Sean Gallagher faces his former team today, but that's hardly the big news. The A's await the arrival, Thursday, of new shortstop Orlando Cabrera, whose main attributes are:
1. Still playing a solid defensive SS at age 34
2. Not being Crosby
My take on Cabrera as a hitter? I think it's fair to say that every hitter with a .750 OPS is better than every hitter with a .700 OPS, but I don't think it's fair to say that all hitters with a .700 OPS are alike.
What I like about Cabrera is that while turning in a "meh" OPS, he will do it in a way that is "batting average heavy," and he will provide the A's with a good "small ball" player where they need one: the bottom of the order. Cabrera's ability to steal bases, to bunt, and to make contact, will make him a solid #9 (and "double-leadoff") hitter that can help the A's "steal a run" now and then at the bottom of the order, while the A's emphasize reaching base, and driving the ball, in the Cust-Giambi-Holliday-Chavez portion of the order (which I personally hope is the 2-5 spots).
I don't think Cabrera represents a major upgrade, but I also think he makes the A's better than they were yesterday, and in a division as likely to go down to the wire as not, there really are no small upgrades at this point.
My "day job" will prevent me from posting the lineups, so perhaps some kind soul can do the honors when the lineups are availble. Thanks!
0 recs | 192 comments
I'll post the lineups when I see them.
mikev - March 3, 2009
Agreed
On Cabrera v. Crosby, I think at this point we have to assume that Crosby will be no better than what he currently is, his decline has been absolutely incredible though, I remember when Gammons was saying he’d be an MVP…
TexasAsfan - March 3, 2009
Stiglich
has the A’s lineup:
Davis CF
Cust RF
Holliday LF
Giambi 1B
Suzuki C
Crosby SS
Dillon 3B
Patterson 2B
Gallagher P
Lookie there, Nico. Cust in the 2-hole.
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
DAMMIT. I was supposed to do that.
I fail.
mikev - March 3, 2009
Cubs:
Soriano, LF
Theriot, SS
Ramirez, A, 3B
Fox, J, 1B
Robnett, RF
Johnson, R, CF
Bako, C
Blanco, A, 2B
Marshall, P
You fail again!
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
Am I the only one who finds it incredibly stupid to have AL pitchers batting in spring training?
I mean, pitchers batting is stupid ALWAYS, but in ST for the AL teams it’s especially dumb. Why not let the Cubs pitcher bat, but let the A’s get at bats from a guy who will get more than 5 during the season?
thejd44 - March 3, 2009
+1
MLB should let each team decide for itself instead of letting the home team choose.
micdog2001 - March 3, 2009
i think cust in the two-hole is a matter of getting him as many as at-bats, as fast as possible
Darryl P - March 3, 2009
It should be a matter of that's where he belongs in the lineup.
thejd44 - March 3, 2009
Gotta disagree with you there.
ST is 43439234 weeks long this year. Nobody needs “as many as at-bats, as fast as possible”, especially veterans who aren’t competing for a job.
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
right. all i was saying is it might allow them to take him out after 4 innings instead of 5.
Darryl P - March 3, 2009
Somewhat unrelated
Ziggy’s in the game right now for Team USA.
Flashfire - March 3, 2009
Great to actually see an A!
The sinker looks nasty…
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
Um...
Why is Ziggy pitching a second inning!? Is Davey trying to kill him!?
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
He threw like 8 pitches and only got 2 outs in first inning.
OaktownPower - March 3, 2009
that sounds like the ziggy we know and love
UOSportsDude - March 3, 2009
A good inning and 2/3 there
Flashfire - March 3, 2009
2 K's.
I like.
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
I mean 3 K's.
I like more.
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
I believe it was 2
Thought he had 2 groundouts in his first inning, then 2 strikeouts and a groundout in his second one.
Flashfire - March 3, 2009
Nevermind
You are correct
Flashfire - March 3, 2009
Is there a gameday link for USA vs NYY?
You can do it HP!
micdog2001 - March 3, 2009
There actually isn't, unfortunately.
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
thanks for trying
sniff, sniff . . . I want the MLB Network! curse you comcast for charging more to see it.
micdog2001 - March 3, 2009
It's on MLB Network though if you are by TV
OaktownPower - March 3, 2009
Gameday link
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
Yeah for the link
BOOOOOO for not making it open as another page.
