oakballnack
Aug 04, 2008 May 29, 2012 14 1211
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Couple of the offseason trades looking decent right now
by oakballnack on Apr 2, 2012 5:25 PM EDT
on Athletics Nation
Yes - Billy traded away three of the best arms on our staff this offseason, but might those have been even more prudent moves than we originally thought they were?
17 commentsOT Hey, A's Fans! Come check out the hippest new bar in Oakland!
The grand opening of the Night Light at 311 Broadway, around the corner from Beer Revolution, is this FRIDAY, MARCH 16th! Like them on Facebook!
I may or may not happen to be the brother of one of the owners. This place is really frick'n cool, great drinks, amazing music and ambiance (they had a soft opening last weekend), and an incredibly cultured hip young crowds - it's a fun, eclectic place, and the owners are some pretty awesome dudes.
MLB Trade Rumors Reports Landon Powell has cleared waivers
According to MLB Trade Rumors, Sussan Slusser and Jane Lee are tweeting that Landon Powell has cleared waivers and will likely accept an outright assignment to Sacramento so as not to forfeit his $600,000 salary for 2012.
Bill King among the Ford C. Frick award finalists again!
King is once again a Ford C. Frick award finalist - does anyone know if there is a way to contact/email John Miller or Lon Simmons? They are among the 15 living award recipients that will be voting in the final vote along with 5 historians. It would be nice to let them know that the fans would appreciate not only their vote for King, but their campaigning on his behalf with the other voters. They were friends of his, and they know better than most how deserving he is.
What would it take??? Fielder and Wright version
by oakballnack on Jun 2, 2011 1:17 PM EDT
on Athletics Nation
Ok - I know that most folks here guffaw at most of the ludicrous speculative trade scenarios proposed by various members of the community, but I wanted to offer my lotion softened hand at one such "scenario".
Targets: David Wright and Prince Fielder
Cost: ???
Outman Up, Blevins Down - Who's next?
Outman up for tonight's (5/23) start in Anaheim - meanwhile Blevins gets optioned down to make room on the 25 man. We'll see if Moscoso is held back from his scheduled start tonight in Sacramento, it's likely because he'll be starting for the A's tomorrow
Starting Pitcher Number Five
by oakballnack on Mar 25, 2011 1:15 PM EDT
on Athletics Nation
Brandon McCarthy goes for what will likely be his last start of the Spring today (at least in AZ, he may go against the Giants next Weds.) and it appears, at least according to all media accounts, that he is the front runner in the 5th starter race. Why, other than his age and experience, I'm not entirely sure, since he and Tyson Ross have had very similarly impressive springs.
Predictions, Random Predictions! is it too soon??
by oakballnack on Mar 11, 2011 1:18 PM EST
on Athletics Nation
First prediction thread for the 2011 season - probably about 2 weeks too soon. I will try not to use more advanced statistics in my predictions since my command of them is poor enough that to use them, I would look even more absurd and crazy than I already will using traditional "lay" stats.
Lunacy after the jump:
Texas gets even better - Welcome back, Napoli!
by oakballnack on Jan 25, 2011 4:33 PM EST
on Athletics Nation
In the latest "F##K YOU!" to Angels fans, Mike Napoli is headed back to the A.L. West, going to the Rangers in exchange for Frank "Mr. Reliable" Francisco. Sadly, this only further boosts the Rangers' advantage over the A's, giving them a legitimate power threat at C/DH/1B.
KG's Oakland Top 11 on BP
by oakballnack on Jan 11, 2011 8:07 PM EST
on Athletics Nation
Kevin Goldstein's Top 11 Prospects for Oakland
Five-Star Prospects
1. Chris Carter, 1B/OF
2. Grant Green, SS
Four-Star Prospects
3. Michael Choice, OF
4. Ian Krol, LHP
Three-Star Prospects
5. Yordy Cabrera, SS
6. Jemile Weeks, 2B
7. Tyson Ross, RHP
8. Renato Nunez, 3B
9. Max Stassi, C
10. Steven Parker, 3B
11. Michael Taylor, OFNine More:
12. Fautino De Los Santos, RHP: The former top White Sox prospect returned from Tommy John surgery to whiff 73 in 47 1/3 innings.
13. Aaron Shipman, OF: This third-round pick is a toolsy center fielder with big upside, but he's exceptionally raw.
14. Josh Donaldson, C: Donaldson is a catcher who showed power at Triple-A, but it comes with a low batting average and sub-standard defense.
