2005-2006 Oakland A's Off-Season

Faroo6 · 10-12-2005, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Andre Ethier, OF: The former second-round draft pick (2003) lived up to all the hype -- and then some -- with a breakout season. Before earning an early-September promotion to Triple-A Sacramento, Ethier batted .319 with 18 homers and 80 RBIs while leading the Texas League with 104 runs and 251 total bases.

I've never even heard of this guy. Anyone know if he is left or right handed. Right now he looks to be squeezed in the OF but there might be a spot open in 2-3 years.

Green & Gold Heart · 10-12-2005, 12:06 PM

Apparently you don't visit Athletics Nation because they've been salivating over this guy since early summer.

He bats and throws left-handed. Scouting report when he was drafted said this:

"Strong athletic build, slightly open stance. Good weight transfer. Smooth stroke with plus bat speed and quickness in hands. Raw power with lift to swing. Easy average arm, good carry. Proper routes and outfield instincts. Quality individual, works hard to improve. Everyday LF, will be ML run producer."

I would think he'll be up for a spot on the team next spring but will probably end up AAA for another year. I'm pretty sure he's playing in the AFL this fall so I'll be keeping an eye on his progress there too.

Green & Gold Heart · 10-12-2005, 12:11 PM

Another prospect I'm in love with is catcher Kurt Suzuki, who will also be playing in the AFL. If you watched the College World Series in 2004 you may remember him from Cal State Fullerton. He'd be a guy on OOTP who's probably a three-star prospect but his leadership would be "Great Leader" and his clutch ability would be "GREAT". I've been rooting for him probably more than any A's prospect this year because he has intangibles!

johnnyshaka · 10-12-2005, 12:40 PM

Ethier, along with Suzuki, are in Arizona right now playing in the fall leauge and Ethier is doing very well so far.

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/a...d=milb&cid=454

Daric Barton is there as well...actually, all three of them had a great game yesterday...that's always great news.

Faroo6 · 10-12-2005, 01:04 PM

Hitters doing very well. Pitchers, not so much.

Code:

Name          W L   ERA  G GS CG SHO SV  IP   H R ER HR BB SO 
Shawn Kohn    0 0  18.00 2  0  0  0   0  2.0  6 4  4  0  1  3
Matt Lynch    0 0  11.57 2  0  0  0   0  2.1  5 4  3  1  1  2
Shane Komine  0 0   4.91 1  1  0  0   0  3.2  5 2  2  0  1  3

Also, has there been any word as to how the interviews on Tuesday went.

Green & Gold Heart · 10-12-2005, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faroo6

Also, has there been any word as to how the interviews on Tuesday went.

Geren went yesterday, and it sounds like Washington is today.

Article said Washington has already interviewed for the Marlins job.

Qwerty75 · 10-12-2005, 11:17 PM

At CSU Fullerton, Suzuki's nickname was Kurt "Clutch"

As a lefty hitter, Ethier could fit into a corner OF spot by midseason of next year if the A's don't pick up a big bopper to pair with Swisher. Kielty doesn't hit righties very well, and Payton figures to regress to his pre- post-AS break levels ...

JDOldSchool · 10-13-2005, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qwerty75

As a lefty hitter, Ethier could fit into a corner OF spot by midseason of next year if the A's don't pick up a big bopper to pair with Swisher. Kielty doesn't hit righties very well, and Payton figures to regress to his pre- post-AS break levels ...

And Payton is a free agent and I can't see them bringing him back.

Who are these pitchers they have in the AFL? None of them have very spectacular numbers this season and I'm not familiar with any of them.

Also, Daric Barton better have a chance of making the team out of Spring Training in 2006. He good. He real good.

What are the odds on the A's picking up Zito's option and then trading him for more youngsters? Does anybody else think they should try to sign him to another long-term deal?

Green & Gold Heart · 10-13-2005, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDOldSchool

And Payton is a free agent and I can't see them bringing him back.

Payton has a team option for '06, and I read something about a week ago (probably an article in the Chronicle) that said the A's are expected to pick it up.

Quote:

Who are these pitchers they have in the AFL? None of them have very spectacular numbers this season and I'm not familiar with any of them.

The names are kinda familiar to me but I don't think they're neccessarily highly-touted prospects.

Quote:

Also, Daric Barton better have a chance of making the team out of Spring Training in 2006. He good. He real good.