A'sfaninNC - March 3, 2009
Go (target=) blank yourself.
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
you go blank yourself
xbhaskarx - March 3, 2009
Making it open as another page is generally considered a n00b move...
Why force someone to do that when they can easily opt to do so themselves?
ChadGod - March 3, 2009
Yea, but if you forget, don't know or just accidentally open it in the same window
you lose all of your comment read/unread statuses.
LoneStranger - March 3, 2009
Duke to see a doctor about the elbow
How long until MAC is starting? Doesn’t look good for Duke. Oh well. Jerome Williams time? Edgar Gonzales?
A'sfansince1970 - March 3, 2009
Possibly both
Joey C. - March 3, 2009
that's a scary proposition
CyZito - March 3, 2009
Nice outing by Ziegler
K’d Teix to end the outing. 1 2/3, 2 hits, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 ER
OaktownPower - March 3, 2009
Ziggy looked good!
Nice K on Tex!
A'sfansince1970 - March 3, 2009
Are we sure Geren will do the right thing and bat Cabrera at the bottom of the order?
I swear I’m not watching any A’s games where he’s hitting #1 or #2.
thejd44 - March 3, 2009
ST games don't count. I don't care where guys bat in ST.
thejd44 - March 3, 2009
Far from sure....
I wouldnt be surprised to see him hitting up top there.
OaktownPower - March 3, 2009
It would be terribly disappointing since he's an awful 1/2 hitter
thejd44 - March 3, 2009
Don't disagree....
But I have a feeling he will hit there a bunch. I cant imagine he wants to hit 8th and probably made that clear.
OaktownPower - March 3, 2009
Depending on the lineup the A's use, Cabrera could be the worst hitter of the 9
He shouldn’t bat higher than 8th except in an emergency.
thejd44 - March 3, 2009
Cust really in batting 2?
does Geren read AN or what?
closetasfan - March 3, 2009
Maybe he read The Book.
thejd44 - March 3, 2009
And it said "Don't Panic"?
Englishmajor - March 3, 2009
That book was hugely overrated.
Sad to say too, ’cos I enjoy that style of humour.
OldhamA - March 3, 2009
It was pretty good in the early 80's though...
It didn’t hold up well to the hysteria set upon it in the late 90’s and early 2000’s though…
Elvez - March 3, 2009
in my world
this is The Book
oakinboston - March 3, 2009
might i also recommend
’You’re a naughty, naughty boy, and that’s concentrated evil coming out the back of you’.
A'sfaninNC - March 3, 2009
Yeah, but I was referring to a book that has the title "The Book"
thejd44 - March 3, 2009
Buancast is live
No more of this Korach/Vince/professionalism nonsense.
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
Did Chris Carter just say he watched Barton when he was growing up?
I think Barton is all of a year older than Carter.
Englishmajor - March 3, 2009
I think he's talking about watching him last year
CarGon's Jock - March 3, 2009
I agree that Robert Buan isn't the best play by play guy
But I am sure glad he is on the job. Looking at gameday audio there isn’t many ST games being broadcast.
micdog2001 - March 3, 2009
Couldn't agree more.
It’s just fun to make fun of our boy Robert from time to time.
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
definitly : -)
micdog2001 - March 3, 2009
he has improved since I first heard him in 2005
he was really awful then.
I actually really admired good play-by-play work, it’s a real skill.
OaklandSi - March 3, 2009
1-2-3 go the A's
2 ground outs and a fly out
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
booo!!
HR cubs
micdog2001 - March 3, 2009
Soriano HR
First pitch
Danwise134 - March 3, 2009
Booo
Soriano 1st pitch HR
drink409 - March 3, 2009
Well there goes the shut out
A'sfaninNC - March 3, 2009
Bummer...Gallagher's Watermelons returns
franks a lot - March 3, 2009
HoHoKam Park
Named after the Hostess treat?
franks a lot - March 3, 2009
wait..
wasn’t Chavez supposed to play third today?
tosk - March 3, 2009
His throwing went well
but they’re going to put him in the field Thursday or Friday
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
thanks,
did the research after I posted. tuesday / thursday… kinda simular…
tosk - March 3, 2009
They did say Tuesday originally
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
Crosby is going to jack 3 bombs today
and run around the bases with 2 middle fingers in the air, motherfuckers.
chuckcheeze - March 3, 2009
YEAH!
