In what can only be the greatest day in the history of calling up backup catchers, we learned late last night that the Athletics optioned catcher Landon Powell to the AAA Sacramento Rivercats.

The story was broken by our beloved Susan Slusser, who first released the news on twitter:

Susan Slusser
Landon Powell tells The Chronicle he has been demoted to Triple-A Sacramento.

Slusser then went on to let us know that Powell's replacement would be Anthony Recker:

I am hearing indications that it will, indeed, be Anthony Recker taking Powell's spot, though he is not on the 40-man roster. #Athletics

The 27 year old Recker is hitting .287/.388/.501 in 99 games for Sacramento with 16 home runs and 24 doubles.  His non-adjusted wRC+ is 117.

Ok, so obvious MikeV/LoneStranger jokes aside, why does the backup catcher matter really on a team that's 15 games out?  How much will Recker actually play?  Are Kurt Suzuki's days numbered in Oakland?  Did the A's really send Powell down because of service time issues in order to avoid arbitration with him?  According to the reasonably well informed Cots' Contracts, Landon had 1.153 years of service time before the start of the season.  He could potentially avoid Super-Two status by missing the last month+ of the year. 

I'm not very well versed in issue like this, but would the MLBPA not have the ability to file a grievance on Powell's behalf if that was truly the case?  Powell's quote was that he was thankful to the A's and would love to come back next year.

In the long run I don't think this has much of an effect on the team.  Powell was a backup, Recker will be a backup, Kurt Suzuki is going to continue to be the starter.  Anybody have any clue why this was done?  The only real reason I can think of is the service time/super two issue.

Also, Recker was not on the 40 man roster.  We haven't learned of a corresponding move to free up a spot yet.  I can't help but wonder if someone like Figueroa will be removed.  I'd think if there was something like a Rich Harden or Hideki Matsui waiver trade we'd have heard something by now.

But, yeah.  Anyway...  RECKER?????

The man, the myth, the legend -- but enough about me.

Blez, the guy that started AN.  Kudos to you, congrats on everything AN/SBN has become.  Beer/BBQ/Adult Beverage of your choice, on me, next AN Day.

This might be violating the AN Fanpost rules.  Oh well.  Thanks for giving us a place to come talk about A's and not so much A's related things.  Enjoy your day.

(Also, please tell BIlly to sign Beltre.  Thx.)

BBG: I wanted everyone to read this. Thanks mikev!

Here's a link from Slusser yesterday at SFGate

So, in case you hadn't caught wind of it yet, or hadn't read BBG's post about the Cy Young yesterday, you may not have heard yet about three A's players who had option years for 2011, and the decisions made by the team.

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YAY A DECISION.

We are meeting up at the GRAND OAK SPORTS BAR located at 736 Washington Street in Oakland!  Happy hour prices during the game according to wacchampions, so blame him if it's not!

Yes, this is an abuse of a fANpost.  Oh well.

I'd thought about going to visit our esteemed AN colleague mrod down at Public House, where it's attached to Phone Booth Park, donned in A's gear and cheering for the Phillies.  The few A's fans I asked about going along didn't seem to excited about it, lol!

Another suggestion was Rickys Sports Bar in San Leandro.  A few more people were interested in going there, however it's been found out that there is a $15 cover charge tonight starting at 5pm because they are also broadcasting the Pay-Per-View UFC fights.  Personally, I'm not into dropping money on a cover charge for a sports bar, no matter how hot their waitresses might be.

SO... anybody up for getting together somewhere?  No/Yes/F You Mikey?

OFFICIAL MLB LINK

Twitter Dbacks Writer Link

Twitter OaklandA's Link

MLBTR Link

Apparently the A's have sent Sam Demel to the Diamondbacks in exchange for Conor Jackson and cash.

Jackson is 28 and has hit .238/.326/.331 this year in 42 games for Arizona.  According to Cots, Jackson is making $3.1 Million this season in his second year of arbitration.

In 22 games for Triple-A Sacramento, Demel was 2-0 with 6 saves, a 1.28 ERA, and 1.08 WHIP.  Many at AN expected him to be called up in place of Tyson Ross who should be in Sacramento starting every 5th day.

