Way back on March 26th of this season Emil Brown squared-up a Jon Lester cut fastball and deposited it into the left-field bleachers in the Tokyo Dome for a 3-run homer that gave the A's an early lead that they would not surrender, en route to a 5-1 victory. Tonight's game began similarly to that Tokyo evening as Emil took a clone of that cut fastball from Lester and blasted it over the Green Monster to give the A's an early 2 run lead. However, in the March 26th winning affair the A's had Rich Harden on the mound...tonight they had Dana Eveland...that being the main difference between that game and this one.
Eveland took the mound in the bottom of the frame, and promptly gave the Red Sox the lead back - plus a couple of insurance runs for good measure - via a Kevin Youkilis 2-run homer and a Jason Bay monster 3-run shot. Fosse called it "demoralizing" for Eveland to fail to shut down the Red Sox lineup after the A's offense jumped out to an early lead...I called it "more of the same" from Eveland. He went on to record a scoreless 2nd inning but then get pounded again for 4 more runs in the 3rd, after which he was lifted for Lenny DiNardo. It was by far the shortest outing of Eveland's season and was an apt punctuation of his month-long tailspin into complete ineffectiveness. As we discussed in the Game Thread, it's probably not worth it to option Eveland to Triple-A at this point in the season, but it's definitely worth it to at least move him to the bullpen and bring up Dan Meyer to take his place in the rotation and see if Meyer has anything to offer this organization before he's Rule 5 eligible this winter and out of options.
The aforementioned Lenny DiNardo chewed 6 innings and saved the A's bullpen tonight, which might have a positive impact on this team's fortunes tomorrow if Dallas Braden finds a way to hand a lead to the pen at some point. And the Big Hurt put a couple of nice swings on a few Lester offerings, collecting two opposite-field line-drive singles in his first 2 at-bats of the game. It's possible that he wasn't BS-ing as much as I thought when he proclaimed that he didn't need any Triple-A at-bats before he could help the team.
In other news:
- Geren indicated before the game that Jerry Blevins and Ziggy might get save opportunities at Street's expense sometime down the stretch. I like the idea for the long-term, but if Beane wants to move Street sooner rather than later and for something of value, then it would be wise for Huston to remain the top-option for saves in the short-term.
- Something to smile about: every loss gets the A's a higher pick in next year's amateur draft. Yippeeeeeee!
0 recs | 100 comments
Sadly, no one really wants to talk about this team anymore.
Hope you’re listening Mr. Beane.
alox - August 2, 2008
Lenny threw a quality start
WaddellCanseco - August 2, 2008
I guess it's safe to say,
that August will be as dreadful as July.
alox - August 2, 2008
Finally, the beating ends
Maybe tomorrow we can sucker punch ‘em and get the win.
grover - August 2, 2008
finally for sure. I am up for a sucker punch for them sox too!
ak_A - August 2, 2008
Meyer's not Rule 5 eligible
He would have to be released or outrighted—guys on a 40-man aren’t Rule 5 eligible.
The A’s can keep him through spring of next year, but at that point they will need to decide whether he makes the MLB team or not.
The functional difference is that they get one more spring to see what he’s got.
In other news, that pythagorean differential sure is shrinking in a hurry.
PaulThomas - August 2, 2008
I look at him...
....and say to myself: “Will Daric Barton ever get a major league hit again”?
doubleplayer - August 2, 2008
Not until he refinds his swing.
OldhamA - August 3, 2008
I agree regarding Meyer
He’ll be out of options next year, so let’s see if the guy can stick.
Meyer up, Eveland to the ‘pen (Innings and Ineptitude) DFA DiNardo and send to Sacto if he clears waivers again.
EastCoastA - August 2, 2008
The scary thing is,
This team might need TWO mop-up relievers down the stretch. I’d keep DiNardo and Eveland in the pen for long relief.
notsellingjeans - August 2, 2008
Manny crushes one
1st as a Dodger.