Cabrera becomes a $4 mil motivational asset
fruitattack - March 3, 2009
Bobby Crosby now up
I can only imagine all the flashbulbs popping for this dramatic at bat
franks a lot - March 3, 2009
Good news for Bobby Crosby:
he can buy 2 Snuggies for $14.99 (regularly $60).
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
I'll wait for the green and gold ones to come out
Englishmajor - March 3, 2009
I am The Snuggler
Joey C. - March 3, 2009
Cotronio says ocab in the 2 spot
chuckcheeze - March 3, 2009
ugh
andeux - March 3, 2009
was he speculating or saying geren said that?
mikeA - March 3, 2009
FIRE GEREN NOW!
thejd44 - March 3, 2009
2-5-3 DP?
Zuh?
Joey C. - March 3, 2009
yeah, i would have liked to have been able to see that
drink409 - March 3, 2009
In my mind, it was a spectacular play
worldblee - March 3, 2009
wait, catcher to 3rd to 1st?
weird
micdog2001 - March 3, 2009
It's amazing how behind Vince and Buan are.
I mean for goodness sake, they’re working for the team and they STILL don’t know that the A’s have already agreed to a deal with Nomar.
lenscrafters - March 3, 2009
Maybe the communication inside the club is poor.
That said, it only takes a minute to check up stories on the internet.
OldhamA - March 3, 2009
Or maybe...
… the club doesn’t want them to talk about it until after the deal is officially announced.
Joey C. - March 3, 2009
You'd surely mention it though.
OldhamA - March 3, 2009
Um. It's already on the official A's website.
“Nomar close to deal with A’s.”
lenscrafters - March 3, 2009
Plus the Cabrera thing was up around noon yesterday on the official site
drink409 - March 3, 2009
the inter...wha?
ChadGod - March 3, 2009
They're even dancing around the oCab signing
I think the top brass told them to keep it cool
chuckcheeze - March 3, 2009
neither signing has been officially confirmed by the A's
OaklandSi - March 3, 2009
Anybody have a link to whatever radio station this may be on?
So that I can find a feed on this sight?
NateHST - March 3, 2009
Gameday Audio only
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
A's baserunner-less through 3
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
Here is the KTRB link
for future ref
http://www.ktrb860.com/ktrblistennow/1461.html
chuckcheeze - March 3, 2009
KTRB will not be streaming regular season games.
MLB doesn’t allow it.
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
Ah yes, I have that
I was wondering if it was on a Chicago station or something. Thanks, though.
NateHST - March 3, 2009
No Chicago radio for today’s game.
Lovejoy - March 3, 2009
Kevin Cameron in to pitch
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
who?
micdog2001 - March 3, 2009
Slusser on Nomar
Link
Brian Heath - March 3, 2009
Really,
I’m just going to have a ton of fun all year running around going NO-MAH! NO-MAH!!
chuckcheeze - March 3, 2009
I wonder if Beane's strategy...
isn’t to just buy the 2004 Red Sox infield?
drink409 - March 3, 2009
let's get dave roberts!
oh no wait
alea iacta est - March 3, 2009
Ellis please, please be ready for Opening Day.
lenscrafters - March 3, 2009
+1
#14fan - March 3, 2009
Dude! Where are the hits
I thought the A’s were offense minded this year.
yes, I know pitchers are ahead of hitters at this point.
micdog2001 - March 3, 2009
Ask and ye shall receive.
oblique - March 3, 2009
OK
dude where are the runs!
micdog2001 - March 3, 2009
Dang...
< heads to bathroom >
oblique - March 3, 2009
LOL, I wondered if someone would use that set-up :-)
micdog2001 - March 3, 2009
Looks like I'm not the only one who misunderstood! :-(
oblique - March 3, 2009
ok
I was talking to the A’s, not the Cubs! BOO!
micdog2001 - March 3, 2009
i have no idea if that was a dive to make up for lack of fielding instincts by jack cust there
but boy, did it sound impressive
alea iacta est - March 3, 2009
Cust exhibiting his gold glove skills
worldblee - March 3, 2009
OK
I’m leaving my computer for lunch, hopefully the A’s put some hits together while I’m gone. Peace out AN.
micdog2001 - March 3, 2009
Ask and ye...shall not receive
worldblee - March 3, 2009
< turns on game, looks at score, turns off game >
xbhaskarx - March 3, 2009
Rajai Davis! RBI Machine!
oblique - March 3, 2009
Rajai 2 run single...
