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Open Thread Friday: Here's Hoping for a Turnaround

For those of you who missed Sweeney's incredible catch last night, absolutely robbing Kinsler of a homerun that would have given Texas the lead in yesterday's game, it can be seen here.

Some fun quotes from the players:

Matt Holliday said it was sick. Bobby Crosby said he was shocked. Dallas Braden said it was phenomenal.

And from the media:

Some media members in the Rangers Ballpark press box were calling it the most pivotal, best catch they've seen in Arlington since the ballpark opened in 1994.

It's nice to see something, anything, going the A's way these days; after an absolutely brutal stretch of injuries has decimated the A's starting lineup this week. Maybe the catch will prove to be the catalyst as the A's limp into Seattle tonight to take on the first-place Mariners; the 3.5 games separating the first and last place teams largely due to a Mariners sweep early in the year. The A's will be looking for some payback.

They will also be looking to see more of this from Matt Holliday, who waited until the very last day of April to hit his very first A's homerun.

(Edited because out-of-town baseballgirl didn't realize there was already a diary!)

As for the game news, tonight's game will feature Dana Eveland; coming off what was his best start of the season on Sunday. He will be opposed by RHP Carlos Silva. Jason Giambi is probable for tonight's game (at DH, I would guess); no word yet on Eric Chavez (who likely will be heading to the DL). 

Game time at 7:05PM, game thread will be opened when lineups are announced.

 

0 recs  |  184 comments

Comments

was GMJ's catch in Arlington?

It was more visually acrobatic, but not as game-changing, if I recall.

funny...that's the same thing the announcer's said...
Yea, I had to cut out MLB Extra Innings this year, too poor...

But tomorrow’s game is on MLB network! stoked..

Yes

Clearly, Gary Matthews Jr. catch is a better (more impressive) catch.

do you know if it was on the road?
It was in Arlington

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=260701113

definitely not a pivotal catch when your team loses 7-0...
True

Sweeney’s was more “pivotat” (saved the game!) But as far as being the “best catch” in the history of the ballpark, Matthews’ catch is way better.

agreed.

It was a confusing statment, though.

“The most pivotal, best catch..”

It is a confusing statement.

Can’t tell if it is conjunctive or disjunctive.

they're the same ad wizards that came up with "connectile dysfunction"
that is what led me to think GMJ's was a road catch
The first time I saw the Sweeney catch...

…I was like, oh he caught it against the wall. I’ve seen it several more times, and it’s TRULY amazing. It’s smooth, so it doesn’t look too acrobatic, but his glove is OUT of the park. It’s just amazing. Wow. Game-changer.

yeah, he made it LOOK easy, so it doesn't seem as amazing as it really is.

and Joakim Noah still got top play for a dunk… retawded

steal, breakaway, convert the dunk while getting fouled

in triple OT of game 6 of oen of the best playoff series ever. i love the A’s and swooney as much as the next guy (and as a Celtics fan i was swearing at that dunk), but april afternoon games in texas don’t carry the same weight.

I agree, but then again, 5 out of 10 of the "Top Plays" were from that game

when none of them came close to the physicality it takes to track a fly ball, and time it that perfect, not to mention reaching a foot behind the fence to snag it…

Playoffs is a bigger stage, but judging on physical accomplishments, Sweeney had by far the top play of the day… ESPN blows.

Wow..no way.

Great play and all..but Noah’s Dunk was Top Play of the Day…..and not really that close.

WOW nice shot
hey man, nice shot
But that is basketball...
yea I'm pretty sure I rubbed a few basketball fans the wrong way, but it seem slike those types of plays

are more of the dime-a-dozen variety…

or maybe I don’t fully grasp the wonder of basketball.

This picture needs to show up in game treads to spark some mojo.
The Incredible Levitating Sweeney
It sure is a good thing Ryan's 6' 4"
Braden was so impressed he describes Sweeney

as 6’ 5" with a Greek physique

Yum!

Errrr….ummm…interesting.

So, manlove isn't just restricted to AN
After Sin City

I had a man crush on Clive Owen for about 6 months.

Well that's totally understandable.

Clive Owen is scorching.

Yes, yes he is.
He can't act though.
I still do...

Take a photo of him to the stylist to get my hair done like his and everything…

…what?

If the shoe fits...

There no denying he’s got a rockin’ bod. (Did I just say that? Wow. I need help.)

There's so few of us

Rockin bods, that is.

wait.

Hot Bod...

