SB Nation User Blog: mikev

RIP Mark "The Bird" Fidrych, announcer Harry Kalas

mikev — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:15:03 -0000

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.

San Jose Mayor: "Better than 50/50 odds" that the A's move there.

mikev — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:10:47 -0000

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.

Andrew Brown released to make room for Springer?

mikev — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 06:32:56 -0000

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.

Kipers Mock: Aaron Maybin @ 10

mikev — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:28:19 -0000

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?

Nick Johnson trade talks back on?

mikev — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:40:42 -0000

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.

Frank Wren blacklists Kinzer and WMG

mikev — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:03:37 -0000

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."

So what's to be gained from this? I dunno, really.

I think it's painfully obvious that Kinzer was very unethical in his dealings with Atlanta, to the point that Wren actually sent a signed term sheet (contract) to Kinzer. Perhaps not so much with Oakland, although the appearance of using Oakland to get a 4th year into Furcal's contract seems to have worked.

Anyway, on to the blacklisting bit. I wonder what (any?) ramifications this will have in MLB. Wasserman Media Group's baseball division is headed by Arn Tellem represents a whole heap of players -- including Jason Giambi, for those who still think he should come back to Oakland -- and there is the potential for teams to be less likely to negotiate with WMG now. At the same time, there's been nothing to show that WMG had anything to do with what happened other than employ Kinzer. Maybe guys who have Kinzer representing them will look elsewhere now? Maybe not -- after all, he did get Furcal his money, his years, and his desired location.

How does AN think this will play out in future negotiations with players?

Bill King denied HOF yet again :(

mikev — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:15:53 -0000

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.

Sarloos Returns; Bankston DFA; Meyer Demoted

mikev — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:23:19 -0000

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!

Wanted: 3 Tickets for Tuesday 5/6 v. Bal

mikev — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:02:45 -0000

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)

Fernando Hernandez returned to White Sox for $25,000

mikev — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:27:58 -0000

Fernando Hernandez returned to White Sox for $25,000

Oh F-Hern, we hardly knew ye...