At first it was just the familiar refrain for an A's starting pitcher: one bad inning. But then it turned into two back-to-back bad innings, no response from the offense, another bad inning and then eventually morphed into a complete blow-out. The hemorrhaging started with Joe Blanton, who started off so well with 3 scoreless innings while facing the minimum 9 batters via 3 strikeouts. However, the wheels came off for big Joe and the rest of the A's in the 4th when the Giants batted around, putting together a 4-run, 5-hit inning, at one point stringing together 4 straight 2-out hits. Joe finally got out of the inning, but would not record another out, as he started off the 5th by giving up a triple, double (run) and a walk before being lifted for Andrew Brown, who followed the veterans' lead by coughing up a few more walks, hits and runs before ending the frame with the A's fatally behind at 9-1. That was really the game right there. Blanton got hammered on his second time through the Giant's order, and the bullpen and the offense simply couldn't recover from his disastrously bad start: 4 IP, 8 hits, 7 earned runs. Jack Cust mustered the only run for the Green n Gold via a Custian bomb to right center in the 2nd
(To add insult to injury, Rich Aurilia - scourge of the A's marketing department - tied his career high with 5 RBI's today and K-Rod just fist-pumped his way out of a bases-loaded 9th inning jam at Dodger Stadium to notch another save and extend the Angels' lead over the A's in the division to 4.5 games)
The big question coming out of this game is: what to do with Joe Blanton? I wish I could muster up some Batting-Average-to-Balls-in-Play data and tell you all that all of the multitude of hits Big Joe has allowed as of late were all lucky and that Joe will be an above average starter for the rest of the season. But even if I could find that data (and his BABIP IS in fact really high by the way) I wouldn't necessarily come to that conclusion. First off, batters aren't getting cheated when getting hits off of Joe. The Giants' meek offense absolutely hammered the ball on their second time through the order today. Hell, Joe allowed an extra-base hit to Dan Haren two starts ago for God's sake! And the A's defense is near the top of the league in defensive-efficiency, so it's not the defense's fault so many hits are falling. It might just be true that Joe is just not an above-average pitcher. He's an average, command-and-control-oriented innings eater that has not had very good command or control so far this season, which is truly the most alarming aspect of Big Joe's game.
All that said, Chad Gaudin is most definitely a better pitcher at this time and should be starting for this team. However, Blanton's trade value is negative at this point, and it seems like the Duke and Harden are fairly healthy and keeping the team competitive. So what are the A's to do? Switch Gaudin with Blanton straight-up? Trade Harden and/or Duke while their values are high thereby keeping both Joe and Chad in the rotation? Trade Gaudin? Designate Joe for assignment? Keep the status quo and hope Blanton's BABIP and ERA plummet in the next month so that he can be moved for a couple decent prospects before the deadline? Ahhhhh! The Sky is falling!
0 recs | 126 comments
Put Blanton in the bullpen
Start Gaudin. Trade Harden before he lands on the DL again. Get at least one major league ready pitcher back for Harden. Sign Duke to a 3 year extension.
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
I am in agreement with all of these sentiments
... and I would like more information on how to subscribe to your newsletter.
monkeyball - June 30, 2008
Sorry
Swooney's Left Foot - June 30, 2008
2?
Colorado Fan - June 29, 2008
The second run was awarded
by Michigan delegates
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
The second run was awarded by my imagination.
The Giants batted around so many times that I thought one of their runs was actually scored by Rajai Davis (who certainly looks a little bit like and plays a lot like Fred Lewis).
Taj Adib - June 29, 2008
Could be worse
He could look and play like Emmanuel Lewis.
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
I disagree
Fred Lewis may look like Rajai Davis, but unlike Rajai, he knows how to hit.
PaulThomas - June 29, 2008
Sadly, the A’s played a lot like Jerry Lewis.
gregorymark - June 29, 2008
LA-DEEEE!
monkeyball - June 30, 2008
His babip isn't really high, it's normal (before today)(and that's not good for Joe...)
Gaudin is probably a better bet at this point, but it’s close.
mikeA - June 29, 2008
True.
