Oakland A's 2005 season official thread - Page 21

wastesomepaint · 07-06-2005, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyJ

Yeah, Barton is a stud. He'll especially be a stud if he can catch, but even if he can't, as appears likely, he'll still be a stud.

There was an article recently where he talked about playing in the outfield.. I think he'll end up at first, where he has been playing for most of this year, but either way he'll still be a force in the lineup.

And on a related note, he went 2-4 with a homer last night

Joshv02 · 07-06-2005, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyJ

Yeah, Barton is a stud. He'll especially be a stud if he can catch, but even if he can't, as appears likely, he'll still be a stud.

You're a stud, too, baby.

darkhorse · 07-06-2005, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshv02

You're a stud, too, baby.

This statement, gives me, much, pause.

Green & Gold Heart · 07-06-2005, 12:17 PM

Well here we are at .500! The new season starts now.

JDOldSchool · 07-06-2005, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green & Gold Heart

Well here we are at .500! The new season starts now.

And just 5 1/2 games out of the Wild Card.

Here in Chicago everyone is hoping the Cubs trade for Kotsay. At this point, it makes no sense since the A's have the better record and are closer to the playoffs. I really hope Beane doesn't have a firesale.

On the other hand, one guy I could see getting traded is Eric Byrnes. I have a feeling a lot of teams might overvalue a guy like him.

GoCubsAndJays · 07-06-2005, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDOldSchool

I don't blame Street for that. First, it's Macha's fault for not using Duchscherer in the 8th. Second, the throwing error allowed the run to score. It worked out with Duch throwing two solid innings, but I still am quite perplexed by the bullpen usage tonight. Good thing those bats came alive.

Definitely. It wasn't Streets fault.

Gross did a great job of breaking up the double play with a hard slide.

Faroo6 · 07-08-2005, 10:32 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2102714

Why the hell would they acquire Payton? Unless they plan on shipping his ass right back out why would you get him. The only question this poses is are they planning to deal Kotsay and they are getting a CF to replace him? I can see dealing Bradford as there seem to be enough arms in that bullpen to make him expendable but I really don't see acquiring another OF as a good idea.

Green & Gold Heart · 07-08-2005, 10:36 PM

I would bet there's much more to it than just acquiring Payton. My thought is he is insurance in case they have to deal Kotsay. If they sign Kotsay, they'll trade Byrnes and Payton will take over with pretty much the same role as Byrnes. Or this could be the beginning of one of Billy's three-team trades.

Faroo6 · 07-08-2005, 10:37 PM

The man does work his magic. We have to wait for the All-Star break for Bradford to be activated.

JDOldSchool · 07-09-2005, 04:26 PM

KOTSAY SIGNS AN EXTENSION!

This makes the Payton/Bradford deal interesting. I suspect either Payton or Byrnes will be on the move in the next couple of weeks.

eswan9 · 07-09-2005, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDOldSchool

KOTSAY SIGNS AN EXTENSION!

This makes the Payton/Bradford deal interesting. I suspect either Payton or Byrnes will be on the move in the next couple of weeks.

Yep, the Cubs would be a likely destination, as publicly Hendry is saying we have not given up on Corey Patterson. Somehow I think the real story is he is on the move.

Green & Gold Heart · 07-09-2005, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDOldSchool

KOTSAY SIGNS AN EXTENSION!

This makes the Payton/Bradford deal interesting. I suspect either Payton or Byrnes will be on the move in the next couple of weeks.

QuestGAV · 07-09-2005, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDOldSchool

KOTSAY SIGNS AN EXTENSION!

This makes the Payton/Bradford deal interesting. I suspect either Payton or Byrnes will be on the move in the next couple of weeks.

It'd have to be Payton, I can't imagine him being any happier backing up Kotsay than he was backing up Johnny Damon. Either that or the A's are more tolerant of whining and crying than the Red Sox.

darkhorse · 07-10-2005, 07:37 PM

Good at article at ESPN.com by Tim Kurkjian on the A's turnaround.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/column...tim&id=2101461

Late in spring training, Oakland third baseman Eric Chavez said the 2005 A's were so talented, so young and so inexperienced, they could be really good or they could be really bad. Halfway though the season, Chavez has been absolutely right. The A's have been both.

Right now, they're really good. After a 17-32 start that dumped them 12½ games behind in the American League West on May 29, the A's have since gone 24-9. They recently became the first AL team since the 1985 Blue Jays to win nine straight home games, and allowed three or fewer runs in all nine. The A's are still 9½ games behind the Angels, and they're not likely to go to the playoffs, but they're now at the .500 mark for the first time since May 2 and, more important, they are building for the 2006 season with good, young pitching.

Bobby Crosby is batting .339 with five home runs and 19 RBI since returning from the disabled list on May 30.

The comeback of the A's is due mainly to health. "In May, we had so many injuries, we were just trying to field a team, let alone a competitive team,'' said A's general manager Billy Beane. "We were literally calling up guys who hadn't pitched the night before at Triple-A.''

