Tim Kurkjian: AL West now a two-team race

by SaltyDawg on Jan 19, 2009 8:47 PM CST Comment 70 comments

And no, the Rangers aren't one of those two teams.

Some excerpts:

"We achieved our goal last year to rebuild our farm system; it has gone from near the bottom to near the top,'' said A's general manager Billy Beane. "We played well early last season, but we knew we were not good enough to win our division. We had no illusions about that. Now we've addressed a major need, I think we're better. And we insulated our young players, especially our young pitchers. We needed some room for error.''

That would seem to be the key to rebuilding. Recognizing that you are not a contender and addressing your team and its needs appropriately. The Rangers have finally committed to it and soon (hopefully) we will see the results of that committment. But, this also brings up the scariest point for me with regard to the Angels coming back to the pack. If the Rangers and/or A's are right there with them at the deadline, the temptation will be there to just go for it and make a short term move that would further hinder the long term development of the team. Hopefully, and I think this has happened, Daniels has learned from a couple of short term moves and would be smart and cautious if the Rangers are in this thing around the deadline.

Things set up nicely for the A's, but Beane is nothing but realistic. He says the Rangers, who finished second in the AL West last year, are a young team on the rise. He knows the Mariners will play better than they did last year. And he knows the Angels are always good.

"We've improved,'' Beane said. "But the Angels are the team to beat even though they've had some significant losses. You won't hurt my feelings picking the Angels.''

For some reason, this story and quotes from Beane just get me excited about the coming years. There is the potential for some incredible baseball between the A's and Rangers to take place in the near future.

And as far as the A's go, they have made a couple of nice off season moves without really hurting themselves. Giambi, Holliday, Cust, maybe Chavez, maybe Barton with some of their young outfielders and Suzuki behind the plate...that lineup should be vastly improved. It's definitely fair to say that they have really closed the gap on the Angels and should be in the division race all season.

But maybe, just maybe, the Rangers will be right there to surprise some folks too. And that is when JD's tenure could be defined.

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it's just a bummer

that the biggest impact player we have brought in is Derrick Turnbow. I know the offseason isn’t over, but watching the lowly, small budget A’s go out and identify guys and then acquire them at reasonable rates while we sit here and wait has been disheartening.

by clark on Jan 19, 2009 8:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

it's not all over yet.

and I’d be perfectly happy with an offseason that looks like this:

1. Subtract Laird, add Teagarden; Salty starting at C
2. Healthy McCarthy and Hurley ready to go
3. Harrison in his first full year
4. Andrus (eventually if not immediately) at SS
5. Davis in his first full year
6. Nelson Cruz in hopefully his first full year
7. a pitching coach that knows how to do his job
8. Hank at DH (subtraction because Milton was so good, but still a step up from what we had at DH before 2008)

not a sexy offseason, but definitely productive in my mind by not doing much at all other than trading Laird and promoting Andrus/moving a healthier Young. Add a healthy CJ, Jack Benny, the Turnbow signing (a wild card – he’s been pretty good every other year) and the prospects of Holland, Feliz, Hunter, Borbon and most underrated source of excitement in my view – healthy and ready to go Tom Diamond, and I’m pretty freakin’ pumped about this team’s prospects.

"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"

by Walter Sobchak on Jan 19, 2009 9:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

In reference to how good the Steelers have been in their history: "No one is even close to them."- Steal Home

by hinduplaya on Jan 19, 2009 9:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This sounds weird, but... We'd be in a much better position if we'd just spent money like the A's this off season.

Wow… Did I just say that?

The 40 Trumps All!!!

I hate Michael Young.

"There are no weak opinions with the dirkatron, it’s all scream-across-the-parking-lot echelon." -hightowersmith

by thedirkatron on Jan 19, 2009 10:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No sir.

You typed it.

