While we wait and hope for Chris Carter and Michael Taylor to come up and produce at the major league level, the Athletics need to do something for next year to generate some power. Power is the most expensive commodity in baseball. Therefore you can forget about the A's signing Adam Dunn, Jayson Werth, or Carlos Pena. Even aging stars like Lance Berkman & Derrick Lee are unlikely to join the A's because they still have something left. Unfortunately the A's have resigned themselves to trolling the third tier of free agents: Aging veterans.

Since OF is the only position where there is any available upgrade in Free Agency (sorry Kouzmanoff & Ellis haters), that is where i'm focused. And here is the short list

Michael Cuddyer , OF, 31 - still very good (.273-12hr-66rbi), and would cost too much.

Brad Hawpe, OF, 31 - having off-year (.255-7hr-37rbi), would be a risk.

Marcus Thames, OF, 33 - having a great year as reserve (.320-9hr-25rbi).  His career numbers are .495 slg% and extrapolating his HR totals for a full season gives you 37hr type of power. That's big! I'd split him at LF/DH and force the youngsters to outperform him.

This series will be bun, but watch Thames in particular because I think he's a fit for the A's next year. Plus, wouldn't it be nice to take someone away from the Yankees for once? What do you all think?

I was listening to KNBR, and it sounds like the Warriors are targetting C-JaVale McGee from Nevada. This is a bit of a surprise given their experience with Patrick OBryant. However, Chris Mullin loves wingspan (McGee's is 7-6) and guys who can run, so it's not a total shock. Apparently both of his parents were professional basketball players, which is a plus. I think they'd like to trade down 5-7 spots and still take him, so should be interesting. But if it happens, you heard it here first! :)

Here are my choices for who the 49ers should draft (if of course, they are available).

Continue reading this post »

This is not a totally original idea, I've heard it bandied about before, but i've wanted it for some time now. Here is how it will be possible:

Continue reading this post »

The Miami Herald is reporting that Posey has narrowed his choices down to four teams, and one is Golden State. I think Posey would fit in very well at the 3 spot. He's a good defender and can shoot the 3 very well. Basically he's a much better Pietrus. If we can get him for less money than Barnes, I say grab him. What do you think? Also, I would love to get Joe Smith at the PF position if he will take less money.

Davis/Ellis
Jackson/Belinelli/Azibuike
Harrington/Posey
Smith/Wright/Lasme
Biedrins/Foyle

Heck of a squad!

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/47103/20070713/posey_narrows_choices_down_to_four/