Yes, Rafael Furcal is gone. So the saga officially ends and the A's are left with...well, Bobby Crosby and this:
Yeah, a shortstop with an OBP under .300 who didn't really show any of the power he had a rookie, is average defensively and is likely not inspired to perform for a team that has openly been trying to replace him.
Clearly Rafael Furcal never wanted to sign with the Oakland Athletics. The A's basically offered him the most money and the most guaranteed years and he still refused to sign. I'm done talking about Furcal. He's moving on and I'm moving on. I don't begrudge him, I mean it's refreshing to see a guy turn down the most money and guaranteed years to be in a place he loves and still owns a home. I would say that if someone had chosen to come to the A's for less money and have said it in the past.
The A's have very few options at this point other than relying on Crosby or Pennington. Orlando Cabrera isn't worth signing and giving up the draft pick. The younger shortstops everyone else has discussed would likely cost too much in a deal. I suppose the A's could go for someone like Miguel Tejada, but I wouldn't give up much for him. Hell the A's could bring back Tejada, sign Giambi and sign Mulder to a minor league tryout deal. We can pretend it's 2001 all over again. The only way the A's are going to overcome their hole at shortstop is to have above average production in nearly every other spot. And with Ryan Sweeney in center now, Travis Buck or Cunningham in right, a question mark at third with the health of Chavez and possibly Daric Barton still manning first base as of right now, the A's probably are relying on a lot of young guys to perform. Matt Holliday must be wondering what he's in for in 2009 right now.
Yet I've always thought that Beane has been at his best when he's been had to be creative. If the A's really do want to compete in 09, Beane will have to be his most creative whether that means signing someone like Burrell now to take one of the question mark outfield spots and moving one of the kids in a package deal for a shortstop or figuring out something else (signing Orlando Hudson to play second and moving Ellis, a former shortstop in college to short?). I honestly don't think Furcal would've signed here no matter how high Beane had gone and I think Billy was more than reasonable with him.
So now we wait to see if Beane is willing to enter another season with Bobby Crosby as shortstop for our green and gold or if he has enough urgency and desperation to get rid of Crosby by doing something out of character like signing Cabrera or trading one of his stud young pitchers for a shortstop.
But one thing is for sure, I'm so done talking about Rafael Furcal.
0 recs | 268 comments
im glad were moving on
one thing im sure of: i dont want to move ellis
travdog6 - December 16, 2008
Who?
May he rest in pieces.
Nico - December 16, 2008
The only thing that really upsets me about this
Is the thought of Orlando effing Cabrera playing for the A’s.
I think I’d rather have 9 Bobby Crosby’s out there.
thejd44 - December 16, 2008
I'd rather have Cust at SS than 9 Bobby Crosbys out there.
Blicks - December 16, 2008
I'd ratherh ave Cust at SS than Cabrera
I know that’s not really rational. I just really don’t like Cabrera. Bad guy and bad player.
thejd44 - December 16, 2008
I'd rather have a retired player/coach Mike Gallego at SS
franks a lot - December 16, 2008
I'd rather have Larry Davis at SS
His first injury would at least be the source of significant Schadenfreude.
GreenNGoldSooner - December 16, 2008
Hmm..Interesting thought...
I mean, not a lot of balls would get through…
Nico - December 16, 2008
I'd rather have Keith Ginter at SS than 9 Bobby Crosbys out there
wait…., no
ATarHeel - December 16, 2008
cabrera would be the worst possible result imo
xbhaskarx - December 16, 2008
Vizquel would be a better option than Cabrera
monkeyball - December 16, 2008
I actually came to the conclusion that Tejada is a pretty good option
NOT because he’s anything like he was five years ago, but because other options are either very farm-system costly (Escobar, Hardy…) or pretty bad (Cabrera, Eckstein…).
Tejada, at this stage of his career, is no worse than an average defender and average hitter, could be attained for minimal cost talent-wise, and if the A’s can deal Crosby the increase in salary is manageable given the lack of commitment to Furcal.
Honestly, we could do worse – and at this point, stand to.
Nico - December 16, 2008
hell no
SI.com reports that Miguel Tejada is being investigated for possible perjury after telling the US Attorney’s Office he had not used steroids or discussed them with teammates.
It’s just one more reason not to trade him, as if there weren’t enough on-the-field concerns regarding his play.
ATarHeel - December 16, 2008
This.
The only guy with charges against him who the A’s should even look into is Bonds. Yes, that means the OF defense goes to hell as Cust goes back in the field, but its Barry Freakin Bonds.
Blicks - December 16, 2008
Bonds might actually still be better than Cust in the field…..
baetown415 - December 16, 2008
Knees. Injury.
Blicks - December 16, 2008
Cust
Split time maybe? Though I’ve heard Cust has improved in the past year in the outfield. Is that true?
baetown415 - December 16, 2008
Yes, he was noticeably better by the end of the year
nevermoor - December 16, 2008
Unlike DFA
Cust actually appeared to have put some effort into improving defensively. A big offensive upgrade that results in Cust playing in the field would not be the worst thing to happen for the A’s.
doctorK - December 16, 2008
unlike Emil Brown Cust had enough at bats
to have a chance to improve
OaklandSi - December 16, 2008
and enough playing time in the field
OaklandSi - December 16, 2008
he had a year to rest them! lol
DyeLongJustice - December 16, 2008
tejada will be indicted one day after the a's trade for him
xbhaskarx - December 16, 2008
and be diagnosed with lupus
monkeyball - December 16, 2008
Followed by a strained oblique
kaweahkaweah - December 16, 2008
and he'll spontaneously add 5 years to his age!
DyeLongJustice - December 16, 2008
and he'll have halitosis,
and a habit of standing way too close during conversation.
Leopold Bloom - December 16, 2008
Actually misdiagnosed.
It’s NEVER lupus.