My sources (firstinning.com) say his BABIP is at .296, which is it’s lowest since his rookie year. That’s even worse. He IS getting lucky and still not getting more outs/
Taj Adib - June 29, 2008
Well, it also doesn't mean he's getting lucky
90% of starting pitchers wind up around .290 for their careers, and I don’t think Blanton should be any different. Low K% is the problem. He has a lot of trouble putting hitters away with two strikes.
mikeA - June 29, 2008
Apparently the hanging curve is not the weapon he had hoped
Nico - June 29, 2008
Yep, his BABIP may be the same as someone else, but without any strikeouts
he is having 6 or 7 more BIP’s than most other pitchers, so that is still 4 or 5 more hits, with the same BABIP.
theblackpearl - June 30, 2008
Second half pitcher
At least two of the three years he’s been here. I have hope yet. I’d be amazed if he was pulled from the rotation. He had a hell of a start last time out don’t forget.
Still more worried about getting a bat. It’s easy to lose in the blowout that the A’s had another game with only 4 hits. Joe Gaetti really ought to come up. Or Putnam. T-Buck is a freaking given when he gets of the DL. Rajai Davis does not have value to this team if Frank Thomas isn’t on the active roster. Brown is a perfectly capable late inning defensive replacement. Davis ought to be DFA, and then after he doesn’t get claimed, demoted until (at least) Frank is back. I’m really concerned about how often Geren is playing him.
Before all that, the A’s should absolutely make an offer to Bonds. There are no good excuses left not to.
31Boots - June 29, 2008
Buck is a given?
He is hitting .160 with a .235 OBP this year. He is in Sacramento for a reason. The reason Davis has started the last 3 games is because of Swooney’s left foot. If the Hurt returns, Cust will go back to left, with Go-2 in center and Swooney in left.
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
Swooney in right
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
Buck is a given
Rajai Davis has been to the plate 80 times this year. That’s about 60 more than he should have been. Buck has hit .337/.425/.490 at Sacto. He’s not nearly as screwed up as people here think . He had 100 bad at-bats. SFW. If it didn’t mean playing Hannahan or Chavez DH, and Cust’s defense, I’d be all in favor of him working out his mental issue at AAA. But the A’s have need. He has to come up and work it out.
31Boots - June 29, 2008
The need is not in the outfield as much as the infield
Flashfire - June 29, 2008
Really?
So when Thomas returns, you would have an outfield of Buck, Go-2 and Swooney with Cust on the bench?
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
Thomas isn't back for three weeks...at least.
He’s not a factor right now. Cross that bridge when they get to it.
31Boots - June 29, 2008
Hypothetically...
Swooney is ready to play tomorrow and Chavez returns in a couple days, but can only DH. Don;’t you agree that Cust is a better overall option for left than Buck?
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
Cust simply has to play -
our offense isn’t good enough to sit him.
Nico - June 29, 2008
I agree with Nico
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
Put Cust at first base.
mikev - June 29, 2008
LOL
Flashfire - June 29, 2008
Hypotheticals are silly
No offense. If Chavez can only DH, he may well be a worse option than Buck, likely a worse option in fact. Healthy Chavez has been a league average hitter so far this year. What’s Chavez with shoulder issues going to do?
But, to play along, if that was the scenario, Buck may not be a better option than Cust (if he’s right, he really would be actually), but I’m confident he’d be a better option than either Sweeney or Gonzalez, at least going forward. And I’m definitely confident that considering the leveraged situation (the A’s being 4.5 back of the Angels), betting the reward of Buck against the risk is the way to go. Travis Buck was 30% better than a league average hitter last year, and he’s hitting .337 in AAA. He’s the second or third best hitter in the entire organization, when he’s right. The A’s are dying for offense, and this is the one impact bat in the organization who’s available (or will be later this week.)
31Boots - June 29, 2008
Buck only played in 82 games last year
He spent half the year either day-to-day or on the DL. I don’t think he ever played more than 5 or 6 straight. I would like to see him stay in Sacramento, dominate, and stay healthy. And I totally disagree about him being better than Go-2 or Swooney going forward. I predict the 2010 OF will be Cunningham, Go-2 and Swooney.
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
"Go-2"?
I must have missed that one. From the context, I assume you mean Carlos Gonzalez, yes?
iglew - June 29, 2008
Who's Go-1?
I guess Juan Gonzalez could be. Go-Juan!
Nico - June 29, 2008
Yeah
I don’t like CarGon, CarGo or C-Gon. I chose Go-2 because of all the doubles he hit.
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
Sounds like a bodily function.
pam5981 - June 29, 2008
Ewww
Time to think of a new one. Thanks a lot.
