The A's always seem to try and get a jump on the trading deadline. Today is no different. The A's decided to acquire Scott Hairston from the San Diego Padres today for Ryan Webb, Craig Italiano and a PTBNL.
I like this deal a lot. It gives the A's a very good outfielder under control until 2011. It also affords the A's the flexibility to move Matt Holliday when the time and the right deal comes along. And if it doesn't come along, then the A's can take those draft picks and know that they have someone in the outfield to replace Holliday when he walks.
At the same time, there have already been quite a few who have speculated that the A's are trying to make a Holliday deal even more attractive for someone else by throwing in Hairston in a deal with Holliday. But Hairston seems like one of those guys who was probably on a Billy Beane most wanted list and that often means that he's going to keep you until he can't afford to anymore.
Hairston looks even better if he can play center field for the A's. Then again, the A's have put Ryan Sweeney out there a bunch this year and I could see Hairston actually being an upgrade over Sweeney at that position, both with the bat and the glove.
Paul DePodesta weighs in on the deal here. Here's an excerpt:
While trading Scott is difficult and not without risk, especially given his excellent production this season, this move provides us with some young power arms with big upside - a real need for us - while also allowing for other young players to continue to amass Major League at-bats in our outfield.
I wouldn't be surprised at all if that PTBNL is Sean Gallagher. And if it is, then I still think it's a good trade. Gallagher had a lot of potential, but the A's are chock full of young arms with a lot of potential. They need to get a right-handed stick that is under salary control for a while who can provide good defense. This finally plugs that hole and the A's clearly didn't have a lot of faith in Gallagher. We'll see though. It also wouldn't surprise me to see it be someone like Henry Rodriguez. But we'll just have to wait to find out.
Gas Lamp Ball doesn't like the move at all, calling it throwing in the towel on the season.
I understand the Padres have absolutely no chance of doing anything this year, hell everybody knows that except Heath Bell. The problem is that with Hairston gone, the chances of the Padres threatening to score has just been reduced.
The white flag of surrender is being flown above Petco Park. I see it now, the invitation for other teams to rape and pillage. Come one, come all.
I just think ultimately you can never predict what Beane and company are going to do. You expect them to be announcing deals where they're moving Holliday, Orlando Cabrera and Adam Kennedy and instead they come out and acquire someone who helps immediately but also will help for two more years down the road. Beane always talks about being both a buyer and a seller at the deadline with every move.
That's exactly what he was here.
1 recs | 324 comments
Great post Blez...
I really like this move by Oakland, but I just hope the PTBNL is Eveland rather than Gallagher.
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
i like the deal
but this also does bring some flashbacks of this trade. trading depth for cheap righty power that was league avg or better and didnt help much. That said, gallagher +2 filler relievers doesnt seem like a huge price since they touched no top prospects and will gain more players to replace the ones that left.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/ginteke01.shtml
Asfan4ever723 - July 6, 2009
Maybe it is Blevins...
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
Why would the Padres do the trade if it was Blevins
I think we need to accept that the 3rd piece will be the biggest and most likely Gallagher.
DeJay - July 6, 2009
This is a serious post:
If Garciaparra went to Billy Beane and asked to be traded to a contender like Boston or NYY for a utility role, (assuming a team actually wanted him) what would Beane ask for?
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
1 low level prospect or cash
PL78 - July 6, 2009
A bag of balls?
Reimbursement for accumulated medical bills?
GreenNGoldSooner - July 6, 2009
Beane would have to throw in a Mia Hamm-autographed soccer ball to get that kind of return
Nick - July 6, 2009
Bag of balls, jock strap
Anything like that.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
the caveat is the problem
‘assuming a team wanted him’
That would be a team that could absorb the downside chance that his injuries persist for the chance that his performance will markedly improve. Depends on what you consider those odds to be.
MobiusKlein - July 6, 2009
a log of Cope Long Cut™
carp - July 6, 2009
don't kid yourself
he would probably take grizz long cut at this point
flipgatey3 - July 6, 2009
a copy of his old SI mag cover
for BB’s best friend Bob Geren.
bajablue - July 6, 2009
Webb and Italiano arent even in the A’s best 15 or maybe even 20 prospects. Hairston has a Cust-y aura about him, my Padres fan friends LOVED him, he’s been really good over the last couple years and even though he’s ineligible by a few PA’s, he owns the 3rd highest OPS amongst CF.
Let me repeat that:
Scott Hairston owns the 3rd highest OPS amongst CF. While playing in SD. His home a road splits are EQUAL. He’s a very good hitter and I think many other teams are asking WTF because the 2 guys we gave up will be lucky to be anything. I dont think we will be giving up any of our top 15 prospects here and that makes this a huge, giant WIN trade for us. We have Hairston under control for a while too, which means Buck is probably a goner.
If Hairston throws up an 850+ OPS here then the A’s are winning more games, bottom line.
PL78 - July 6, 2009
+1
I really hope Buck works thing out in Oakland.
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
Where "thing" = the club's inexplicable reluctance to play him?
GreenNGoldSooner - July 6, 2009
Exactly.
This story is getting tiresome. I just want Buck to play.
MrMoneyBaller - July 6, 2009
... a win for us?
YAAY! WE WIN!!!
Ahh, it feels good to say that. Hasn’t been very often or enthusiastic for me lately. I feel great about this trade now!
popcornjames - July 6, 2009
Can we kill the to-be-packaged-with-Holliday-talk right now?
How often does a contender pick up two good starting outfielders from the same team, and from a team that needs guys that can actually hit from the right side?
Anyway, it doesn’t seem like Blez is buying into it either.
Mark H - July 6, 2009
I agree 100%. Harriston was acquired because he's useful.
Holliday could very well be traded with the A’s knowing that his bat can be replaced. This frees Beane up to go for the 3B or SS of the future without really bringing the lineup down.
brenarlo - July 6, 2009
I wonder if Billy will be able to trade any of our veterans for a decent return?
I know what your thinking; “define decent return”
Holliday, Cabrera, Giambi, Kennedy, Nomar, Crosby…
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
Decent returns...
Holliday, absolutely. He’s worth quite a lot to a contending team that needs a hitter to play LF.
Cabrera could be worth something to a contender whose SS suddenly gets hurt. When people panic, they turn to the familiar, and Cabrera is a veteran with post-season experience, which GMs will over-value if they panic.
Kennedy could be similar to Cabrera, though he’d get less in return.
Giambi, Nomar, and Crosby aren’t worth anything.
Nick - July 6, 2009
funny analogy
ryan ludwick was the jack cust of 08—nelson cruz is the ryan ludwick of 09—-hairston might be the nelson cruz of 2010
Asfan4ever723 - July 6, 2009
and Bobby Crosby is unemployed in 2010...
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
I'm sure he could make the AAA roster
for the Royals or Rangers…
he should be somewhere, right?
Gaijin_Suketto - July 6, 2009
For anyone interested in some hard numbers
jhmoore over at Beyond the Box Score wrote a pretty encompassing article on the trade, especially on the future of Hairston.
http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2009/7/6/939079/oakland-athletics-acquire-scott
5Tool - July 6, 2009
Nice post by PaulThomas at that link too.
roscoe - July 6, 2009
I hope Paul returns
kaweahkaweah - July 6, 2009
Me too.
Nico - July 6, 2009
Me three.