5Aces - December 16, 2008
Nice House reference
although, imo, the show has been going downhill since the second season, it still has it’s moments
Keze - December 16, 2008
Everybody lies.
lynnzgal - December 16, 2008
The post above is true.
mikev - December 16, 2008
I could live with Tejada
for one year, maybe even two. The problem with that is it would most likely not bridge the gap to the young shortstops we have in the minors. It seems to me that the A’s need someone for 3-4 years. So they could either keep plugging in a different aging shortstop every year, or they could attempt to make a trade (-Cahill and Anderson) for someone who could ‘hold down the fort’ until the young guys are ready. Whoever they acquire doesn’t necessarily need to be an all-star, they just need to be better than Crosby, which shouldn’t be that difficult.
AEP2007 - December 16, 2008
what would tejeda cost?
arent the astros looking to dump his salary? so if we could get him for little to nothing talent wise and just take his salary, i would be all for it
travdog6 - December 16, 2008
Seconded
and a hearty hear hear to Blez.
I’d be ecstatic with Tejada at this point. A Crosby and prospect for Tejada deal may be not too difficult to work. I think Outman would probably satisfy the Stros (Simmons, possibly Bailey after the AFL). I was just IMing with a friend from Houston this morning. The Astros really need to get payroll down. They’re about $20 million above where Drayton wants them. He thinks the Astros are pretty damn desperate to dump Miggy also.
AgitationStation - December 16, 2008
If they're that desperate,
where do they get off asking for ANYTHING for Tejada? They should be letting him go on waivers.
PaulThomas - December 17, 2008
+1
Tejada costs next to nothing, and is still an upgrade over Crosby. Everything else costs a lot more, and with little proof we’ll get a return. Plus, Tejada will net us a draft pick when he walks.
jeepers - December 16, 2008
A's in Neverland
This team is in no-man’s land right now. BB traded for Holliday, but he should have traded those guys for a bat that would have stuck around for 3-4 years. Maybe he will save the Furcal money, and get a new deal worked out for Matt. But, then this team still has big question marks at 3B/SS. Not nearly enough to contend in ’09 even if they add Giambi/Dunn, even with the Angels being down.
Athletic Supporter - December 16, 2008
I agree
We´re kind of in the middle, and I hate being there. I´m not sure what the hell is next season supposed to be, are we still rebuilding or contending?
ATarHeel - December 16, 2008
were in no-man's land now
but we can always get out of no-man’s land by trading holliday for more young players. not that i want to do that. just saying its an option.
travdog6 - December 16, 2008
In the middle?
What do you mean, in the middle? We’re full on rebuilding, with the sole exception of Holliday. All we can hope for is that Holliday gets flipped for some good prospects, either in the remainder of the off-season or at the deadline.
It would be great to see Holliday go to an Atlanta or Milwaukee, where we can get a good SS prospect, but neither of those scenarios sound likely, as both clubs have committed to keeping their highly promising prospects.
BaltimoreAN - December 16, 2008
IDK
I don’t know if we would get as much right now for Holliday as we gave up. We might get some prospects, but remember that Street was a good bullpen pitcher – if not a closer, Smith was a decent starter and CarGon was looking like a guy with a lot of upside. That’s a lot of value to get back. If we can’t do better than that, then it was a bad trade.
I think now, we wait until May/June and see who’s desperate for a big bat.
Athletic Supporter - December 16, 2008
if not a closer?
street was not just a closer, he was a good closer.
xbhaskarx - December 16, 2008
Right
I meant going forward for the A’s.
Athletic Supporter - December 16, 2008
Uhh...
Street was a good closer a few years ago. Now he’s a decreased-velocity, HR-prone “closer” in name, who’s really about the 70th-best RP in baseball. Even after getting spurned by Furcal, I’m still happy we got Holliday. GarGon is hacktastic. Smith is Mike Maroth with a good BABIP. And Street is a 26-year-old Rod Beck.
Uncle Charlie - December 16, 2008
Street's better than that, IMO,
but he’s not what he was in 2005. He’s still good when he’s healthy, though.
Nico - December 16, 2008
a few years ago? he was really great in 07 and good last year when he was pitching with various injuries.
i’m not sure how it compares with other closers, but is a 0.8 hr/9 really “hr-prone”?
xbhaskarx - December 16, 2008
He was also really bad for a sizable stretch last year,
and has pitched (and not pitched) through multiple injuries over the past three years. So he’s a mixed bad – mostly good, but with a few warts.
Nico - December 16, 2008
I have seen on MLBTraderumors
that Atlanta is looking for a power bat in the outfield. Just sayin’
AEP2007 - December 16, 2008
Holliday for Escobar would be effing sweet
nevermoor - December 16, 2008
Word
That would mean the A’s essentially traded Gonzalez (sorry to see him go), Street (still pretty good but expendable), and Smith (probably the highest his value would ever be) for Yunel Escobar. Looking at it that way, I would make that trade.
AEP2007 - December 17, 2008
But you forgot about Matt Holliday, bro!
wtf?
mrod - December 17, 2008
I think the Holliday deal was a smart move
in the fact that the money commitment is just a year, Holliday gets to see what it’s like to be in Oakland (most of the players who actually wind up here really like it) in case the A’s want to try and re-sign him, he’ll know what he’s in for. But the biggest thing was that it was a play to acquire something that the market values highly even if the A’s can’t make the necessary moves to compete in 2009. Then Beane can move Holliday at the deadline to a team that really needs to get a bat and get a truckload in return. It was a calculated risk, but I still believe a very smart one.
Tyler Bleszinski - December 16, 2008
Holliday
Personally, I think Oakland’s pitchers’ paradise of a ballpark will have a negative impact on Holiday’s trade value. I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t like the way that this is turning out. I was hoping that we would keep him for the long haul, but now, I just don’t see how/why.
Athletic Supporter - December 16, 2008
A truckload? Really?
Anyone remember what the Braves got for Teixeira last year? It wasn’t a truckload, and it wasn’t much. Teams are getting smarter, and I doubt any team will give the A’s the same value they gave up, for 2 months of Holliday. I think the best we can hope for here is the two draft picks, unless Holliday signs an extension.
Philip Christy - December 16, 2008
Really? I personally loved Kotchman
and was kind of glad when he was gone out of Anaheim. And I think that the Red Sox did OK in the Manny deal considering they just wanted to get rid of him and cut out their own legs from under them. I have faith that Beane could get something good for him especially if he’s the only true difference maker “rental” out there.