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
Sorry it's definetly CarGo everyone is doing it!!
LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn - June 30, 2008
Ah, so it's another player's nickname then.
iglew - June 29, 2008
Come to think of it,
I guess all those analysts were right when they said about Blanton that he may not be a true ace but he projects as a solid number two starter.
iglew - June 29, 2008
Ewww x2
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
Solid number two
Or solid waste?
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
One other thing
Giants were not hitting balls particularly hard today. They were finding a lot of holes.
31Boots - June 29, 2008
I can't speak to after the 4th inning
but that inning they hammered a series of consecutive balls off of Blanton. 3 doubles, an infield single, and a hard single before I left. I really can’t see the basis for your statement at all.
PaulThomas - June 29, 2008
There was one weakly hit ball (Bowker's) that Crosby
could have played and held the Giants to two runs in the fourth – but everything else was smacked pretty good.
Regarding that infield hit, whenever Crosby throws off the wrong foot, he drops his arm too low and arcs the throw, which then sails off line. He could sidearm it perfectly strong and accurate if he would just not drop his arm so much. Let me guess: He’s “been doing it that way a long time.”
Nico - June 29, 2008
he just needs to THROW HARDER
monkeyball - June 30, 2008
You left
after the 4th?
I like your style, though you may regret that one day.
Leopold Bloom - June 29, 2008
It seemed like a decent time to get lunch
Turned out to be, too.
PaulThomas - June 29, 2008
You sound like Rich Aurilia talking about Dana Eveland
The Giants nailed Blanton today. That’s all there is to it.
Flashfire - June 29, 2008
The annoying thing about that
is that Aurilia was right… Eveland only struck out 3 and the Giants did hit a lot of balls hard off of him.
PaulThomas - June 29, 2008
I don't buy it, though
Eveland beat them twice. Whatever the reasons behind it, to basically say “Oh, I wasn’t that impressed” is kind of lame, especially when the second time he only gave up a run.
Flashfire - June 29, 2008
Yeah, if a guy is unimpressive yet
you still can’t hit him, well…then I guess YOU must REALLY suck.
Nico - June 29, 2008
Agreed.
I don’t think Aurilia would make any other major league roster except for the Giants. That’s how inept they are.
Coach Cleats - June 29, 2008
They did hit him
That’s my point. The Giants had like 5 lineouts in that game.
PaulThomas - June 29, 2008
You know it's a bad game when...
The only highlight of the day is having Banjo man come to your section.
fansince1980 - June 29, 2008
That's a highlight?
Can you still smell him?
Flashfire - June 29, 2008
What's most perplexing to me
is that watching Blanton it really doesn’t appear that there is anything physically wrong with him. His velocity is fine, there are times when he has great snap on his breaking pitches, and the first three innings today show he has the ability to dominate.
Given that historically Joe tends to have a short fuse and can lose his composure when things go wrong, it’s not such a stretch to imagine him having difficulties that relate to the mental aspect of the game. The question then becomes, what is the best thing for him/Oakland if it’s a purely mental problem that is preventing him from pitching better?
My best guess is that a “breather” that puts Gaudin in the rotation for two starts between now and the ASB could be, for Blanton, anything from a “chance to reset” to a “kick in the pants” – whichever it is he may actually need.
Ultimately, Blanton’s value is in the rotation and no way do you try to trade him when his value – already underappreciated when he was pitching well – is at its lowest. So I think that basically the A’s need to ride this out, but that giving Gaudin a couple starts in early July would be perfectly reasonable.
I’m not quite buying that the A’s are waiting to see “whether they’re really contenders or not,” because I think the A’s know that they just don’t know. This team could go 15-5 or 5-15 at any time. They just need to “stay the course” on “rebuilding and being as competitive as possible” in 2008 and figure in that Blanton is theirs for the near future and has a pretty darn good track record – and isn’t getting the job done right now.
Nico - June 29, 2008
My two cents
I love Harden and Duke. The two rookie lefties have surprised the heck out of me.
But Blanton?? Man—too often he’s just not a major league quality pitcher anymore—and certainly not good trade bait. Why not try Gaudin?? Others who have been around here longer might know why Gaudin’s not in there—but what’s the harm? I mean Blanton and close to a 5.00 ERA ain’t gonna cut it.
windyfelix - June 29, 2008
Blanton will remain in the rotation
Because he makes 3.7 million this year.