I would imagine he would, an an outfielder and/or DH, unless they pick somebody up this winter.

Quote:

What are the odds on the A's picking up Zito's option and then trading him for more youngsters? Does anybody else think they should try to sign him to another long-term deal?

Zito's '06 option kicked in when he reached the 180-inning mark in the '05 season. He will be making $8.5 million in '06. I think they should resign him. Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I think he showed this year that he's a leader on the pitching staff and he could really take some pressure off the young guys if he's kept around.

And he's also super hot.

JDOldSchool · 10-13-2005, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green & Gold Heart

Payton has a team option for '06, and I read something about a week ago (probably an article in the Chronicle) that said the A's are expected to pick it up.

I was just assuming they wouldn't pay Jay Payton $4 million next year. That's a lot for a guy who had some huge hits, but really isn't that good and definitely isn't an ideal everyday player.

Quote:

Zito's '06 option kicked in when he reached the 180-inning mark in the '05 season. He will be making $8.5 million in '06. I think they should resign him. Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I think he showed this year that he's a leader on the pitching staff and he could really take some pressure off the young guys if he's kept around. And he's also super hot.

I agree. Especially on the leadership. and the hotness

darkhorse · 10-13-2005, 01:36 AM

It's been my impression that the AFL is hitter heaven.

Qwerty75 · 10-13-2005, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Who are these pitchers they have in the AFL? None of them have very spectacular numbers this season and I'm not familiar with any of them.

Kohn is a righty changeup artist who's getting up in years but has decent command. Bounced around between A Modesto and AAA Sacramento in 2004 when stopgaps were needed because of the convenience in proximity and had a full year at AA Midland this year. Probably has to show a lot in the AFL to have any chance at being worked into a Justin Lehr-type late bloomer relief role.

Komine is coming back from a year (?) off from Tommy John surgery, thus only 10-odd starts in AA this year. Last I heard, he works in the mid-80s, but changes speeds well. Undersized, workhorse (overworked?) at U. of Nebraska.

Don't know anything about Lynch.

Quote:

What are the odds on the A's picking up Zito's option and then trading him for more youngsters? Does anybody else think they should try to sign him to another long-term deal?

I think you'll hear Z's name circulating in trade rumors for a bit as the pitching market settles (there's not a lot out there, apparently ... Millwood and Burnett and ...???) before anything substantial materializes. Call it a 50-50 bet that he's shipped off (yes, I'm waffling), 'cause BB might just get an offer he can't refuse. A lot depends on a possible restructuring of the payroll to add a big bat ... if we add salary there, it's more likely Zito will be dealt. Hard to tell what direction management is leaning at this point.

UngratefulDead · 10-13-2005, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkhorse

It's been my impression that the AFL is hitter heaven.

Yeah, ERAs are in the fives and sixes there. Combination of the really hot air and the fact that pitchers are often working on new pitches.

JDOldSchool · 10-13-2005, 04:49 AM

I get the feeling that if Dan Meyer hadn't totally sucked this year there would be a much greater chance of Zito being traded before the season starts.

johnnyshaka · 10-13-2005, 11:53 AM

I doubt very much that Barton starts in Oakland next season, he hasn't even seen time with the Rivercats yet. I can't see them keeping him around to give him the odd start and pinch hit at bats...just doesn't make sense. He'd be much better off playing everyday.

Green & Gold Heart · 10-13-2005, 12:20 PM

Apparently the A's have asked permission to speak with Orel Hershiser.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...PG6LF7M8D1.DTL

How ironic would this be? He was the first baseball guy I truly hated. (I didn't hate Kirk Gibson until later, because I didn't realize the ramifications of the Game 1 loss until Hershiser dominated us in Game 2.)

Qwerty75 · 10-14-2005, 03:32 PM

Scratch the speculation, Macha's back.

http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NAS...=.jsp&c_id=oak

Skipaway · 10-14-2005, 03:37 PM

This is hilarious! All the articles in news about how Macha angry about how Beane doesn't respect the role of the manager.

darkhorse · 10-14-2005, 04:29 PM

Macha was named as the 16th manager in Oakland history and the 28th manager in franchise history on October 29, 2002 after spending the previous four seasons as the A's bench coach under Art Howe.

Here's a question for ya. How is it that Oakland is on it's 16th manager in 37 years and the Philadelphia/Kansas City A's had only 12 skippers in the previous 67 campaigns?