Tyler Bleszinski - December 16, 2008
Maybe I'm just skeptical
because the last time the A’s tried to get value for veterans at the trade deadline, i.e. Piazza and Loaiza and Kendall and Bradley in 2007, they got little or nothing. I guess that kinda soured me on the idea. But you’re right, the Red Sox got a good deal for Manny. However, is Kotchman gonna end up being worth more than 2 draft picks? We’ll see.
Philip Christy - December 16, 2008
Somebody undervalues very good relievers.
Also, Piazza was absolutely awful. Was he even above replacement with the bat? And Loaiza wasn’t very good either.
thejd44 - December 16, 2008
OK,
and I like Andrew Brown and Blevins too, but my point is that for those 4 guys, we got 2 relievers. Obviously Holliday’s better than any of those guys, but I’m just saying, I think the value of what you can get in return for him at the trading deadline is overstated.
Philip Christy - December 16, 2008
“for those 4 guys, we got 2 relievers”
actually it was 2 guys, 2 relievers. i’m not sure why you’re counting two players who didn’t get traded, when those other two (piazza, loaiza) were injured.
but loaiza also left, so 3 guys, 2 relievers and not having to pay loaiza a lot of money over the next 1.5 years.
and why not include kotsay (+2 relievers)?
xbhaskarx - December 16, 2008
Young SS Trade Options
Jason Donald (PHI)
Yunel Escobar (ATL)
Alcedes Escobar (MIL)
JJ Hardy (MIL)
Anyone else got any?
Zonis - December 16, 2008
Let's get Jason Donald!!!!
Amaro looks like Ed Wade Part Deux!!!
Blicks - December 16, 2008
+1
What an awful start to his GM career.
thejd44 - December 16, 2008
Not without a whole lot of ifs and buts
Chin-lung Hu (LA) but I don’t know if he’s ready/is an upgrade over Crosby next year.
Ivan Dejesus (LA) but I don’t know if he’s ready and has never really wowed in the minors.
Elvis Andrus (TEX) but they’re probably going to keep him as a replacement for Young
Reid Brignac (TB) but he’s stumbled the last couple of years.
Jed Lowrie (BOS) but I have no idea why they would trade him.
NateHST - December 16, 2008
I'd cross Brignac off.
The Rays will much sooner trade Bartlett than Brignac. Much, much sooner. Cost control reasons.
And no, the A’s should not go after Bartlett, because he’s mediocre.
Blicks - December 16, 2008
Good point about Brignac
but this whole situation is shitty because every one of those guys is going to cost a butt load because they’re young shortstops with lots of potential. Otherwise you move from mediocre to mediocre. Crosby to Bartlett/OCabrera, etc.
NateHST - December 16, 2008
I might take Bartlett
Not much power, but a much better OBP and better defense than BoCro. Actually, if Tampa wants to give up Bartlett for a C prospect, I’d make that deal.
thejd44 - December 16, 2008
I'd take Bartlett in a New York minute
How can you hate Crosby, not want to part with Cahill or Anderson, and decide that Bartlett just isn’t good enough for your taste? He’s an offensive upgrade over Crosby (who isn’t?) and a very strong defensive SS, plus he’s young and cheap.
Nico - December 16, 2008
Bartlett is terrible..
The guy is terrible in pressure situations and was horrilbe for the Twins in the A’s series a couple years back, the guy has no upside either, stay away from Bartlett, I know Crosby sucks and everyone is desperate for a different shortstop but bring in Bartlett doesnt make us any better.
pbra17 - December 16, 2008
Except that it does because
Bartlett is a better player than Crosby. I would like my SS to have the opportunity to be in pressure situations; my current fear is that there will be far too little pressure in the A’s 2009 season.
Nico - December 16, 2008
I disagree
The Rays have Tim Beckham as their future SS; Brignac has become a “surplus” SS — blocked by Bartlett, and sure to be overtaken by Beckham.
We may be able to get Brignac, especially since he had a down year last year…
Uncle Charlie - December 16, 2008
I would take mediocre
over Crosby/Pennington/Petit any day of the week
Josh Deletchi - December 17, 2008
Zonis
If you had your choice of one of the 4 SS’s you listed, which one would you want? Personally, I love J.J. Hardy. But that’s just me.
mrod - December 16, 2008
You're not asking me, but I'd rather have either of the Escobars
Yunel because he’s proven, but he’ll be expensive in a couple of years, Alcides isn’t as proven but has higher upside and would be cheaper for longer.
NateHST - December 16, 2008
Pablo?
Isn’t he dead?!
Leopold Bloom - December 16, 2008
For the record
Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead as well.
5Aces - December 16, 2008
Well, I would probably take Donald
because he would be much cheaper to acquire than either of the Escobars. If Cost were not an issue, I’d take the Escobars, but I don’t want to give up Cahill and Anderson.
Zonis - December 16, 2008
Donald isn't a defensive whiz though, and the A's look like they're going to have a
groundballing staff (Cahill, Anderson, Mazzaro, Rodriguez, Ziegler) plus a bunch of lefties (Outman, Gio, Braden, Blevins, ). I’d rather have Hu.
WaddellCanseco - December 16, 2008
"It yad to be Hu..."
Nico - December 16, 2008
Boooo!
LowcountryJoe - December 16, 2008
Boooooo Hu
WaddellCanseco - December 16, 2008
[/Applause]
LowcountryJoe - December 16, 2008
my condolences
I was hoping Furcal would come to Oakland, not just because him signing with the Dodgers helps fill that SS hole and him signing with the Braves would mean the Peavey-for-Escobar/Schaefer/young pitcher deal could be restarted, but also because I have a soft spot for the A’s…
Oh well. At least you all still have BB
baetown415 - December 16, 2008
I say at this point just make the trade for Miggy
if we are not gonna make a trade for on of young studs listed above.