…never should have loaded the bases…
drink409 - March 3, 2009
2-2?
rktse - March 3, 2009
2-6 not A's
drink409 - March 3, 2009
6-2
streetisclosedin08 - March 3, 2009
Baun can't hold a conversation & follow the game..
drink409 - March 3, 2009
yeah, at this point it's all about the conversations
The baseball game is just an after thought..
tosk - March 3, 2009
whats happening?
joeldavid - March 3, 2009
McGruff the crime dog was assaulted and beaten up.
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
Damn, now I want some BK's
and some crappy children’s safety pamphlets as the “toy” in my Kids meal.
schmifty - March 3, 2009
What a stupid thing to do.
OldhamA - March 3, 2009
I'm curious as to what the Bleed Cubbie Blue folks were saying when Gallagher was in there...
::runs to BCB::
schmifty - March 3, 2009
Nevermind
They are just complaining about Steve Phillips and hashing out who will start on Opening Day.
And listening to the broadcast by “Robert Juan”, as they call him.
schmifty - March 3, 2009
bobby johns?
alea iacta est - March 3, 2009
This rain is insane.
That is all.
67MARQUEZ - March 3, 2009
Sunny and warm here!
ZigFan31 - March 3, 2009
yeah, the sun's out in the mission now
alea iacta est - March 3, 2009
go get me a veggie burrito at cancun
shove it in the floppy drive of you computer and send it to me.
I’ll pay you later. swear.
Future Ed - March 3, 2009
It keeps getting stuck
I’m just going to eat it and you’re going to have to trust that it was good.
67MARQUEZ - March 3, 2009
floppy drive? They still make those.
theblackpearl - March 3, 2009
Send some my way!
67MARQUEZ - March 3, 2009
I'll send some sunshine your way now if you will also take one of the 103 degree days from me in July...
5Aces - March 3, 2009
Ooh....tough one
Me no likely when it’s that hot. Makes me sweat in weird places.
Tell you what, just send me enough sun for my afternoon walk, and I’ll have Mom bake some cookies.
67MARQUEZ - March 3, 2009
Dude, you're good
Just enough for my walk – thanks!
{calls Mom}
67MARQUEZ - March 3, 2009
Hi everyone!
baseballgirl - March 3, 2009
Hi baseballgirl!
HigherPie - March 3, 2009
Hi BBG!
Tyler Bleszinski - March 3, 2009
No Chavy?
I thought he was supposed to play today. Was anything said about that?
Oakville Athletic - March 3, 2009
I always think he is supposed to play, and it turns out he is not.
I thought he was to be in the field by last week? am I just high?
Future Ed - March 3, 2009
Thursday or Friday
Says the article I misread. Must use glasses.
Oakville Athletic - March 3, 2009
wild pitch...6-3 not A's
drink409 - March 3, 2009
6-3
Zonis - March 3, 2009
6-4
Not sure what happened…>Baun not on his game….if he has any
drink409 - March 3, 2009
I smell a comeback
well, either that, or baby Aces needs to get changed.
5Aces - March 3, 2009
Where IS everyone?
Can’t be bored of ST YET?
baseballgirl - March 3, 2009
I would LIKE to post, but stupid internet
is making that a little hard at the moment. I hope this post goes through.
GO A’S!!!!
#14fan - March 3, 2009
Crazy thing called work
is allowing me only sneak peeks.
And he’s off again!
67MARQUEZ - March 3, 2009
I'm here
working on a mini-“Bye-Bobby” picspam over on a different site so AN’ers won’t have to endure it :)
schmifty - March 3, 2009
Endure? We (I) want to see that!
pam5981 - March 3, 2009
Really?
Haha, maybe I will make one here, then. “Semi-bye to Bob”. :)
I got my Mets photo album in the mail! It is so cute! THANK YOU!!! I kind of want to put my ticket stubs in it…
schmifty - March 3, 2009
Oh good, glad it finally arrived!
pam5981 - March 3, 2009
Can't wait to see it!
ZigFan31 - March 3, 2009
chaos!
dropped infield fly!
alea iacta est - March 3, 2009
ha ha, what a crazy play!