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
I really hope not for that reason
WaddellCanseco - June 29, 2008
Maybe Blanton isn't underappreciated
Maybe the rest of baseball have a better inkling of what his true value is and the A’s have been overvaluing him.
lenscrafters - June 29, 2008
I see him as a 14 win, 200 IP pitcher,
and think that’s worth a fair amount. Unfortunately, that’s 2005-07 and right now he’s on pace to become a 22-game loser with mediocre stats.
Nico - June 29, 2008
The A's offense has done Blanton in.
The idea that he can pitch his heart out all for naught is probably eating at him. I would be pissed if I were him too. The rag tag bats on our team are getting into his pocket by now. He’s not a 4-11 pitcher….and yet, curiously enough….he is. All he really needs is for the offense to stop screwing him and step it up a notch.
alox - June 29, 2008
Heh
Eating at him.
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
I say we sell high
on harden and/or duke. i would much rather have 4/8 players we can control for a while then then start to sell the farm for this year. And there’s no way blanton ever goes to the bullpen. That would screw his head up forever, and his trade value( although really low) would really drop off the table.
nickatt7 - June 29, 2008
Guys were only out 5 games, trading harden dush is nonsense
Get rid of blanton and street
buckfan6 - June 29, 2008
Yes! We're only 5 games out, so we should...
trade our closer. Eh? Though actually I could see it a few weeks ago, when I thought the A’s could cover for Street and needed another bat more. But with Devine’s return coming along very slowly (“there was tightness after I threw, but I think I’m ok…”) and Casilla clearly not ready to take over as closer right now, I’m a lot less sure.
Nico - June 29, 2008
I hate to say it but we kinda have to keep Street
for the very reasons you mention.
Blanton needs to go for a bag of regurgitated french fries
Trainman - June 29, 2008
The fact that you would move Blanton
in exchange for nothing does not speak well for your armchair-GMing skills. The Yankees just signed Ponson, for crying out loud. You don’t think they would have preferred Blanton? The guy really has won 42 games his first 3 seasons. And yes, he’s pitching like crap most of the time this month.
Nico - June 29, 2008
No I would not move him for nothing
That is tongue in cheek.
I am sure there are GM’s willing to overpay for him. Just a question of who, when and what we get.
Trainman - June 29, 2008
There apparently weren't such GMs in the offseason
WaddellCanseco - June 29, 2008
Could we get Sir Sidney
for Big Joe?
Leopold Bloom - June 29, 2008
I say we get rid of Blanton/Gaudin!
LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn - June 30, 2008
Czech out the Rotoworld Blurb:
“The Athletics are 5-13 when he (Blanton) starts and 39-24 when someone else does.” Coincidence/bad luck, or is Blanton really the weakest starter on the team?
Taj Adib - June 29, 2008
I would say the weakest by far
He is an emotional wreck on the mound.
He used to get weak ground balls and more K’s. Now all he does is throw poorly located meatballs which get the piss smacked out of them more often than not.
If the A’s want to keep in the race, he has got to disappear.
Trainman - June 29, 2008
Really? I thought you quite liked him.
Nico - June 29, 2008
LOL
pam5981 - June 29, 2008
The first one, and then the second one
It’s not Blanton’s fault that he pitched well enough to win and didn’t most of April into May, and it’s not the offense’s fault that they can’t score the 12 needed to win games like today’s.
Nico - June 29, 2008
either you
put all your chips into this season or build for next. we don’t want to be stuck in the middle of a playoff team and an average team. i think if we stay course we are a playoff team, not a world champion caliber team though.
nickatt7 - June 29, 2008
The A's have already clarified this one -
They are building for the future. If they can compete now, great, but the only trade Beane will make is one he feels will not weaken the team later. He has said that from the start and never wavered.
Nico - June 29, 2008
So you don't believe
the various Bay/Holiday/Nady/Fuentes rumors that would involve us sending prospects?
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
Not unless they plan to keep whoever they get past more than just the end of the season.
Flashfire - June 29, 2008
Right - you could build the next 3-4 years
around Bay or Holliday, but not the next 1+. And why the heck would the A’s need Fuentes? They need to part with prospects to gain bullpen depth? I think it’s like most rumors: You hear about Blanton and Street, and Haren’s traded; you’re pissed and then you see the guys Beane targeted, most of whom you’ve never really heard of.