Then, you could still add one more bat and one vet starting pitcher etc…and the A’s would still have a decent chance to compete for the division title in 09’.
go A’s!
mrod - December 16, 2008
Go forward with an open SS in Spring Training
and see who wins it between Petit/Pennington/Crosby. Hey, who knows, maybe Crosby will accept instruction and actually improve. I mean the guy did hit 20 HR at one point in his career, and has shown flashes of it. But maybe he’s also the dumbass that we all know he is.
If we’re competing, fantastic. If not, we have a valuable commodity in an impact player in Matt Holliday, who could net us a decent SS or 3B prospect that will help us in the future.
NateHST - December 16, 2008
take a look at these stats
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28468
from Hannahan, his OPS is within .010 of Crosby’s. from a position where offense should be easier to find.
Crosby has had four main sins since he came to the A’s
1. His first year was his best year
2. He didn’t develop
3. He was rarely healthy
4. He has been hitting as high as 5th when he should have been at 9th the whole time.
All that aside, he’s an average shortstop, offense and defense combined. Hannahan however, is far below average at 3b. (defense average, offense below average).
I’ll take him in a contract year, but I would prefer Petit.
connie mack - December 16, 2008
Hannahan is really good with the glove though.
Crosby is not. Crosby is a replacement level player. You don’t want your starters to only be good for replacement level.
Blicks - December 16, 2008
hannahan ar 2b couldve happened
if ellis didnt resign/…thats if you wanted hannahan in the lineup at all
Asfan4ever723 - December 16, 2008
not really
mrod - December 16, 2008
he played 2b for most of 07
in the minors…if his great defense at 3b it should carry over to 2b
anyways i’d prefer he’s not even on the team and in AAA
Asfan4ever723 - December 16, 2008
Uh, what?
How does great defense at third carry over to second? The skills required to be good at each are really not that similar, other than the basic “how to field a ground ball” stuff.
thejd44 - December 16, 2008
Exactly
For 2nd Base, the two most important things you need are range and good hands.
For 3rd Base, the two most important things you need are good reflexes/reaction time and a strong arm.
The ball gets to you much quicker at 3B, so you don’t really need that much range (since the ball would get past you anyways even if you had great range), you just need to be able to react in time to catch the ball. For 2nd Base, much like Short Stop, you have a long time to get to the ball, but the ball will be much farther away from you, so you have to get over there in time and field it cleanly to get the runner.
Zonis - December 16, 2008
2B also need to turn the DP. This may be Cardenas's shortcoming there.
WaddellCanseco - December 16, 2008
Crosby is not a replacement level player
Unless you consider half the shortstops in baseball below replacement. If you do, you need to adjust what “replacement” means for a shortstop.
thejd44 - December 16, 2008
+1
Crosby is not good, but we’re better situated with him at SS than anywhere between 6 and 12 teams depending upon how you count.
nevermoor - December 16, 2008
I don't agree. Crosby is terrible and the worst player of all time.
WaddellCanseco - December 16, 2008
you convinced me
xbhaskarx - December 16, 2008
I think the A's are really relying on
Chavez to be healthy. Very risky, but you have an $11 mil a year commitment over there.
Tyler Bleszinski - December 16, 2008
If Hannahan and Crosby were in our 2009 lineup
Then we would have minus zero chance of contending.
No one can convince me otherwise
Trainman - December 16, 2008
I beg to differ...
Let me present your 2009 A’s with only two ‘0’ VORPS
Grady Sizemore CF
Joe Mauer C
Mark Texeira 1B
Matt Holliday LF
Magglio Ordonez RF
Jack Cust DH
Mark Ellis 2B (had to keep 1 original A)
Jack Hanahan 3B
Bobby Crosby SS
Heck, this is actually possible if you leverage nearly 1/2 our Farm System. Not to mention Manny, Adam Dunn, Burrell, and Giambi are still avail for free.
gdub171 - December 16, 2008
you have a strange definition of "free"...
xbhaskarx - December 16, 2008
I doubt the entire A's farm system would be enough to get Sizemore
PaulThomas - December 17, 2008
I'm predicting Escobar to TOR in a Halliday deal.
ChadGod - December 16, 2008
Then we flip Holliday for Halliday on Hula Day!
Nico - December 16, 2008
Tejada
As much as I loved the idea of having Furcal, better he signed elsewhere if he didn’t want to play for the A’s.
I loved Tejada while he was here and regardless of what is happening with him legally, it would be great to have him back. His defense is still incredible and I know he would be happy to play for the A’s again.
riznotch - December 16, 2008
i really think it would take almost nothing to get him
because the astros are looking to dump the salary. i say go for it, as there are not a whole lot of options right now.
travdog6 - December 16, 2008
My sentiments exactly.
mrod - December 16, 2008
The legal situation makes him easier to acquire on the cheap,
but legal matters take months/years, not days, to come to fruition.
Nico - December 16, 2008
I don't know that I would call hid defense incredible
but it is at least decent. And he can still rake baby!
mrod - December 16, 2008
"his defense". Sorry.
mrod - December 16, 2008
im sure he'll have a great "defense" at his upcoming perjury trial
UOSportsDude - December 16, 2008
Can't he beat the perjury charge by just lying under oath about it?
Nico - December 16, 2008
It's hard as hell to prove perjury....
You have to have the statements, and you have to prove intent. Sounds like the Feds are applying pressure to Miggy in order to gather some more names. Besides all that, this matter will still be winding its way through the judicial system when the opening pitch is thrown at the new park.
If the Astro’s want a straight up trade with each side assuming their new players salary, I say go for it.
alox - December 16, 2008
I feel so... used.
whiteshoes40 - December 16, 2008
I think the term is "dirty and unclean".
mrod - December 16, 2008
Most expensive hooker
I’ve ever felt f**ed by.
Nico - December 16, 2008
Do hookers interview now?
WaddellCanseco - December 16, 2008
You should see their references!