Trainman - August 2, 2008
That, or he's settling into journeyman status...
re: Eveland, in the A’s news sidebar
UncleLeo - August 2, 2008
Let's not pull a Chad Gaudin here
Shut his ass down. These games mean nothing.
notsellingjeans - August 2, 2008
I don't think he's hurt
He didn’t have much command earlier when he was getting outs. His
pitchingthrowing is just catching up to him.Nico - August 2, 2008
I think his velocity is a little down though
I remember to start the year he was throwing close to 93-94, now he’s sitting at 89-90.
baseb3383 - August 2, 2008
Yeah - could be fatigue
I just don’t buy that he’s injured when he’s never had sufficient command, and when his slider is biting just fine. Slight “dead arm” maybe, but he’s not pitching like someone who is injured as much as he’s pitching like someone who isn’t all that good.
Nico - August 2, 2008
That's what I'm thinking...
...I have not seen anything from him to suggest he’ll ever be anything more than a journeyman pitcher. I think he was pitching above his norm earlier this season, and fooled us.
UncleLeo - August 2, 2008
Eveland Said he felt really, really good. Best he's thrown in month and a half
Strangely enough, Eveland said he felt “really, really good – even when they were hitting me around. That’s the best I’ve thrown the baseball in a month and a half and to have that outcome is pretty frustrating.”
This little gem was in the SF Chronicle from Susan Slusser
Also said he needs to move hitters off plate.
I say, “Move him off the team before tomorrow”
Trainman - August 2, 2008
No matter how good you are..
Pitchers just have bad days. Now while I dont think Eveland is great or anything, but its just one of those days.
Syphon - August 3, 2008
I see him as a 5th starter
and those are a dime a dozen. I would trade Eveland for any one of the Angels starting five.
Nico - August 2, 2008
agree on that
we have several #5 starters and many #8 hitters.
Please Billy, get us a 3B and a SS like yesterday.
Trainman - August 2, 2008
I dont agree..when he had his controll earlier in the year..
he was quite good. He prob getting fatigued and I hope he stays in the rotation and work threw things so hes better for it next year.
Syphon - August 3, 2008
I haven't seen Eveland pitch in a couple months
This is (essentially) his rookie year. I know we’ve been spoiled in the past (Huddy, Zito, Blanton, heck Haren had more big league innings under his belt when he got to Oakland) but rookies tend to get their ass kicked.
The league has adapted to Eveland, now we get to see if he can adapt to the league.
grover - August 2, 2008
I feel all that with Smith and Gallagher
I just don’t see it with Eveland; never really have.
Nico - August 2, 2008
Will the A's win 70 games this year??
Seeing Embree, Eveland and Street blowing up of late and the offense in full zzzz mode, I am just praying that we can overcome this already and win at least one game per series. This stretch the team is on is really hell. It will be a long month.
Since I live in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, I will pay a bit more attention to the Marlins. They are fun, in the playoff chase and will ease my pain a bit. I love the A’s, they beat many of my expectations (not of late of course) this year and I am excited about what is to come in the next few years. I just hope we can start getting back on track. I look forward to the callups in the near future. GO A’S!!!
OakFaninFL - August 2, 2008
I'm in for the higher draft pick
My call: A’s have the 9th worse record in baseball when all is said and done. Could be even worse though.
Wow, this team is bad and pretty unwatchable. Though as a lifelong A’s fan I was there in the late 70s the mid-80s and the mid-90s, so I’ve seen my share of bad teams.
What’s distinguishing this group is the futility of the offense. They’re just so awful. No one wants to watch any of these guys hit except for maybe one or two.
RLangford - August 2, 2008
That's 9th worst
RLangford - August 2, 2008
Both are pretty bad... :/
jwnewman - August 2, 2008
and the vague (squinting) modifier at the end is intentional
RLangford - August 2, 2008
Gotta love the story that is the Marlins...
They kinda remind me of the A’s; it’d be pretty cool for them to take the East.
Pucking Insane - August 2, 2008
In the "How About Some Good News?" Department . . . .
. . . . my wife and I saw the Rivercats game last night and were VERY impressed w/ Gio Gonzalez. He threw 8 innings of 2-hit ball, mixing his fastball, change, and offspeed stuff very well. On the one occasion that he walked the leadoff hitter, he quickly got the next three hitters on strikeout, strikeout, flyout. Certainly, one game does not a call-up make, and I gather he’s still got lots to learn, but good times are around the corner, folks. (Of course, this being city blocks and all, that corner is a fur piece [creampuff pun opportunity] but, still . . . .)
camperdog - August 2, 2008
Nice to hear - there is ample pitching around the corner for sure
Too bad about the other part.