You dick that was uncalled for - male cheerleader

by iorange555 on Jan 19, 2009 10:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Heh

That Gold Glove for Young was the worst thing that could have happened to Texas - now the guy really believes he's good at short. - Keith Law

by lonestarJon on Jan 20, 2009 12:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That. Just. Blew. My. Mind. Off. And. Into. The. Garbage. Can. Next. To. My. Desk.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

I hate Michael Young.

"There are no weak opinions with the dirkatron, it’s all scream-across-the-parking-lot echelon." -hightowersmith

by thedirkatron on Jan 20, 2009 1:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

At least you aren't clamoring for a "full year" of Nelson Cruz.

Vomits.

My Music Blog

by FuturePants on Jan 20, 2009 10:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hank at DH

I agree with everything you said but I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t see a dropoff at DH with Hank if indeed he stays as their DH this year.

by Chris Hanes on Jan 20, 2009 9:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

another year of growth

maybe a splash in free agency in 2010 and you never know? Maybe we will compete.

I think the Angels took a step back this year (as far as hitting goes) losing Anderson and Tex.

I am excited about our future!

by mrichardson70 on Jan 20, 2009 12:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

who do you want?

Stability is key, and JD is a Beast.
Jindal - 2012
The Wrestler

by Longhorn on Jan 19, 2009 9:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sheets...

And I think if the fact of the matter is Dunn is playing this season for under $5M, you have to throw an offer in the pot too. Yes, it’s another lefty to the line-up, but he would and could fucking CRUSH. I’d eat some money to move Blalock if he could be had at that price.

LOL Sorry the Sooners will score more that 14. - boomer1

by venturafearsnolan on Jan 19, 2009 9:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

no way

Dunn is not signing for less than $5MM/year unless it’s a one-year deal.
Also, we don’t need Dunn. We’ve got more than enough players for LF/1B/DH.
Another K-prone lefty power-hitter? Sorry but we’re full.

"Yeah, like I had a chance there" - Lancaster batter, after striking out against Derek Holland

by chrisR on Jan 19, 2009 10:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

But they had needs on offense, which is much easier to acquire than pitching.

When your offense is as horrid as theirs, you HAVE to upgrade, and bats are always easier to get.

by bking on Jan 20, 2009 11:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What short term deadline moves have come back to bite us?

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jan 19, 2009 9:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Not deadline deals...

And short-term is not the right term….a better name is probably a “now” move. The SD trade was a now move, given Eaton’s contract status. And given the front office’s explanation, the Danks/McCarthy trade was a now move as well.

They were made to accelerate the team’s ability to compete when the reality is those teams were more than a piece or two away from competing.

That is the point I was trying to make. That as of right now, this team should not be in now mode, and they have stated that much. But when it is July 31st, and you are right there in the thick of the race…you have to be willing to stick to what you said in the winter. That is what the A’s did last year even though they were in it when they dealt Harden.

Don't you ever damn call here again

by SaltyDawg on Jan 19, 2009 9:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

OK

How about this scenario?

We are in the thick of it at deadline time and pull off a deal like the CC deal last year? Use Smoak as a PTBNL and a couple lower level guys to get a SP who is a FA after the season. Would that be a bad idea since we have Davis at 1B already? It doesn’t hurt us really in the future but it would be a win now move.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jan 19, 2009 9:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Depends

Who would that pitcher be and what kind of lower level guys are you talking about.

Miami bound...

by boomer1 on Jan 19, 2009 9:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

Just looking at potential FA pitchers after next year, what if Cliff Lee is doing what he did this past year again. Would you do say Smoak and a guy like Neil Ramirez or Beavan for Lee knowing he could be gone in a couple months (I know Lee has a 2010 option that would almost assuredly be picked up but lets forget about that for this exercise)?

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jan 19, 2009 9:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

As much as 2010 is being touted

It seems like any deal would have to bring a return that would positively affect the 2010 roster.

To make a deal specifically for 2009 that involved a guy like Smoak and a guy like Ramirez or Beavan, the Rangers would have to be getting huge performances out of two or three of their rotation guys and the bullpen.

