over. I am doing this because we have a better idea of potential targets and he already got us a C and MR. Here goes. And yes, I know, I will be insulted for this, don't care.

1. Desmond Jennings LF

2. B.J Upton CF

3. Evan Longoria 3B

4. Ben Zobrist 2B

5. Matt Joyce RF

6. Johnny Damon DH

7. Yonder Alonso 1B

8. Sean Rodriguez SS

9. Jose Molina C

Bench: Sam Fuld OF, Reid Brignac SS/2B, Brandon Guyer OF, Jose Lobaton C....sorry Elliot, but you gone

Rotation

1. James Shields

2. David Price

3. Jeremy Hellickson

4. Matt Moore

5. Jeff Neimann

Bullpen

Kyle Farnsworth

Joel Peralta

Jake McGee

Brandon Gomes

Alex Torres

Josh Leuke

Matt Bush

Off season moves:

Wade Davis traded for Yonder Alonso

Damon resigned

That's really it, theres Friedman's 1B and DH and sure, depth is nice but I think that would be the best pen he can role out there.

Damon should cost about the same, 5-6 million

Davis cost more than Alonso, not much but I think it's 2 million, helps pay for Damon

Bush, we have a power lefty in McGee, I want a righty that lights up the radar gun

Sorry Cobb, but even with Davis dealt and Torres in the pen, you are still #6 on my list, Moore is simply better and Kazmir sucked when David became good, we never seem to have 2 lefties.

Thanks for 2011, Kotchman, I personally don't want to have hope he can do it again in 2012. I want Yonder.

He's no Brian McCCann but I gotta think hes better than anyone on the FA market, I wont complain about Ramon Hernendez either. I love Gio Gonzalez but we don't need a SP.

The Oakland Athletics are in a holding pattern as they await word from Major League Baseball on whether they can relocate to San Jose.

 

But whatever happens, they again figure to go young.

 

That likely means parting with 30-something free agents such as outfielders Coco Crisp, Josh Willingham and David DeJesus.

 

It also means being open to trade offers for anyone on the roster with the exception of second baseman Jemile Weeks, according to major-league sources.

 

The A’s aren’t shopping any of their players, sources say. But they will listen on pitchers such as left-hander Gio Gonzalez and righty Trevor Cahill, both of whom could be in demand in a thin market for starters. Catcher Kurt Suzuki also could be in play.

 

Commissioner Bud Selig appointed a three-member panel to study the possibility of the A’s relocating to San Jose in March 2009. If baseball permits the move, the A’s would seek to build a contender to coincide with the opening of a new park. Construction probably would take three years.

 

Gonzalez, entering his first year of arbitration, would be a free agent by then. Cahill is signed through 2015 with options for ’16 and ’17, but the A’s might prefer to maximize his value by trading him for several younger players who would peak when the new park opened.

 

If baseball declines permission for the A’s to move – or continues to delay its decision – the team could a similar strip-down strategy, citing its poor revenues in Oakland, sources say.

http://mlbbuzz.yardbarker.com/blog/mlbbuzz/as_will_listen_on_almost_everyone/7869649?new_post=true

Lineup

LF Desmond Jennings
CF B.J Upton
3B Evan Longoria
1B Carlos Pena
2B Ben Zobrist
RF Matt Joyce
DH Jason Kubel
SS Sean Rodriguez
C Robinson Chirinos/John Jaso....ouch defense

Bench

C Chirinos/Jaso, Sam Fuld, Reid Brignac, Brandon Guyer

Considering Pena loved Tampa and Kubel spent most of 2011 hurt, I have their prices down but also consider Boras when thinking of Pena...
I don't want to trade Upton because with our rotation, I think the addition of Pena and Kubel along with Upton's pop gives us a real chance

SP 1 James Shields
SP 2 David Price
SP 3 Jeremy Hellickson
SP 4 Matt Moore
SP 5 Wade Davis

I really want this rotation so I'm just going to ignore Neimann for now and have Cobb in AAA

Bullpen
Kyle Farnsworth
Joel Peralta
Jake McGee
Brandon Gomes
Alex Torres
Cesar Ramos
Jeff Neimann (yeah, I remembered him, I want his best stuff for 1 or 2 innings, no more starts)

I didn't add any relievers because I think all the money goes to our offense but the bullpen suddenly looks strong to me. The 3 lefties but they are all different. Ramos should just be a loogy, Torres is a long man and McGee can put out fires.  Farns, Peralta and Gomes should all be awesome again and since the 2009 ST, I have liked Neimann for the pen.