The turnaround began on May 30. The A's were on the verge of losing their ninth straight game, but they rallied from a 4-1 deficit after seven innings, and beat the Devil Rays in the 11th, 5-4. The bullpen pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings; rookie closer Huston Street got the win, striking out three of the six batters he faced. Even more appropriately, it was shortstop Bobby Crosby's first game back since cracking a rib in the first game of the season.

It has been the young pitching, the return to health of the young players and Chavez's usual comeback from a slow start that has rallied the A's. Through Tuesday, they lead the major leagues with the lowest batting average against (.243), a number that has steadily decreased the last month. In the 24-9 stretch, the A's have allowed three or fewer runs 19 times.

That has coincided with the return of ace Rich Harden, who spent five weeks on the disabled list; since coming off the DL, Harden has allowed only one earned run in 19 2/3 innings. He has been almost as good as Danny Haren, 24, who was the primary acquisition in the deal with St. Louis for Mark Mulder last winter. After an uneven start, Haren has raised his record to 7-7 and lowered his ERA to 3.96. He is throwing 96 mph with a great splitter.

"He's one of the best young pitchers I've seen this season,'' one scout said of Haren. And, after a terrible start, rookie Joe Blanton has allowed fewer hits than innings pitched this year.

The bullpen has great arms, also, led by Street, who has a 1.40 ERA, has allowed 24 hits and has 40 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings. He wasn't supposed to become the closer until perhaps midseason, but an injury to Octavio Dotel left the A's no choice, and Street has emerged already, partly with great stuff, but also because he's fearless and has the makeup of a closer. All-Star Justin Duchscherer has a 1.41 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings. Chad Bradford, who has been out all year after back surgery, is also due back after the All-Star break.

"We're getting close to recreating a very good pitching staff,'' Beane said. "In our market, once you do that, you can do some things, like the Twins have. It's absolutely imperative.''

Offensively, the A's have started to hit after an awful start. Chavez, who batted .194 in April, has raised his average to .282. His career numbers by month increase steadily, peaking in August, meaning his best should be yet to come. Crosby, who is batting .341 and was the AL Rookie of the Year last season, has been terrific since returning. And, after a poor start, rookie right fielder Nick Swisher was up to .241 with 10 homers and 36 RBI through Tuesday.

The A's numbers offensively are not impressive, but, led by catcher/leadoff batter Jason Kendall, they put the ball in play: the A's have, by a wide margin, struck out fewer times (382) than any other team in the big leagues. They're seventh in most walks drawn (292) -- the Moneyball influence -- whack left-handed pitching (15-8) and they're really good (27-16) at home.

The second half appears bright. Barry Zito, who has never missed a start due to injury, likely won't be traded before the end of the season. Designated hitter Erubiel Durazo, who has an elbow injury, could be back in a month. And the young pitchers should keep getting better.

"If you're sitting around watching your team struggle and decide that you have to rebuild, it's too late, you have to be preemptive,'' Beane said. "It's possible that this year we've clipped off a year or two in our rebuilding.''

Green & Gold Heart · 07-10-2005, 07:56 PM

After losing the Toronto series I didn't think it was possible. But with a sweep of the White Sox, here we are OVER .500 AT THE BREAK!!!

darkhorse · 07-10-2005, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green & Gold Heart

After losing the Toronto series I didn't think it was possible. But with a sweep of the White Sox, here we are OVER .500 AT THE BREAK!!!

Toronto has been very good to the Rangers of late, as well.

TonyJ · 07-11-2005, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkhorse

Good article..by Tim Kurkjian

Surely that is an oxymoron.

darkhorse · 07-11-2005, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyJ

Surely that is an oxymoron.

Wouldn't know. Now that Neyer is an insider, I spend scant time reading columns at ESPN.com.

JDOldSchool · 07-11-2005, 12:20 PM

At the All-Star break the A's are 4 1/2 games behind the Wild Card leading Twins. They're 7 1/2 games behind the Angels.

Does everyone but me still think they're not in the hunt for the playoffs?

Green & Gold Heart · 07-11-2005, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDOldSchool

At the All-Star break the A's are 4 1/2 games behind the Wild Card leading Twins. They're 7 1/2 games behind the Angels.

Does everyone but me still think they're not in the hunt for the playoffs?

The run they're on and the sweep this weekend definitely has given me some optimism, but I don't want to get ahead of myself. They're 4 1/2 gams behind six teams. We can count on a few of those teams to stumble and drop out of the race, and hopefully one of those teams won't be the A's.