Nico - August 2, 2008
Bottom line is unfortunately
We’re going to have to rush up some hitting prospects to have a chance to compete next year. And where are the options at SS and 3B? Like Nico has said, we could use some hope on the left side of the infield and should have acquired talent in the Blanton/Swisher/Haren/Harden/Kotsay trades.
baseb3383 - August 2, 2008
I'd feel very differently if we were watching "the future"
struggle while figuring it out. But not only aren’t we, I don’t see that next power hitter or next 3Bman or next SS anywhere in AA or AAA.
I think Gonzalez and Suzuki are keepers; hopefully Barton too if he can get his head straight. Ryan Sweeney I’m just not sold on – I’m hoping to be wrong but my eyes just aren’t impressed.
In the minors, I think Cunningham is a keeper and I hope the A’s extend Ellis – and build a lineup around him that allows him to bat 7th.
That gives you most of, or all of, an outfield, a catcher, a second baseman and maybe a first baseman. And that’s IT. All the way down to Midland – Chris Carter and Adrian Cardenas excite me, but they will not be factors before 2010 at the earliest.
It’s very disappointing, considering all the talent we’ve given up, that this team is not in better shape for 2009, and isn’t putting more “keepers” on the field for us to watch develop, even in Sacramento, in 2008.
Nico - August 2, 2008
When we were going well before the break
I thought there was a possible Division title next season.
Now, Not a shot in hell. Too many holes and like you say, The future is not here learning yet.
There are 10 players on this roster that should not and would not be on a contending team IMO. And that’s being conservative.
Trainman - August 2, 2008
Same here...
...I thought a division title was a seriously legitimate possibility for 2009. Now, I’m wondering.
UncleLeo - August 2, 2008
My "for the most part I agree" post was supposed to go here.
UncleLeo - August 2, 2008
Totally agree
I was trying to write a comment that made this point, but couldn’t put anything cohesive together (not sure why I’m trying right now). I’d have a lot more fun watching if it at least seemed like the front office was trying to implement some sort of plan.
oblique - August 2, 2008
Actually I missed the part about Sweeney...
so I “totally agree” except for that.
oblique - August 3, 2008
Gee, this sounds so freakin' familiar!
grover - August 2, 2008
Just a year ago...
...people were talking about Barton as if he were the Second Coming of Willie Mays. Fast forward to today, and we’re talking about many of these hawt prospects in much the same manner. I feel good that, because we have so many, that we’ll do well if only half of them pan out, but not all of them will and we need to remember that.
UncleLeo - August 2, 2008
Hey, I'll let my secret out too.
Ryan is not up there on my list of potentiality gainers either.
ak_A - August 2, 2008
I can't get past his long swing and the fact that
the ball comes off his bat kind of like..splursh. The one thing I do like is his “all fields” line drive approach. But it makes me think of a good Jason Kendall a lot more than it makes me think of a good Raul Ibañez.
Nico - August 2, 2008
This is why the trade deadline disappointed me.
mikev - August 3, 2008
Sweeney's a definate keeper. Petit could outperform Crosby at SS I feel,
not that that’s much of an achievement.
OldhamA - August 3, 2008
Barton & Buck
have been so terrible that they can not be counted on. Their backslide has been the worst part of this season.
I agree on Suzuki and Gonzalez. They have at least shown enough to get excited about. Sweeney could be a premium 4th OFer, but he shouldn’t be counted on to be the lynch pin of the 09 offense given his lack of power and unsustainable hit rate.
Cunningham will be a significant upgrade to the offense.
The good news is that the offense has so many major holes that it will not be difficult to find upgrades.
DKNJ - August 2, 2008
Agree, except that power is not easy to find
The Haren trade was brilliant – we got a true “potential impact player” in Gonzalez, at least one decent starter in Smith, a stud pitching prospect in Anderson, a solid position player prospect in Cunningham, and a true power hitting prospect in Carter. Well done and then some.
The rest of the trades? Each are ok when looked at individually. But in combination, we dealt Swisher, Harden, and Blanton, and got how many potential power hitters? Arguably none, certainly none at the level of even Swisher – and he’s kind of a “poor man’s power hitter”. How many potential replacements for 3B and SS before 2010? None.
