Quote:
|
Originally Posted by JDOldSchool
I am thinking that dumping Durazo for very little still could be worth it. Dan Johnson has been solid since being recalled and I don't think he needs to go back to AAA. But, if as you say, Durazo isn't close to coming back anytime soon then there might not be much of an issue with Johnson going down.
I like the A's for the last 3 1/2 months of the season as long as Street can get back soon. Kendall, Johnson/Hatteberg, Crosby, Chavez, Kielty (he doesn't suck anymore!), Kotsay, and Swisher is a solid team. Scutaro and Ellis aren't great, but they're alright at the end of the lineup.
The pitching is getting much better. Getting Harden back is huge. Harden and Haren are the two best pitchers right now. Blanton has been very good lately. Zito is pitching like a #4 starter. Saarloos hasn't been that bad, either.
The bullpen is scary, which is why Street needs to come back. I'd much rather see Duchscherer in the 7th and 8th than in the 9th. Yabu, Rincon, and a healthy Calero are decent as well.
It seems like I'm the only one who sees this team competing with the Rangers and Angels for the division title. 10 games is a lot to overcome, but the injured players are mostly healthy now. This team is going to surprise people the rest of the way.
|
I like your optimism...but, sometimes being realistic is good as well.
Kendall has been a negative behind the plate...throwing out a whopping 6 of 54 would be base stealers. Brutal. He hasn't hit worth a lick either. Get Melhuse some at bats...he's wasting away and if Kendall goes down we're going to be up the creek cause Melhuse's cobwebs will be tough to break.
The outfield situation could get worse before it gets better with rumours of Kotsay getting shipped out. If they can't get an extension worked out, he'll probably be gone by next month and he, struggling as he is, is our best outfielder. Kielty can't hit from the leftside...in fact he's just as bad as Byrnes is against righties...so, that's not good. Swisher is coming around...but, he's not really dazzling anybody yet.
I love our infield with Johnson at first, Ellis/Scutaro/Ginter and the usual suspects over on the other side. Sure, we could improve at 2B, but we aren't doing too badly by that bunch.
Pitching...the starters are starting to come around and with a little luck could put up some great numbers and definitely put us in a better position to get out of the basement.
Contend?? I dunno, a lot of things have to go right and nothing can go wrong from here on in and then we might have a shot.