Don't you ever damn call here again

by SaltyDawg on Jan 19, 2009 9:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think I might think hard about that

A lefty such as Lee would look good here. I really like Ramirez better than Beavan. Ok so if it were Smoak and Cwun I would do it I guess then try like hell to get a contract extension done on Lee before the offseason.

Miami bound...

by boomer1 on Jan 19, 2009 9:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ok

After thinking about it I would only do it if we sign Sheets this offseason.

Miami bound...

by boomer1 on Jan 19, 2009 9:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Like I said, a situation like that could be the defining moment of JDs tenure

There would be arguments to do a number of different things. Stand pat and let the young, homegrown talent mature. Make a couple of smaller moves that involved lesser prospects and lesser returns. Give up one of your big guns for an arm. Make a blockbuster to get a stud pitcher in the fold who is under control for a couple of years.

That’s one of the reasons hanging onto all 3 catchers for now is not at all a bad move. If you get to the deadline and feel like a deal could help you make a run, you can package one of those three with some 2nd or 3rd tier prospects for a player who isn’t available right now

Don't you ever damn call here again

by SaltyDawg on Jan 19, 2009 9:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Only for Halladay.

"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract

by tyd3311 on Jan 19, 2009 9:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

NO!

Nope, no way, negative, nyet and any other way to say NO!

Your 2009 Snow Monkey Ambassador

by Parman on Jan 20, 2009 9:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Second Round of Free Agency

Today, Joel Sherman was talking about he expects a second round of “free agency” to develop for those teams who will be hit hard by the economy (meaning lower fan turnout) and find themselves out of the playoff picture. As such, they will be looking to get rid of any player(s) who could get a decent return. Off the top of his head, Sherman lists Detroit and Toronto. If, as Sherman expects, some impact players who may not necessarily be on the verge of free agency are available, then the Rangers cannot rule out a trade even though some of their prospects are not quite there yet.

by Excel Hearts Choi on Jan 19, 2009 9:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That is the key

Impact players who would be around in 2010 and possibly beyond

Don't you ever damn call here again

by SaltyDawg on Jan 19, 2009 9:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well Tim said it.

We’re not in it, let’s close down the site till 2010.

You dick that was uncalled for - male cheerleader

by iorange555 on Jan 19, 2009 10:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

As far as improving

If it becomes apparent the Rangers can’t get Sheets for what they deem a reasonable contract…Would you trade Hank and offer Dunn a contract? I don’t think he will be had for $5 million, but could they get him for $6-8 million with some incentives and the standard “you could really build some value with the huge numbers you would put up here” offer.

Theoretically, you would be paying the $2 million difference between he and Blalock for a young pitcher and likely get better production out of Dunn in the 5-hole.

Don't you ever damn call here again

by SaltyDawg on Jan 19, 2009 10:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure if

Dunn was offered arbitration, but if not, I wouldn’t have a problem with that. Dunn is, I would assume, alot closer to a Type A than Blalock and if they are both gone after this year, get what you can for Blalock and then sign the stronger free agent. Dunn stays healthy and has a career OPS of 900.

by CS3 on Jan 20, 2009 10:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

In a split second.

LOL Sorry the Sooners will score more that 14. - boomer1

by venturafearsnolan on Jan 20, 2009 12:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Dunn is asking for $14 million a year

Doctor Baron Van Evil Satan

by Zonis on Jan 21, 2009 2:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

But it looks like

he won’t get anywhere near that.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on Jan 21, 2009 2:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I will actually be unsurprised if we win the division.

But if we do, I’ll be surprised if it’s by any way other than by getting a few flukey wins to get in to the mid 80s or so and topping a weak division. I doubt we’ll be a legitimately top tier team and I pray we don’t hurt the future at the deadline if we’re close.

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on Jan 19, 2009 10:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

+1

by BEW on Jan 19, 2009 10:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yup

Now that you bring it up, that’s a scary thought about what could happen at the deadline if Nolan thinks we have a chance to compete. He seemed to be the one that kept JD from getting anything done last year, even with how far out we where. I can only imagine what his hand might force if we get locked in some kind of an NL west-like battle of suckage this year.