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
Ok, "Me four" is pretty silly, however
Come on PT, don’t make us beg. AN with out PT is like dating a really hot chick with BO…it’s good, but could be better.
OptimistPrime - July 6, 2009
Im okay with begging I want him back
designatedforassignment - July 6, 2009
God no...
Been there, done that. Not interested in the PT drama/attacks/nonsense. He’s the Milton Bradley of AN.
Back to baseball….
andyinfremont - July 6, 2009
Milton Bradley Hit
the problem with the great AN schism isn’t the personalities that staid or left. The problem is the death of intellectual content. Free Kraut doesn’t have it either, despite the fact that they have the posters who use to provide AN with the intellectual content. PT might have pissed some off (he made me laugh a lot) but no one can deny that he provide AN with great intellectual content, which this site desperately needs more of.
designatedforassignment - July 6, 2009
You're right
It’s unfortunate that he hasn’t matured enough yet to play well with others. Nobody can deny his smarts but the guy could really be a jerk.
Still… most of AN would welcome him back tomorrow!
ohtobe21likehuston - July 6, 2009
My point exactly
Bradley has enough talent that teams keep giving the guy more chances and expecting the self-destructive team-killing behavior to change. Folks like that just can’t help themselves, and I have no interest in enabling that in AN again. PT found another stage to perform on, which is good for everyone concerned. There are tons of talented writers and analysts in AN that actually add great value without the personality disorder problems. Let’s build on that and let go of the past.
andyinfremont - July 6, 2009
Wow
That’s not insulting in the slightest to those of us who’ve been around since long before you arrived.
OK, I lied. I’m a little insulted.
Allow me to take this moment to address any and all posters who feel that AN is lacking in intellectual content.
STEP. THE FUCK. UP.
If anyone out there wants to wade in hip deep and talk about wOBA or FIP or any of the latest metrics in a non-condescending and instructive way then there is nothing stopping you. Hop on Word, write a little something (use SpellCheck) and post it on AN as a fanpost.
And if you’re too lazy to do that, you’ve got no business complaining about the content on AN.
grover - July 6, 2009
Damn grover
I remember when you used to be the prick around here. Just kidding. Love your posts and will say that you are at the top of AN in regards to useful data!
Thanks for all that you do…
ohtobe21likehuston - July 6, 2009
grover,
You know that I have a ton of respect for you and the work you put in to AN. I know how long it takes to do things like your excellent Monday Morning Minor League reports. I lurked for a couple of seasons and my level of baseball knowledge grew bases on your, PT, WaddelCanseco, Devo, Notsellingjeans, monkeyball, Sal and many others’ contributions to this blog.
That being said Im trying to step up and write the kind of fanposts that I use to see here with so much more frequency.
designatedforassignment - July 6, 2009
You aren't the 1st to make that particular comment
Just the most recent and easiest for me to reply to.
I too would like to see a stronger statistical/analytical presence on AN but I haven’t the time/energy/passion to make it happen. So rather than bemoan what isn’t on AN I focus on making what I contribute as good as possible.
If anyone wants to see more whatever discussed on AN all they have to do is write about it and create a fanpost. And if people are worried that they suck when it comes to writing then the simple trick is to ask questions instead of making statements.
And to use SpellCheck.
grover - July 6, 2009
And FWIW, I'm happy to see a statistical presence on AN's frong page
But someone has to step forward and say they want to do it. The problem isn’t philosophical, it’s that no one has said they want to do it.
I’m with grover — less complaining, more stepping up, por favor.
Nico - July 6, 2009
Im sure you would put someone on the front page.
But I think that is a de jure step rather than a de facto one.
I don’t speak for the people that left… obviously, since Im still here. I don’t expect you to clone them back into existence, and Im glad to see you endorse PTs return, especially since he is symbolic though obviously things transcend his presence.
But I think the problem is philosophical, I think making assertions about baseball is a debate and you don’t. It goes beyond fanposts or Saturdays, and Im not sure how to bridge that divide because I think that if it isn’t everybody loses me, you, random lurker. Im working on figuring it out because AN is too good for meta to be interrupting good debate about baseball with the frequency that it has.
designatedforassignment - July 6, 2009
It's not that Nico doesn't think
it’s a debate. It’s that he (like me) doesn’t define debate as strictly as you do.
iglew - July 7, 2009
Oh and one more thing
Somebody has to run everything. Usually its way less glorious, requires far more work, and entails far more bitching than it should. The fact that you are trying to run this thing is pretty impressive despite what disagreements I have with how you are choosing to do that.
Now back to TRADE!!!!!! WOOT
designatedforassignment - July 6, 2009
Thank you for the acknowledgment, seriously
The point I’m trying to make is that I personally am not the right person to write a stats-based front page post. I neither have the time, nor the interest, and I can’t be “best qualified” to do everything. I am, with humility, saying that I am simply not the right person for that particular job.
If someone who is qualified would like to step up, I will gladly reserve a front page spot for them. That’s really all I can do as a leader (support it, endorse it, make space for it), other than do it myself, which I’m not qualified to do.
Nico - July 7, 2009
I am the worlds worst speller... always have been always will be
if you want fanposts/comments from me its going to happen.
designatedforassignment - July 6, 2009
SpellCheck improves lives
Using a dictionary doesn’t hurt either.
grover - July 7, 2009
Dictionaries are useless for people that cant spell
As for it to be useful you need to know both that you are spelling a word how to spell it correctly in order to look it up. Most seriously overrated invention ever.
designatedforassignment - July 7, 2009
Kind of like those billboards advertising,
“Can’t read? Enroll in our program…”
Nico - July 7, 2009
Oh good Lord,
I like Paul, but this conversation makes me glad he’s decided to stay away. He’s not even here and everyone is making a big freaking deal about it. If he posts on AN, let him just be a normal guy, not a political issue.
iglew - July 6, 2009
I didnt know
Dan Thomas had a torn labrum!! Dammit!!
hero66 - July 6, 2009
+1
designatedforassignment - July 6, 2009
Maybe this is the impetus to dump Cust
If Hairston hits for average, power and OBP, then it lessens the team’s need for a power hitter who can’t field, like Cust, particularly since the A’s already have Nomar & Giambi & to a lesser degree Powell for DH.
The A’s got two good years out of Cust. I think this is a regression (not that I loved him before, but so many people on AN did) and that he’s a liability as a fielder, and easily replaceable as a DH. He and Giambi right now are the same player, and at the end of the year, Giambi can be replaced by another old timey FA cheap slugger.
Dumping Cust would allow the A’s to perhaps play Buck more than they are.
richwol1 - July 6, 2009
Yeah, but then you've decreased your overall slugging and HR production overall
Sadly, the A’s need to add another Cust — especially circa 2007-08 — more than they need to subtract one.
Nico - July 6, 2009
Not sure if the occasional homer is worth it
Particularly since it blocks Buck and Cunningham from the major league club. I’d rather take my chances on either of them (or Barton because Giambi would move to DH) than sit through another month of strikeout after strikeout after strikeout after double play, with one homer every two weeks. Not to mention Cust in the outfield.
richwol1 - July 6, 2009
Giambi blocks Buck and Cunningham, not Cust
Giambi can be released at whim, and put Cust at DH. Cust is the more productive player than Giambi, especially if he starts getting his groove back (which is pretty damn likely).
