Rebuilding: Where Will The A's Find Greatness?

by Nico on May 23, 2009 10:19 AM PDT

A wise philosopher once said: "Some people are born into greatness, some achieve greatness, and some have grape juice thrust upon them." This is problematic, as the stains from grape juice are especially difficult to get out of your clothes. But that's not really the point of this post.

The point is that if the A's are to build something special for the near future, they need a mix of good players and players that are more than good. I have liked Chase Headley as a possible trade target, because not only does he look like he has a future as a good player, he is currently blocked at 3B, he is on a team looking to make trades, and he could probably be had for less than a king's ransom. This is all well and good, but Headley also appears to be poised for a good career, not a great one. And this is fine if you flank him with a great player or two at some other position - but not so fine if you don't.

Case in point: Jason Bartlett fits in beautifully with Tampa Bay as a solid defensive SS and smart hitter who is no star but is reliable - not unlike Orlando Cabrera. The presence of Evan Longoria, who is great, allows the Rays' left side of the infield to be enviable overall. It works. Put Cabrera alongside Jack Hannahan or Bobby Crosby, however, and it doesn't work.

I think the A's rotation is in good shape long term because they have several pitchers (Braden, Outman, Gallagher, Gio) with a chance to be good but also have a couple (Cahill, Anderson) with a chance to be great. Among the position players, however, you look around and see that outside of Suzuki, who is making a strong case, your anchors are players who, like Headley, appear to top out at "good" - Travis Buck, Ryan Sweeney, Daric Barton. Those guys could be assets on a team with 1-2 better players, but if they're your best players you are in a whole lot of trouble.

Which brings me to today's question: Where (what position, what player) can the A's hope to find greatness in the next 2 years? From their own farm system, is it Corey Brown, CF? Is it Adrian Cardenas, or does he lack the defensive skills and/or power to be more than good? Does Doolittle have a chance to be "special," or just "solid"? Is Chris Carter a 40-HR 1Bman ready for the major leagues in 2010, or is he a 25-HR DH ready in 2011?

Or, in order to turn the corner as a rebuilt team do the A's need to make a trade for someone with high enough upside that it will really sting to give up what you have to give up to land a Mike Moustakas or an Alcides Escobar?

At what position can/should the A's not settle for "good," and from where will that star be found?

0 recs | 94 comments

Comments

What about the guys one "wave" of prospects behind the Carter/Cardenas/Browns of the organization?

From everything we’ve heard, Rashaun Dixon is an absolute freak and a legit 5 tool CF, not the kind Javier Herrera used to be.

Hell, the guy had more triples than doubles in his first taste of pro ball because he was so fast. That says somethin.

mikev - May 23, 2009 reply

I hold high hope for Dixon as well

but on the other hand he Ked in nearly 40% of his at bats. He might figure that out but its a huge warning sign.

designatedforassignment - May 23, 2009 reply

Bartlett is absolutely a star this year.

He’s been the best shortstop in the AL by a wide margin, and one of the five most valuable players in the league. That said, he fits well with the theme of your post. Where can we find a player similarly poised to break out?

jeepers - May 23, 2009 reply

Yeah, I mean on a career basis

Bartlett is one of those underrated players who you wouldn’t want to have 9 of in your lineup, but who complements other “star-level talent” players really, really well. Kind of like Hatteberg.

Nico - May 23, 2009 reply

I'm not convinced the change isn't permanent.

He may be an example of a guy who’s “figured it out.” I’d love for the A’s to get one of those ahead of the curve.

jeepers - May 23, 2009 reply

I'd certainly take him in a NY minute

And man was that a great trade for Tampa Bay!

Nico - May 23, 2009 reply

Bartlett is also cool as shit.

My buddy at work with is Jesse Crain’s brother in law, so he knows Bartlett well from his time with the twins. Super, super cool guy and very easy to root for (when not playing us)

mikev - May 23, 2009 reply

Bartlett is also a Sooner.

’nuff said

GreenNGoldSooner - May 23, 2009 reply

it's so hard to envision which (if any)

of the top position player prospects might be “great” based on their minor league numbers. You’d think that someone who may have gotten that label (such as Barton) would have shown that in the majors. The fact that he didn’t might instead have indicated that he might instead be one of those “good” players that need to play with “great” ones in order to really be good at the major league level.

Some scouts have raved about Doolittle being a “special” player, but it’s hard to know that until we actually see him with the big club. (Not that I’m advocating bringing him up right now.)
Longoria was recognized as a special player, and was drafted as such. Another top prospect who was drafted very high (#5) is Buster Posey. As much as anyone can know, he seems likely to be one of those “special” players. The A’s to my knowledge have not drafted any “special” position players in quite a few years.

Another issue I’ve been thinking about lately is whether the A’s might try hiring additional scouts with special expertise in identifying really good position players who can hit. They do have that kind of expertise and success in identiying pitching prospects. I started thinking about that after reading a post by a Rangers fan who thought that the Rangers’ organization is very good at identifying and developing good hitters, but not at identifying and developing good pitchers – and the post specifically mentioned the A’s as an organization that was good at the latter.

Athletics Nation