EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 The Oakland Athletics caused a stir this offseason, trading two of their three best pitchers for prospects. It was a bold move towards rebuilding, striking a year early rather than a year late. Many bemoan the finances of baseball having forced the A's to depart with their pitchers, but one has to wonder. Could ANY team retain three pitchers of this quality once they reach free agency? Even the Yankees could not keep Andy Pettitte following the 2003 season, and they have seemingly unlimited financial resources. The Athletics used to hold onto their players, let them leave for free agency, and receive draft picks in return. Then, the market for impeding free agents was incredibly weak. In return for Ray Durham, the Athletics only needed to part with Jon Adkins, a fringe prospect. Nowadays, teams are parting with big time players, and it makes sense for the Athletics to trade their players before free agency. In return for Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder, the A's received starters Dan Meyer and Dan Haren, relievers Juan Cruz and Kiko Calero, catching prospect Daric Barton, and outfielder Charles Thomas. Daric Barton is one of the best hitting prospects in baseball. His defense is questionable, and he will undoubtably move to first base before he reaches the majors. No big matter there, as the A's are stocked with catching prospects. Barton hit .313/.445/.511 in Peoria in the Midwest league last season. He walked more than he struck out, and he should develop more home run power. The Cards could afford to part with him because they have that Pujols kid at first, who I expect should do ok for the forseeable future. Juan Cruz and Kiko Calero join the Athletics' bullpen. The Athletics' pen struggled early last season, and finished tied with Cleveland and Detroit with 28 blown saves, worst in the league. However, the Athletics finished 6th in the league in bullpen ERA, ahead of the Yankees. Besides Calero and Cruz, both quality arms, the Athletics have Ricardo Rincon, Octavio Dotel, Justin Duchscherer, and they eagerly await the arrival of prospect Huston Street. I mentioned the blown saves. Considering the Athletics lacked a "proven closer," relying on Arthur Rhodes and later Dotel, that they seemed to do poorly in situations cannot be ignored. Looking over the blown saves, they are widely distributed. Of the 28, all but eleven went to pitchers in the middle of the pen. Arthur Rhodes blew five saves in fourteen chances, while Dotel saved 22 of 28. Dotel's save percentage was 79%, worse than average, but not abysmal. Moreover, Dotel actually posted dominant K and BB numbers. Dotel had a problem with the home run ball, surrendering 9 in 50.7 IP. Were Dotel's failures due to a penchant for the long ball, or the inability to adjust to the pressure of the ninth inning? Ultimately, I really cannot convince you either way. I will state that it is very rare that a truly dominating middle reliever cannot be converted to the bullpen. Dotel had a K rate of 12.8 in Oakland. That's is VERY good, and it seems difficult for me to believe that a pitcher could dominate in the 9th inning like that, while AT THE SAME TIME folding to the pressure by surrendering home runs. A few adjustments, and I truly believe he can be an elite closer. Now for the rotation. The Athletics still have Barry Zito as the number one. Number two is Rich Harden, one of baseball's most exciting pitchers. Harden compiled an 8-2 record after the All-Star break, with a 3.49 ERA. And he was just 22. Harden looks poised to become a dominant starter, and that is not just a stathead point of view. Three, four and five look less clear. Joe Blanton looked good in AAA Sacramento last season, posting a 7.3 K/9 ratio, with excellent control and few home runs. Blanton keeps the ball down, and with the A's excellent infield defense, he should pitch well in Oakland. Dan Haren struck out 10.55 batters per 9 in AAA Memphis last season, along with a 4.5 K/BB ratio. Both of these guys are as good a bet as anyone to advance to the Major Leagues. Dan Meyer zipped through the Atlanta system in 2004. The problem is that he advanced three levels in one year, and it is not clear that he is major league ready, even though he pitched extremely well in eleven AAA starts. Oakland does have several reasonable placeholder candidates for the rotation. Seth Etherton pitched well in AAA Louisville and is a possible fill-in. Kirk Saarloos once looked like an outstanding prospect before falling off the map. He seems to have regained his form in Spring Training. Duchscherer and Cruz are also capable of starting games, if needed. The offense looks as good as it has in years. The Athletics lost production at second base last season, as Marco Scutaro compiled a meager .297 OBP. Mark Ellis and Keith Ginter should improve the A's this season. Nick Swisher looks to replace Jermaine Dye's production in right field at the very least. Bobby Crosby should improve. And Jason Kendall adds a nice bat at catcher. The question here is the back of Oakland's rotation. If the Athletics can get their rotation to produce, they will win the division, and possibly leave the Angels in the dust. There are no other holes on this team. But if the rotation struggles, it could be a difficult season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2005 They're shitty. They need to start bunting more and realize the intagibles Joe McEw...I mean Marco Scutaro has. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoCalMike 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2005 I will be there for the seasons first, $2 upperdeck, $1 hot dog, wednesday night games.....LOL. Although I am not sure if I am going to get upperdeck seats and might instead get better seats, of course that then defeats the purpose of going on a Wednesday rather then a Friday or weekend....I need to work this out with my friends. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2005 btw I'm going to the A's-Phillies game in June. I'll be there to remind Bobby Abreu that he's not an All-Star. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UZI Suicide 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2005 The A's have the two guys with the coolest names in baseball - Nick Swisher and Huston Street. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoCalMike 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2005 btw I'm going to the A's-Phillies game in June. I'll be there to remind Bobby Abreu that he's not an All-Star. How close do you live to the colluseium? I live in Sacramento, and usually get off at the Fruitridge BART station, which is one stop from the stadium. $2.50 roundtrip is better then $13 parking, also they built a brand new plaza there with some good eaterys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2005 Hey maybe you two can hook up and eat cheap hot dogs, drink watered down beer and heckle Al's favorite player. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoCalMike 0 Report post Posted March 31, 2005 Crosby got hit by a pitch on his wrist, messed him up good. Lets all hope it isn't broken..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted March 31, 2005 Wrist injuries are dangerous and mysterious. Ask Red Sox fans and Nomar. He was never the same after the tendon injury. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted March 31, 2005 A broken bone in his wrist, in the long run is better than if he had tendon injury. I for one like Oakland this year. The starting lineup is better. Additions of Kendall and the return of Mark Ellis only make them better. The pitching is young, but I think for the first time the A's will have a good bullpen. They've finally got some young hard throwers down their. So, less pressure will be asked of the starting rotation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted March 31, 2005 I would expect the A's would move Mark Ellis to shortstop in Crosby's absence, clearing second base for Keith Ginter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted April 1, 2005 They have a combined 11 games at SS, so it will be an adjustment factor for whoever fills in for Crosby. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted April 1, 2005 They have a combined 11 games at SS, so it will be an adjustment factor for whoever fills in for Crosby. Ellis actually played a substantial amount of games at shortstop in the minor leagues. He was only moved to second base when he reached the majors, due to the presence of Miguel Tejada. Ellis played well with the glove at short, so it shouldn't be a problem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted April 1, 2005 X-rays are in and Crosby didn't break his wrist, it's just really swollen. He might be ready to play Opening Day. Adding to what Al said, Ellis has been a pleasant surprise this Spring. I can remember as late as January there was speculation he wouldn't be ready for the start of the season. He's not much with the bat but the A's really missed his glove last year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoCalMike 0 Report post Posted April 1, 2005 X-rays are in and Crosby didn't break his wrist, it's just really swollen. He might be ready to play Opening Day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted April 2, 2005 A's sign Rich Harden to a four-year deal, club option for 2009 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