Nico - December 16, 2008
Yo, check it
Bobby Crosby will be an MVP next year
carp - December 16, 2008
So Crosby was just demoted to Vancouver?
thejd44 - December 16, 2008
Crosby + cash
For Tejada!
niallmack - December 16, 2008
ive been saying lets go tejeda
but now that i actually look at his stats….i dunno. but he is an upgrade over crosby if his stats translate to the al/oakland (which they probably wont).
travdog6 - December 16, 2008
plus he'll be going from a RH hitter's haven to the.....Oakland-Alameda County Colliseum (or something)
UOSportsDude - December 16, 2008
agreed
exactly. thats one of the things i meant when i said coming to oakland. and then theres that whole he could be indicted thing…but no biggy
travdog6 - December 16, 2008
From Tejada in Oakland next year I'd expect something like
.260/.325/.420 with average defense. Given all the options currently available to the A’s, if you can get that for relative little I’m jiggy with the miggy.
Nico - December 16, 2008
I highly doubt Tejada puts up better slash stats in Oakland than he did in Miniature Maid park.
mikev - December 16, 2008
Look at his road stats in 2008, 2007, 2006
I imagine a slight rejuvenation, from an emotional personality, upon returning to Oakland, and mostly I expect a “poor man’s Tejada slash rich man’s Emil Brown.”
Nico - December 16, 2008
Away stats, slash style
2006: .303/.361/.437
2007: .268/.344/.390
2008: .273/.307/.394
Are you seeing something that I’m not? His numbers are declining, no matter how you look at them.
mikev - December 16, 2008
You need to turn yourself upside down. Then they look like they're getting better.
LoneStranger - December 16, 2008
Tejada was great for the 1st third of the season,
It is possible that whatever derailed him might not be as large of a factor in 2009.
ChadGod - December 16, 2008
Crosby had a good month, once
It is possible that whatever derailed him might not be as large of a factor in 2009.
monkeyball - December 16, 2008
A Great 1st third is awesome
When you play EVERY day and have consistent average 2nd and 3rd thirds. Imagine how successful the A’s would be with 2 or 3 players who make it through the season playing every day with average numbers…
riznotch - December 16, 2008
If he can have that great third again, we can trade him.
WaddellCanseco - December 16, 2008
What those stats say to me is that
2007 and 2008 were nearly identical (exception is OBP but these are two 81 game samples – call them both around .320 give or take). And the numbers suggest a perfectly decent hitting SS with some pop – just not a good or great one.
Nico - December 16, 2008
i guess i shouldn't have stopped reading after the "..."
my excuse is it’s finals week…too much reading already
UOSportsDude - December 16, 2008
no worries
i finished my finals last week: it was brutal. i wish you luck
travdog6 - December 16, 2008
i actually finished them thursday and am back home now but im still exhausted
my mom thinks thats still not a good enough reason to wake up at 1 everyday and forget to take out the trash
UOSportsDude - December 16, 2008
take it from me
its a great reason.
travdog6 - December 16, 2008
Crosby's doubles
It’s either a perversely impressive achievement to hit 39 doubles while AVG/SLG’ing .237/.349 … or Crosby simply hit an amazing number of groundballs down either foul line.
monkeyball - December 16, 2008
And I don't think you can say the park was much of a factor
I don’t remember too many Crosby doubles where I thought “man, in another park that’s a homer.”
He does seem to hit that “oops, I accidentally went the opposite way over the 1B’s head” double a few times a year.
thejd44 - December 16, 2008
it seemed to me that I noticed a lot of them this past season ...
… both of the holy-shit-look-how-much-he-overswung-at-that-inside-cutter grounders down third, and of the how-in-the-hell-did-he-actually-make-contact-with-that-slider-down-and-away grounders down first varieties.
Both of them, unfortunately, “proving” to Crosby that his approach at the plate was working.
monkeyball - December 16, 2008
I actually recall a lot of his doubles being
gappers to the wall, well hit. Basically, the rare times he hit the ball and hit it well it went for a double.
Nico - December 16, 2008
Or the rare times the pitcher forgot to throw the low-and-away slider
doctorK - December 16, 2008
Thats what I remember too
He did hit a lot of gappers last year, I remember a lot of line drives over the middle infielders heads that rolled to the wall, not too many fly balls that hit the wall on the fly.
pbra17 - December 16, 2008
Agree except
that Crosby will be “likely not inspired to perform” To the contrary, I think if he’s ever going to put together another strong season, this will be it. He needs to secure his future. I just hope they don’t get fooled and re-sign him if he does put together a decent season.
boilerdan - December 16, 2008
I don't think motivation is the problem
I think a lack of baseball ability is. You know, if the A’s offered me $100,000 I’d be very inspired to set lots of records, more inspired than I ever have been. Ever. I still would finish the season with no more than a hit or two (I can bunt and I’m fast).
thejd44 - December 16, 2008
Gamer!
doctorK - December 16, 2008
Let's just fall on our knees and pray
We won’t get fooled again
doctorK - December 16, 2008
Gamer!
doctorK - December 16, 2008
FAIL
doctorK - December 16, 2008
Rickey thinks doctorK talks to himself too much
nevermoor - December 16, 2008
and Rickey is right!
doctorK - December 16, 2008
let’s move on!
can’t wait to see what Beane has in his sleeve next
DWNG715 - December 16, 2008
I'm so over you, Rafael Furcal.
pam5981 - December 16, 2008
I laughed at this comment in Urban's MLB Mailbag on A's Site
If the A’s don’t get another shortstop, won’t Crosby be a little ticked off knowing the team feels “stuck” with him? Has Beane spoken to him at all this winter?
— Carl J., Burlingame, Calif. I asked Beane last week if he’d talked to Crosby, and he said, “No. Should I?” I happen to think he should, and he surely will if the scenario you presented plays out. But regardless, would a ticked-off Crosby be such a bad thing? He’s got too much character to turn into a clubhouse malcontent, and maybe this whole thing ends up being a huge motivational kick in the butt.
Trainman - December 16, 2008
Motivational kicks in the butt don't make you lay off sliders low and away!!
brenarlo - December 16, 2008
How would we know
if he was pissed off?
Leopold Bloom - December 16, 2008
Adrian Beltre got a bone spur in his ankle in 2004, and it caused him pain when he swung at low and away sliders. Look what happened.
Anyone have an idea how to create a bone spur?