Blicks - July 6, 2009
Yeah
Cust’s slump = more likely to be temporary,
Giambi’s slump = age catching up.
I’m going to call Jack Cust coming back rested after the ASB, with his back feeling better, and going on a hitting spree.
That is, of course, unless my one my vote Cust in campain works.
bobnothing - July 6, 2009
I think Cust's slump lasts as long as his stupid new approach does
travdog6 - July 6, 2009
Totally agree with you on Cust
It’s hard to believe there are still Kust supporters out there. Obsession with OBP and walks over K’s, poor outfield play, slow base running, and the “Oh, well, I just struck out AGAIN” smirk on the way back to the dugout aren’t worth having the guy in the lineup.
FurVault - July 6, 2009
20 HRs for Cust after the ASB. mark it.
assuming he remains with the A’s and gets the same playing time he has pre-break.
jlanning17 - July 6, 2009
Good luck with that
If he does hit those 20, most of ’em will come in September against tired arms and call-ups.
richwol1 - July 6, 2009
20 homers to close the season would be impressive regardless
ohtobe21likehuston - July 6, 2009
irregardless
He should never step into the outfield
robbo650 - July 6, 2009
irregardless is not a word
just put some windex on that. It’ll clear it right up.
cityplANner - July 6, 2009
I know it isnt a word
but i just love to say it and see how people react
robbo650 - July 6, 2009
i thought it was a perfectly cromulent word...
Gaijin_Suketto - July 6, 2009
He was in a performance of the seminal film "Cannonball Run 2",
which I can only describe in the world “Crumtrolescent”
cityplANner - July 6, 2009
Cust isn't blocking Buck and Cunningham
Buck and Cunningham’s not-so-stellar performance is blocking Buck and Cunningham
asfansince1989 - July 6, 2009
Why would you dump Cust when you can dump Sweeney
Harrison is a good defensive OFer which a huge part of his value and putting him at DH wastes that. Cust is cost controlled and since there is no way we should pick up Giambi’s option he is going to be the only one to be a viable DH next year in the organization.
designatedforassignment - July 6, 2009
I want to shop Sweeney to Kenny Williams
Has he shown that his intelligence is limited? Check.
Is Sweeney an improvement over DeWayne Wise and Brian Anderson? Hell, Rajai Davis is an improvement over the two. So yes.
Is Ryan Sweeney in CF better than Griffey in CF was last year? Absolutely! And speaking of that deal, Kenny actually gave up a top prospect to get Danny Richar, who is Hannahan minus the glove. More evidence of his stupidity.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
Now where did we get Sweeney from originally?
Hang on, I’ll think of it.
Nico - July 6, 2009
KW has reacquired players after trading them though
See: Podsednik, Scott, and Gonzalez, Gio
Blicks - July 6, 2009
I also happen to believe he's a much better GM than he's often given credit for being
Nico - July 6, 2009
Ask Nick Swisher
I’m sure he’s glad to be elsewhere.
ohtobe21likehuston - July 6, 2009
Just so you know Hannahan minuse the glove is completely worthless.
designatedforassignment - July 6, 2009
hannahan w/o glove
is an empty jersey
robbo650 - July 6, 2009
I know.
That’s why I used that analogy. That’s exactly what Richar is. :-)
Blicks - July 6, 2009
but you also used the term "top prospect", me confuzzeled.
designatedforassignment - July 6, 2009
dumping cust would be stupid
trade him. play him only as a DH. but dump the only guy who can hit HR’s IN Oakland, has lead and will lead the team in HR and RBI for the last three years and possibly if not probably the next two is crazy talk.
Don’t like his defense?, not his fault he’s asked to play it. So his avg sucks. who’s dosn’t on this team. he’s hitting 60 points below our team leader (Kennedy) and i bet there final average’s are 20/30 points closer at the end of the year. He’s well worth what little money we pay him to be the power numbers leader of our team. I would guess every other A.L. team, and quite a few N.L. teams (Colorado anyone?) wishes he was there cheap DH or poor fielding OF power hitter/PH.
OmahaHi - July 6, 2009
This. Totally agree.
Geren playing him in the field and screwing with his approach is the problem
Blicks - July 6, 2009
Rationalizations and excuses
Why do you think Geren screwed with his approach? Cust screwed with Cust’s approach, and because of that, I don’t see a turnaround. If there was going to be a turnaround, we’d be seeing it in the approach now, even if the results weren’t yet happening.
Sure, Cust is cost-controlled for more years. But with another outfielder with power playing every day, there’s less need on the team for a player like Cust, and more need to develop younger players like Barton, Buck, Powell and Cunningham.
richwol1 - July 6, 2009
Cust is great
He’s had an injury and a run of bad luck (.268 09’ vs .319 career babip) although I’m not exactly sure on the proportions. What I do know is that Cust is a steal. He has a Zips projected wOBA of .340 which is average, so not bad for a down year, not to mention that serious sabermetricians such as Bill James project him to have a .383 wOBA, great for a pitchers park. With Hairston, maybe he can become a full time DH and his hitting should only improve from there.
5Tool - July 6, 2009
Wishful thinking
Jack Cust, great player, 2009 edition: .723 OPS. That’s adequate for an good fielding infielder, but Cust is a DH/crappy fielder.
More to the point, and why Cust won’t change into the player he was: When Cust swings and hits the ball fair on the first pitch, he’s got a 1.622 OPS. The only comparable counts to that are the hitters’ counts of 2-1 and 3-1.
There is something to be said for Cust. Against righties, he’s got an .812 OPS. Against lefties this year, it’s .567. Maybe he should be platooned.
Last year and the year before, you can argue the guy was “above average” if you want. But great player? Never.
richwol1 - July 6, 2009
I didn't mean he was a great player, I just mean't I liked him, but
When I see Jack Cust I see 1105 PA’s from 07’ and 08’ of solid hitting in a difficult park, for basically no money, that’s great. Then there are 317 recent PA’s of below average hitting which can be explained by a substantially low babip. As for platooning I think its a stretch to say that after a measly 114 PA’s against lefties this year he should be platooned when in the previous 2 years he was fairly good against lefties. Yes, he is slumping, but seeing we’re working with a relatively small, yet explainable sample size, I’m not too concerned.
5Tool - July 6, 2009
The numbers say it all.
The guy screwed with his approach and is swinging way way way more. That’s a fact. I’d give him a shot to change his approach back before judging him as a bad ballplayer.
travdog6 - July 6, 2009
The issue with Cust
Cust is not doing as well as last year and the year before because he’s not hitting the fastballs he was then. In 2007 and 2008 he had a 30.0 and 31.2, respectively, wFB (runs above average against a fastball) rating; this year he’s at only 1.3. He’s actually done slightly better against the curve (1.5 this year vs. -1.2 in 2007 and -0.2 in 2008), but at the expense of his fastball-hitting skills.
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1564&position=DH/OF#pitchtype
Just in case you want to see the stats for yourself.
Gallagher's Watermelons - July 6, 2009
Hmmm...
Does that mean he’s not getting around on them?
richwol1 - July 6, 2009
Excellent point. I haven't seen that issue raised anywhere else.
rebus - July 6, 2009
I'm somewhat seeing it now.
April: 16 BB, 2 HR
May: 7 BB, 5 HR
June-July: 14 BB, 7 HR
There’s your improvement. More walks and more HRs.