Nico - June 29, 2008
We need to build around some kind of big bat
Im sick of this piss poor offense
buckfan6 - June 29, 2008
Yes, but Texas is sick of losing 9-7,
and the difference is that overall the A’s have been highly competitive in this decade, the Rangers not so much.
Nico - June 29, 2008
Remember the A's Powerball campaign in '97?
Give me pitching and defense everytime.
Coach Cleats - June 29, 2008
I miss Geronimo Berrora and Matt Stairs
John Jaha – not so much.
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
I would think that all we need is
Gaudin back to the rotation and Frank, Chavez, Both Sweeney boys and a healthy Joey Devine.
Trainman - June 29, 2008
I didn't know that Ellis was batting .193 at home which is the lowest in the AL
I know he has been great on the road though and he likes hitting in Anaslime so he will be looking forward to the road.
I hope Beane signs him to an extention as his defense is so valuable and I am sure his hitting will come around at home.
Hoping for a good game out of Greg Smith. Is this the 3rd time the Angels have seen him?
I am confident we can get to Garland and put up enough runs to win. Hoping to go and watch Harden on Tuesday and keep the winning streak alive when I go to games here
Trainman - June 29, 2008
I feel good about the first two matchups,
because the A’s will see Garland for the third time and I think Smith is ready to get his FITZ back – and as good as Ervin Santana is against the A’s, Harden vs. _ is a winning matchup for the A’s. Then I just hope it’s finally time for Saunders to get knocked around, but it isn’t Eveland’s turn just yet.
Nico - June 29, 2008
Garland got a bunch of K's against us because of the 6 o'clock start
last time and the hitters could not pick up the ball.
I see them knocking the crap out of him this time.
I think you have to go after Saunders because like a lot of control pitchers, if he gets ahead he throws that change. TB went after him in Anaheim and hit those bombs off him.
Saunders is due for anothe bombing. Hopefully we can deliver it.
Trainman - June 29, 2008
1/4 of his Ks for the entire year to that point in that game
He is a bad pitcher, but the A’s have struggled against bad pitchers of his type (Byrd, Kendrick, Silva).. I like Carlos Gonzalez’s chances against him. The previous game against him was the worst offensive performance of the season, imo, but they crushed him the first time in LA of A. It’s a big game as the A’s have a pretty decent advantage in the second game, and the Angels have a pretty decent advantage in the third game.
mikeA - June 29, 2008
Lou Piniella Tossed
I still hate him from 1990. And all the years in Seattle of course
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
Watching that game, too.
What happened? I’ve got the game on mute. Arguing balls and strikes?
Jennifer - June 29, 2008
Re-enacting the commercial?
Nico - June 29, 2008
Okay, WTF just happened to Swish?
LOL! It looked like someone threw a cannonball at him and just knocked his ass over.
Jennifer - June 29, 2008
Yes, arguing balls and strikes
He was tossed as soon as he ran onto the field.
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
for all those people that are suggesting blanton be taken out of the rotation...
i am still struggling with the idea that (i believe… please correct me if im wrong) Eveland, Smith, Duke and Harden are all on track to approach highs in IP faster than the A’s would like.
what are we going to do at that point? obviously Chad should be in the mix. but i cant see how we couldnt have Blanton in there as well- though maybe with some extra rest here or there.
oakinboston - June 29, 2008
Good point about IP
for Smith, Eveland and Duke. I don’t have a problem with a 6 man rotation in the second half.
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
That's a terrible idea
You’re reducing injury risk by a factor of ”?”, where ”?” is pretty small, while putting a worse team on the field. The strength of the team is sending out Harden and Duke 2 days out of 5, and making that 2 days out of 6 just seems like giving up wins.
mikeA - June 29, 2008
You can have a 6 man rotation
and still pitch Harden every 5 days. Besides, I expect him gone before the deadline.
Swooney's Left Foot - June 29, 2008
I can see moving Blanton to the pen until Smith or Eveland run out of gas, and
then bringing him back, hopefully in an improved state.
WaddellCanseco - June 29, 2008
that Harden +5 rotation sounds intriguing
monkeyball - June 30, 2008
I suppose one answer would be,
take Blanton out now (Gaudin in), for a mental breather, while the others are still fresh, and then re-insert him – but maybe KEEP Gaudin in if he’s pitching well and any of the others need a break (or are, gasp, injured).
Nico - June 29, 2008
I like this suggestion. Let's put it in the box.