That Gold Glove for Young was the worst thing that could have happened to Texas - now the guy really believes he's good at short. - Keith Law

by lonestarJon on Jan 20, 2009 12:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Battle of suckage

I tried that line with 2 girls at the bar the other night. Didn’t work.

by scoop16 on Jan 20, 2009 12:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If we are four games out of first at the trade deadline, you have to be thinking hard about Greinke.

by oc on Jan 20, 2009 12:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Grink is one thing

Although he’s still risky given you wouldn’t have him for too long. But I’m talking about stupid, dumbass moves like trading something of value just for a RH bat or a bullpen piece.

That Gold Glove for Young was the worst thing that could have happened to Texas - now the guy really believes he's good at short. - Keith Law

by lonestarJon on Jan 20, 2009 12:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's hard to argue...

with Kurjian here imo. Although the usually pitching rich A’s are going to have to get a little more than lucky in that department this year to contend. They are like the Rangers in that their 2 really good pitching prospects are probably a year away. They may rush them though, who knows.

I’ve said it before, and some here may not want to hear it again, but this team will not contend with the pitching staff the way it is now. Now if you add Sheets, and he stays healthy all year and pitches the way he can, then maybe. However I still think it would take some major injuries and or flops from the Halos to lose the West in ‘09. It’s their division to win. This year…

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Jan 19, 2009 11:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

If you move the Ranger baseline of wins last year

to the more realistic 76 (Pythagorean Theorem says that’s how well they played) and then realize that the vaunted 901 run offense is going to take a pretty good punch to the chin (losing Bradley/inserting Andrus or Vizquel into SS AND Young to 3B) plus nothing has been done to fix the 967 runs allowed pitching staff…currently constructed where are we, 70 wins?

It is very possible that our defense becomes a little better this year so at least there’s been one attempt to remedy a team weakness but the hit to the offense is going to be immense.

Oakland had a really strange year. Yes, they finished with 75 wins last year (Pythagorus agreed) but halfway thru the season they were a legit 44-37. The trades that were made not only were devastating to the team on the field but probably also hurt morale which explains why they went thru a 13-32 tailspin. They pulled out of it and finished well (18-17 almost exclusively with kids) and caught the Rangers the last week of the season before running out of gas.

They have added Holliday & Giambi. What if Beane (who apparently has more money to spend) gets another free agent plumb and Chavez is finally healthy?

I can see why some people believe the A’s have strode waaaay past the Rangers this off-season.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 20, 2009 8:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I love your analysis

The As kids can improve on what they did last year and be better but ours can’t. The As often injured players can come back healthy but ours can’t. Its breathtaking really.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jan 20, 2009 9:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

bigsteve,

Specifically, which Ranger kids do you see improving next year and why?

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 20, 2009 10:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

May I chime in?

BMac – if he is healthy
Harrison – got most of rookie learning curve behind him
Hurley – better than Mathis and Hunter
Madrigal – see Harrison
CJ – healthy
Saltalamacchia – consistent ABs are needed
Davis – full year better than Sheldon and whatever his name was.

Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year

by RangerMad on Jan 20, 2009 10:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ok

Lets see. I may miss a couple but just from the top of my head.
C-Saltalammachia and Teagarden: I think Salty will improve while tea will regress offensively slightly but overall the two of them should be better offensively than the laird/Salty combo last year. And defensively should be better as well.
1B-Davis: I think he can maintain the pace he set last year. Which would mean the first half of the year should be markedly improved over the Broussard/Shelton/Cat/Hank we threw out there last year
SS-Andrus (when he arrives): Defensively it should be a huge upgrade over Young.
LF-Murphy: I think he can raise that “dreadful” 320 OBP a bit.
SP-Harrison: He improved as the season went along. Im not expecting Cy Young type numbers but he should do better.
SP-BMac: Im one of his biggest supporters. I think he gets fully healthy and shows why we traded a good young prospect for him. I wouldn’t be suprised to see 180 innings and an ERA under 4 to be honest with you.
SP-Hurley: Again just having time under his belt will benefit him. Aside from his injury plagued outting last year he was pretty nice.
RP-Madrigal: Just a couple years ago he was an outfielder. Thrown into the fire last year at yankee Stadium was bad. But otherwise he showed some promise. Needs more time in AAA but when he comes up i am confident he can step in.