I want your bod…

How come I can see some pics but not others?

grrrr…

and I hope season changer as well

Wow...thought the same thing!
Me to Oh My God

Sorry I was channeling my inner valley girl for a second

Are you calling me Cindi? :-)
Hieeeeee, everybody!

I haven’t fallen off of the earth’s face, I’ve just been really, really, really, busy!!! GO HOTTIES!!!!!!!!! (Especially super-duper hottie Derek Chavez!!!!!!)

Personal prediction for tonight: Hotties 6 points, Marooners 3 points. Yay in advance!!!!!!!

-Cindi

Hey Cindi-Who is your favorite hottie?
Hmm...thinking...thinking...

I might have to go with super-hottie Trevor Buck!!!! (Sorry, Bert – you’re a really good finisher but only a medium-hottie.)

-Cindi

Cindi

We are like minded.

Which is scary.

Strange.

Why is this on the front page?

Oh, I kid.

{hopes that bbg is aware of the DLD fiasco}

Haha, just saw the diary...I've been out of town!

Edited.

so much for McGwire's batting stance coaching
Who would have thought that in working with Crosby and Holliday,

instead of improving Crosby he’d just make Holliday worse?

*No word yet on Chavez

SHOCKER

I was shocked.
did they ever find the corpse?
They're relying on dental records
The dictionary needs a few more pages to deal with his injury

And a new branch of anatomy too.

Even though this word usually pertains to technology

My friends and I have referred to Chavez as wonky/

at least it wasnt the spocker
live chat with Billy Beane

going on right now

now it's over, but you can see the Q & A on that link
nobody asked the big question

is eric done?

not that there’d have been a definitive answer.

supposed to be reply to Q&A...
Maybe it's the questions...

But I learned nothing from that interview. Any question that seemed in the slightest to be provocative was avoided, and the rest were guaranteed to get stock answers.

Makes you really appreciate the work Blez has done.

"Brian" was able to ask 4 questions in that short Q and A
of course

Beane wouldn’t be giving any major scoops in such a setting

I posted a question about Michel Ynoa

but it didn’t make it onto the question screen

Eveland

I sure hope he gives A’s at least 6 good innings. If the boys in green and gold can take the first game it will be huge. Send the Starbucks drinkers home disappointed.

Concur.
I concur with your concur

we Raiders fans have to stick together

Misery loves company.
speaking of the Raiders

They’ve pretty much gotten better this offseason by doing nothing (not to mention helping out the niners by NOT drafting Crabtree). Cutler left the Broncos, Gonzalez left the Chiefs, and if it wasn’t for the fame of some guy named LT, it would have been a trifecta. I could see the Raiders being competitive this upcoming season.

That reminds me,

the second season ticket payment is due today.

Ugh.
Yeah.
Wait. You both have season tickets ot the Raiders too?

{sigh}

I’m just gonna have to resign myself to becoming a Raiders fan, huh?

Yes.
And yes.
Join the dark side.
Don't do it Bloom

Madness and futility lie there

That's why he'll do it.
He's right, you know.
He is.

But so am I.

I grew up during that brief window while the Raider's were in LA

Therefore, when they came back they seemed to be interlopers. Defiling my hallowed stadium. I don’t hate them as I used to do, but I have never felt comfortable with Da Raiders.

Yours

is an story shared by many, and is understood and accepted, at least by this loyal follower.

I only get irritated

when someone starts trashing the fans.

Trash my team

if you must. Do not trash the fans.

That turns 67M from his normally loveable self.

{Who am I, Rickey?}

You might be LL.
I'd have to argue vehemently that the Raiders have done quite a bit this offseason. To

state that they have done nothing demonstrates your lack of knowledge of what the Raiders have done this offseason. It sure is easy to pile on as that’s what all the local media hacks and espn types have done. To wit, the Raiders have done quite a bit so far this offseason, including, but not limited to the following:

1) Resigning the best CB in Football (Nnamdi).
2) Resigning the best Punter in Football (Lechler) – albeit to a ludicrous contract.
3) Signing/trading for O-Line help. Not too many sexy names in this group, but Cable is convinced that the O-Line has been upgraded. (I trust Cable seeing that he is a former O-Line coach and is a zone blocking guru)
4) Resigned Cable – adding stability to an unstable organizagion.
5) Resigned Chris Johnson (proved to be 20x better than Deangelo Hall).
6.) Signed Jeff Garcia to back up / mentor JaMarcus.
7.) I can go on.