WaddellCanseco - June 29, 2008
Blanton's options
Can someone who is knowledgeable about the rules set us straight on this?
On the game thread, Nico said he thinks a player automatically loses all options after three full seasons in the majors. I’ve never heard of that rule. My understanding is that options still apply until a player becomes eligible for free agency, which Blanton hasn’t yet.
As for the actual option years, assuming he was on the 40-man both years, he may have used up two in 2003 and 2004, but he’s been on the big-league team ever since, so he’s got at least one yet.
I’m not necessarily saying we should send him to Sacramento, but I believe we could, without putting him through waivers.
Can someone confirm if this is right or wrong?
iglew - June 29, 2008
Found this little bit of info (FWIW) on Wiki
Options
If a player is on the 40-man roster but not on the active major league roster, he is said to be on optional assignment—his organization may freely move him between the major league club and the minor league club. If a player is on the 40-man roster and not the active 25 man roster for any part of more than three seasons, he is out of options and may not be assigned to the minors without first clearing waivers. However, if a player has less than 5 years of professional experience, he may be optioned to the minors in a fourth season without being subject to waivers. If a major league player is ineligible for free agency and “has options” remaining, his team may option him to a minor league team without consequence. This is usually what is meant when players are “sent down” to the minors. Likewise, when a player on the 40-man roster is added to the active major league roster, he is “called up” to the majors.
Trainman - June 29, 2008
It sounds like he's got three options remaining.
I still like the bullpen idea better. He can continue to work with Young.
WaddellCanseco - June 29, 2008
No way he has three.
He definitely used an option year in 2004, when he came up in September and had a couple of relief appearances. I don’t know if he was on the 40-man in 2003.
He has two options remaining at most, maybe just one.
iglew - June 29, 2008
But what happens when a player
is on the 40-man roster AND the major league 25-man roster for a season, as Blanton has been the past three seasons?
Nico - June 29, 2008
That would not necessarily use up an option year
if he came straight to the bigs from the minors.
If your contract is purchased and you are immediately put on the 25-man roster, it does not use up an option year. EG Greg Smith has not used an option this season.
As far as I can tell Blanton still has all 3 option years remaining. He has never been on the 40-man roster without being on the active roster.
PaulThomas - June 29, 2008
Maybe I was thinking of the six-year mark
At some point, a player gains the right not to be shuttled (without his ok), but is that six years of service time? Frankly, the rules on this are so convoluted that I’ve never learned it without confusing the correct facts with all the misinformation most of us throw out there because we’re never sure because it’s so convoluted…
Nico - June 29, 2008
The problem here
is that there’s a whole bunch of rules which were all (it’s quite clear) separately negotiated and haggled on, probably by separate committees, which came to separate conclusions. And so the CBA as a whole is totally piecemeal, and every rule is basically independent of every other rule.
In the specific case of an option, I believe a player earns the right to refuse an option once he has 5 years of service time. At some point, I don’t know what point, I believe he also earns the right to be paid the remainder of his contract as though the team had released him outright.
In this particular case, I’m almost certain the A’s could option Blanton down without having to get his approval. I don’t think it’s going to happen, mind you, but I’m pretty sure it’s possible.
PaulThomas - June 29, 2008
According to A's website
Chavy says he is ready to come back tomorrow and at least DH. Swooney as well. His ankle is black and blue and will be taped up.
Hopefully we can hold the Angels to two runs over the 3 games. This will double their output (LOL)
Trainman - June 29, 2008
We better pitch well this week
Freakin white sox can hit
buckfan6 - June 29, 2008
Didn't see or hear...
...the game, but the box score shows 4 hits. Guys, I don’t care if you send Blanton to the pen, to Sacto or to the announcers’ booth. It doesn’t matter. He pitched poorly, but pitching is not the problem. This team can’t hit and hasn’t hit for 2-3 years. Last night Cust couldn’t hit a fly ball to score a runner from third – twice. While I like what looks like a move to small ball (because they have no long-ball game), it ’s tentative and far less than perfect. Teach everyone how to bunt, for Heaven’s sake; teach them how to run the bases, too. How these players reached this level w/o knowing how to execute the fundamentals is beyond me, but it’s never too late to teach them. Start now – they’ll need more than they seem to have at Anaheim.
doubleplayer - June 29, 2008
Blanton sucks
Right now. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll suck forever. Tom Glavine cruised to a 2.47 ERA in 1998. 1999? 4.12. Now, I’m not pushing Joe Blanton as the next Tom Glavine. He couldn’t hold Glavine’s jock, especially not right now. But: Performance can vary year to year. Is Joe F’ing sorry this season? Yeah. Does that mean he is forever lost and can never recover his value? Of course not. So the A’s lose out on the short term ramifications, but who knows what the future holds. I, for one, am optimistic.