He’s still grounding out into those weak dribblers in June, but he also had a low BABIP in June, which hurts even more due to that ridiculous groundball approach he had. He’s trying to work out of it.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
Doesn't look like all that much improvement
April: 65 AB
May: 98 AB
June-July: 114 AB
richwol1 - July 6, 2009
+1000
micdog2001 - July 6, 2009
Didn't we have someone to replace Holliday in left in Cunningham?
I don’t like the deal if the ptbnl is gio gallagher or even eveland.
winchester5 - July 6, 2009
To me, Gio > Gallagher
in that he’s moving forward, not backwards, and doesn’t appear to be as much hated by the organization. I’m ok with Gallagher being the PTBNL than I am Gio, though I’d prefer it be neither, e.g., Blevins, Eveland.
Nico - July 6, 2009
They can have Crosby, Hannahan, or Srpinger...
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
Springer (sp error)
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
Or all of them!
muffinpryde - July 6, 2009
Woah, Billy driving a hard bargain.
Nico - July 6, 2009
agreed
blevins, eveland, gray, etc- take them!!
gallagher- not great, but not horrible, just ok
anyone else- gio, simmons, hrod, demel, carignan, ross – stay away!
italiano/webb…not much lost
Asfan4ever723 - July 6, 2009
I'd actually rather
Give up Simmons than Gallagher. I just don’t see Simmons projecting to be anything special.
AthleticsReign - July 6, 2009
I have to agree with this.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
he did put up a 3.51 in AA his first full year in the minors last year.
he was a high pick, he has moved quickly, he has had recent success. Only spoiled A’s fans with their plethra of pitching prospects would give up on him so soon. I doubt he is one of the two in consideration.
OmahaHi - July 6, 2009
I don't think anyone has given up on Simmons
The reason a lot of people would rather trade him away is because they haven’t given up on Gallagher. Gallagher is only 9 months older and has better stuff and a better minor league track record.
OkayJay81 - July 6, 2009
Good Deal
At first I was wondering what the athletics were doing, but I saw the thing about Holliday blah blah blah.
It kind of scary I was playing OOTP and made the exact same deal except no PTBN
trademan56 - July 6, 2009
Gallagher apparently has great upside
But not with the A’s, pretty obviously. Gio may finally be sticking, so Gallagher is superfluous. I hope it’s Gallagher rather than Simmons or anyone else.
Eveland is obviously more superfluous, but he’s got no upside.
richwol1 - July 6, 2009
Plenty of backside, though.
Nico - July 6, 2009
You can never have enough pitching.
OldhamA - July 6, 2009
Right, but you also have to give up something of value to get something if value.
UncleLeo - July 6, 2009
Gallagher to the Padres
Please make it so Mr Beane……..
granja - July 6, 2009
No send them Eveland or Blevins!!! (I still have hope for Gallagher)
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
The two pitchers being evaluated...
Have to be starting pitchers right? Italiano and Webb both have starting experience but it seems likes both their futures may be in the bullpen. Italiano is currently starting, and struggling, as a high-A starter. I saw in the other Hairston post that Keith Law commented that Italiano would be able to take off if a team put him into the bullpen. Webb seems like he has more starting potential- and I can envision him following a similar path that Braden did- where he starts out as a long-innings RP before he gets his shot in the starting rotation.
The point is, though, from the Padres perspective; They have two pitchers who are not guarenteed to be able to stick as starters. So I would think they would want a starter as, as the PTBNL, who is likely to be a starter.
This leads me to believe that the two players who will be under evaluation by the padres are Gallagher and Simmons. Gallagher would be option A because, though he comes with some risk; He has high-end potential as a starter who could become a good number #2. Simmons would be the other bc he it is widely believed that- though he doesn’t have front of the rotation potential- he is a safe bet to become a solid back of the rotation starter. Basically, if Gallagher comes off the DL sometime within the month a can make a start or two for them- then they will undoubtably go with him. However, if his stint on the DL lingers- they have Simmons as the other pitcher they can select bc they know he is a safe bet to counter the risky bet of Gallagher and his current injury.
If it is Gallagher, I am conflicted about the trade- but still ultimately like it. I doubt that Gallagher would every be able to crack the rotation again- if he were to stay with the A’s. However, I don’t like giving him up when he is on the DL and got roughed up at the big league level earlier this year because we arn’t selling him at his peak value. If Gallagher was healthy and dominated AAA for the entire year, we could definately use him as a trade chip to get a player like Yunel Escobar or someone of even greater value at a premium position. Ultimately, it is still a good trade. However, I am a little hesitant to embrace it bc there was potential for netting a greater return with a thriving Gallagher…
But if it is simmons- or eveland for that matter…. well cheers…
MAC Attack - July 6, 2009
Gallagher or Eveland
My pick. Gallagher because he’s got upside; Eveland because he’s useful right now and in a homer-depressing park like Petco, he might actually be a decent mid-rotation guy. Today, not next year.
richwol1 - July 6, 2009
What is the reason for PTBNL?
Why can’t they just say who it is. Is there some type of contract negotiation or something to be ironed out?
ironliver - July 6, 2009
PTBNL
Sometimes it is because it is a player form last year’s draft and they would technically have to be on under contract for a year before being dealt.
In this case it is probably because it is Sean Gallagher and he is on the Triple A DL. It gives him time to prove he is healthy and they have an alternative if he doesn’t prove it.
jeffro - July 6, 2009
Another brilliant Billy move
We pick up a consistent bat with good average and power, good speed on the basepaths, for a couple of prospects that never really figured to be an impact in the majors. Always nice to be first in line at a fire sale!!!
OptimistPrime - July 6, 2009
Oh yeah.
And, this is Billy buying in a buyers’ market, the same way he stockpiled prospects by selling in the sellers’ market.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
How do you figure.
There are far more teams looking to upgrade than their are looking to sell at this point. That coupled with Harrisons career year makes it really hard to see this as buying in a buyers’ market. I still think he did fairly well in this trade, depending on the PTBNL, but I don’t think it squares with your explanation.
designatedforassignment - July 6, 2009
If Hairston was available.
There are contending teams who need a center fielder. Hairston has more value in the immediate need to one of those teams, namely the White Sox and Braves, than he does to a noncontender like the A’s (even if this is a long term move for the A’s) because of that urgency of winning now. They should’ve been able to give up more than Webb/Italiano/see below.
And, whether the pitcher is Gallagher or Eveland or Simmons (it could always be someone else, but I just named the guys with the most value who are likely PTBNL), the Padres could’ve gotten a LOT more in a better market. Same with Nate McLouth earlier this season and Matt Holliday being traded by the Rockies. You could add White Sox and Swisher, but that trade was The Ozzie Guillen and Kenny Williams Stupid Show.
Definitely a buyers’ market in the sense that teams can get established players for less prospects.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
Still no 25 man roster move announced.
The move has to be announced before tonight’s game. In other words, there’s 4 hours. Something tells me that if the move were something simple like Buck being sent down to AAA (grrrrrrrrr), it would’ve been announced already.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
and the countdown begins...
can it please just happen already? i have been doing nothing work-related today, just clicking refresh on AN, espn.com, the official A’s site, mlb.com, and mlbtraderumors.com. bb is killing me…
jlanning17 - July 6, 2009
Please nix..