Green & Gold Heart · 10-14-2005, 04:53 PM

How lame. It's only because he didn't get the Pittsburgh job. I was hoping for someone new, but oh well. If they don't lose Washington I'll still be happy.

Sorry, JDOldSchool.

10-12-2005, 12:40 PM	#4
johnnyshaka All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 680	Ethier, along with Suzuki, are in Arizona right now playing in the fall leauge and Ethier is doing very well so far. http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/a...d=milb&cid=454 Daric Barton is there as well...actually, all three of them had a great game yesterday...that's always great news. __________________

10-12-2005, 11:17 PM	#7
Qwerty75 All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 817	At CSU Fullerton, Suzuki's nickname was Kurt "Clutch" As a lefty hitter, Ethier could fit into a corner OF spot by midseason of next year if the A's don't pick up a big bopper to pair with Swisher. Kielty doesn't hit righties very well, and Payton figures to regress to his pre- post-AS break levels ... __________________

10-13-2005, 01:36 AM	#11
darkhorse Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: fort worth, tx Posts: 10,850	It's been my impression that the AFL is hitter heaven. __________________ "The Human Torch was denied a bank loan."

10-13-2005, 11:53 AM	#15
johnnyshaka All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 680	I doubt very much that Barton starts in Oakland next season, he hasn't even seen time with the Rivercats yet. I can't see them keeping him around to give him the odd start and pinch hit at bats...just doesn't make sense. He'd be much better off playing everyday. __________________

10-14-2005, 03:32 PM	#17
Qwerty75 All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 817	Scratch the speculation, Macha's back. http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NAS...=.jsp&c_id=oak __________________

10-12-2005, 12:06 PM	#2
Green & Gold Heart Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,242	Apparently you don't visit Athletics Nation because they've been salivating over this guy since early summer. He bats and throws left-handed. Scouting report when he was drafted said this: "Strong athletic build, slightly open stance. Good weight transfer. Smooth stroke with plus bat speed and quickness in hands. Raw power with lift to swing. Easy average arm, good carry. Proper routes and outfield instincts. Quality individual, works hard to improve. Everyday LF, will be ML run producer." I would think he'll be up for a spot on the team next spring but will probably end up AAA for another year. I'm pretty sure he's playing in the AFL this fall so I'll be keeping an eye on his progress there too.

10-12-2005, 12:11 PM	#3
Green & Gold Heart Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,242	Another prospect I'm in love with is catcher Kurt Suzuki, who will also be playing in the AFL. If you watched the College World Series in 2004 you may remember him from Cal State Fullerton. He'd be a guy on OOTP who's probably a three-star prospect but his leadership would be "Great Leader" and his clutch ability would be "GREAT". I've been rooting for him probably more than any A's prospect this year because he has intangibles!

10-13-2005, 04:49 AM	#14
JDOldSchool Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 4,023	I get the feeling that if Dan Meyer hadn't totally sucked this year there would be a much greater chance of Zito being traded before the season starts.

10-13-2005, 12:20 PM	#16
Green & Gold Heart Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,242	Apparently the A's have asked permission to speak with Orel Hershiser. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...PG6LF7M8D1.DTL How ironic would this be? He was the first baseball guy I truly hated. (I didn't hate Kirk Gibson until later, because I didn't realize the ramifications of the Game 1 loss until Hershiser dominated us in Game 2.)

10-14-2005, 03:37 PM	#18
Skipaway Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Where you live Posts: 11,017	This is hilarious! All the articles in news about how Macha angry about how Beane doesn't respect the role of the manager. __________________ Jonathan Haidt: Moral reasoning is really just a servant masquerading as a high priest.

10-14-2005, 04:29 PM	#19
darkhorse Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: fort worth, tx Posts: 10,850	Macha was named as the 16th manager in Oakland history and the 28th manager in franchise history on October 29, 2002 after spending the previous four seasons as the A's bench coach under Art Howe. Here's a question for ya. How is it that Oakland is on it's 16th manager in 37 years and the Philadelphia/Kansas City A's had only 12 skippers in the previous 67 campaigns? __________________ "The Human Torch was denied a bank loan."

10-14-2005, 04:53 PM	#20
Green & Gold Heart Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,242	How lame. It's only because he didn't get the Pittsburgh job. I was hoping for someone new, but oh well. If they don't lose Washington I'll still be happy. Sorry, JDOldSchool.