Is Susan Sussler no longer covering the team

kbtoyz — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:02:42 -0000

Anyone else noticed that the Chronicle has been running AP stories and no longer has anybody as a beat writer for the A's? Is Susan Sussler one of the many people laid off from the troubled paper, or did they just decide that nobody was paying attention this late in the season?

This also got me thinking, who is the best beat writer the A's have? I would have voted Sussler, if I could still find her anywhere.

Giambi in '09?

kbtoyz — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:17:34 -0000

In this morning's blog, Buster Olney had this little nugget for us A's fans:

• If the money can be worked out, a reunion of Jason Giambi with the Oakland Athletics might well happen in 2009.

Well, let's think about this. Giambi last season had these stats:

32 HR, 96RBI, .876 OPS, .247BA, 76BB

PROS: He could split DH time with Cust, fill out the middle of the order with some left handed pop, and also play some 1B and allow Barton time to hopefully refind his ability to play baseball. He brings a recognizeable name back to the team and helps restart the marketing effort.

CONS: One of the most villified former Athletics, he spurned a $15mil/yr deal in 2000 to go play for the Evil Empire. He went from sitting on a Harley to clean shaven and pushing deoderant in the Big Apple. He is an admitted steroid user, and he is in the twilight of his career at 37. He probably would need somewhere in the range of $8-10mil/yr.

Question: Do A's fans forgive him of his transgression of completely and whole hartedly selling out of the highest order? Is 7 years enough to let bygones be bygones and allow the snake back in the den?

After the enemic offense that was put out on the field this past year, I can't see why this wouldn't be a good signing in order to put a competitive team back on the field next year, especially with 1B being a weakness on this year's team. For a year or two this would be a solid move and who doesn't love a comeback story. For chrissake the A's brought back Canseco and he was way worse than Giambino. I think the money and attention would be worth it. Hell, even I'm ready to forgive.

Please, bring your case to the forum.

SB Nation User Blog: kbtoyz

Is Susan Sussler no longer covering the team

Giambi in '09?