Radioman! I rather have Denorfia backing up the outfielders…
ST - July 6, 2009
Can it be Davis.
Please? There are 2 guys who can handle CF now (assuming it’s not Sweeney going down). So can we officially banish Rajai Davis now?
rageon - July 6, 2009
I Saw Scott Hairston
2 years ago at Petco. He entered the game in the 6th, hit a game-tying HR, then hit a walk-off HR for the win. He led off the next game with a HR followed by 2 more hits. While you can’t expect him to hit like this, he definitely caught my attention after that run.
FurVault - July 6, 2009
I've read it
now I expect a walk off HR in his second AB tonight in Fenway.
Future Ed - July 6, 2009
Second AB?
That will be one hell of a pitching duel then. :)
Blicks - July 6, 2009
Or he won't start the game....
gigglingone - July 6, 2009
Walkoffs are unusual in any at bat by the visiting team
I predict a quadruple play.
Nico - July 6, 2009
possible
Quadruple plays are actually possible if the 4th out is an appeal play that prevents a run from scoring.
Larry E - July 6, 2009
He will start the game in CF
adragon - July 6, 2009
Just leave 1B to Giambi and Nomar...
I’m not buying Giambi blocks Barton (maybe Buck?), because in my opinion Barton is a bust!
His stats of last year (in Oakland) and this years Sac-town AAA numbers have not given me a vote of confidence and I do understand it is a small sample size but he seems to fit the .230 BA/ singles hitter the A’s seem to be developing.
Cust can DH full-time and leave the outfield spots for Buck, Hairston, Holliday and Sweeney.
When Holliday gets traded at the deadline, or when he departs at the end of the season Cunningham will get to come up and earn his keep for the A’s.
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
Yeah
I’m calling out Daric Barton!!!
AN called out Crosby a few years back, and he responded with; (insert whatever you feel)
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
more of nothing?
OptimistPrime - July 6, 2009
Pecking Order in OF??
Once Holliday leaves, that is.
Would think Hairston jumps to head of line. Followed by Carter. Then Sweeney/Cunningham. Then Buck. I don’t think from BB on down that this organization believes much in Buck anymore.
jasonthea - July 6, 2009
And Cust as DH
once the Giambi experiment is over.
jasonthea - July 6, 2009
bleah
richwol1 - July 6, 2009
If you think Cust would stink as a DH
then I would love to see your wish list. Just be sure to include the salaries next to the guys who are “better” fits for the A’s.
ohtobe21likehuston - July 6, 2009
OK we get it
you don’t like Cust.
micdog2001 - July 6, 2009
Carter?
I don’t think he’s coming up any time soon
chipper1001 - July 6, 2009
Is he even an OF
Helloooo 1st - July 6, 2009
Custian style.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
More athletic than Cust, but yeah he wouldn't be good out there.
OldhamA - July 6, 2009
Why not?
He’s got good speed and apparently has a very good arm out there.
hero66 - July 6, 2009
Carter is an OF
and he has a legit power bat. I was asking about the long term, not the immediate view. Buck being sent down confirms where he sits in the A’s mind. Carter is a clear candidate for a corner OF job next year, and ahead of Buck or anyone else except possibly Hairston.
jasonthea - July 6, 2009
You don't think he'll stick at 1B?
Seems like Doolittle has seen more OF time.
Nico - July 6, 2009
Beane has man love for Giambi and he will play 1B in 2010 with someone to back him up.
Eastbayjim - July 6, 2009
Are people really that down on Sweeney?
I really like Ryan Sweeney and hope that he and Suzuki are the two guys Beane decides to hold onto in the mess that is the 2009 A’s.
Hairston seems like an upgrade to Holliday, and I’m thinking that the A’s would rather trade Holliday before the deadline (rather than wait for free agency/the draft picks) than play both men in the field. Holliday is playing like his suitcase is packed already.
popcornjames - July 6, 2009
Word.
I do not understand all the SweeneyHate around here. I think he’s a clever slap hitter with unusually good bat control, and he’s improved dramatically in the field. You can be disappointed in the power numbers if you like, but he’s not that guy.
The Dogfather - July 6, 2009
i also like sweeney
but often on AN when people defend him, they refer to some sort of power that he could/should develop, mostly based on his physique. i agree that he is a fine player, just not a fine power hitting OF.
jlanning17 - July 6, 2009
Sweeney
Great kid, but I don’t see him every hitting more than 10-15 hrs a year. Good speed, decent arm, good glove, .270-280 hitter. Not great, not bad. Trade bait?
OptimistPrime - July 6, 2009
4th outfielder.
OldhamA - July 6, 2009
I like Ryan Sweeney
So he’s had a hiccup this season. I think he’s going to be a fine ball player.
5Tool - July 6, 2009
The numbers don't lie!!!
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
well I want him to be OUR fine ballplayer!
He reminds me of the good times with Kotsay – “Kotsay-Lite”, if you will.
popcornjames - July 6, 2009
Speaking of Mark Kotsay
he had a little hiccup there too in the beginning (99’), but that did mean he had plateaued either. By the way Kotsay’s down year was when he was 24, how old is Ryan Sweeney again?
5Tool - July 6, 2009
Sweeney is 23 years old.
Rated-R Superstar - July 6, 2009
Born: February 20, 1985 (age 24)
5Tool - July 6, 2009
Agree
Not sure what the source of the anti Sweeney cries are. Light hitting at his age is not atypical. He can still develop power if thats it. We wouldn’t worry so much if we had real power sources at the corner infield spots and one power (MH) outfielder.
bajablue - July 6, 2009
Very true
Sweeney gets ragged on more because of the A’s other shortcomings than his own IMO. So far this year everyone else in the outfield has underperformed, not to mention the train wreck that has been Giambi and Crosby (and maybe throw Nomar in there too).
andyinfremont - July 6, 2009
Also Sweeney was comfortable playing his first year (with injuries) in RF in 08
This year he has played more in CF and it is also his sophmore year. He has a lot of potential, even the Cards wanted him last year.
Eastbayjim - July 6, 2009
I never believed that rumor
Sweeney for Rasmus never made sense.
designatedforassignment - July 6, 2009
Not sure who it was for but I do remember that the Cards liked Sweeney and wanted him.
I believe the main part of the deal was for Harden and Sweeney.
Eastbayjim - July 6, 2009
Sure, he could develop talent.
But he’s never had the swing to be a power hitter, or shown a real ability to consistently hit for power, so I don’t expect him to start slugging.
travdog6 - July 6, 2009
Sure, he could develop power**
travdog6 - July 6, 2009
Which is fine if not being "that guy" is means he also isn't a starting OF
Harrison is probably a full 1WAR-1.5 WAR above Sweeney in CF. Sweeney is a great corner defensive replacement keeping everybody fresh so he starts 2-3xs a week kinda OFer, but until he can hit atleast 5 runs above league average he isn’t going to be more than a 2 WAR player.
designatedforassignment - July 6, 2009
Agreed!
OptimistPrime - July 6, 2009
{Hairston}
Nico - July 6, 2009
yeah, that guy too
OptimistPrime - July 6, 2009
I think Hairston is already the most misspelled A's name of the season
Gallagher's Watermelons - July 6, 2009
Until we get Jeff Francoeur....
iglew - July 6, 2009
DO NOT WANT.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
Oops
Im thinking beatles I guess.
designatedforassignment - July 6, 2009
Based on the fact that there are nine guys out there at once,
…I’ve never been that impressed with the idea that each guy must fit some better-than-average mold for his particular position. With Sweeney we get lotsa singles, some doubles and excellent fielding. Maybe we go find someone else who hits for unusual power at another position.