Continue reading this post »

So Damon is hurt, ok, we figured he wouldn't play, now can someone tell me why Felipe continues to clean up? Why would you bench Upton when you already are without Damon? Why isn't Rodriguez at 2B if Lopez is playing anyway? I don't really care that Johnson is on the bench also but good lord, Casey Kotchman, someone please trade us a 1B.

1. Sam Fuld (L) CF

2. Elliot Johnson (S) 2B

3. Matt Joyce (L) LF

4. Felipe Lopez (S) DH

5. Ben Zobrist (S) RF

6. Casey Kotchman (L) 1B

7. Sean Rodriguez (R) 3B

8. John Jaso (L) C

9. Reid Brignac (L) SS

I guess Maddon doesn't even care how he handles lefties in Spring, his mind is made up and Joyce will still sit against tough lefties BUT they will finally let him play against weaker lefties and the plan is to have him work into a everyday role eventually this season

http://therayarea.com/the-skipper-speaks

Did I miss the part where Joyce was given a real chance against lefties and failed? At least make him make your decision look smart, don't be so scared of him facing a lefty.

And we are all over it, thanks to BA and Imperalism for this data.

First Round
1. Pirates
2. Mariners
3. Diamondbacks
4. Orioles
5. Royals
6. Nationals
7. Diamondbacks (for failure to sign 2010 first-rounder Barret Loux)
8. Indians
9. Cubs
10. Padres (for failure to sign 2010 first-rounder Karsten Whitson)
11. Astros
12. Brewers
13. Mets
14. Marlins
15. Brewers (for failure to sign 2010 first-rounder Dylan Covey)
16. Dodgers
17. Angels
18. Athletics
19. Red Sox (from Tigers for Victor Martinez, Type A)
20. Rockies
21. Blue Jays
22. Cardinals
23. Nationals (from White Sox for Adam Dunn, Type A)
24. Rays (from Red Sox for Carl Crawford, Type A)
25. Padres
26. Red Sox (from Rangers for Adrian Beltre, Type A)
27. Reds
28. Braves
29. Giants
30. Twins
31. Rays (from Yankees for Rafael Soriano, Type A)
32. Rays
33. Rangers (from Phillies for Cliff Lee, Type A)
Supplemental First Round
34. Nationals (Dunn)
35. Blue Jays (for Scott Downs, Type A, to Angels)
36. Red Sox (Martinez)
37. Rangers (Lee)
38. Rays (Soriano)
39. Rays (Crawford)
40. Rays (Balfour)
41. Phillies (for Jayson Werth, Type A, to Nationals)
42. Red Sox (Beltre)
43. Diamondbacks (for Adam LaRoche, Type B, to Nationals)
44. Mets (for Jose Feliciano, Type B, to Yankees)
45. Rockies (for Octavio Dotel, Type B, to Blue Jays)
46. Blue Jays (for John Buck, Type B, to Marlins)
47. White Sox (for J.J. Putz, Type B, to Diamondbacks)
48. Padres (for Jon Garland, Type B, to Dodgers)
49. Giants (for Juan Uribe, Type B, to Dodgers)
50. Twins (for Orlando Hudson, Type B, to Padres)
51. Yankees (for Javier Vazquez, Type B, to Marlins)
52. Rays (for Joaquin Benoit, Type B, to Tigers)
53. Blue Jays (for Miguel Olivo, Type B, to Mariners)
54. Padres (for Yorvit Torrealba, Type B, to Rangers)
55. Twins (for Jesse Crain, Type B, to White Sox)
56. Rays (for Randy Choate, Type B, to Marlins)
57. Blue Jays (for Kevin Gregg, Type B, to Orioles)
58. Padres (for Kevin Correia, Type B, to Pirates)
59. Rays (for Brad Hawpe, Type B, to Padres)
60. Rays (for Chad Qualls, Type B, to Padres)
Second-Round Changes
66. Phillies (from Nationals for Werth)
74. Blue Jays (from Angels for Downs)
75. Rays (from Athletics for Balfour)
Third-Round Changes
None
Supplemental Third Round
121. Mariners (for failure to sign 2010 third-rounder Ryne Stanek)

Remaining Type A Compensation Free Agents
Starting Pitchers: Carl Pavano (Min).

Remaining Type B Compensation Free Agents
Third Basemen: Felipe Lopez (Bos).
Relief Pitchers: Aaron Heilman (Ari)

So we’d pick 24, 31, 32, 38, 39, 40, 52, 56, 59, 60, 75, and 89 by the time the second round is over

However, the Rays want Ian Desmond and/or Jordan Zimmerman and that is unlikely according to reports. Honestly Zimmerman takes away the spot Hellickson would of just gotten and Reid Brignac/Sean Rodriguez is a good MIF for me.

