mlbtraderumors.com is reporting (Colon) just signed with an unnamed team and is waiting for his physical (good luck with that one Bartolo) to name the team....If so and cheap, not a bad move by Beane. Just might also mean that Dallas is not going to be ready for the season opener - Colon could be really good in the A's uni and could provide a low level prospect at the trade deadline - he can still throw some gas

With the Kouz situation + the chone deal failing, does Billy take a look at getting M. Young from the Rangers. Anyone that knows baseball knows Michael Young is a pure baseball player - Guy has been strokin' for years, plays 150+ games a year and can flat out just hit the baseball. Only problem we can all see is he isn't getting any younger and due $48 million over the next 3 season - Good news is the Rangers appear to be willing to swallow a big chunk of the deal. With Billy looking to replace kouz all offseason, I would have to think he is at least "thinking" about M. Young in an A's uni.3 way deal? M. Young goes to the A's, Kouz goes to Toronto and The Rangers get a prospect from the Jays (or cash is sent to the A's to cover some of Young's contract) and a good prospect heading to the Rangers if they can swallow a big chunk of the deal - Tyson Ross? My worry is if Billy doesn't start poking around with something the Angles are going to go get him which will put them back on top of the Division race. 

I was reading on mlbtraderumors.com that the Yanks would love Johnny Damon back, but for only 2 million. Kinda of shocks me that a team that throws millions upon millions of $$$ around on everyone would only offer him 2 million but thats a good thing of us. I know we have pretty much locked up the OF spots with Davis, Crisp, Sweeney, Cust, (maybe Buck, Fox), but if Damon is only going to cost us 2 million - I would love to see him back in Oakland as our DH - meaning we trade Cust across the bay to the Giants for next to nothing. But the question really is, does Damon sign for 2 million or actually get something closer to 4+incentives? 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4528183

TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays fired general manager J.P. Ricciardi on Saturday, ending an eight-year tenure marked by an inability to get past the Yankees and Red Sox and into the playoffs.

"This was a tough decision and a difficult one for me personally as I have enjoyed J.P.'s friendship and his perspective on the game," said Paul Beeston, Toronto's acting president and CEO.

"J.P. has put an incredible amount of effort into improving the team and he has brought along a number of great young players," Beeston said. "However, I feel that it is time for a change and accordingly we have decided to move on."

Ricciardi, who joined the Jays in 2001, had one year left on his contract. The Blue Jays (75-85) are finishing off a mediocre season in Baltimore, with the team embroiled in locker-room unrest with manager Cito Gaston.

The Blue Jays said assistant general manager Alexander Anthopoulos will assume Ricciardi's duties until a permanent replacement is found.

Adam Dunn 1.....JP 0 

I  know Billy Hall isn't an allstar but the brew crew need to dump this fellas and is reported that they will take a big chunk of his contract. The guy strike out a ton and hits at the mendoza line but a few years ago he was pretty decent - Hit 35 bombs several years ago (steroids anyone?). The plus at signing this guy is he can play 3B, SS, 2B and CF/OFs. If he could be had for cheap, it could give us another option come next year - more likely in our OF. R. Davis has been tearing it up of late, but my concern is we grow comfortable with his hot streak and pencil him in at CF in 2010 and the "other" R. Davis shows up - you know the one we all called for his release earlier in the season. I am not saying Hall is an answer to anything, but he would give us versatility come next year. Thoughts?

Ok...Lets get a head count of the A's fan coming to sunny San Diego. I think this is a make-or-break series for us. We sweep the series and we might keep this team together for a little longer. If we lose 2 or more, then its over. No Peavy, No Young, Don't pitch to Gonzalez and we can sweep this. 

Tickets: 

Friday - section 112, Row 13 seats 3/4

Saturday - Section 108 Row 19, seats 5/6

Sunday (father's day) I got a 25 man group (not all A's fans) Section 116. 

Tailgating at the park today (Petco sucks compared to the Q - you need a Tailgating pass)

See ya AN tonight

GO A's

Linden sold...

Chad Jennings of The Scranton Times Tribune reports that the Yankees have sold outfielderTodd Linden to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Japanese Pacific League. Linden had been playing in Triple-A, where he hit .312-.381-.515 in 268 plate appearances. The Yanks agreed to the move after Linden had come to terms with his new Japanese club.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Best of luck Preseason monster Todd Linden...Mr Baseball! 

