» Oakland A’s

Sorry I have not been keeping up with my post count A’s fans, it will get better.

It case you have been living your life this week, you might not of heard the A’s signings of Orlando Cabrera and Normar Garciapara. With Orlando at SS, this pushes out Bobby Crosby, the odd man out. He will either be shipped away or become a 5.25 Million utility man, the most expensive in the MLB. Crosby won Rookie of the year in 2004, and has been injured ever since, other then last year where he had an OK year. I agree with that signing, but Crosby does deserve a shot on a team, easily. I find it funny that Crosby’s contract is more then Orlando’s. With the signing of Nomar, that gives Nomar the utility spot over Crosby…that is too bad for ol’ Bobby.

The Rotation: A’s news and notes

ST Game, A’s/Mariners

Currently, the A’s are just dominating the Mariners, 11-1 in the bottom of the 8th. I will update stats after the game is over. But, Sean Dollittle (name is no joke) is the leading RBI man with 3.

I think this is a great signing by Beane (again) and should help the young A’s team. Going on to his 12th year in the Majors, he has always been productive, and a big help. He should be batting 2nd or maybe around 7th or 8th. He has a great glove, and playoff experience.

Pros:

• Great Glove, 2 GG’s
• Productive: .274 BA, 684 RBIs
• 4 trips to the playoffs
• The Giants got Renteria for 18.5 Million for two years, the Dodgers got Furcal for 30 million over three years, and the A’s got Renteria for a bargain, 4 freaking million over 1 year. He would still have less then Renteria if he had a four year contract.
• Good leader for the young guns

Cons:

• Maybe not a productive as the A’s need him to be
• Crosby will be a  5.25 Million utility man

But the pros rule out the cons by a long shot

The Rotation: A’s News and Notes

ST Game #6, A’s/Cubs

Sean Gallahger looked good in a two inning outing only allowing 1 run. Rajai Davis had a great day by driving in two runs. Ben Copeland had the only other RBI in the game. The A’s now have a 1-4-1 record in ST.

Garciapara is closing on a deal with the A’s

A Major League source confirmed to MLB.com on Tuesday that Oakland is closing in on a one-year contract with free-agent infielder Nomar Garciaparra.

Justin Duchscherer having elbow checked out

The 2008 All-Star Duchcherer might miss opening day with an elbow injury, he has been on the DL 4 times prior.

Have a great day A’s fans.

Ken Rosenthalreported that the A’s have singed Cabrera a 1 year, 4 million deal.  The A’s have addressed there need for a SS, and have landed a two-time gold glove winner. This means that Bobby Crosby will be traded soon, or else the 5.25 Million contract for Crosby will go too waste. This is a great signing for the A’s and should help them make a surprise push on the Angles. Cabrera is a career .274 hitter, with 684 RBIs, and 105 HRs.

A’s will be back in action on Tuesday, where Cabrera might make his debut with the A’s.

ST Game #2: A’s/Angels, 3-1 Angles win

One of my fellow authors has already posted an in depth analysis of this game today,  so I will just cover what the A’s did. The only RBI by the A’s today was by Jack Cust, who hit a solo shot. Chris Carter, who is starting the spring with a bang, had a double today. A’s pitching today looked good, with Sean Gallagher pitching 2 innings with 2 K’s to show for it. Brett Anderson, named the A’s best prospect by baseball America, game up 2 runs in his Spring Training debut. Box Score.

Holliday and Giambi did not play today.

San Jose pursuing Oakland A’s *sigh*

Will this ever end? Yet another bid, at another location, in another city, this time in San Jose. Thursday, A’s Council members took a meeting today about making a deal with the A’s and the MLB to have a new stadium in their town of San Jose. Home of the San Jose Sharks (NHL) and San Jose Earthquakes (MLS, Wolff also owns the ‘Quakes), San Jose seems like an alright venue for the A’s to play in, but the A’s need Oakland too keep a fan base alive and thriving. Just build a new damn ballpark in Oakland.  Bud Selig sent out a memo about the news: “Bringing the A’s to San Jose is a great opportunity to market San Jose and the downtown core,” the memo reads. The Redevelopment Agency owns most of the 14-acre project site next to downtown Diridon Station and the EIR has been completed,” it reads. “The development of a stadium would pump $500 million into San Jose and create several hundred construction jobs. A stadium would act as a catalyst for the development of a larger, transit-oriented community adjacent to the future portal to BART, Caltrain and High-Speed Rail.” This could happen, after all, Lew Wolff was Selig’s frat buddy. I need a drink.

ST Game #1, A’s/Brewers: 3-3

Yes, a tie in the desert. In 10 innings the Brew-Crew tied with the A’s. Its like kissing your sister. Travis Buck and Bobby Crosby both had good showings today, both hitting home runs, Buck a two run HR, and Crosby a solo-shot. Outman looked good in two inning of work, 2 innings, 1 hit, 1 K. Out of all pitchers, Schorder made the best showing, by striking out 2 batters in one inning.

Notables: Holliday, 1 for 3 , Giambi, 0 for 3

Box Score

The A’s will be taking on the Angels tomorrow at 12:05

That is it for today, more updates tomorrow!

Brett Anderson

As my mom has always said “The cream rises to the top.” Im going to count down the top players that could make Oakland  coaches jump out of their chairs.

#1 Chis Carter 1b, 3b, and OF

Baseball America ranked Chris Carter as the A’s 6th best prospect. He was also named by Baseball America as the A’s “top power hitter”.