Awesome
worldblee - March 3, 2009
Somehow it's 6-5 after that play...
drink409 - March 3, 2009
total chaos
I’m trying to figure out what the ef happened…
drink409 - March 3, 2009
wait, what just happened?!
Zonis - March 3, 2009
Gio in to pitch!
ZigFan31 - March 3, 2009
I loved when Buan yelled...pretty awesome.
And “inconvenient hop” is my new fav expression.
baseballgirl - March 3, 2009
And boy do I love the spell-check in comments!
baseballgirl - March 3, 2009
From what I can gather
Donaldson hit a pop up.
Cunningham and Copeland tag at 1st and 2nd.
Ball is dropped.
Cunningham and Copeland run to 3rd and 2nd.
Fielder at 3rd treats it as a Force out and does not tag Cunningham at 3rd.
Cunningham is Safe.
Zonis - March 3, 2009
Trying to decide between two new t-shirts for Spring Training...
one says: “I Hella <3 Utility Infielders” and the other says: “I hella <3 Ex-A’s Players”
Figuring either would be a homage to Bobby, but which to go for?
JustinKase - March 3, 2009
how about
“I SUPPORT BOBBY CROSBY AS THE STARTING SHORTSTOP”
“[For Someone Else]”
Zonis - March 3, 2009
I just went to mlb shop...
to look for those shirts. Haven’t seen them yet, but the A’s page features Street and Crosby on the banner.
ZigFan31 - March 3, 2009
And yes, I know they're not there.
ZigFan31 - March 3, 2009
How many rotation spots are guaranteed right now?
Or another way of saying it— is Gallagher locked in?
If he’s not, and if Duke is not able to go on Opening Night, we could see 3 new faces in the beginning rotation. With one of them bound to be from MAC.
windyfelix - March 3, 2009
With Duke's sore elbow I've crossed him off my list for Opening Night
That way if the MRI turns out badly I’ve already mentally prepared myself to see Gallagher starting the first game.
worldblee - March 3, 2009
Gallagher's locked in
He’s probably the A’s number 2. Eveland is probably the third most sure thing. And I think the club wants to try Braden a bit more. Duke is also a sure thing when healthy. The last spot will probably go to Outman/Gio. I won’t even guess which though.
But Duke is hurt which opens another spot (probably for one of Gonzalez/Williams). MACS will almost certainly not open the season in the rotation. Midseason though could be a different story.
vignette17 - March 3, 2009
Gallagher and Eveland are locks
Braden is close to one if Duke is injured.
That leaves the battle between Gio, Outman, and MAC
Zonis - March 3, 2009
Hi everyone!
gigglingone - March 3, 2009
Gio pitching well.
And Anderson/Gallagher were good.. Its a good day.
Syphon - March 3, 2009
Finally back.... what's going on?
#14fan - March 3, 2009
game over...lost 6-4
drink409 - March 3, 2009
A's Lost
Zonis - March 3, 2009
Have they won a game yet?
Not that I’m giving up already, but
WERE ALL GUNNA DIE!
MobiusKlein - March 3, 2009
didn't we win one over the weekend? 1-0?
gigglingone - March 3, 2009
Yes, I believe we've won 1.
ZigFan31 - March 3, 2009
What do ya know.
Runners 2nd and 3rd one out and we cant get a base hit.
Syphon - March 3, 2009
Nice.
Went for a walk, and presto! Game over.
No rain though.
67MARQUEZ - March 3, 2009
On the plus side, walking increased your OBP
worldblee - March 3, 2009
i did a similar thing
but i got soaked.
still, the rain is ok. i just don’t like the wind.
alea iacta est - March 3, 2009
That happened to me yesterday.
Not soaked, but wet enough.
67MARQUEZ - March 3, 2009
serves me right, really, for boasting about the sun being out earlier.
all this rain is great for my brocolli, i’m sure, but it’d be nice for periods of unemployment to coincide with a greter amount of sunshine.
though, having said that, i should be careful what i wish for…
alea iacta est - March 3, 2009
Good pitching by Gallagher
That’s my biggest concern right now is the starting pitching and our starters have all looked good so far. The offense will improve. Ziggy looked awesome for Team USA too!
A'sfansince1970 - March 3, 2009
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