As reported by Buster Olney....

• Billy Beane will soon have to make a decision about whether or not he should trade Matt Holliday, because other teams will start inquiring soon.
• Olney speculates that the Cardinals could be interested in Holliday, which would satisfyTony LaRussa's desire for a big bat. He also says that Cards' prospect Brett Wallace would be a good fit for Oakland, but that seems like a hefty price for just three or four months of Holliday. (http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/)

So I guess Dana Eveland is coming up on Tuesday due to the double header the other day. Question is does he stay in the rotation longer then length of the game, or does Billy do a Gio on him? Honestly, the guy has struggled this year, but I would rather see him every 5 days then E. Gonzalez. If Eve could actually put a few good games together we might be able to trade him for some GM stock. 

Late add: I guess the Braves really want an OF. Is it time to make another big deal with the ATL? They have a ton of prospects in their organization, and I wouldn't mind Jeff Francour but his contract is too much. But would love to snag a Heyward or Freeman from them. Tommy Hanson is an untouchable. 

I hurt me knee! Say Canseco, as that big foo pounded on his face. What a fall from a once great Oakland great. I still have my "Bash Brother's" poster up (right next to my BO "double trouble") in my garage (don't think the wife would like it up in our room). I always thought Ozzie was the biggest loser but I'm thinking twice about that now. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8Q21_uMjiw

The pads got a big slap in the face yesterday by Jake - and I like it. They need to move some cash out of San Diego (Peavy, Young, Giles) but would they think about trading one of their younger chips in kouz? I am wondering if they would think about trading Gallagher for him. They can move Headley back to 3B and talented prospect Banks is playing OF in the minor and should be ready for next season.

1st thought  - I guess Peavy just got traded to the Whitesoxs - HUGE for them....

on to our little trade possibility. Reported on mlbtraderumors.com that the A's are looking at Mark DeRosa to play 3B for us - The indians are interested in pitching. I like DeRosa bats but are we ready to be "buyers" when we all thought we might be sellers? 

Slusser - 

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/21/SP2V17O1B1.DTL&feed=rss.athletics

The guy is pretty old and I don't want to give up anyone with talent for a rent-a-player this early in the season with our great record. 

Any further info on this fellas?

I am not attempting to start a rumor but I am starting to think he may have acquired the Swine flu virus. 

He had lost eight pounds and required two IV sessions on Friday due to the flu, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

This flu has been unusually attacking the younger population including young adults and the team was really quite about his illness. Furthermore, this is not currently flu season so it would be unusual for a young adult to acquire a normal strain of the flu.  I am pretty sure if he did get it the MLB mafia would not want this to leak to the press as it might have led to shutting down MLB for an unknown time causing a huge loss of revenue to MLB and associated cities. Attendance is already down this year, if MLB had to shut down it might have not recovered for a long time

I am glad he back on the mound and appears to be doing good. 

Gordon Wittenmyer is reporting, via Twitter, that the Cubs have released Chad Gaudin and optioned Jeff Samardzija to AAA, giving the final two spots in their bullpen to Angel Guzman and Rule 5 pickup David Patton.

Gaudin, 26, came to the Cubs in the Rich Harden trade in 2008, but the league change was not kind to him. He posted a 6.26 ERA through 27.1 innings, though he did manage to fan 27 hitters as well. This Spring has been a disaster for Gaudin; he's allowed 19 ER through just 16.2 innings, while posting a 12:10 K:BB ratio and surrendering five long balls. The Rockieshave shown some interest recently, though they chose to set their sights on Jason Hammelinstead. Maybe not having to give anything up to acquire Gaudin will change their mind.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/04/cubs-release-gaudin-option-samardzija-to-aaa.html#comments

Do we send down Bailey and sign this guy back? My thought yes...as long as we don't have tp pay him 2 million

Slusser

BIG-LEAGUE READY? There have been strong hints all spring that the A's are considering keeping former top draft pick Landon Powell as the backup catcher, and on Thursday, two scouts said incumbent backup Rob Bowen has been on the waiver wire. Powell threw out runners in each of the first two innings Thursday and had a single.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/13/SPNR16E6T3.DTL

Say goodbye to Bowen...Powell could be something special. I think they compared him to J. Varitek coming out of college. The guy is huge, 6-3 or 6-4 260lbs who is a switch hitter. I think the A's thought more highly on him then kurt coming out, but 2 knee surgeries later lets hope its his time to shine. 