15. Michael Ynoa, RHP: Don't write him off yet; Tommy John surgery will delay his development, but the first starts of his career had plenty of special moments.
16. Chad Lewis, 3B: A fourth-rounder, Lewis is a big third baseman with a pretty swing, but there are questions about his defense and athleticism.
17. Adrian Cardenas, 2B/3B: Cardenas floundered at Triple-A initially but returned to form. He could have a utility/second-division starter future.
18. Vicmal De La Cruz, OF: Another international signing from the summer, this small but speedy outfielder also has impressive hitting ability.
19. Rashun Dixon, OF: This pure athlete made impressive progress in his full-season debut, but he's had some injury issues and remains raw.
20. Eric Sogard, 2B: An undersized, tools-light second baseman, Sogard is the ultimate grinder with a career .295/.380/.414 line in the minors.
A's Swap Right Handers with Texas - more pitching depth?
by oakballnack on Jan 9, 2011 5:23 PM EST
on Athletics Nation
The A's sent recently acquired righty reliever Ryan Kelly (Corey Wimberly deal) to the Rangers in exchange for righty starter (mostly) Guillermo Moscoso on Saturday.
Moscoso was designated for assignment by Texas a couple of days ago . He pitched very effectively for Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League compiling a 3-0 record and 2.66 ERA in 10 games, 8 of which were starts (38/17 K/BB in 40 IP)
Matt Garza - could the A's trade for him???
by oakballnack on Dec 25, 2010 3:16 PM EST
on Athletics Nation
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!
It seems the A's have largely settled any 5th starter acquisition conversations by stockpiling a collection of mediocre potential candidates for the role (McCarthy, Harden, Humber etc.) to add to their in house candidates like Ross, Cramer, Outman, and Mortenson. There's been some debate regarding whether or not the team should pursue a trade for Joe Blanton. However, I've noticed on a couple of "rumor mill" type sites that the Rays are allegedly considering shopping Garza. IF this turned out to be the case, and that seems unlikely, I would suggest that the A's should go whole hog after Garza.
Drew Bailey Fanclub
by oakballnack on Apr 18, 2009 8:48 AM EDT
on Athletics Nation
It's official. I'm starting it now. Feel free to join. This guy is my new favorite player on the A's. He rocks. I've enjoyed following his minor league career, but I never would have thought he'd have this type of impact this quick. If you aren't with me, just take a look at his stats through yesterday:
2 W, 0.00 ERA, 8.1 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 11 SO!!!!!
The guy is kick ass, and the more I watch his pitching, the more I'm reminded of Kerry Wood in his prime - powerful darting fastball in the 92-95mph range with a power curve that literally falls off the table, I mean disappears. Yesterday I saw him throw a nifty little slider/cutter, once in on the hands of a lefty and once painting the outside corner against a righty. At 8.1 IP, he currently has the longest scoreless streak in the majors to start the season - he's already in pursuit Ziggy's record from last year, and perhaps his job (or role, I should say) as well.
The guy is REALLY impressive. My only worry is that Geren is so thrilled with how well Bailey has handeled himself in pressure situations, that he over uses him. He's already pitched in 6 games, twice in multiple inning situations. I know he's been a starter for most of his minor league career, however, former starters can still experience fatigue/injury from too many appearances/innings. Let's hope that's not the case - but Oakland's young starting rotation is going to require Geren to lean heavily on the bullpen at times.
Geren....for another 2 years, at least.
by oakballnack on Mar 25, 2009 12:59 PM EDT
on Athletics Nation
The A's inked manager Bob Geren to the Billy Beane "Buddy" Special, yesterday, an extension that takes his contract through the 2010 season and includes a club option for 2011.
I know he hasn't had the greatest luck or offensive talent over the past two years, but I don't really see any evidence indicating Geren's performance thus far warrants this type of extension. A 151-172 record isn't exactly noteworthy, especially considering the run of playoff appearances and contending seasons we had leading up to his taking the helm.
You could argue that there are teams with equal or lesser talent out there (some of which played in tougher divisions) that turned in better seasons than the A's last year, specifically Texas, Minnesota, Kansas City, Cleveland, Toronto etc. I'm not sure why Beane didn't wait until next offseason to decide whether committ money to a contract retaining Geren. Was he doing his "buddy" a favor?
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