Nico - August 2, 2008
well at least we have lots of money to spend
should that potential bat be available in 2010. So we have that going for us,.....which is nice
norcalfan - August 2, 2008
Will they?
UncleLeo - August 2, 2008
For the most part, I agree.
Gonzalez and Suzuki are keepers and will continue to improve. I’m not fully soured on Barton, yet, though I’m having frustrations and some doubt is kicking in. I am sold on Sweeney(1), and feel that he will be a solid player, albeit not a superstar or major power threat.
I’m glad we got all this pitching, and it will serve us well, but I believe the time for rebuilding trades is done… unless a serious bat or two is in the return. And I mean a bat that can start contributing at the major league level soon, if not immediately
I’d prefer they re-sign/extend Ellis and Duke, as I’m a big believer that some balance on a team in the form of veteran experience is good for long-term success, and I think those are the right two. From what’s left, anyway.
(1) Notice how nobody even makes a distinction anymore… a sure sign that MSweeney is done, at least for the year, if not for good. On this team, anyway.
UncleLeo - August 2, 2008
Duke should
be extended. He has been brilliant and may have the type stuff that will age well.
I am less sure about Ellis. Most of his value is tied up in his defense and he is getting to the age where he may lose some range. I think that this decision will come down to price and number of years.
The Blanton trade looks very good at this point. I think that they sold Harden cheaply given that he can turn a pennant race. Gallagher and spare change seems like an inferior return.
DKNJ - August 2, 2008
It won't, though, if his arm falls off in the next month
I think the A’s were banking on that happening and I’m never one to bet against Harden’s ill health.
Nico - August 2, 2008
True
but Gaudin seems to have a similiar profile to Gallagher. It is still perplexing that they had to throw him in.
I also don’t trust the A’s medical staff to make the million dollar call on Harden. He is a $15 million pitcher when healthy. There are only a handful of these in the game and he can be very valuable pitching only 100 innings a year.
DKNJ - August 2, 2008
True -but Gaudin is a couple years older than Gallagher,
and the consensus seems to be that Gallagher’s upside is #2 starter, likely #3, while Gaudin is generally regarded as more like a #4.
If Harden somehow stays healthy for the next 1.5 years the A’s medical staff is going to look bad. Or should I say, even worse.
Nico - August 2, 2008
plus gaudin probably wasn't going to still be under contract...
for the projected rise to dominance, either. He only had two years of team control left.
Gallagher gives the A’s six years of team control after this one, meaning he’ll be peaking when the A’s are in their next playoff run.
notsellingjeans - August 2, 2008
Don't disagree about Ellis, but...
...diminished range for Ellis is still much better than the vast majority of other players out their. Relatively, he’d still be pretty damn good. I feel his defense and leadership makes him worth it, and the fact that he can be “clutchy” at times, albeit streaky, is an added plus.
UncleLeo - August 2, 2008
And the fact that quality 2Bmen, to replace Ellis, don't abound -
either within the organization or from outside.
Nico - August 2, 2008
didn't Brown hit a hanging curveball?
monkeyball - August 2, 2008
I'm just hoping Beane gets one of these in the offseason ...
monkeyball - August 2, 2008
Wow - Josh Donaldson 3 for 4 for Stockton tonight,
now batting an even .400 (32/80). Chris Carter went 3 for 5, and Corey Brown HRed twice, Spencer once. Henry Rodriguez walked 3 in 2.1 IP and allowed 3 runs in relief. Stockton outlasted Modesto 12-11.
Nico - August 2, 2008
gee whiz, Zito had a good game and a win.
he must have finally got it together….the stars, the planets, the humidity, the right food, the humidity, bio-rhythms, tea leaves, they all were “right”.
ak_A - August 2, 2008
Oh, the humidity!
monkeyball - August 2, 2008
Humidity?
In SF?
In the days of my youth, I was told what it means to be a man. That has little to do with the debacle that happened in Boston this evening.