Gallagher's Watermelons - December 16, 2008
How about a shock collar
mikev - December 16, 2008
qotm
ohmangoAs - December 16, 2008
You Know......
……..though I, like everyone else on this board, is disappointed in not getting Furcal, I don’t think it’s the end of the world if we are stuck with Crosby at short. If you look at the A’s during all of their championship years in the 70’s, Bert Camperneris really never had good offensive numbers, though he was certainly better than Crosby in the field. At least Crosby can hold down the fort (if he’s healthy) and the A’s can work on improving in other areas (like pitching!). Maybe I’m an optimist, but I think some of the young guys will show big improvements, and who knows, maybe Crosby will FINALLY have his breakout year. If not, then let him go and see who’s on the market next year. Also, if Crosby can be moved this winter, then by all means Beane should do it. I just don’t think this is the end of the world and will make much of a difference on whether the A’s can compete or not.
may7 - December 16, 2008
Just when you thought the Furcal thing was over....
Dodgers still talking to Furcal
LoneStranger - December 16, 2008
FurcaLOL
mikev - December 16, 2008
He's giving the Dodgers one last chance to beat the Brave's bid. Of course the Brave's didn't offer as much as the A's did.
So he is going to lose money to stay in either LA or Atlanta. And the A’s get to spend that money on someone else, hopefully a bat that can work with Holliday and Cust in the middle of the order.
Eastbayjim - December 16, 2008
I'd rather he sign with the Dodgers,
because if they sign Furcal the Dodgers really have no place for Hu (with DeJesus behind Furcal). And I’d be as willing to take a shot at Hu, who is at least major league ready, as any option I can see at the moment.
Nico - December 16, 2008
Your wish is Raffy's command!
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8954110/Sources:-Furcal-picks-Dodgers-over-Braves
WaddellCanseco - December 17, 2008
I thought that his numbers were worse than that.
BIGa's - December 16, 2008
I was talking about Crosby.
BIGa's - December 16, 2008
Sorry, I've been away.
Did we sign him?
67MARQUEZ - December 16, 2008
Ben Copeland?
Yep!
mikev - December 16, 2008
Yes!!
67MARQUEZ - December 16, 2008
Wait, does he even like Oakland?
67MARQUEZ - December 16, 2008
He doesn't get a choice.
mikev - December 16, 2008
Sorry guys...
We apparently signed Bobby Crosby.
Gallagher's Watermelons - December 16, 2008
mikev - December 16, 2008
LOL
oblique - December 16, 2008
That kitty is freaking me out!
lynnzgal - December 16, 2008
Ditto.
That’s one scary pussy.
Leopold Bloom - December 16, 2008
Obviously you haven't seen --
you know, maybe I just won’t finish that sentence.
Nico - December 16, 2008
we all know you’re talking about courtney love
xbhaskarx - December 16, 2008
Is she the scary pussy woman?
I wondered about that.
lynnzgal - December 16, 2008
In fact
He’ll get nothing, and like it
doctorK - December 16, 2008
Can someone explain the love affair with Yunel Escobar to me?
I’m looking at both his minor- and major-league numbers, and they’re more “Edgar Renteria” than they are “shortstop Jesus.” Is his glove that good (don’t have defensive metrics handy)? If so, why does he suck at stealing bases so much?
There is no way in hell I would give up Holliday for him, unless it came with other goodies.
jeepers - December 16, 2008
Yes, he'd good with the glove.
There’s nothing not to like about him except his lack of Custian power. He’s young, cheap, still projectible (projectable?). He gets on base. There aren’t many SS’s that play both defense and offense competently.
Plus he’s not Bobby Crosby, knomsain?
NateHST - December 16, 2008
He seems fine, I guess.
Not worth blowing up the farm system, though, or giving up an asset like Holliday. If/when Holliday is traded, I want an A- level prospect for him, and I don’t really care what position—give me another pitcher, if that’s what you’ve got. Otherwise, I’ll happily take the two draft picks.
jeepers - December 16, 2008
So, Yunel Escobar is worth less than two draft picks?
Blicks - December 16, 2008
Yep (well, two first-round picks and a year of Holliday)
What’s to love about his numbers? Is he really supposed to get that much better? He sure didn’t show it in the minors.
jeepers - December 16, 2008
Whats
not to love about a .303/.373/.420 line from a SS over his first two big league seasons?? Add in the fact that he’s above average with the glove and f*** love, i’d have a chubby if he played for the A’s. I don’t think anybody expects Escobar to be the best SS ever, but a SS who hits .300 with decent pop and great defense doesn’t come around very often. I also am one who believes he will end up a 15 HR guy to go along with a .300 average. Yes, I have love for Yunel Escobar. He would be a great addition to this young team over the next 5 seasons.
JPShark - December 17, 2008
I agree about Escobar
Everyone on here acts like hes going to be the best shortstop ever. I wouldnt give up Holliday for him straight up either.
pbra17 - December 16, 2008
You wouldn't take 4 years of Escobar in trade for 1 year of Holliday?
Wow.
mikev - December 16, 2008
4 years of Escobar, three of which are at arbitration salary
for 1 year of Holliday and two first-round draft picks. No thanks.
jeepers - December 16, 2008
Escobar would also net 2 draft picks.
And, there’s the fact that there are zero shortstops in the system until about 2011 at best
mikev - December 16, 2008
Escobar might net two draft picks, four years from now.
He might get hit by a bus, too. It seems like by saying “there’s zero shortstops in the system until about 2011,” you’re saying we should acquire him out of desperation, which is a losing proposition for building a winning ballclub.
jeepers - December 16, 2008
Out of desperation or out of a need to improve the worst position on the team.
Unless you think that the 2 draft picks Holliday gets us are going to be better than Street, Smith, and Gonzalez? Without going out and improving the team elsewhere, acquiring Holliday was a stupid trade to make, and the most likely place to improve the team is at SS.
mikev - December 16, 2008
Factoring in the chance that Escobar gets hit by a bus
has turned me from the “get him!” camp into the “stay away from him!” camp.
Nico - December 16, 2008
Is there a Marcel projection for the chance he gets hit by a bus in 2009?