Joey C. - June 29, 2008
Thing is, he's not even f-ing sorry this season -
He’s been f-ing sorry for most of June. He was also f-ing sorry for most of April-May 2005 and then was f-ing awesome for the following four months, won 16 the next year, and pitched very well last year. The fact is, he hasn’t been any worse, for any longer, than Cust was the first 6 weeks and it’s probably wise of the A’s not to have followed much of AN’s plea to jettison Cust.
Nico - June 29, 2008
Word
Perhaps I overstated my case, but I think we’re speaking the same language, here.
Joey C. - June 30, 2008
Start Gaudin
The thing with Blanton is that you can’t trade him if he starts, because he pitches like crap, and you can’t trade him if he doesn’t start, because there is no trade value. If you accept that fact that we are going to be stuck with him, then why not start Gaudin. In the short term, if he pitches better thab Blanton (likely), the A’s get a few extra wins. Someone may be interested in Gaudin, and we can trade him for some value, and then we can let Blanton stink it up. In any case, we will be stuck with Blanton, but if Gaudin starts, we have a chance to get a few more wins and maybe get someone for Gaudin in trades.
asfansince1989 - June 29, 2008
Blanton
It amazes me how people are so ready to give up on a pitcher who has been (overall) so good to us. When the season began, it was “Joe’s our ace because he is consistent.” Now that he hits a little rough patch (which hopefully it is) people start clamoring for him to be traded. Where’s the faith???
Pater - June 29, 2008
Also glad our "blowout or shutout" offense didn't waste runs today
Save some for the Angels. It seems every week we are crying about the lacck of offense, then we get one of those 13-2 blow outs. Our offense is inconsistent, but not punch less. As long as we take it out on the LAAAAA, I’m OK if we lose a game or 2 to the Giants, especially like today when our pitching is just giving it away.
asfansince1989 - June 29, 2008
RE: Giants fans who are quick to post "Suck it, A's!" on MCC or other blogs
Have fun treating your series win against us as a world series title, because you aren’t ever going to nab one.
Remember, the A’s one the season series against your team and we have a winning record. Also we have a team who consistently surprises in a positive way while you’re team does nothing but break your hearts year after year.
Have fun cheering at mediocrity, because apparently that’s what true gamers excel in.
(I had to get that off my chest after reading MCC)
oaklandSMASH - June 29, 2008
typo
won the season series
oaklandSMASH - June 29, 2008
Michel Inoa
I just wanted to throw his name out since no one else here know that we just signed a 16 year old to a 4.25 MILLION DOLLAR DEAL! Yes the A’s we all know and love dished 4.25 million to a 16 year old. This guy is the real deal. In four to five years we will have another Rich Harden. Go to Baseball America to read up on this signing.
HarbirD - June 29, 2008
We're on it.
AN Fanpost: “A;s Land Inoa” by wd40
Check the margins
oaklandSMASH - June 30, 2008
not exactly the best way to end the first half
of the season…but hey…
In a rebuilding year the A’s have definitely exceeded expectations. The pitching is mostly very good, the rookies often do very well and give much hope for the future, and several vets are playing very well. Thomas and MSweeney - two great hitters nearing the end of their careers - are hurt, but both are injury risks and didn’t cost much $$.
As for the Giants, they have some good young pitching, their vets are mostly playing well right now, they play in such a weak division that they can at least dream of contending—and they were likely fired up by that strange ad (really, if you want to promote an event, why say it’s not much of a battle? The opposite would seem to be more attractive) to avenge their humiliation by the A’s.
(By the way, my allusions to jinxes are simply an acknowledgement of the legendary superstitiousness of baseball players and their fans…but I’m sure most fans realize that.)
OaklandSi - June 30, 2008
Don't jinx the jinx by explaining jinx -
JINX!
There, I undid your undoing and the Woofing Gods are most pleased.
Nico - June 30, 2008
whew -- thanks
OaklandSi - June 30, 2008
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