Mock their draft all you want, but don’t tell me the Raiders did nothing this offseason. While the Broncos and Chiefs lost their big name players, I wouldnt doubt that they have improved themselves in the long run. The AFC West is ripe for the taking. I’m not declaring the Raiders Super Bowl Champs, but I do think they have a chance to go 9-7 and compete for the division.

Go A’s, Go Raiders

Whoa

I’ll apologize for my lack of knowledge on what the Raiders have done this offseason (I pay WAY more attention to baseball, and I didn’t even know the draft was happening until I saw a preview for it the Friday before). Yes, you’re right the Raiders did do a lot. I wasn’t trying to mock them (though as a Niners fan, I am happy that they didn’t take Crabtree). And, if you’ll notice, I did say I think they’re going to compete.

I guess I’m just not considering resigning players as ‘making moves’ since that simply keeps the team in stasis (rather than adding or subtracting). I think that the Cutler and Gonzalez losses are going to prove to be a lot more beneficial to the Raiders Chances next year than the signing of Jeff Garcia or the O-Line help (though those do make the Raiders better).

Fair enough, just trying to point out the offseason was not the disaster that

the uninformed media has painted it to be. I truly believe the Raiders are starting to come together. It has taken a while, but I think things are moving/have moved in the right direction. I still would have liked to see them take an OLineman with their first pick.

Bush/McFadden

gonna run all over people this year. If Jamarcus improves we could be pretty good.

nuff said

http://kissingsuzykolber.uproxx.com/2009/04/they-do-things-a-bit-differently-in-raidervania.html

best move raiders made this off season is jeff garcia

now if al davis would walk into direct sunlight…

'true' Seattle folks turn their noses down at Starbucks coffee

Not so different than us Latte Sippin’ San Franciscans.

Torrefazione

when I lived in Seattle I used to like Torrefazione, but they were bought by Starbucks as well. The Essential Baking company had great coffee, although I’m not sure who’s beans they used. It was delicious, though.

Not to mention the CEO sold our basketball team away.
If and when Harden ever faces Cust

the 7 fielders— other than the catcher— can basically go eat sunflower seeds in the dugout. After today’s debacle, Richie has thrown 24.2 innings— that is 74 outs, by my calculations— struck out 37 batters— 50%!!!!— walked 14 and allowed 5 longballs. And an ERA over 5.

They are the Three True Outcome Couple, joined at the hip. And seriously— while Gallagher, Patterson and Murton are still Manny, Moe and the other guy— what did the Cubs really get in this deal?? I have a hard time believing Harden will still be in their rotation come August and September.

I recall last year, Harden with a 9 pitch, 3 K inning for the A's

Man, he can smoke them at times.

yes he can

but as we are learning around here, an average of less than 5 IP per start ain’t gonna do wonders for your bullpen. I think for all the talent he is too frail, injury-prone, and out of control to be a dependable part of one’s rotation. If Piniella and Co. start to shake things up at some point I think Harden heads elsewhere or to the bullpen.

He'd be a ridiculous closer.
Hmmm. Perhaps.

He’s not consistent enough really.

he'd probably be the best in the league
he's not consistently healthy enough, maybe,

but he’s almost always bringing his A game, if he’s healthy.

maybe we have the Curse of the Harden?

every since he came up with us, it seems like we’ve been Team DL. Half of our roster is now modeling his career (good when healthy…but on the DL too much).

He's generally good when healthy, but then he has meltdowns like today

where he can’t get anyone out. He relies on pure stuff and when he has days that he can’t control that he’s about as effective as I’d be on the mound.

I don't think I'd have any problem throwing strikes

as I daresay my 50mph heater could be reached by any hitter, regardless of whether it was over the plate or not

I strangely don't miss Harden

I miss Blanton and I miss Ted Lilly (how could the A’s let him go because his salary was about to jump to $3million? That’s NOTHING for a #2-#3 starter and I think he’s a solid #2).

Yah but we got Kielty for him!

er

I miss him like that girl you knew in high school who was cute and all

but you’ve moved on.

Thanks for reminding me that I dated a girl who looked like Ted Lilly

Bad times.

Hate to break it to you,

it was Ted Lilly.

She just went by "Lilly" back then
Yeah, but you sometimes still wanna go back and "do her", too.
haha i used to work at a Gym that Ted Lilly went to

Quiet guy. Got in a fight with a kid during a pickup basketball game apparently. I miss Harden, Hudson, Mulder, and Zito (pre 2007) a lot more.