The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Paul Hoynes believes the Giants and Twins "are the two teams that would probably have interest in Andy Marte."

Marte, a 25 year-old third baseman, was designated for assignment on Thursday.  The Indians now have nine days to either trade, release or outright him.  As Hoynes notes, both the Giants and Twins are seeking a third baseman and Marte, "young and inexpensive, would fit nicely into their payrolls."

The Giants or Twins could claim him on waivers, take a look at him in camp, and release him at the end of spring training because he's out of options, adds Hoynes.

What about taking a look at him as protection for Chavy - the guy was once a highly ranked prospect but has failed up to now, but I wouldn't mind seeing him in an A's uniform then Jack Hannahan who hit .218 in 436 at bats last season. 

There have been rumblings that Major League Baseball, which is aware that Type A free agents like Juan Cruz and infielders Orlando Hudson and Orlando Cabrera have been hindered by the compensation rules, are willing to make it easier for teams to sign then trade those free agents. For example, Arizona could sign Cruz to a contract that the Twins are willing to take on. The Twins and Diamondbacks would then work out a trade for Cruz. The Twins could land Cruz without losing a draft pick. Major League Baseball, the players' union, the Diamondbacks and Cruz's agents are in discussions to facilitate a sign-and-trade involving Cruz that adheres to the collective-bargaining agreement.  Free agents cannot be traded before June 15 without their consent, but the union will permit Cruz and other Type A players to waive that right, according to Rob Manfred, baseball's executive vice-president of labor relations.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9227990/MLB-may-amend-Type-A-free-agent-rules?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=49

http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/neal/2009/02/15/believe-it-not-this-is-about-juan-cruz/

As much as I am not a fan of signing O. Cab and would rather go with Bobby's "new" strike out swing (and if not him cliff pennington/petit) - if we could get O. Cab for 3.5 million for one year + 2 million in incentives without giving up a #2 pick - I would do it. I am sure the whitesoxs want a #1/#2 and a sandwich pick for him, but if it appears they are not going to get, would Kenny Williams complete another deal with Billy - and not for much? 

Anyone know about any updates with Mulder? I heard he was going to pitch for some scouts in early feb but have not heard anything since. The guy could really help us out with some veteran presence if he can actually throw a baseball anymore. We are all realistic here and understand that we are going to have a lot of ups-and-downs this year, but they all depend on our SP. We upgraded our bullpen this offseason which will be much needed since I doubt most of our SPs make it to the 7th inning, but how much can we count on anyone of our SPs

Duch - more hip problems then a 90 year-old-women

Gallagher - ton of talent, great arm, but will he fatigue like last year and end up on the DL with a "tired arm"

Gio - see last year, but he has a great arm

Eveland - needs to be a rock this year if were going to contend

Braden - I really don't trust him at all and he surprised us ALL last year, but can he do it again. 

Outman - good stuff, is he ready to be in the starting rotation? not sure

Mulder - if he actually can throw a wiffle ball - could help these young guys out a ton. 

any updates on him???

what about Mr. Broken Leg himself - J. Dye? Whitesoxs are looking to move his 11.5 million, and IF there desperate which their probably not what about bringing our bongo player back. Kenny Williams can eat 1.5 million and take B. Crosby and his 5.5 million + a low level prospect, giving the soxs some salary cap to sign aberu. Personally, I would rather just sign Aberu but dye wouldn't be bad right handed bat in the middle of our lineup. I know we have Buck in RF but I think dye is a little better + we are the Oakland A's of the DL, so I am sure he would still have plenty of at bats. hell since, none of this is going to happen lets just sign Mulder and trade for Tejada and jump in the time machine and live up the good old of days. 

I am still confused why we didn't get him in the Harden deal instead of murton or patterson, but the point is he is available now and somewhat cheap. Yes we have a ton of talent coming up and why take the risk of wild pitcher - but this guy has nasty stuff. in 2007 he struck out 183 batters in 195 IPs ....had is curve ball looks like the zito of old. He is out of options so the cubs need to keep him on the mlb roster or move him. I would love to see him get a shot at the 5h starter or long relief and let outman or gio get a little more time in AAA they struggle in preseason. Send murton back to them + a low level player for Rich and give him a shot. besides, you can never have too much pitching. I doubt the A's will get him, but whoever does will get a flat out steal. 