Minor League Stats: 39 HRs, 104 RBIs, .259 AVG

#2  Cliff Pennington SS, 2B, 3B and DH

Baseball America called Cliff the A’s “Best Defensive fielder,”  “Best Infield Arm,” and “Best Strikezone Discipline.” His batting stats do not jump out and reach you but, he seems productive enough.

#3 The Early Risers for the A’s rotation

Brett Anderson was named by Baseball America the A’s top prospect, “Best Slider,” and “Best Control.”

Trevor Cahill was named by Baseball America as the A’s second best prospect and “Best Curveball.”

Michael Iona was named by Baseball America as the A’s third best prospect.

Hope this helps for A’s fans looking forward to srping training.

Eric Chavez, good fielder, bad batter

Mr. Chavez, why have you done nothing?

So much potential, and now he is a huge flop. Chavez was very promising young player. He was drafted in the first round (10th pick) by the A’s, in what seemed like another great move for the A’s. He has only had one stand-out season since he has been playing as an Athletic. He has been popular among the fans, but in these past few seasons he has been plagued by injuries and poor play.

Career Stats: .269 Batting average, 776 RBIs, 229 HRs, in 4642 games. Not productive at all. The only thing Eric had going for him was his amazing glove, with 6 gold gloves, one of the best at third base. He had a couple of good playoffs series, but the A’s lost both when he did good. But the A’s have been paying him way too much money, the total amount he has gained since he has been an Athletic has been $51,191,000. They wasted that money when they could have been keeping future star players for about one more year. He is a waste of money! I dont understand why Beane has kept him, espcially the way he has played the last 3 seasons. I could see him leaving Oakland by the trade deadline, but Beane might not do that.

There is only a couple reasons why beane would keep this bum

• He is a fan faveorite
• It is hard to find a solid third basemen
• If he goes without injuries he could be somewhat productive

But these are not really good reasons.

The Rotation: A’s News and Notes

Molder could return to the A’s

A report from the San Francisco Chronicle beat writer Susan Slusser said that Mulder could be one of the last addtions to the A’s roster this spring. The A’s will be attending his bullpen sesion.

“I’d love to be out there, but what I was doing the last couple of years wasn’t fair to me and it wasn’t fair to the Cardinals, and I’m not going to do that to another team,” Mulder told The Chronicle. “I’m not going to say I’m ready to roll and sign with someone until I can repeat side sessions and repeat them again with no issues, no doubt in my head, no setbacks.”

It would be a good addtion to a very young rotation for the A’s. The former member of the “Big Three” could be back in Oakland.

Nomar

If you have read my past articles, you know my hatred for Lew Woff. Wolff was looking at site in Fremont for there new stadium “Cisco Field” which came to a abrupt stop a couple days ago. “To tell you the truth, I don’t really have a Plan B,” Wolff said. “Right now, I’m going to take a breath and think things out. I’m not really sure things would be any easier in Omaha, either.” Really Wolff? Omaha?

A’s Looking at Garciaparra

The A’s have expressed interest in Nomar Garciaparra, apparently it is pretty serious. Nomar, is also looking at a deal in Philly. The A’s have not dropped intrest in Orlando Cabrera according to a source. The A’s are also looking at a couple pitchers: Dennys Reyes and Andrew Sisco. Sisco in a Minor League Contract.

Cactus League Starters

Left-Handers Josh Outman and Gio Gonzales will be the first two pitchers for the A’s Cactus league opener vs. Milwaukee. Sean Gallagher is set too start game two.

This should be obvious to Lew Wolff! Just look around! Why Fremont? You really think that the fan base will just love you if you build a nice stadium and slap a corporate name on their like “Cisco Field”? I don’t think so!

I dont think so!

This ball-club has moved too much. They have been too Kansas City and Philly. They have built up some history in Oakland, so why move? Walter Haas is rolling in in grave (RIP Walter).

Here is solution Mr. Wolff: Use your b-r-a-i-n

I guarantee that 90% of your fan base will not be happy, and 30% will become Giants fans!

Here are some good options, with out moving away from Oakland

1. Buy Out Golden Gate Fields

This place has no future, they just want somebody to take it away. Wolff, buy this place, it is perfect! It is right on the San Francisco bay, just as easy to get there as getting to the Colosseum, and the fans would be happy!

2.  Spruce up the Old Yard

Everybody knows how bad the A’s park is. It is shared with the Raiders, not good. Trust me, Candlestick park was bad enough. If the Wolff could work out a agreement with Al Davis (shivers) they could fork up the money to fix up the park! They could make is look nice.

Im sure there are more solutions out there, so please, leave a comment, I would love to hear about what you have to say.

-Harrison

This section of my writing you will see a lot, here are some random blurbs about the A’s:

Ziegler Named to Team USA for WBC:

Brad Zielger, as all A’s fans know, put up amazing relief numbers with a 1.06 ERA , and posted up a big league record with 39 inning scoreless streak. “I’ve wanted this opportunity for a long time,” Ziegler said Wednesday. “I campaigned to get on the Olympic team last year but then I was called up. To have the opportunity to wear the stars and stripes, and play with some of the elite names in baseball, is just incredible” (USA Today).

Oakland A’s New

Ziegler

stadium delayed

The Oakland Athletics are reportedly delaying and possibly halting a move to Fremont because of opposition from residents who live near the team’s proposed stadium site. I like this, the A’s just need to spruce up the Colosseum and make it nicer, or just find a place in Oakland to build a new stadium. I will rant about the A’s owner soon enough, don’t worry.

That is about it for our favorite team. Just so you know, I’m working on a couple articles about the idiotic A’s owner Lew Wolff, and a new feature about A’s prospects. See you guys later

-Harrison