The good times were Dana’s second inning, Email’s homerun, and Lenny D eating some innings and giving our bullpen some much-needed relief, and Frank had his first hits coming off the DL.. The bad times were essentially everything else. Dana could not have been worse. Well, I guess he could have had his second blow-up in the second instead of the third, but…
These are the kind of games that I really curse Fox over. If this happens in the afternoon, it’s Ak_A-like click-time and I’ve got the rest of the day to pout or get over it or do something else. As it is, I fell asleep watching the A’s just getting stomped like a 1982 frat boy at a DC Bad Brains show, only to wake up at five in the morning, wondering what the hell happened, why I’m so bitter and where the remote is. Ugly game. I’m glad I feel asleep, but I want my eight hours back.
Leopold Bloom - August 3, 2008
Other applicable title references....
In My Time of Dying.
What is and What Should Never Be.
Bronyar Stomp (Good for Celtic reference, spelling be damned)
And the most hoped for….The Rain Song.
alox - August 3, 2008
It was against the Padres, though
Most of his wins this year have been against poor teams.
Flashfire - August 2, 2008
Crap.
I told myself that I wouldn’t check in on A’s baseball this weekend and enjoy this mini-roadtrip, but I failed. I should know better than that.
Kimberly - August 2, 2008
Jason Bay is making Epstein look damn good
I wouldn’t be surprised if he got a five year, 70-80 million extension from the Red Sox this winter.
notsellingjeans - August 2, 2008
I would
If he keeps hitting like this, why on earth would he undersell himself like that?
monkeyball - August 2, 2008
Lowell did
Boston gets guys to sign for less than top dollar now, apparently. Plus he’d be getting security a year early, before he hits FA.
He shouldn’t quite get market value if he’s signing an extension, otherwise there’s very little incentive for the team to offer it a year early.
What figure do you think would get him extended in the offseason?
notsellingjeans - August 3, 2008
36-24-36
and no questions asked?
Nico - August 3, 2008
i walked right into that one
notsellingjeans - August 3, 2008
I hope not.
alox - August 3, 2008
To compete next year
We need some major upgrades to the offense, especially at SS. How about a trade for a proven SS then? Would JJ Hardy and Corey Hart for Sweeney, Mazzaro, HRod, and Smith/Eveland work for both teams? The Brewers top prospects Alcides Escobar and Matt Gamel will play Hardy and Hart’s respective positions and they get Sweeney in center,a SP to replace Sabathia/Sheets both now and later and a hard throwing prospect in either the rotation or the pen (HRod threw from the bullpen for the first time today). We get two hitters entering their primes who are not studly enough to be untradeable (like Braun) but good enough to put up mid-.850 OPSes.
Along with a couple signings like Giambi and Manny/Burrell/Dunn or a trade for Miggy, I think we could have a good enough offense to compete with our rotation which could add Gio, Simmons, and midseason callups of Anderson and Cahill.
vignette17 - August 2, 2008
Why would we give up four people like that for Hardy and Hart?
Flashfire - August 2, 2008
I would
Because Sweeney, while above average and one of the few in our offense that I can stand to watch is still not OPSing .800 and in my opinion will not develop the power to slug .450, let alone .500. And many have pointed out how lucky he has gotten. Hart, entering his prime can hit for an .800 OPS. He had an .892 OPS last year. Hardy, while not a sure bet, certainly has the potential to do the same, and at a position of dire need for the A’s. You could almost make the case that upon entering the AL, Hardy would become the league’s best SS. Mazzaro and one of Smith/Eveland will probably not be in the rotation as soon as next year with guys like Gio, Cahill, Simmons, and Anderson better prospects, guys like Gallagher and Duke guaranteed a spot, and any other guy we might get in a trade. HRod is a solid piece, but we have pitching to spare. Honestly, I like all of the players I mentioned in my trade offer and that’s why I think it is semi-realistic.
vignette17 - August 3, 2008
A little depressing:
Brett Wallace, picked by the Cardinals just after the A’s selected Jemile Weeks, started at third base again tonight for Class A Quad Cities and hit another bomb. An East Bay native and a big A’s fan growing up, Wallace is now at .350/.440/.590, for a 1.030 OPS, in 27 games since signing earlier this summer.
notsellingjeans - August 2, 2008
{starts retooling Rasmus trade scenarios as Wallace trade scenarios}
monkeyball - August 2, 2008
When it's all said and done
I think we’ll regret picking Weeks at 12.
grover - August 2, 2008
You never know...
but nothing that has happened since that draft pick, especially the news about Chavez that Beane already knew about beforehand, has made me feel better.