So names being mentioned are Danny Espinona, Roger Bernadina would be available and it's possible that the Nationals would consider trading Drew Storen or Sean Burnett,

Thats MLBtr, rotoworld mentions Ramos

What do you think of a package of Espinona, Bernandia, Storen and Ramos for Garza?

This will not involve any FA's like Kiko or Escobar nor will it include a possible Burrell or Navi trade. This is more of a who would you have as your current 25 roster post.

C Kelly Shoppach or Dioner Navarro: I choose Shoppach but unfortunaley, they are kinda close and its probably better to decide after a month of them playing.
1B Carlos Pena - Locked in unless he gets hurt
2B Ben Zobrist? Sean Rodriguez? Reid Brignac I go with Zobrist.
SS Jason Bartlett
3B Evan Longoria....til 2016, thanks again Hinske
LF Carl Crawford - A contract year, man am I going to miss him.
CF B.J Upton - I will predict now that he FINALLY busts out this year, numbers like 280 AVG 26 HR 82 RBI
RF Matt Joyce - He can be Jason Werth one day, and I am thinking he plays weaker lefties at 1st with Kapler playing the tough ones and he eventually can become our everyday RF. The unlikely scenario has Zobrist here and S-Rod at 2B
DH Pat Burrell - Face it, no Aybar. S-Rod, etc, PTB is making 9 mil and will start

The bench:
Willy Aybar - a lock
Gabe Kapler - another lock
Dioner Navarro - Well, like I said this is with no trades, he wasn't give 2.1 mil to play for Durham
Sean Rodriguez or Reid Brignac? I LOVE Reid but S-Rod is prob the smarter choice as they try to make him 2010 Zobristt

Rotation
1. James Shields
2. Matt Garza
3. David Price or Jeff Niemann for #3? I will take Price
4. Jeff Niemann......does Hellickson have any shot?
5. Wade Davis: Read: Niemann's comment

Our pen
CL Rafael Soriano - Right up with their Evan and CC, this is his spot
SU J.P Howell - probably also a lock
MR 1 Grant Balfour, may be Wheeler also, I would say Escobar but not as of now. My choice: Aussie
MR 2 Dan Wheeler
MR 3 Lance Cormier
Loogy: Randy Choate unless Swindle really impresses them in ST
the 7th man:  Andy Sonnanstine? Dale Thayer? Winston Abreu? Jake McGee?: I would give McGee some time in AA and AAA before putting him in the bigs. I think I will go with Sonny, has the t

As of today, December 10th, 2009

C Kelly Shopach
1B Carlos Pena
2B Ben Zobrist
SS Jason Bartlett
3B Evan Longoria
LF Carl Crawford
CF B.J Upton
RF Matt Joyce
DH Pat Burrell

Bench: Willy Aybar, Gabe Kapler,Sean Rodriguez, John Jaso?

SP 1 James Shields
SP 2 Matt Garza
SP 3 David Price
SP 4 Jeff Niemann
SP 5 Wade Davis

Bullpen

CL Rafael Soriano
SU J.P Howell
MR Grant Balfour
MR Dan Wheeler
MR Lance Cormier
MR Andy Sonnanstine
LOOGY: Randy Choate

Most of us probably have the same hopes, but lets see, my changes aren't much

1. Complete the Burrell/Bradley swap
2. Either let Jake McGee start the season in the pen or give the job to R.J Swindle
3. Sign Kiko Calero
4. Don't need Joe Mauer, find some C who can hit major league righties
5. Explore the Bartlett market, if it is a good one, give Brignac the job

How does everyone else feel about this 25 man?

C Gregg Zaun ? Shawn Riggans ? Dioner Navarro ? FA? Choose 2
1B Carlos Pena
2B Ben Zobrist
SS Jason Bartlett ? Reid Brignac ?
3B Evan Longoria
LF Carl Crawford
CF B.J Upton
RF Matt Joyce ?
DH Pat Burrell

Bench: Catcher, Sean Rodriguez, Willy Aybar, Fernando Perez?

SP 1 James Shields
SP 2 Matt Garza
SP 3 David Price
SP 4 Jeff Niemann
SP 5 Wade Davis ? Hellickson pitches too well to deny him the spot?

Bullpen
J.P Howell
Dan Wheeler
Grant Balfour
Lance Cormier
Andy Sonnanstine

Who else? Possibilities are Talbot, Thayer and free agents