Those are just the ones off the top of my head. Add in the continued development in the upper levels of the minors of guys like Holland, Feliz, Borbon, Hunter, Diamond, etc and I think our “kids” can improve.

My question to you was more of why is it our kids can’t improve or get healthy in your mind but yet the As kids can?

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jan 20, 2009 10:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

bigsteve,

Let’s tour the Rangers and possibilities for improvement in 2009…

C – For a long time I’ve been saying one of the biggest plumbs in the Ranger system is Taylor Teagarden. I think he is going to eventually be a good to very good major league catcher. That said, he needs to go thru a full season as a rookie. Last year Ranger catchers went 16/91 with a .769 OPS. I don’t see too much offensive improvement and the defensive improvement infused by Teagarden takes a step back when Salty catches. Improvement in 2009? Marginal unless Teagarden plays 125 games.

1B – Last year the Rangers went 26/87 with a .774 OPS. CDavis at 1B should mean decent (possibly large) improvement on those numbers in 2009.

2B- Kinsler was on his way to having a superstar season. I can’t see him improving those numbers too much, hopefully he’s healthy and maintains. Didja know Ranger catchers & 1B scored more runs than our 2B in 2008? How the hell did that happen?

SS – This is going to be epic failure on a grand scale. Yes, more balls will be picked up but we’re also going to see 30+ errors and an OPS that hovers around .600 plus 130 strikeouts. Major, major step backwards in 2009.

3B – Who knows what happens defensively? Offensively (21/90 .809 OPS in 2008) it’s a big step backwards.

DH – Last year the Rangers went 22/80 with a .436 OBP/.915 OPS. Step backwards in 2009.

OF – Josh should be more of the same and make take another step forward. Cruz cannot be definitively projected unless you have an unbiased agenda. Murphy, Boggs, Byrd should be about the same although I believe Boggs has upside but his manager is too stupid to see it.

Starting Pitching – Forecasting success for pitchers is so difficult even moreso in this ballpark, especially with young kids. I have no reason to believe this will be improved. Harrison may get better but he wasn’t very good last year. Hurley? Intrigued but I need to see much more before forming an opinion. Padilla isn’t going to be better and Millwood is what he is (Jeff Suppan South). McCarthy? When has he ever been healthy enough to take the hump 30 times in the bigs? Feldman? He helped us a lot last year but this isn’t the kind of pitcher a good team uses as a starter plus he was overworked last year.

Relief Pitching – Victims of the piss poor starters and overworked in 2008 (and 2007) meaning 2009 shouldn’t be much better.

The only place I see definitive improvement is at 1B. I do believe the team will have an addition by subtraction effect with less Gerald Laird sparing everybody to death. Those positives are going to be negated by what we see happening on the left side of the infield.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 20, 2009 11:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Josey

Do you think Teagarden is better defensively than Laird? I do. And Salty I don’t believe will regress defensively. As for offense I think Tea will probably regress but will still be equal or better than Laird was. And I hope Salty improves which would mean a pretty substantial improvement on the 16/91 that we did last year. I could see the two of them combining for 25/120.

Hopefully Kinsler stays healthy all season and if he does I think its pretty fair to say he will duplicate last years numbers. It may be over the course of the entire season rather than just 130 games or so but the drop shouldn’t be as pronounced.

As for SS. I don’t think Elvis will make 30 errors at SS. The error totals in the minors are irrelevant. So many extenuating circumstances its not even funny. The best infield surfaces, better official scorers, maturity, all will play key factors. I would think he makes 12-18 errors total.

If healthy for a full season Hank could easily put up 22/80. His OBP may not be as high as Miltons was but his pure numbers can be as good.