The next week and a half is pretty heavy:
4 games vs. Texas
3 games at LAAoA
4 games at Texas

07-10-2005, 07:37 PM	#414
darkhorse Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: fort worth, tx Posts: 10,850	Good at article at ESPN.com by Tim Kurkjian on the A's turnaround. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/column...tim&id=2101461 Late in spring training, Oakland third baseman Eric Chavez said the 2005 A's were so talented, so young and so inexperienced, they could be really good or they could be really bad. Halfway though the season, Chavez has been absolutely right. The A's have been both. Right now, they're really good. After a 17-32 start that dumped them 12½ games behind in the American League West on May 29, the A's have since gone 24-9. They recently became the first AL team since the 1985 Blue Jays to win nine straight home games, and allowed three or fewer runs in all nine. The A's are still 9½ games behind the Angels, and they're not likely to go to the playoffs, but they're now at the .500 mark for the first time since May 2 and, more important, they are building for the 2006 season with good, young pitching. Bobby Crosby is batting .339 with five home runs and 19 RBI since returning from the disabled list on May 30. The comeback of the A's is due mainly to health. "In May, we had so many injuries, we were just trying to field a team, let alone a competitive team,'' said A's general manager Billy Beane. "We were literally calling up guys who hadn't pitched the night before at Triple-A.'' The turnaround began on May 30. The A's were on the verge of losing their ninth straight game, but they rallied from a 4-1 deficit after seven innings, and beat the Devil Rays in the 11th, 5-4. The bullpen pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings; rookie closer Huston Street got the win, striking out three of the six batters he faced. Even more appropriately, it was shortstop Bobby Crosby's first game back since cracking a rib in the first game of the season. It has been the young pitching, the return to health of the young players and Chavez's usual comeback from a slow start that has rallied the A's. Through Tuesday, they lead the major leagues with the lowest batting average against (.243), a number that has steadily decreased the last month. In the 24-9 stretch, the A's have allowed three or fewer runs 19 times. That has coincided with the return of ace Rich Harden, who spent five weeks on the disabled list; since coming off the DL, Harden has allowed only one earned run in 19 2/3 innings. He has been almost as good as Danny Haren, 24, who was the primary acquisition in the deal with St. Louis for Mark Mulder last winter. After an uneven start, Haren has raised his record to 7-7 and lowered his ERA to 3.96. He is throwing 96 mph with a great splitter. "He's one of the best young pitchers I've seen this season,'' one scout said of Haren. And, after a terrible start, rookie Joe Blanton has allowed fewer hits than innings pitched this year. The bullpen has great arms, also, led by Street, who has a 1.40 ERA, has allowed 24 hits and has 40 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings. He wasn't supposed to become the closer until perhaps midseason, but an injury to Octavio Dotel left the A's no choice, and Street has emerged already, partly with great stuff, but also because he's fearless and has the makeup of a closer. All-Star Justin Duchscherer has a 1.41 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings. Chad Bradford, who has been out all year after back surgery, is also due back after the All-Star break. "We're getting close to recreating a very good pitching staff,'' Beane said. "In our market, once you do that, you can do some things, like the Twins have. It's absolutely imperative.'' Offensively, the A's have started to hit after an awful start. Chavez, who batted .194 in April, has raised his average to .282. His career numbers by month increase steadily, peaking in August, meaning his best should be yet to come. Crosby, who is batting .341 and was the AL Rookie of the Year last season, has been terrific since returning. And, after a poor start, rookie right fielder Nick Swisher was up to .241 with 10 homers and 36 RBI through Tuesday. The A's numbers offensively are not impressive, but, led by catcher/leadoff batter Jason Kendall, they put the ball in play: the A's have, by a wide margin, struck out fewer times (382) than any other team in the big leagues. They're seventh in most walks drawn (292) -- the Moneyball influence -- whack left-handed pitching (15-8) and they're really good (27-16) at home. The second half appears bright. Barry Zito, who has never missed a start due to injury, likely won't be traded before the end of the season. Designated hitter Erubiel Durazo, who has an elbow injury, could be back in a month. And the young pitchers should keep getting better. "If you're sitting around watching your team struggle and decide that you have to rebuild, it's too late, you have to be preemptive,'' Beane said. "It's possible that this year we've clipped off a year or two in our rebuilding.'' __________________ "The Human Torch was denied a bank loan."

07-06-2005, 12:17 PM	#404
Green & Gold Heart Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,242	Well here we are at .500! The new season starts now.

07-08-2005, 10:36 PM	#408
Green & Gold Heart Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,242	I would bet there's much more to it than just acquiring Payton. My thought is he is insurance in case they have to deal Kotsay. If they sign Kotsay, they'll trade Byrnes and Payton will take over with pretty much the same role as Byrnes. Or this could be the beginning of one of Billy's three-team trades.

07-09-2005, 04:26 PM	#410
JDOldSchool Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 4,023	KOTSAY SIGNS AN EXTENSION! This makes the Payton/Bradford deal interesting. I suspect either Payton or Byrnes will be on the move in the next couple of weeks.

07-10-2005, 07:56 PM	#415
Green & Gold Heart Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,242	After losing the Toronto series I didn't think it was possible. But with a sweep of the White Sox, here we are OVER .500 AT THE BREAK!!!

07-11-2005, 12:20 PM	#419
JDOldSchool Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 4,023	At the All-Star break the A's are 4 1/2 games behind the Wild Card leading Twins. They're 7 1/2 games behind the Angels. Does everyone but me still think they're not in the hunt for the playoffs?