Billy didn’t replace Giambi in-kind when he left, but the blend was successful. I’m happy for Sweeney to be part of a blend.
The Dogfather - July 6, 2009
Ditto
andyinfremont - July 6, 2009
Spectacular fielding to watch is more like it
and unless you plan on getting some 4 WAR players you need everyone to be above average to win.
designatedforassignment - July 6, 2009
Sweeney is still #4 in the Web Gems points leaderboard
despite all the missed time. It is ESPN though, take it with a grain of salt.
micdog2001 - July 6, 2009
Yeah, well, he does make amazing catches.
Rated-R Superstar - July 6, 2009
I believe Eric Byrnes ranked pretty high in that metric :-P
designatedforassignment - July 6, 2009
What a joke...
You can’t seriously be comparing the two defensively?
andyinfremont - July 6, 2009
Actually Byrnes career UZR/150 in CF is better than Sweeney's
designatedforassignment - July 6, 2009
Which I guess proves that sometimes statistics do lie...
Although in fairness, I’ve hardly seen Byrnes play since he left the A’s, so maybe his defense has improved. But Sweeney is a much better defender than the A’s-era Byrnes, which is what you seemed to be inferring in your post.
andyinfremont - July 6, 2009
That should have been “referring to” not “inferring”.
andyinfremont - July 6, 2009
Any word on roster moves to accomodate Hairston?
I keep thinking Nomah’s been waiting for this series as his Occasion to hang ’em up.
The Dogfather - July 6, 2009
Buck's probably gonna be sent down
hero66 - July 6, 2009
Why haven't they announced that move then?
Blicks - July 6, 2009
they still need to take someone off the 40 man roster
to add Hairston
OaklandSi - July 6, 2009
No, they don't.
Ryan Webb was on the 40 man.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
Really doubt that
But Geren is clearly anto Buck so who knows.
bajablue - July 6, 2009
Eveland
That is who they called up.
bajablue - July 6, 2009
Yeah, but they placed Braden on bereavement list
That’s kinda like DL, he doesn’t count towards the roster 25.
And no way in HELL does this team keep 13 pitchers on the 25 man. Awful, awful roster management.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
Susan Slusser says Buck has been sent to AAA
%UCK! what? I said Buck.
micdog2001 - July 6, 2009
lets break it down
webb has never had an era below 4.7 at any level. yet was given a 40 man spot and still continued to be promoted every season. he’s in his 6th season and has finally shown something the past month, but he’s less or more off the radar w/ demel/hrod/carignan/gray/blevins etc
italiano parts of 5 seasons all never higher than stockton. he was drafted before mazzaro/lansford but has taken longer to progress. he’s rule 5 draft eligible so wouldve had to be on the 40 man this offseason.
Worst case, hairston is a kielty/murton type w/ CF capability. Cant argue with his success in 08/09. It gives some depth to protect against and buy time for sweeney/cunningham/buck + doolittle/brown/spencer/sulentic etc.
Asfan4ever723 - July 6, 2009
Read some Pad fans comments
They are super high on Italiano, saying in 2-3 yrs will be a 2 or 3 starter on Padres. Which means in 2-3 years the Pads will still be mediocre.
OptimistPrime - July 6, 2009
I like how the Padres do a lot of scrap heap pitching acquisitions, but
suck at young pitching. Baek and Gaudin are both really good acquisitions, as average pitchers who cost nothing.
Eveland will do well in the NL, if he’s the PTBNL. He might even outperform that San Francisco team’s 5th starter.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
just sayin...
bb seems to like snagging OFs from the padres. kotsay for the ’04 season, cust for the ’07 season, now hairston…
could the 3rd time be the charm? could we get somebody who will stay healthy and be a legitimate all-around ball player in both halves of innings?
jlanning17 - July 6, 2009
Cust was the charm.
Until Geren fucked him over by complaining about his strickouts and changing his approach.
Although Hairston should be a charm too.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
i'm a cust fan
but you can’t argue that he is only 3/4 of a player at best with his shoddy fielding. i was confused and opinionless regarding hairston at first, but i’m i’m digging him now.
jlanning17 - July 6, 2009
You could say the same about Big Papi though
There’s a reason he’s DH only.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
I endorse this statement
Signed
DFA
designatedforassignment - July 6, 2009
The two cents of Dave Cameron from Fangraphs
can be found here. I think you’ll all like his opening thoughts:
My favorite part of the article, there’s speculation that the PTBNL might even be Eveland instead of Gallagher.
GoA's - July 6, 2009
Bad News.
Braden, who was scheduled to start on Tuesday, was placed on the bereavement list on Monday, according to an official press release from the A’s.
Spin:
Dana Eveland was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Monday and will presumably slide into the rotation for Braden’s scheduled start on Tuesday.
Syphon - July 6, 2009
Bereavement list?
What happened?
Blicks - July 6, 2009
He heard Dana Eveland was going to be allowed to pitch in the bigs again?
jeepers - July 6, 2009
QOTM
alox - July 6, 2009
Eveland rocks at Fenway!
Or wait…9 ER in 2 IP is getting rocked.
Nico - July 6, 2009
LMAO...
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
Only one of the pitchers have Major league experience according to the reports.
So it would probably be either Eveland or Gallagher as the first and then maybe Simmons as the other.
Eastbayjim - July 6, 2009
Perhaps the Padres want to see Eveland pitch in the big leagues again?
Gallagher's Watermelons - July 6, 2009
Mean, but funny.
walkoff baltimore chop - July 6, 2009
He won tickets in the lottery for the Michael Jackson Memorial Service
gigglingone - July 6, 2009
link
here….
gigglingone - July 6, 2009
If the Padres are deliberating between Gallagher and Eveland,
Dana’s start at Boston ought to settle things once and for all.
Nico - July 6, 2009
bye gallagher
robbo650 - July 6, 2009
muffinpryde - July 6, 2009
Eveland spot starting Tuesday actually makes the "established" PTBNL more likely to be Dana
They knew about Braden’s loss (I assume bereavement = family emergency/loss), and needed someone to spot-start in Braden’s place. They didn’t want to start Simmons’ service clock by calling him up to spot-start, so they use Eveland. Dana gets sent down once Braden gets back, and then is traded as PTBNL.
Considering Cahill’s struggles lately and that they’re on a road trip, it wouldn’t be smart to use Edgar Gonzalez to spot start.
Just speculation though.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
or there's no one else left
and eveland is on the 40 man…easy, no hassle short term move
edg gonzalez remains as the seldom used long reliever
simmons isnt anywhere near ready, retreads like jer williams/reineke/chacon…probably not worth it
Asfan4ever723 - July 6, 2009
and they would have to outright release someone
to call up Simmons.
Which actually is a good thing, since there’s some cut-worthy fodder on the 25 man.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
There's some cut-worthy fodder in the starting lineup.
OldhamA - July 6, 2009
This is plausible and doesn't involve us losing Gallagher... I like.