I'm kinda scratching my head at this one.

via www.greencitizens.net

South Africa and favored squad Mexico finished even at 1 in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup in from Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.  Mexico seemed to control the first half, yet The Bafana Bafana opened the scoring on a brilliant left foot shot from Siphiwe Tshabalala, but then Mexico equalized on a defensive breakdown by RSA on a set piece.

Uruguay and France get underway at 11:30 Pacific Time.

As I type this, South Africa just missed a game winner in the 89th minute, off the post.  Unbelievable.

But I bet you won't guess which three!

Linkage for the lazy people

Okay, forget it, I'll spoil it for you.

Vernon Christopher Carter (i.e. Trogdor) is #28, Michael Taylor is #29, and Grant Green (!) is #52.

No Adrian Cardenas and no Jemile Weeks for those keeping track, which I find interesting because the AN Community Prospect list had both of them ahead of Green.

Noteworthy, and somewhat A's related,  is Brett Wallace (listed as 1b/3b) at #27, and Justin Smoak :shakesfist: at #13.  Aaron Cunningham is also nowhere to be found.

READY. SET. DISCUSS.

I guess I have to cancel my custom jersey order, and go back to my Ryan Langerhans home jersey.

sigh.

The A's released Willy Tavares today.

I'm not quite sure how to feel right now.  It's like my world is upside down or something, I mean I knew with Willy T it was like a guaranteed playoff appearance, and now that's just... gone.

We'll miss you, Willy.  You were always my favorite Athletic.

(Just kidding. Dude was *awful* last year.  Thanks for Rosales, though!)

AN will have to find another shortstop to covet this offseason and come up with multiple trade scenarios for.

Hardy was dealt to the Twins for Carlos Gomez.  I guess the Brewers will look elsewhere for pitching help, but the Michael Weurtz+ for Hardy deals won't happen now.

I'll put this out there, though:  Would you have traded Rajai Davis for J.J. Hardy?  Davis is probably better than Gomez, but older and doesn't have nearly as favorable of a contract situation.  I would have, without thinking twice about it.

Also, like the Akinori Iwamura to Pittsburgh trade and the Jeremy Hermida to Boston trade, this seems to have happened very quickly (what, it's day 2 of the offseason!) before free agents have filed, nontenders, etc.  Is this a sign of how the offseason is going to look?  There have already been several articles (I'm not linking to Olney's ESPN Insider stuff, sorry) that claim a large number of guys will be nontendered creating a flood of non-superstar type players in the FA market.  It's shaping up to be a strange offseason, huh?

I'm already seeing a bunch of posts about it in various other threads, so I figured I could try and help get all the bitching feedback contained to one place.

Maybe this will even help the powers that be.

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You people bore me.  Here, have a fresh new DLD to do stuff with please.  I had a late, late game last night and am sitting here half dead.  ENTERTAIN ME.

Oh, yeah, links.  After the jump!

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Non A's related. So what.

ESPN link to Fidrych story:  http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4065778

USA Today link:  http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2009-04-13-fidrych-dead_N.htm

The 1976 Rookie Of The Year was found dead, apparently from an accident while working on his pickup truck on his farm in Northborough.

He was 54.  RIP. 

Also, Phillies announcer (and NFL Films voice) Harry Kalas was found passed out in the broadcast booth before Monday's game.  USAToday link:  http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/phillies/2009-04-13-kalas-phillies_N.htm

What a horrible week for baseball.

So sayeth MSNBC..

Everybody's favorite website about a new A's ballpark has already posted about it as well (go Vertig0!) and even included the A's specific parts of the agenda to be discussed today by the Rules and Open Government Committee in San Jose:

10.1a A’s Stadium in San Jose (Campos/Pyle/Herrera)
Recommendation: (1) Add an agenda item to the March 24, 2009 City Council meeting to discuss the City’s strategy for pursuing negotiations with the A’s and Major League Baseball. (2) Direct the City Manager and the Chief Development Officer to lead the discussions with the A’s organization and Mayor League Baseball. (3) Direct staff to return to the Community and Economic Development Committee every two months with updates on status of the discussion, providing ample opportunity for residents to receive regular reports on the project and express concerns as it develops.
DEFERRED FROM MARCH 4, 2009

10.1b A’s Stadium in San José. (Mayor Reed)
Recommendation: That the Rules and Open Government Committee place this matter on the agenda for the April 7, 2009 evening Council meeting to allow for maximum public participation in the discussion.