It’s a risk, but I need to know if it’s worth it to continue to pursue him.
mikev - December 16, 2008
Marcel is driving the bus and says it's about 50/50
Nico - December 16, 2008
anyone know escobar’s frogger stats?
xbhaskarx - December 16, 2008
I already toad you
Nico - December 16, 2008
the worst position on the team
likely will be 3b after chavy gets hurt in the first couple weeks and gets replaced with hannahan
johnjahafanclub - December 16, 2008
Street, Gonzalez, and Smith don't matter.
They’re gone, and a thing of the past. Making another deal to save face on what we got for them is even worse than grabbing a guy out of desperation because you can get them.
I see no compelling reason to believe that Escobar is going to be better than either two first-round picks, or what we get for Holliday in a mid-season deal. Further, to speculate on whether or not Escobar will be Type A four years from now—or even if Type A will exist four years from now—is fruitless.
jeepers - December 16, 2008
5 years
PaulThomas - December 17, 2008
you aren't thinking in the right terms
1 year of holliday at 13 mil/year
for
5 years of control of yunel, starting at 400k
sure holliday is a better player right now, but we will only have him for one year.
johnjahafanclub - December 16, 2008
jesus guzman for shortstop!
xbhaskarx - December 16, 2008
He's a 20 runs above average shortstop who has 5 years left under contract
If I was offered him in a trade for Holliday, he’d be gone before Frank Wren finished getting the words out.
BTW, Edgar Renteria, in his youth, was a damn good player.
PaulThomas - December 17, 2008
+1
Obviously i’m all over the Escobar bandwagon, but I can’t understand what’s not to like about him.
JPShark - December 17, 2008
I have a hard time understanding
how an OPS+ of 103 from your shortstop is 20 runs above average, but I guess that’s why there are lies, damn lies, and statistics.
jeepers - December 17, 2008
Easy...
103 OPS+ is about 13% better, loosely, 13 runs better than a 90 OPS+, which is about average for shortstops… 7 runs above average defensively makes 20…
PaulThomas - December 18, 2008
Poetic Interlude forthcoming
“Screwfurcalafragiledipstickexpeditethedunncust”
monkeyball - December 16, 2008
This is priceless
Lafayette Scotsman - December 16, 2008
I don't know...
The sound of it is something quite atrocious.
FormerHuntsvilleStar - December 16, 2008
no, no, no
The shortstop we have is something quite atrocious.
monkeyball - December 16, 2008
Sign Dunn and put him at 1B,
sign Burrell and put him at SS, and just hope the pitching and offense are good enough. I mean seriously, how many balls can get put into play anyway?
Nico - December 16, 2008
tejada yes, then Giambi
then talk McGwire out of retirement and let him DH
BlueMoon - December 16, 2008
and we replace BoCro at SS with John Jaha
while we’re at it
johnjahafanclub - December 16, 2008
Off-topic, but I didn't want to start a whole post about it
My roommate, who is pretty knowledgeable about baseball, just e-mailed me saying that Manny was going to the Angels (he took a shot at the A’s for not landing Furcal, the bastard). I couldn’t find anything on the interweb other than Scioscia talking about him. Anyone heard/seen anything concrete on this?
Joey C. - December 16, 2008
He'd be like yet another right-handed version of Vlad!
monkeyball - December 16, 2008
I haven't.
Hopefully this is Mo Vaughn part Deux (minus the GM resigning part).
If the slegnA get Manny, that means they don’t get Teixeira. That’s good on its own.
Blicks - December 16, 2008
i havent heard anything
but this was on mlbtraderumors
from what ive heard there going with teixera as there top priority. there already paying a fortune for outfielders
travdog6 - December 16, 2008
Just one question:
If 4/40 was a below-market bid for Furcal by Beane, how come a 3/30(34 w/ incentives) was the market-making deal?
Any impatient ANers out there still think that Beane low-balled Furcal?
Okay, so that was two questions.
LowcountryJoe - December 16, 2008
Yup. The A's made a solid offer
and stepped up for the number of years that was supposed to be so crucial to “getting it done.” Furcal took a worse deal to play where he wanted. And I am not a Rafael Furcal fan.
Nico - December 16, 2008
i will say
i respect players who take less money to play where they want to. what i don’t like is how furcal’s agent tried to play everyone on this. i wouldn’t doubt he put out the “furcal hates oakland” thing to get LA and the braves moving. i am pretty sure he had no intention of coming here unless we gave him something preposterous like 4/48.
guy incognito - December 16, 2008
That's about how I feel
I like that he wasn’t all about the most money; I just don’t like the WAY it was all handled. But whatever.
Nico - December 16, 2008
The Difference from Other Players who Take Less Money
Is that other players who take less money to go where they want do not feign interest in other teams and negotiate in bad faith to jack up their price for where they want to go. You never saw smoltz or hoffman or gwynn or ripken do stuff like that.
johnjahafanclub - December 16, 2008
We don't know that Furcal feigned interest in Oakland. It may be that he had an open
mind, came to Oakland and didn’t like what he saw….or didn’t like Beane….or something like that.
WaddellCanseco - December 16, 2008
Or he's just a jerk
who deserves nothing from us but scorn.
I vote the latter.
Effing jerk. Those grapes, er, that Furcal’s prolly sour anyway…{kicks dirt}
Leopold Bloom - December 16, 2008
This.
If he doesn’t want to play somewhere, fine.
I respect him for taking less money to play where they want to, its their call and they’re putting other stuff over money.
But don’t dick around with the teams that you don’t want to play for. If they offer, be clear with them. Not turn around and use them as leverage on another team.
Blicks - December 16, 2008
This.
Its not personal, just business.
lynnzgal - December 16, 2008
Hey, Local H.
salb918 - December 16, 2008
You do know who I'm trying to goad, don't you?
LowcountryJoe - December 16, 2008
Ooh ooh ooh ooh!!!!!!
Never mind. I thought you said “goat”.
Nico - December 16, 2008
Last update on the Furcal / Atlanta / Dodgers game from mlbtraderumors.com
Tim Brown explains that while some Braves people believed they had a deal with Furcal, Kinzer and Arn Tellem are still talking to the Dodgers. The Braves probably aren’t terribly amused with the agents.