I miss Danny Haren the most
+1

Ted Lilly is a stud. Miss that guy.

maths clarification

the 50% is half of the outs he’s got – it’s not half of the batters he’s faced. So, there’s another set who get hits, too. But I don’t know what his BA against is, and I’m too hungover to look it up.

I do, however, miss the tingle of excitement that he brings when he pitches…

The only thing on the current A’s pitching staff that does that for me these days is Cahill’s curveball. And sometime Casilla when he’s really on

what the Cubs got is one of the best starters in baseball

The better question is what we really got—jury will be out on that for a little while, but my early impression is that this will be much more of a Hudson deal than a Mulder/Haren deal. To call Harden out on the basis of performance is absurd. He had the lowest ERA of any pitcher who threw more than 100 innings in 2008. In the 77 innings he pitched with Chicago, his WHIP was 0.97. So yeah, if Chicago wants to move their best starter to the bullpen because of a slow start…

lol

an average of 87 IP over the past 4 years does make somebody “one of the best starters in baseball”. If you amend the statement to “one of the best guys who can throw 5-6 innings but likely no more than 20 times a year, and often less”— I will heartily agree with you. This year he has taken the hill 5 times, not lasted past 6 innings yet, and has an average of under 5 innings a start. He is a freak— but not a particularly valuable part of a rotation except in spurts, and even then he plays havoc with the rest of the staff.

As to what the A’s got back— you are probably right— and it makes sense— beane got the most back from the two players who because of contract status and/or injury risk (Mulder turned out differently, of course, but that became the Cardinals’ problem) were the more valuable. Harden was a short-term necessity for the Cubs given the Brewers acquisition of Sabathia— and Beane probably got as much back then or more as one could have projected earlier or later that year— or in the off-season. If he gets hurt again this year just watch what happens to him in terms of value— it will plummet

Final impressions mean nothing, I guess.

Considering Lilly was coming off arguably his best start in an Athletics uniform.

That's the other thing - you could see him emerging as a true plus-starter

It’s not like he pulled an Aaron Harang and got good overnight after leaving.

Cardenas to AAA?

According to MiLB.com Cardenas is on the River Cats roster.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ros&cid=105

This is Good
As much as people around here love Ellis..

Ive never been a huge fan. Dont get me wrong his D is insane… but hes not a good hitter.

Cant wait for Cardenas at 2nd.

Id rather him play SS but Im not convinced he can yet.

Agreed

Ellis is not a good hitter at all.

Not anymore at least.
He holds the South Dakota MLB HR title, you know.
Though to put it in proper perspective, I think I'm tied for sixth
Not overall, but he can be a timely hitter...

…at least I don’t cringe like I do when so many other players come to the plate in critical situations.

I was just having trouble getting the Rivercats' webpage...
if this is true

beane couldn’t even give a straightforward answer to the question about cardenas moving up on the day it was happening. i love beane but i would love him even more if he would just answer questions in a more satisfying way

Petit was called up to the A's

to replace Chavez, who went on the DL

This was just reported by Joe Stiglich

So the fact that Petit played in last night’s Rivercats game, while Pennington didn’t, was not an indicator of who was to be called up.

official A's announcement

is here

Gregorio is the new Venezuelan man candy!
Adrian Cardenas promoted to AAA SAC

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Adrian%20Cardenas&pos=SS&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=502133

entering this year, Cardenas' career minor league OPS is .775

Given all the enthusiasm on AN for the guy, I would’ve guessed 100 points higher…he’s no heir apparent to any A’s infielder just yet

Cardenas' line so far in 2009 is 372/.443/.590.

I would say that was pretty good.

The main enthusiasm,

I believe, is for the fact that he performed pretty well despite being young for each level he played at.

And that scouts all seem to assess him as a

“line drive machine who will hit in the big leagues.”

...which means he'll be traded for prospects.

Damn, I’m getting way too cynical.

Another link about Cardenas

http://athletics.scout.com/2/861902.html

Personally, I don’t really like it. I believe Cardenas set the state high school HR record in Florida, so he’s got the power potential. I don’t want him rushed—I want him to take his time and develop this power.

As long as AAA is as far as he progresses this season he won't have been rushed.
I think it's fine, as long as he stays at AAA

He and Cunningham seem like guys who should be pushed within the minors but not pushed to the majors. Kind of like Cahill (oops).

Will not be in majors

  He will be a september call up but I highly doubt he will be up before that time.

I disagree with the Cardenas/Cunningham comp.