Good thinking Blicks.
designatedforassignment - July 6, 2009
So we lose today then
Awesome. Why not just pitch Anderson on regular rest?
hero66 - July 6, 2009
Anderson pitches today.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
Eveland should be an almost auotmatic loss
Trainman - July 6, 2009
I really like this trade, on one condition
Which is that Hairston is the every day centerfielder, and that Bob Geren has to do twenty pushups every time he starts Sweeney in his place, a la WIllie Mays Hayes and fly balls.
I hope the PBTNL is Eveland, but my head tells me it’s probably Gallagher. You usually have to give up something to get something. I give the trade an “A” if the former is the case, and a solid B+ if the latter.
jeepers - July 6, 2009
I would be shocked if it is anyone BUT Gallagher
Eveland in the deal makes Towers look like a huge sucker, and typical BB fodder.
OptimistPrime - July 6, 2009
Could it still be Eveland if e is pitching Tuesday?
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
Not if the Padres happen to see the game.
Nico - July 6, 2009
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
QOTM
OptimistPrime - July 6, 2009
Watch Eveland pitch a 2 hitter complete game with a win.
Eastbayjim - July 6, 2009
Yes please
gigglingone - July 6, 2009
I'll have more of the same please
OptimistPrime - July 6, 2009
If you said Anderson
I would’ve bowed down and hailed you as a mystic.
Too bad.
muffinpryde - July 6, 2009
Looking back at that statement it was pretty close, as in Anderson instead of Eveland.
Of course Eveland could do the same tomorrow night.
Eastbayjim - July 6, 2009
<pause>
HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!!
<wipes away tear>
Um, no. Seriously.
iglew - July 7, 2009
ive accepted the ptbnl is gallagher or simmons
There’s a gap in potential upside between cahill/mazzaro/anderson vs the other guys
gio/gallagher/braden/outman/simmons/eveland all profile as mid-back rotation pitchers to me. Basically 5 or 6 pitchers passed up gallagher from this spring going forward. Trading one from this group isnt terrible and in the big picture they still have other guys behind them in godfrey/fernandez/hornbeck/ross/capra/hernandez etc.
Asfan4ever723 - July 6, 2009
Outman, before he got hurt, was our best pitcher this year. He has a ton of talent. Gio does too
All he needs is time to work things out and it looks like he may have found that in his last start.
Eastbayjim - July 6, 2009
+1
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
Can you really see Braden in this group?
Last year I would have agreed with you, but not this year.
OptimistPrime - July 6, 2009
Is Garciaparra starting tonight?
I’m guessing at 1B if he does…
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
DH, hitting 6th per SluSlu
clever link title needed
micdog2001 - July 6, 2009
WAIT. SO HAIRSTON IS DHING?
That means Cust is in the field while the DH spot is used for a plus defensive OFer.
This is ridiculous.
Hairston should be playing in the outfield. Unless its something where he just joined the team…
Blicks - July 6, 2009
Hairston is not in the lineup.
Rated-R Superstar - July 6, 2009
Oh wait. Garciaparra is DHing and hitting 6th
WTF again.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
Hairston got to the park 40 minutes ago...
Gaijin_Suketto - July 6, 2009
Nice trade
I’m sure Hairston will regress coming to the AL and the park where hitters come to die but it’s still a nice deal. I like it less if Gallagher is the PTBNL because I still see a lot of potential in his arm but whatever.
Helloooo 1st - July 6, 2009
Petco is a worse hitters park than Oakland.
He’s not going to regress much.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
(fingers crossed)
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
(toes crossed)
adragon - July 6, 2009
I was going mostly on my frustrations
That Oakland is hell for hitters
Helloooo 1st - July 6, 2009
The foul territory can really piss you off at times :-(
ohtobe21likehuston - July 6, 2009
I don't care if Nomar is returning to Fenway tonight!!!
Hit the pine Nomah…
If your lucky you can be Giambi’s defensive sub for the 9th inning of the last game of the series in Boston.
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
J/K :)
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
Let’s hope Scott Hairston adjusts to American League pitching a lot better than another fellow former National League West outfielder and I’m not talking about Rajai Davis.
Rated-R Superstar - July 6, 2009
Cust?
:-)
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
PTBNL
Jason Windsor? maybe Shane Komine?
MMunoz33 - July 6, 2009
Lance Blankenship
Nick - July 6, 2009
A.J. Hinch
chipper1001 - July 6, 2009
The A's have Acquired A.J Hinch for a MTBNL
That MTBNL is Bob Geren, btw.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
+1
micdog2001 - July 6, 2009
Dann Howitt FTW
carp - July 6, 2009
Don't worry
I kind of suck.
I'm your PTBNL - July 6, 2009
Well, that’s good for us, then.
Rated-R Superstar - July 6, 2009
We need one of these.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
I totally want that shirt.
iglew - July 6, 2009
THAT
F’n rocks! I want!
ChickenStanley - July 6, 2009
Gallagher is nothing like the hype he had last summer
Okay he was considered one of the more mlb ready/upper minors pitchers out there.He reached the majors as a 22 yr old known for his polish and ability to step into an mlb rotation immediately. The hype continued when he improved his weight conditioning and was throwing 95 + at times. He was considered a durable workhorse type pitcher during his minor league career.
He comes to oakland and throws an impressive 1st game, but we had not seen that plus velocity since. There were concerns about his lower velocity this spring and his delivery. Beane pulled him aside for a wake up call, meanwhile cahill/anderson/braden/outman beat him out for spots. Gallagher was showing progress in AAA but then got injured. You hate to give up on a harden centerpiece,but if his upside is a #3 sp is that really considered an untouchable player? A’s accumulated this pitching depth for their own benefit but also for future trade ammo. Trading Gallagher wouldnt be my 1st choice, but over the past 5-6 months he’s done nothing to improve his value within the organization. As long as this sets up future trades and keeps the rest of the pitching depth intact.
Asfan4ever723 - July 6, 2009
Neyer hits the only negative about the trade on the spot.
Neyer
Emphasis mine, btw. I hope it blocks Sweeney, but I’m not holding out hope.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
None of them could lose playing time in the future. There is a designated hitter spot to be had if Cust isn’t around.
Rated-R Superstar - July 6, 2009
yes
richwol1 - July 6, 2009
If Neyer thinks Sweeney has "failed miserably" to this point...
…then he’s an idiot. Buck, OK; Cunningham, pretty harsh considering how little he’s player at the ML level.
andyinfremont - July 6, 2009
+1
I don’t think any of them have failed, let alone failed miserably. Neyer exaggerates too much IMO
chipper1001 - July 6, 2009
this
micdog2001 - July 6, 2009
Although he has never been able to hit lefties in the minors
along with in MLB.
He’s a decent player, but Buck should be playing over him, period.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
This is just the beginning and Hairston isn't going to stay an A.
Watch this move take place: Hairston and Kennedy to the Giants for??? Bowker and Baumgardner (spl?). It fills the Giant’s needs to win now with a solid OF and a 2B. Bowker is a prospect bat and Baumgardner is a highly touted pitching prospect. If they don’t give him up, maybe Sanchez?
JustinKase - July 6, 2009
ha
sorry man, not even close with that trade proposal.
chipper1001 - July 6, 2009
Ok, maybe Baumgardner is a bit a (huge) stretch, but
Sanchez isn’t. Both Sanchez and Bowker seem to be the odd guys out in SF. They’d move them for a real shot this year.