Eastbayjim - December 16, 2008
FURCAL FIRES AGENTS, SIGNS WITH A'S FOR MINIMUM WAGE,
he dreamed.
Nico - December 16, 2008
so, i guess the banquet is over.
ak_A - December 16, 2008
tut tut, my good man.
It’s just beginning. Here, have a turkey leg.
Leopold Bloom - December 16, 2008
what do we do now?
my thinking is, make a good offer for randy johnson, and possibly adam dunn or pat burrell, depending on the price. beane is trying to compete this year without sacrificing the system, so i’ve got to imagine he’s got a few plans in motion. thoughts?
guy incognito - December 16, 2008
i have faith in bb as well
im thinking he has something planned to deal with this scenario
travdog6 - December 16, 2008
What I have faith in is that he will
do SOMETHING and that it will have a plan. Whether that something comes to fruition, is good enough, or follows the best plan? We’ll see.
Nico - December 16, 2008
yeah, it seems HIGHLY unlikely that furcal was the linchpin to our offseason
losing out on him isn’t great, but i never felt he was worth the money we were offering, considering his injury-plagued recent history. think we could sign dunn to a similar contract? dunn + holliday would radically alter our offense. with that support, i think cust would really do well, and our young hitters would have much less pressure on them, plus probably see much better pitches.
guy incognito - December 16, 2008
jerry hairston?
last year in 297 plate appearances he went .326/384/487. he can play short (pretty terribly, almost like a blind bobby crosby) but he isnt bobby crosby. yes i know the sample size is small. but its an idea?
bill james has him going 264/333/391 in 220 at bats.
thoughts? (dont rip me to pieces)
travdog6 - December 16, 2008
(Rips travdog6 to pieces)
WaddellCanseco - December 16, 2008
and now im crying
see what youve done!
travdog6 - December 16, 2008
I don't mind the idea of adding Hairston,
just not as a SS. Similar to Mark DeRosa – I hope the A’s DO add DeRosa, but if they do they will still need a SS.
Nico - December 16, 2008
i read Happy Hairston, at first.
ak_A - December 17, 2008
Are you SURE about those stats?
I mean, there’s no way I could have been there for EVERY strike out Crosby had this year could I have been? ONLY 98 K’s?! And 132 hits? Why can’t I recall a single one of ’em? Can someone please fact check these stats?
oaklandfan40 - December 16, 2008
ya really!
are you sure you didnt confuse k’s and hr’s? cause im sure i saw at least 98 of those off the bat of bobby “the babe” crosby.
travdog6 - December 16, 2008
You guys/girls sound like giant fans
Boo Hoo Hoo Furcal gives us the finger and sign somewhere else. Remember any true A’s fan would say FU furcal hope your back goes out. Time to move on and get a better SS. Any real A’s fan would trust Beane solving the probem. So get off your whinny little a$$ suck it up and move on.
Arcman - December 16, 2008
and in response to this post, what would any true AN fan say?
monkeyball - December 16, 2008
Something involving a pun, a poem, buttocks, and a reference to Jean-Paul Sartre?
Nico - December 16, 2008
SartreLabarthemonkeyball - December 16, 2008
I always vote for Barthes.
but I like my mother.
Leopold Bloom - December 16, 2008
don't forget the double play or rather entendre
ak_A - December 17, 2008
what's your F'in problem AN?
xbhaskarx - December 16, 2008
WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!!1! STICKOUTS!!!!!1!!!!
5Aces - December 17, 2008
Don't know if anyone else had mentioned/said this....
but I had it explained to me this way. Maybe we should pull for Tex to go to Boston. If he does, he’ll take Youks place at 1B and they’ll move Youk to 3B. Mike Lowell anyone? I mean he’s no spry chicken, but he stays healthy and puts up decent offensive numbers. Just a thought.
mrbendy - December 16, 2008
Lowell wasn't healthy last year
WaddellCanseco - December 16, 2008
and he might spontaneously combust if we sign him, given our recent injury history
guy incognito - December 16, 2008
He's no Lady Mondegreen, either
monkeyball - December 16, 2008
Okay, I went to Wikipedia,
my favorite, I think, is: “Hold me close, young Tony Danza.”
Leopold Bloom - December 16, 2008
I always hear that one Eagles song as "freeways causin' trucks"
monkeyball - December 17, 2008
I keep wondering about Stevie Nicks,
and I wanna tell her that a one-wing dove would fly in circles.
Leopold Bloom - December 17, 2008
teix --> nats, nick johnson --> a's
xbhaskarx - December 16, 2008
jack wilson anyone?
projected by bill james at 274/321/375. obviously nothing spectacular but if those numbers came to fruition he would be a significant upgrade. also slightly above average defensively.
travdog6 - December 17, 2008
I would rather give up the pick and sign Cabrera for 2 years
than give up a prospect to get Wilson for 1.
Blicks - December 17, 2008
Well, FurcaLOL is nearing an agreement with the Dodgers...
Tim Brown…
This is getting hilarious.
Blicks - December 17, 2008
From Buster Olney's Blog (Furcal angry at Oakland)
Sources say Furcal was not happy with the way negotiations with the Athletics played out, that there was some anger that Oakland’s offer wasn’t as high as expected. But that week, the Athletics — like a lot of teams — had reassessed the market, in the aftermath of the arbitration offers, and they made an offer they considered to be in line with the sport’s new economics. (And, as events have unfolded, that reading of Furcal as a $9.5 million a year player seems to jibe almost precisely with the assessments of the Braves and the Dodgers.)
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3774929&name=olney_buster
Trainman - December 17, 2008
Lolz.
The A’s made a fair market offer. Nobody has topped it yet.
Blicks - December 17, 2008
Forget that fella.
Buzzards gotta eat—same as worms…{spits chaw juice}
Leopold Bloom - December 17, 2008
Furcal's not happy?
Fuck that guy! Whatever , man…………
Some guys just don’t know when to stop bluffing…….
what a loser…….
mrod - December 17, 2008
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