Is this the A's inching even closer to SJ?  It seems that way, doesn't it?  Pretty big cojones for the Mayor of the city to give odds of better than 50-50 that the A's move there.

According to Slusser, that's what is happening.

Andrew Brown got a double dose of bad news on Wednesday. Dr. James Andrews confirmed that Brown needs surgery on his right shoulder, with the procedure scheduled for this morning. Then the A's let the reliever go.

 

Brown said he was told the team needs to clear a 40-man roster spot for 16-year veteran reliever Russ Springer. Springer's one-year contract is not yet official, pending a physical, which is expected to take place today. Assistant general manager David Forst declined comment when reached Wednesday.

The possibility of Brown coming back on a minor league contract was left open though.

Having a setback of a full year after missing a significant portion of last season probably wasn't the best outcome for Brown.  I'd like to see him come back after he gets healthy, but I wouldn't be surprised if he latched on elsewhere.

Linkovitch

Mel Kiper and his hair have released their first mock draft, and with the 10th pick he has us taking DE/OLB Aaron Maybin from Penn State.

Interestingly enough, he's got BJ Raji, Brian Orakpo, and Everett Brown all still available at the #10 pick -- being selected at 12, 13, and 15th respectively.

I don't know much about Maybin -- so who wants to agree or disagree with Kiper here and tell me why Maybin is the best choice for us?

According to the Washington Post, yes

This part I didn't really like:

It is unclear what players the A's would be willing to give up for Johnson, but the Nationals have shown previous interest in 23-year-old first baseman Daric Barton, and a deal centering upon Johnson and Barton would make sense for both sides.

Don't get me wrong, Johnson is a damn fine player and all, but will I be the only one who is a little peeved if Barton is dealt for him?  Barton would have more value playing in Sacramento for a year and then coming back when Giambi leaves, wouldn't he?  Johnson can't have that type of value, given that he's not healthy, only played 38 games last year, and is a free agent to be. 

I'll hold out hope that somehow Ryan Zimmerman is going to be pryed away from the Nationals too.

Stranahanahan thinks this deserves it's own fanpost, so darn it we're giving it it's own fanpost!

Linkovitch Chimofsky.

And, the important quotes from one Mr. Frank Wren, Atlanta Braves General Manager:

"We don't have any intention of doing business with them, and they've been notified of that,''

and then....

"When you can't trust who you're doing business with, you can't do business with them. It's plain and simple.''

Finally, from this LA Times link we get this:

When WIFN talk show host Bill Shanks prefaced a question by saying that he knew Wren couldn't burn bridges with Kinzer and Tellem, Wren interjected, "That bridge is gone. I don't have to worry about burning it. The bridge is gone."

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I guess I'm not surprised.  We didn't do enough, apparently.

King left out of final vote for Frick Award

I am, to put it midly, not happy.  It's an absolute travesty that King isn't even getting considered, but it's flat out INSULTING that he's not in the Top 10 yet again.

Meh.  At least we'll get to see Rickey enter the Hall this year, even though I'm not expecting it to be unanimous.

Official Press Release Here

First off, so long Dan Meyer - enjoy your time back in Sacramento pitching for the AAA Rivercats since you weren't released by the organization and instead just sent back down to the minors yet again.  Thanks for being dumb and trying to pitch through a shoulder injury after being traded. I was a big proponent of giving him "one last shot" this season to see if he was going to ever stick as a big leaguer, and it didn't take long for the question to be answered with a resounding "NO"

***EDIT***  No, Dan Meyer was not released by the team, which apparently some people took the first paragraph to mean.  He was optioned down to AAA Sacramento after yesterday's game.  I'm assuming he'll never be in Oakland again, however, since he's basically proven that he cannot get major league hitters out. ***EDIT***

Second, does anybody else find it a little bit strange that Kirk is being called up instead of Eveland? I mean, maybe it's just me, but I think that if Eveland is going to "make it" as a MLB caliber starter, he should at least be with the team still and gettin guidance from Curt Young and co.