Wallace may never amount to anything, Weeks may, but even I knew Wallace could hit for power. Weeks isn’t that sort of hitter.
bear88 - August 3, 2008
I think they would have taken Wallace if they viewed him a 3Bman
Maybe he will be, but it still seems doubtful. I didn’t care much for the Weeks pick, but:
mikeA - August 3, 2008
whoops
But:
Beane et al knew obviously knew Wallace was a much better hitter in college. So picking him must have been some combination of more defensive value, and/or a greater chance of his skills translating into the majors. Time will tell, but I don’t think the A’s draft team is surprised that Wallace is hitting a lot better than Weeks. I didn’t like the Weeks pick, but he’s was doing well before getting hurt, and we don’t need another 1Bman.
mikeA - August 3, 2008
Wallace is almost certain to end up at 1B
He was also considered the closest thing to a sure thing (as a hitter) in the draft. So his early success isn’t unexpected.
grover - August 3, 2008
+1
Syphon - August 3, 2008
But picking Wallace would have weakened Beane's negotiating position when he was working up the trade to acquire Chavez' replacement ...
Aw, nertz.
monkeyball - August 2, 2008
re: Geren/Street ...
Seems to me that Geren’s announcement indicates that Billly will not be trading Street this offseason. This is both a clear statement of the team’s lack of confidence in him and a way to deprive him of some meaningless-albeit-potentially-lucrative counting stats. regardless of whether it’s the “right” on-field move (and, honestly, on-field moves are not what the rest of this season is, or should be, about) his does nothing but (further) depress Street’s trade value.
My suspicion (jaundiced and conspiratorial as always) is that either Beane knows Street has an injury that would show up on a trade-necessitated physical, or Beane was given the message by other GMs in the runup to the trade deadline that no one else values Street and that the maximal value the A’s will extract out of him will be by getting the best (and most) on-field performance for him, not trading him.
monkeyball - August 2, 2008
If it is a lingering
groin injury, the only way to heal it is to take him out of the mix for a while.
Leopold Bloom - August 3, 2008
On the plus side
grover - August 3, 2008
Damn twitchy left-click finger!
If it is a groin injury, it could help Street and the missus get preggers if they’re in the mood to procreate.
grover - August 3, 2008
procreation's helped
by groin injuries? What’s your source?
Leopold Bloom - August 3, 2008
Something my wife read when we were copulating with a purpose
Blood flow increases to the area as part of the healing process. As the muscle repairs, other areas (including sperm production) are also stimulated by the increased nutrient supply and you produce more sperm.
Not that I recommend injuring your groin to boost potency.
grover - August 3, 2008
I was being a smart ass,
and I thought you were too…wow.
....I just see some guy whacking himself in the groin with a hammer, mumbling to his stunned wife about something he read on AN…
Leopold Bloom - August 3, 2008
I really hope you don't mean
she read it when you were copulating with a purpose.
iglew - August 3, 2008
Braden did better than Dana when he was in the rotation...
Why are they giving Eveland a longer leash? Get this guy outta here!! Bring up Gionzo!
Oaktownflav - August 3, 2008
DiNardo and Braden
are the only guys on our active roster who had more than a few starts in the majors before this season. And even they didn’t have that many.
Number of games started at the major-league level prior to 2008 by guys on our roster right now:
That’s amazing.
iglew - August 3, 2008
Wow.
That really is amazing, especially when you consider Lenny D, our long-relief guy, is responsible for half of those. Just wow.
Leopold Bloom - August 3, 2008
Update
Eveland: 6Meyer: 3
iglew - August 3, 2008
my internet access was down last night
so I couldn’t listen to the game….a blessing, as it turns out. So I watched Blanton get his first win as a Phillie last night instead.
Isn’t Eveland out of options?
OaklandSi - August 3, 2008
He's got one more
A lot of us thought he none left by looking at his stats, but it was confirmed back in March – I can’t remember if Farhan said it in an interview, or if Slusser asked someone, or something like that – that he does indeed have one option left.
notsellingjeans - August 3, 2008
If it's "to pitch well"
then I highly suggest he take that option.
Nico - August 3, 2008
+1
OaklandSi - August 3, 2008
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Athletics Nation to post a comment.