SB Nation User Blog: ru155

Any chance we trade for big bat/arm?

ru155 — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:24:39 -0000

With what looks like a lackluster field of potential free agents (aside from the top few we have no chance of getting), is there any possibility of the A's trading for a guy w/ 1-2 yrs left on his contract and using the extra assets (est. $25-30M according to mlbtraderumors.com) to offer an extension/field the contract? I'm just getting a little tired of scraping the bottom of the barrel looking for new life out of old shoes. not to say every pick up is an over-the-hill guy, but just feels that way.

I know we're a get em' before they get pricy team, but with Chavvy entering the last year of his contract and all that extra money why not find a name that the team can use as a cornerstone star? Sure Beane could have soured on the idea after bad cases of Dyeitis and Loizatheria (i could go on) but we could certainly use it to give our budding young team a star that can shoulder the burden w/ the ups and downs of the younguns.

Any thoughts on who we should pursue and perhaps what you think it would cost.

Rallying the Troops: How We Did It

ru155 — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:59:46 -0000

The A's are looking sharp in their last 11 games. Young guys taking advantage of their opportunities despite crowds numbers that belong in a SJ Quakes game rather than an MLB stadium. What has pushed these guys to deliver?

Could it be that the team is starting to gel? Maybe Raja Davis is diverting some of his torque from his legs to his arms? Perhaps this rag-tag group of 10 starters is just the kind of outside-the-box thinking that can revolutionize our A's back into a unique winner - Moneyball Part 2 (movies studios always love a sequel)? OR is it that the A's took off once I finally showed up to the Colesium on Friday night against Seattle?

I gotta think it's my presence in the Coliseum. As a die-hard living in D.C. since 2007, it's tough getting to see the A's live. The A's didn't play the Nationals during last years interleague play between the AL West and NL East. I get to the A's - Orioles but that's in Camden Yards and weekday games (w/o a car it's really tough getting to the game after work). Going to NYC is out of the question; it's easy getting up to New York, but damn are those tickets ridiculously expensive. And with the sweetness that is my low wage-long hour-little vaca-job as office lackey in the political arena, I only was able to visit the Bay when a sweet deal on airfare finally arose.

But once I got to a real stadium - the cozy confines that are the Oakland Coliseum- things just looked a little brighter. The fans were nicer, the players played harder, the text messages to the scoreboard were rife with wit, and the grass smelled greener. Yes, maybe the A's just needed to know I was there, that I was going to deposit a little bit of my time and emotion on the field. I may not be in the stands every day, but damn! 9-2 since I showed up!?! I'm not heavy on superstition, I only let it get to me in baseball, but I think that I just might be the rally cap the A's have been missing the past couple years.

We all have to be invested in this club to make it a winner: Players, Fans, Coaches, Management, Grounds Keepers, the Churro Guy who rolls his R's, and of course the Fan Club Signs + Drummers + Flag Corps. We love our A's and no matter how far down we go, we will rise together.

I think I'll have to start putting $40 a month into a savings account for a trip next year - perhaps get in for Opening Day, and get 2010 off on the right foot.

Jersey name debate strikes again

ru155 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:23:15 -0000

Ok, so I know that there have been previous posts on which A's player to get on the jersey. But, with the recent slew of A's Off Season activity, and the loss of young talent like CGon/Greg Smith, I thought it was fair to ask the board for advice.

I had just received my A's gear shipment courtesy of MLB.com and then received a follow-up email from them giving me 15% off my entire next order (not bad when all i ordered was a Hat & Tee for $40).

I've currently got an A's Spring Training jersey (green) and want to get the home white jersey. With the 15% off I figured go big and get a player on it as well, saving about $28. Also, does anyone know where i can get the 40 year patch?

I'd like to go with someone 2000 or later. All suggestions greatly appreciated.

P.S. whoever's jersey read SPARTICUST, is awesome!

ESPN: Souce Says Giambi to Oakland 1yr. $4M

ru155 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:08:25 -0000

ESPN Report

So it looks like we will be picking up no-stach-ambi for $4M for a one year deal with an option for a second year at $6.5M.

I think this is awesome for Oakland. $4M for a power bat, no D, and solid OBP. I would have to believe if Beane still has money to float - although that could have changed, but no way to know - he could be looking for a nice pick-up for SS?

Or maybe just looking to store cash to take a shot at Matt Holliday in the off season. Doubtful, but the offseason is the time for dreamin'.

A's make new offer to Furcal - 4yr/$40M

ru155 — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:50:13 -0000

this just popped up on ESPN today. I hope that Beane gets him for this. I think that it could lead to an easier time adding a power bat FA with a more potent lineup capable of competing. I would wager Beane has received interest from our prospective power FAs but they want a potent lineup to insert themselves into so as to make the most of a 1 or 2 year deal.

A's Offer Fulcar

Burrell over Giambi?

ru155 — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:08:42 -0000

The Hot Stove Rumors has Giambi hoping for a contract with the Yankees.

Based upon the Phillies signing Ibanez to a 3-year deal and effectively giving Burrell his walking papers, I vote we push for Burrell over Giambi.