It feels great to have a team that actually might have some depth this year, but lets get real this is the Oakland A's of the DL....but where do you fellas think these players stand with this team: 

R. Davis - The guy looked pretty good last year down the stretch and stole plenty of bases - I hope he make the team as the 5th OF to give us some speed and def off the bench. 

M. Murton - The guy looked like a great pickup at the time and I like his energy but does he have a spot on this team? I'm not sure, I think he starts the year in AAA and could be a trade bait if he does well in sacramento

E. Patterson - Again, good pickup at the time but we already have 2 2bs coming up through the system + Ellis for 2 more years, He can play OF, but probably isn't going to be his strength - again, starts the year in AAA and provides depth in AAA as with murton and could be great trade bait if he does well in sactown

A. Cunningham - no doubt - AAA for the year with september call ups unless DL list grows

C. Denorfia - So much promise, but I think he has already been squeezed out of Oakland. 

B. Copeland - I like his bat, but do we really think he is going to make the mlb roster and stay with us all year? Probably not, my guess is we trade him back to the Giants. 

T. Buck vs D. Barton ?? This is the big question - Obviously if Cust gets traded (not likely) it solves the problem, but I think they both make the team and will be huge platoon Barton/Giambi/Cust/Buck/Sweeney..there should be enough at bats for everyone, but well see - 

add names to the list if others

SAN ANTONIO -- Former Oakland Athletics first baseman Troy Neel pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges he left the country to avoid paying about $725,000 in child support.

Neel, 43, remains in federal custody in San Antonio. If convicted, he faces up to two years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

Neel played for Oakland from 1992-94 and also played pro baseball in Japan and Korea before purchasing a 16-acre resort island in the Republic of Vanuatu, where he had lived since 2000. In 1998, he was ordered to pay $5,000 a month for his son and daughter.

A federal grand jury indicted Neel on a charge of foreign travel to evade child support obligations. He was arrested in December at Los Angeles International Airport as he exited a flight from Sydney, Australia.

Man - the guy wasn't that good, he did make the allstar team with the A's - but I had not idea he could afford to buy an island and $5000 a month child support 

I know the objections to the guy: We already have a poor man's Dunn in Cust, He doesn't like baseball, He can't field, He strikes out too much...blah blah blah....BUT

Chico Harlan of the Washington Post spoke with an agent Monday who believes Adam Dunn"will get a max of $5MM per year" this offseason.

Ok - if that report is really true we need to stop 2nd guessing ourself here and make a move on this guy. He avgs 40 hrs, 100 rbi and 100 walks over the past 4 or so seasons. and yes I know 200ks, but these numbers usually don't come as cheap as 5 million a year..

Think about our offense in the coming years: Holliday walks after the year or is traded, Giambi will retire in the next 2 seasonk and we're again stuck we Bust, Chavy & Co. = not good. Sign Dunn, let him play LF or RF (he's a better defensively then Cust --- not really saying much, but he is). Cust at DH, and Giambi at 1st -- moving Barton to sactown to find his swing again and to fill in for our usual 20 DLs during the year. Get the money together and sign this guy to a 4-5 year deal, offer him 6 million over 5 years = still would be a steal come next season. He's your Beane --- SIGN HIM

650, 000 minor league deal, up to 1 million if he pitches in the majors. I know the guy needs a total arm replacement, but the guy is only 27 years old and WAS a stud - the question is could he be again? I would have liked to have him for that cheap...low risk, high reward type of pitchers out there - I think we missed the boat on him the year - but then again he may never pitch again. B. Colon anyone - similar deal? Our hot dog revenue would increase with his daily consumption. 

So offer him a 4 year 46 million and let him platoon with Giambi at 1st base/DH and he can fill in for the OF when needed. Move Barton or Cunningham in a deal for some depth at pitching. Even though Dunn is a brick on the defensive end, signing him would give us some many options for the future. He's out there for the taking and the market is going to be this weak forever.....beside Cust and Dunn together...only about 400ks