SB Nation User Blog: ru155

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.

Bang For The Buck

ru155 — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:58:47 -0000

Heading into Tuesday's matchups the A's faithful are feasting on a blowout victory over their division rival. Perusing the MLB pages today I noted an interesting tid bit about the odd standings the analysts failed to predict:

The bottom three (3) club payrolls all are tops in their divisions.

28. Oakland Athletics $47,167,126

29. Tampa Bay Rays $43,422,997

30. Florida Marlins $22,650,000

The Marilns have a 1.5 game lead over the Mets, the Rays are in a 3 way tie for 1st in the AL East, and our won Athletics hold a 1 game lead over the Angels. There's something that just really feels like 2001 with our club. New pitching arrives and performs well coupled together with clutch hitting to push against conventional wisdom of big money = big wins. Granted we are missing a true power hitter like Giambi but the combo of Sweeney + Cust + Thomas should hold us down. Also absent is an April swoon to be followed by a late May onslaught, but I like this better.

Yes, the end of April is upon us and A's fans haven't gone into hiding like the ESPN experts predicted. Instead we have 5 starters with 4 posting ERAs of 3.00 or better (sorry Joe - 4.07), a bullpen that hosts 2 ER virgins in Andrew Brown and Santiago Casilla, and overall has given up the fewest runs by any club.

ALL HAIL BILLY BEANE!

Sure it may be only one month in, but I'm going to enjoy the ride. GO A'S!

High on Suzuki

ru155 — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:33:48 -0000

Is it just me or has Kurt been a huge upgrade over Kendall at the plate. He's made good contact and has a hit in each of the 7 games so far this season. He only struck out during the first game against Boston and only has one walk but I think he's doing a great job of seeing the ball and putting his bat on it.

I think that he's doing very well with the staff and he could likely be our starter for many seasons to come. Granted the wear and tear behind the plate may lead to fatigue later this season, but for now he looks great.

If we can start putting Suzuki, Ellis, & Barton in a row I think we could start to see some nice trends at getting guys around the bases. None of them hit for power but they do hit and it may be a recipie for more RISP. Just a thought, I know, but thinking and scheming is the fun of baseball.