Cunningham is, in general, regarded as one of those players whose ceiling isn’t very high, but his likelihood of reaching it is about as good as it gets. You figure average defense, decent average/OBP, around 15-20 HR a year—which he’s proven he’s capable of by putting up HR totals of 11 (95 games), 16, 18 over the last three years at various levels. It seems Cunningham is a guy with polish.

Cardenas, on the other hand, put up awesome numbers in high school but hasn’t player up to the expectations so far in pro ball, with HR totals of nine and five over the last two seasons. If that power develops, Cardenas could ultimately become Ian Kinsler.

When you think of guys with lots of potential and raw talent, you think of big huge guys like Chris Carter who have the tools, but need to work on putting them all together. Cardenas is one of those guys, and I think giving him lots of time to work on it in the minors is the best way to go. Turn him loose for a while, like the A’s did with Doolittle—see what happens.

I've heard the Michael Young comparison for Cardenas, in terms of the bat.
That's fine, NateHST, but I wasn't comparing them

in the way you’re refuting – just in their needing to be at AAA despite their youth but not in the majors yet.

Okay, I see what you're saying.

I still would rather see Cardenas take his time at AA and hopefully see those doubles turn into homeruns.

Comments by Steven Soderbergh on Moneyball

from Rob Neyer. Soderbergh is trying to replace Bull Durham as THE baseball movie of all time

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sweetspot/0-2-7/Soderbergh-on-Moneyball.html

Then he'll need a liberal dose of Jamie Kotsay in the flick
Chavez

  Start of the season it was said 150 games would be great. Now 150 ABs would be great.

Who said 150 games and what the hell were they on?
I was looking at rosters in the minors and Corey Brown and Tyson Ross on DL, What for???
Tyson Ross has TERRIBLE mechanics...it's been covered here before

I don’t know if he’s changed them, but if he hasn’t…well, yikes.

'Cos he just golfed a ball off the wall in left field.

He’s never had that kind of power before.

Obviously I’m being facetious here, but the power surge should be raising some eyebrows.

I've no idea why this reply turned up here - it's meant for the Scoot discussion!
its ok, we need more hitters anyway

plus T. Ross might end up having to go that route if his arm falls off

Ok gang

i say its time to trade for Dallas McPherson and see what he can do.

Scoot is definately juicing.
why?

just because he has more than twice as many homers as anybody on the A’s? or because he’s got just about as many homers as the entire A’s team?!?!?!

'Cos he just hit a ball off the left field wall that he didn't square up.

He’s never had that kind of power before.

Obviously I’m being facetious here, but the power surge should be raising some eyebrows.

maybe his biznitch is the shiznitch
Beg to differ

You’re not being facetious – you sound like you mean it.

I am watching WWE Friday Night SmackDown! while waiting for the A’s game.

Kinda dumb but

kinda interesting to see a bunch of players on facebook…peek at their friends list and see a bunch of other players. wonder if fans get on their friends list every once in a while.

Chavez to the DL

Groundhog Day…..

I thought it was Mayday

I’m terrible at holidays. Whereas Holliday is just terrible.

OMG HE JUST HIT A HOMER WTF
Small sample - ooh ooh, gotcha!
Is it just my MMA-addled brain,

or is boxing dead?

Boxing is pretty much dead.

It's your MMA-addled brain.
Its just that your brain dead?
Angels put up a 6-spot on Pettitte/Melancon

to take a 6-4 lead over NYY (6th). Tampa Bay puts up a 6-spot on Masteron to take a 6-2 lead over BOS (6th), capped by a Longoria grand slam.

I have this feeling that by August the Mariners could be 10 games up on everybody

and we would still be posting Angels scores.

It's 'cos no-one cares about the Mariners.
And because the scores are less interesting when they aren't playing yet
so I like it when my job gives me free alcohol on Fridays

but when there’s no game thread for me to pollute it’s just not the same…

Tonight's Lineup

looks good to me. I’m glad they didn’t change much. I’m also glad to see Giambi in there tonight. Go A’s!!!

starting A's lineup

thanks to Joe Stiglich:

Sweeney CF; Cabrera SS; Giambi 1B; Holliday LF; Cust DH; Suzuki C; Buck RF; Crosby 3B; Patterson 2B.
needs more Venezuelan man-candy II
Really dork threadjack, but

my old a cappella group (insert snark of your choice here) from college the Tufts Beelzebubs just released their latest album. I just got it in the mail today. It’s blowing my mind. I highly recommend anyone who feels like it can check out sound clips on their website www.bubs.com

I think they’re on iTunes now too.

Commense with the joke-making in 3, 2, 1…..

Game thread up!

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