On the other hand, even though he hasn't been good for the last few years, I have a soft spot in my heart for Los Kirk. His 2005 season in which he was a pretty darn good 5th starter was rewarded with a demotion to the bullpen (curse you, Esteban Loaiza!) and the subsequent trade to Cincinnati.

But, hey, he's got a 2.35 ERA and a 0.78 WHIP this season (plz don't look @ his samplesize kthxbye) so he's clearly the best pitcher in the AL!

Hey AN, Sorry to use up a Dia...er... FaNpOsT on something like this, but I wasn't sure where else to put it. A couple of guys who are in my simulation baseball league (kinda like fantasy, but way better) are going to be up here tomorrow. One flies in from Vegas in the morning, and we were planning on meeting up beforehand and then catching a game.

I figured that since it's a "special occasion" I would try and get some better tickets than my usual bleacher seats, so before resorting to Craigslist or (ew) StubHub, I'll ask AN-land if anybody with super awesome seats that can't go tomorrow would be interested in selling them to me. If not, no biggie - if anything there are still MVP section 115 tickets from the A's website, but I wanted to get around the "convenience" fee. (I'll delete this if it's out of place. Thanks)

I agree with him.

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si.com link with details...

It's been announced that the A's first "home" game is going to be at 3:07 in the morning Oakland time.  

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Welcome back Kirk.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/st.htm

For me, this is good news.  I wished that he would have stayed in Oakland all along, I thought he was a much better (much cheaper) option than signing Esteban Loaiza to the godawful contract that LAD thankfully took off our hands.

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So, uh... For the sixteen or seventeen people that are going to keep going to games next year:

3 sections of the 3rd Deck will be open for $35 All-You-Can-Eat tickets, to include hot dogs, nachos, peanuts, popcorn, soda and ice cream -- and maybe more!

I guess that's sort of a reason to go to games... I guess.

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According to this ESPN link, Miggy is finally getting out of Baltimore and heading to the Astros.

The Orioles get Luke Scott, pitchers Matt Albers, Troy Patton and Dennis Sarfate, and third baseman Michael Costanzo.  The only one I know of is Scott, who's supposed to be pretty good.

Anyway, this will probably result in subsequent trades of Roberts and Bedard by the Orioles.  To me, this will set the market for possible trades of Dan Haren, Joe Blanton, and possibly Mark Ellis if Beane decides to blow the team up and look towards Fremont.

For really not much reason whatsoever, I was perusing mlbtraderumors and noticed this little tidbit about Boston possibly looking at Johan Santana or Haren.  Obviously adding Haren would give Boston a ridiculously awesome rotation (Beckett, Haren, Dice-K, Schilling, Wakefield? Seriously?), but I don't care about that.

What interests me is thinking about what would be required from Boston.  Who would Beane want?  My first thought:  More than Haren is worth.  I couldn't see Haren going to an AL team without Billy getting so completely blown away by an offer that he just can't say no.  To me, that would mean a package starting with Buchholz and Ellsbury, and probably including somebody like Jed Lowrie as well.

So, here's my question to AN:  What would it take for you to be okay with trading Dan Haren?  A Mulder-or-Hudson-esque deal?  More? Less?  How about Blanton, as he's the other major piece that could be dangled if a full blown, tear it down rebuild were to commence.

So it's official:  The A's open the season in Japan against the Red Sox next year.  The A's will be the home team, as the March 25th and 26th games are being considered the first of a four game set that will be concluded on April 1st and 2nd back in Oakland.

As pointed out on various other blogs around the net, the current Oakland active roster consists of 21 Americans, one Canadian, one Venanzuelan, one Puerto Rican, and one Dominican.  As we all know, Boston has Dice-K, as well as Okajima, so I think it's pretty clear who will actually be the "home team" in this series.

I would think that each team would have been given one home game instead of taking away two from one team, unless the A's are going to be getting the revenue from the game as if they were truly the home team.  Somehow I'm not sure that's the case, but I've got to believe that the team wouldn't be making the trip if it wasn't going to be worthwhile for them.  I hope.

Oh BTW, first diary post.  Hi, I'm Mike.