OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Bringing the "A" Game

riafkcin · 09-17-2011, 01:21 AM

Pitching, pitching, PITCHING! I'm so fustrated with our starters not being able to make it past the 5th inning lately. Most of it is because of bonehead errors, which set up the huge run scoring innings, but it's still the guy on the mounds responsibility to pull it together and get the next out. Right? Anyways, Gio Gonzalez, who was designated as the ace of the staff, has an ERA of 5.72, and the combined ERA of Trevor Cahill and Dallas Braden is well over 6 while they figure out who wants the be my 5th starter. If it wasn't for the amazing job the bullpen has done, we would up a creek without a paddle right now. Well, save for Andrew Bailey who hasn't been able to find his old self after returning from the DL, losing his closer job to Brian Fuentes who was already doing a stellar job filling in the role. The biggest surprise though has been Jeremy Bonderman. Originally signed to be a spot starter and fill the 5th slot till Rich Harden returned, Bonderman has pitched his way into a permanent spot. He looks more like his earlier self when he was with the Tigers going 4-2 with an ERA of 2.55.

As for the offense, it's a sad thing to watch. Too many missed opportunities have been killing us. On the 23rd of April, Cecil did what he promised he would by trading a struggling Hideki Matsui for Vladimir Guerrero. The fans we excited and so was I. But here we are, nearly a month later and Vlad still has not hit a single homerun in 106 at bats in an A's uniform. Granted he still has .321 AVG, but I'm pretty sure Cecil traded for his homeruns. The biggest disappointment though has been Lastings Milledge who is batting .238. I just dont think he feels comfortable batting in the leadoff spot and I'm thinking about dropping him to the seventh slot to see how he responds.

It's May 20th now and the team is 2 games back with a record of 21-24. I know the team is better than that though, we just need to click. The decision I was having a hard time with last time was a tough one to make. But after sitting down in my office with both Ackley and Iwamura, we agreed it would be better for Ackley to play full time in AAA. At the big league level though he went 3-9 with 2 of his hits being doubles. I can't wait to see what the kid can do when he has the chance to come back full time. On another note, our AAA affiliate has been hyping the performance of Sean Doolittle. The guy has just been punishing the ball there and it's got me thinking about bringing him up to taste major league pitching. But with Daric Barton hitting a solid .274, 4 HR, and 27 RBI, it would only mean split time. I can't really do anything anyways yet till our starters get deeper into games because I can't afford to send down a reliever right now as the bullpen is getting over worked as it is. For now, all eyes are on the upcoming Amateur Draft where the scouts have been working overtime coming up with lists.

09-17-2011, 01:21 AM	#6
riafkcin Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 93	Pitching, pitching, PITCHING! I'm so fustrated with our starters not being able to make it past the 5th inning lately. Most of it is because of bonehead errors, which set up the huge run scoring innings, but it's still the guy on the mounds responsibility to pull it together and get the next out. Right? Anyways, Gio Gonzalez, who was designated as the ace of the staff, has an ERA of 5.72, and the combined ERA of Trevor Cahill and Dallas Braden is well over 6 while they figure out who wants the be my 5th starter. If it wasn't for the amazing job the bullpen has done, we would up a creek without a paddle right now. Well, save for Andrew Bailey who hasn't been able to find his old self after returning from the DL, losing his closer job to Brian Fuentes who was already doing a stellar job filling in the role. The biggest surprise though has been Jeremy Bonderman. Originally signed to be a spot starter and fill the 5th slot till Rich Harden returned, Bonderman has pitched his way into a permanent spot. He looks more like his earlier self when he was with the Tigers going 4-2 with an ERA of 2.55. As for the offense, it's a sad thing to watch. Too many missed opportunities have been killing us. On the 23rd of April, Cecil did what he promised he would by trading a struggling Hideki Matsui for Vladimir Guerrero. The fans we excited and so was I. But here we are, nearly a month later and Vlad still has not hit a single homerun in 106 at bats in an A's uniform. Granted he still has .321 AVG, but I'm pretty sure Cecil traded for his homeruns. The biggest disappointment though has been Lastings Milledge who is batting .238. I just dont think he feels comfortable batting in the leadoff spot and I'm thinking about dropping him to the seventh slot to see how he responds. It's May 20th now and the team is 2 games back with a record of 21-24. I know the team is better than that though, we just need to click. The decision I was having a hard time with last time was a tough one to make. But after sitting down in my office with both Ackley and Iwamura, we agreed it would be better for Ackley to play full time in AAA. At the big league level though he went 3-9 with 2 of his hits being doubles. I can't wait to see what the kid can do when he has the chance to come back full time. On another note, our AAA affiliate has been hyping the performance of Sean Doolittle. The guy has just been punishing the ball there and it's got me thinking about bringing him up to taste major league pitching. But with Daric Barton hitting a solid .274, 4 HR, and 27 RBI, it would only mean split time. I can't really do anything anyways yet till our starters get deeper into games because I can't afford to send down a reliever right now as the bullpen is getting over worked as it is. For now, all eyes are on the upcoming Amateur Draft where the scouts have been working overtime coming up with lists. Last edited by riafkcin; 09-17-2011 at 01:22 AM.