As for starters. You say harrison wasn’t very good last year. And that he may get better. So that means you don’t believe hes a good pitcher right. because if hes good then he should improve. He improved as the season went along and i don’t see any reason to think he won’t continue improving. Both the veterans can get better. McCarthy could stay healthy. If Eric Chavez can get healthy then McCarthy can.

But again you failed to answer my question. How is it you can predict the As kids to improve and get better and get healthy but yet our kids can’t?

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jan 20, 2009 12:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

big steve,

Because I have to do it from a far, I have to evaluate the A’s collectively.

A lot of the very young infrastructure we’re going to see from them in 2009 were playing their last 35 games. The A’s went 18-17 with a run differential of 152-176 meaning they should have been 16-20 (.444 in those games).

Very young players that are legitimately good players will show rapid improvement. Which specific players on the A’s are going to show rapid improvement in 2009? Suzuki & Barton are the top candidates because of their ages and Pennington will probably be in the mix as well. I wouldn’t dismiss Buck improving either.

The Duke didn’t start any of those 35 games and Chavez didn’t play after June. If they’re both healthy in ’09, the additions of Giambi & Holliday make this a team that should win 79-85 games in 2009.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 20, 2009 12:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Josey

What makes you think Suzuki will improve? He played a full season last year anbd his average improved over 2007 but his slugging dipped. I think he may increase his slugging slightly but overall thats about as good as he is gonna be.

Barton? Ehh color me unimpressed. I realize hes young but even young guys who are supposed to be really good rarely do that bad and recover from it.

Holliday is gonna be good although i look for a slight dip in his numbers not only moving out of Coors but to the AL. And again what makes you think Chavez will be healthy? If you can’t even fathom McCarthy being healthy how can you then turn around and think Eric Chavez will be?

Overall I see them slightly improving their offense but their pitching will negate any improvement that offense has.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jan 20, 2009 1:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Holliday Home/Road Splits Career

Home: .357/.423/.645
Away: .280/.348/.455

I don’t trust these Coors guys. Bichette and Castilla were Rice and Schmidt there.

by scoop16 on Jan 20, 2009 1:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

On Suzuki, it's because of his

age and decent plate discipline. With Barton, it’s all because of his age. He hasn’t really impressed but he also didn’t drown while playing in the bigs at an extremely young age. There’s most likely some upside to this player.

I have no idea if Chavez is going to be healthy but if he is, he’s a good player (which is also how I look at Blalock).

Per McCarthy, I have no idea if he is going to be healthy but if he is, he’s still never done anything in The Show to make me believe he is worth a damn.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 20, 2009 1:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't drown?

Bullshit.

446 ABs .226 .327 .348 675

Great, so he took some walks, but struck out 100 times and had no power.

German had a higher SLG%, and Botts had a higher OPS last year…

"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008

by Rodney on Jan 20, 2009 2:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, hello Rodney.

Enjoyed the drunken incoherent rant a couple of weeks ago.

Barton gets latitude from me solely because of his age. You bring up Botts – when Botts was 22 he was between Stockton / Frisco and not in The Show like Barton.

Barton plays in a tough park to hit and didn’t half much of an offense around him either. Is he going to break-out in 2009? Not sure about that but I believe this player has upside.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 20, 2009 4:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Suzuki

Like I said what he did last year is probably what you are going to get out of him. Nothing wrong with it but to expect him to really improve on those numbers is a bit much in my eyes. he may slug a little bit more but I doubt he hits much over .280 and I doubt he gets on base at much better than a .350 clip.

As for Barton, maybe its just me but walks don’t impress me very much if, when you do swing the bat you don’t make much contact. I know OBP has become the en vogue stat to look at especially with young guys but I would rather see guys put the ball in play. Unless you have good speed and can be a weapon on the basepaths your bat is the best weapon you have. Now by no means am i saying go up hacking at anything and everything but drawing walks is an overrated trait in my eyes.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jan 20, 2009 2:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

you've done it again

I keep thinking that due to the sheer volume of your posting, you will luck into saying something intelligent.