I've had the pleasure of seeing Burrell play a bunch for the Phillies and can say that he is a hardnosed player that pushes himself on and off the field to compete at a high level. This is a quality that us A's fans really look for in our plucky bunch of players and a big reason Swisher/Ellis/Scutaro have been such favorites.

Burrell is also 5 years younger than Giambi and is only 32, a great age for a strong veteran player. He's been banged up a little from time to time, but he hasn't spent any time on the DL of late - a huge fact for a team plagued by injuries - while Giambi spent a good deal on the DL in 2007. He's managed to play in about 150 games a year since 2001 which shows his durability.

As an outfielder he does have lead feet, but a strong arm that would make him a better option in the field over Cust any day of the week. Originally a 3B he was moved to 1B with Scott Rolen manning the corner and then moved to the OF when they picked up a regular there, so he's played the field and could be a spot replacement or regular.

He has great power numbers and his OBP (.367-.400 over last 4 years) has been excellent - certainly comparable to Giambi and a better average over the past 4 years.

I'm not sure what it would take to sign Burrell, but at the end of his contract he pulled in about $14M while Giambi hosed the Yanks for $23M. I would think Burrell would be a great candidate for a 1 or 2 year contract in which he could play the Frank Thomas role - guy looking to prove he's got great power to share. He'd also would likely sign for less than Giambi - especially if he could be given a lot of time in the field.

Sure it could be pretty hard to make him come west, considering he spent his entire college/pro career on the east coast, but I think some good ol' fashioned sunshine and humidity free air, might just be what the doctor ordered for him to jumpstart his career.

I think it's the intangibles that do it for me on this one. Giambi left a sour taste in my mouth when he left as we couldn't find that power bat to get us over the hump of the 1st round for the next few years and we lost the Big Three. Pat was the face of the Phillies franchise and has always been a strong competitor, never putting himself before the team, and I really root for players that push themselves for their love of the game over the paycheck.

Anyways, just a thought as the A's move forward in their quest for 2009.

Ken Griffy Jr. to White Sox pending his approval

ru155 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:40:02 -0000

Ken will be heading to the White Sox if he approves of the trade. No players from the White Sox have been mentioned in the trade as of yet.

I can't see why he wouldn't approve of the trade. He doesn't have a ring yet, and the White Sox might be his best bet of getting one.

Let the great Deadline Bonanza Begin!

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Hunting Street

ru155 — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:17:10 -0000

Looks like there is a lot of interest in Street of late.

ChiSox, Brewers inquire about Street
Posted: Sunday July 20, 2008 08:25AM ET
The Brewers and White Sox are two of the teams to have inquired about A's closer Huston Street, SI.com has learned. Milwaukee's interest is no surprise since the contending Brewers have a willing owner, an aggressive general manager, a stash of prospects to trade and a deep desire to improve their bullpen. The interest of Chicago's South Side team is more curious since its bullpen has been among the best in baseball this year. The White Sox usually seem to favor flamethrowers, too. But they have traded for a variety of relievers in recent years, and their GM, Ken Williams, has been A's GM Billy Beane's most frequent trading partner. Should Tampa Bay become involved, they'd also have a good shot at Street, who's been a generally effective closer. The Rays are said not to have talked to Oakland about Street to date, however. The Los Angeles Dodgers could eventually show interest, as well, since they've lost their closer Takashi Saito until at least September, and maybe for the year. T

With a plethora of suitors I think Billy will sell off Street as a single with a prospect or backup in tow. This is also what Billy is always looking for in his deals: multiple buyers.

The Brewers have to be a little bothered by the fact the Cubs grabbed Harden/Gaudin, and the Cards are on a tear looking for another starter. They're gung ho right now and aren't looking beneath their feet. Apparently they've got a number of solid prospects, and who wouldn't want to grab Matt LaPorta?

I also like the Dodgers situation. They've pushed themselves back into the race and had their closer go down for the next month or so. Maybe Andy LaRoche for our new 3B? Sure he's not hitting w/ the big club, but so far he's only getting about one AB per game.

I'm not sure who the Sox have left in their system, but Billy has always had a good trade relationship with them.

CBS Sportsline - A's Farmed Talent

ru155 — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:48:23 -0000

Fantasy Article

CBS Sportline's Fantasy reporter Eric Mack gives his insights on the A's farm system and who could be looking to step up soon, namely Gio Gonzalez.

Haven't read the article yet, but saw it and thought I'd post it ASAP. I think he's really saying that losing Harden has only opened up some space for other great arms within the organization.

Hell, we've already put up 10 rookies on the MLB squad this year, why not just really let it fly.

Gaudin to Bullpen

ru155 — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:40:28 -0000

According to SFGate.com Gaudin has been the loser in the Space-For-Harden Sweepstakes.

DrumBeat

I'm a little surprised that they kept both Eveland and Smith in the rotation, but I guess both of them throwing lights out stuff this week had to of been a big factor.

Also in the paper, the Colorado Rockies were turned down when asking about Blanton. I guess Beane really has faith that this team is going to be competitive on the strength of the rotation. Also it'll be really important for a vet like Blanton to help along Smith and Eveland so they don't drop off. They'll have to learn to adjust their game and improve their game prep.