JustinKase - July 6, 2009
that's more realistic
but kind of pointless for the A’s. Why would we trade Gallagher (assuming he’s PTBNL) just so we can get another pitcher with a questionable future and a lefty 1b with no spot in AAA or MLB to fill?
chipper1001 - July 6, 2009
Because this is the only way the A's make headlines. They can't do it with their play,
so they do it with their front office making trades. Necessary or not.
JustinKase - July 6, 2009
Headlines are the objective?
jeffro - July 6, 2009
In the case of a losing team that is really boring to watch? Yes, headlines are
often the objective. Actual sports stories tend to be much better at bringing the casual fan to a ballpark then marketing efforts. Yes, sarcasm.
JustinKase - July 6, 2009
Go back to the
McCovery Cover please….
ST - July 6, 2009
Lol
I’m guessing this is sarcasm and I share your frustration with the A’s current play but if there’s one thing about Beane we know it’s that he makes trades (good or bad) with a purpose in mind, nothing to do with headlines.
chipper1001 - July 6, 2009
of course it is, but at some point we have to start wondering what that purpose is?
JustinKase - July 6, 2009
I'm with ya
to see the team in it’s current state kind of makes one question a lot of the moves that Beane has made to get us to this point. And you’re right, some GMs make moves just to make them and hopefully drum up some attendance, but I have a little more faith in BB than that…for now
chipper1001 - July 6, 2009
I have long been in the "In Billy We Trust" camp, but
it is so hard to remain there while Bob is still managing the club. Each game it becomes harder and harder to believe that his intentions have anything to do with fielding a winning team.
JustinKase - July 6, 2009
Whoa whoa whoa.
Bumgarner is a much better prospect than Gallagher.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
But his name is much harder to pronounce
Eastbayjim - July 6, 2009
Player Whose Name is to be Pronounced Later?
chipper1001 - July 6, 2009
We were assuming he wouldn't be part of the deal and that the pitcher would be Sanchez,
who I also think is a much better pitcher than Gallagher.
JustinKase - July 6, 2009
Also Sanchez has way more service time than Gallagher.
designatedforassignment - July 6, 2009
PTBNL might be Ellis's new little girl. The Padres are planning for the future.
JustinKase - July 6, 2009
It amazes me how many folks are still high on Buck
The guy continues to be very average-ish yet a portion of AN gives him Marco Scutaro-type love and he never cleared the bases in the playoffs. He has been given playing time but it doesn’t seem to make him better. Sure he plays well in Sactown but we’ve seen AAAA’ers in this organization for quite a long time.
Some guys just dominate in the minors but can’t take it to the next level. That is Travis Buck folks.
ohtobe21likehuston - July 6, 2009
Well he did take it to the next level
his rookie year. I may not be as high on Buck as others but I think he’s def better than he’s shown and since we’ve got him on the roster, why not give him a real shot? I think that’s all people really want. If he ends up sucking after getting a solid amount of consistent ABs, at least we’ll know what we have. As it is, him getting shuttled between here and the minors while not getting a consistent chance to play benefits no one.
chipper1001 - July 6, 2009
I think Buck and Sweeney are both much better than they have shown so far.
Management needs to let the young guys play in all three OF spots and 1B and let them grow.
Eastbayjim - July 6, 2009
If that were the plan then I would be on board right away
However first we need to get rid of Giambi, put Barton at 1st, Buck in RF, Cust DH’ing, Sweeney in LF and Hairston in CF. Then get rid of Cabrera and play a very average Petit while going with Kennedy at 3B for the remainder of the year. I could live with that plan only because it allows a long audition for guys who “might” be a part of the future.
Of course that’s a very average team that I mentioned above.
ohtobe21likehuston - July 6, 2009
We have a very average team NOW.
Let the players grow and the A’s will be above average as a team sooner than just letting Buck have a game here and there and Raji over Sweeney.
Eastbayjim - July 6, 2009
I WISH we had an average team now
worldblee - July 6, 2009
I like that.
Rated-R Superstar - July 6, 2009
I say keep Giambi
but only as a part timer and drop Nomar after the Sox series. Trade Holliday for a couple infielders and depending on which infield position you get then deal with O-Cab. your outfeild is spot on though.
micdog2001 - July 6, 2009
outfield
micdog2001 - July 6, 2009
Fair enough
Nobody ever complains about all of the other guys who have never received a chance and there have been many. Why? That is my main point. Is Buck really that special or just “special” compared to the other crap we have on the current roster?
Buck may have shown promise his rookie year but he’s also shown that he is unreliable when he does play and has been injured too.
ohtobe21likehuston - July 6, 2009
In fairness
Lots of people complain about Barton, Pennington, Petit, etc. not getting a consistent chance either. Now, out of all those players, Buck is the only one who has shown the ability to hit MLB pitching pretty damn well…rookie year and end of 2008 are the main ones to point to. I do think the inconsistency and injuries actually play into his allure, because many think if he can just put it all together he could be something special. Is that true? Who knows, but let’s give him a shot and figure it out. Nothing to lose at this point
chipper1001 - July 6, 2009
Hey we all have our pipe dreams
Why in the hell did Mike Rouse never get a shot? Ha, ha.
ohtobe21likehuston - July 6, 2009
Billy just called
I’m the PTBNL. My last at bat was in college in the Spring of ’02. Needless to say, I think the trade worked out well!
carp - July 6, 2009
I could only stand losing you if the A's had drafted Trout last June
grover - July 6, 2009
You already play for the Mariners, Mike Carp.
Rated-R Superstar - July 6, 2009
Buck just sent down...
The screw job continues.
bababooey - July 6, 2009
Well, we can’t say that we’re surprised.
Rated-R Superstar - July 6, 2009
What the buck!
TBRMKane - July 6, 2009
Where did you see that?
grover - July 6, 2009
Here
OptimistPrime - July 6, 2009
Susan Slussar
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/athletics/detail?&entry_id=43112
micdog2001 - July 6, 2009
Fuuuuuuuucccckkkk
Blicks - July 6, 2009
Damnit.
kaweahkaweah - July 6, 2009
Eveland to start Tuesday instead of Braden
I was at his Fenway start last year it was a doozy if you like ass pummelings
streetisclosedin08 - July 6, 2009
And apparently he will pitch with only 3 days of rest.
I predict a line of 4IP, 6ER, 1K, 6BB with Edgar Gonzalez relieving Eveland and yielding 4 more runs.
franks a lot - July 7, 2009
Seems unlikely
The K, that is.
Nico - July 7, 2009
Looked into my crystal ball
bababooey - July 6, 2009
Davis over Buck
Are you fucking kidding me?
TBRMKane - July 6, 2009
Davis doesn't have options left, Buck does
Eastbayjim - July 6, 2009
um....try this
or here
OptimistPrime - July 6, 2009
Thank you
grover - July 6, 2009
This is ridiculous.
whiteshoes40 - July 6, 2009
wut?
Thanks for link, but this is fucking ridiculous.
Blicks - July 6, 2009
What did Buck do?
Does Geren have a daughter? I know Billy does. I wonder.
Steve in Napa - July 6, 2009
Buck would just strike out
andyinfremont - July 6, 2009
or pull something
micdog2001 - July 6, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Athletics Nation to post a comment.