But, alas, I’m still waiting.

"Unless you have good speed and can be a weapon on the basepaths your bat is the best weapon you have. Now by no means am i saying go up hacking at anything and everything but drawing walks is an overrated trait in my eyes." -- bigsteve

by tricer on Jan 20, 2009 8:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This is a joke

You think Bill James gives a rat’s ass about errors or RBIs? Since he doesn’t and you are such a huge fan of his, why do you keep citing them and suggest that they have any value what so ever? The huge gain in defense from SS and 3B will be a net gain for this team even with the hit in offense from Andrus/Vizquel. Our 3B last year were TERRIBLE defensively.

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg on Jan 20, 2009 12:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Errors do matter, Gdawg.

How come teams that lead the league in errors very, very rarely ever finish above .500?

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 20, 2009 12:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm just wondering

what does Bill James think of errors as a way to judge whether a player is good or bad defensively. Do you know?

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg on Jan 20, 2009 3:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agree and disagree

The A’s are certainly making a move to win now, and with the Angels being ahead of both of us, it doesn’t look good for the Rangers after this offseason.

To use a poker analogy, its like JD is sitting at the button and watches the guy in front of him (Beane) go all in pre-flop against the big stack Angels who you know also have a good hand. The Rangers are slowly building the type of stack that can be competitive, but you don’t want to blow it all on a 9-9 in this situation.

Though I disagree somewhat about the A’s season last year. Its hard to know what they really were since they dumped half of their rotation mid-season. I don’t know if Holliday and Giambi make up for what they potentially lost in a “healthy” Harden, though I agree that is a myth. I still don’t understand that deal, since the Cubs really didn’t give the A’s anything… The A’s could be outright horrendous this year; there is still little reason to pitch to Holliday in that lineup and the rest of the team after Giambi and a couple of others wouldn’t strike fear in most AAA rotations.

by JBImaknee on Jan 20, 2009 9:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly...

look at how much pitching the A’s lost last year.

I can’t see how anyone is sold on that rotation as it stands right now. I don’t think it’s much better than the Rangers staff.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Jan 20, 2009 10:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

They’re in the same situation as us, regarding their pitchers.

by tyd3311 on Jan 20, 2009 10:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

slc ranger,

The Rangers gave up 967 runs last year yet you think the A’s pitching staff isn’t much better than the Rangers?

How?

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 20, 2009 10:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

look at who the A’s traded away mid-season. You lose Harden and Blanton and then Smith was traded this year and the A’s rotation has lost 60% of what they were last year.

Believe me I don’t think the Rangers rotation is very good. I’m on record as saying they won’t contend with what they have. However i don’t think the A’s staff is much better. They have had much better luck with developing young pitchers though which is why I will give them the benefit of the doubt over the Rangers right now. Other than that, there isn’t much difference between the Rangers and A’s right now.

You tell me what starters on the A’s staff are good besides maybe Duscherer(spelling?).

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Jan 20, 2009 10:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Put that As staff in this ballpark 81 times and see how many runs they give up. I would think it would come damn close to the 967 we gave up

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jan 20, 2009 11:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I think the A’s are deceiving not only Josey but also themselves into thinking their pitching will allow them to compete this season. I’m actually kind of happy about it since it meant that their making a move now benefits us long-term. I’m even hoping they can kind of hang in there most of the year so that they don’t trade Holliday at the deadline.

by JBImaknee on Jan 20, 2009 11:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm assuming...

your lack of response means you agree with me Josey?

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Jan 20, 2009 4:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Ranger pitchers gave up 277 more

runs than the A’s did last year and have made no improvements whatsoever.

No, I don’t agree with you, slc ranger.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 21, 2009 8:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The improvements have been made

through the defense and they are also looking at their pitchers making improvements on themselves. The biggest thing though isn’t necessarily the Rangers improving on that number, but rather the A’s losing a lot of talent.

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg on Jan 21, 2009 3:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs