Oakland A's 2005 season official thread

Green & Gold Heart · 04-05-2005, 11:49 AM

This is for those few A's fans we have trickling around here and whoever else might want to chime in. It should be a very interesting season.

They started the season on a low note getting shut out by the O's. Getting beat by pitching is one thing, but that's not what happened here. 9 LOB and no runs. Ugh.

Looking forward to the season debut of Mr. Superhype - Rich Harden - on Tuesday. Go A's!

Luis_Rivera · 04-05-2005, 12:10 PM

I'll be pulling for them this year to justify my picking them in the West over the Angels.

Green & Gold Heart · 04-05-2005, 12:12 PM

Just found out Harden has been pushed back to Sunday at Tampa due to a finger blister. So I'll have to wait a few more days for Mr. Superhype.

abailey3313 · 04-05-2005, 12:38 PM

O's > A's.

Green & Gold Heart · 04-05-2005, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abailey3313

O's > A's.

On paper, for one day.

Skywalker76 · 04-05-2005, 12:54 PM

Next game is Wednesday: Daniel Cabrera vs Kirk Saarloos

Should be interesting. Who is Saarloos, anybody any information ?

Green & Gold Heart · 04-05-2005, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker76

Next game is Wednesday: Daniel Cabrera vs Kirk Saarloos

Should be interesting. Who is Saarloos, anybody any information ?

He was once a top prospect with Houston but never panned out and was traded to Oakland last year. He won the 5th starter job after a really good spring. He's still young, so one could say he still has some upside.

EDIT: Link to player info: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/player...e?statsId=6946

Joshv02 · 04-05-2005, 01:03 PM

They traded the very replaceable Chad Harville for Kirk. It is those trades that make people love Billy. *sigh*

Skywalker76 · 04-05-2005, 01:16 PM

The Orioles have someone similiar as their 5th starter: Bruce Chen. Has been with several team and landed in Baltimore last season. Has won the #5 spot after going 15 IP with an ERA of 0 this spring. I think he's also a former top prospect.

Green & Gold Heart · 04-05-2005, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshv02

They traded the very replaceable Chad Harville for Kirk. It is those trades that make people love Billy. *sigh*

Yeah, a guy who didn't live up to expectations for another guy who didn't live up to expectations. The only thing is, Kirk is just 25 as has been valuable as that starter in a pinch. I really hope he has a good year and can make somewhat of a name for himself.

Joshv02 · 04-05-2005, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker76

The Orioles have someone similiar as their 5th starter: Bruce Chen. Has been with several team and landed in Baltimore last season. Has won the #5 spot after going 15 IP with an ERA of 0 this spring. I think he's also a former top prospect.

Of the Braves, iirc. The Red Sox tried to straighten him out, too. He is a lefty with a 92-94 MPH fastball -- that affords plently of opportunities. Unfortunately, he can't see to stop walking people.

Faroo6 · 04-06-2005, 12:30 AM

Kirk did a good job filling in for Huddy last season and I you heard it right here. Sarloos will get the W tomorrow and tie Randy Johnson for the MLB lead in W's. That's right Sarloos and RJ in the same sentence. Quick everyone on the Sarloos bandwagon.

Quoted from MLB.com

A's righty Rich Harden figures he could throw his fastball through a brick wall right now, so strong does his electric right arm feel.

Feel sorry for the first poor bastard that gets drilled by one of those fastballs. Harden against Tampa Bay shouldn't even really be a contest. Would have liked to see how he fared against the Baltimore lineup.

The inability to score a run with men on base worries me though. That was there achillies heel last season and I really don't want to see that trend continue again this year.

Green & Gold Heart · 04-06-2005, 12:33 AM

Well it was just one game so I'm not about to get all fired up about it (the runners left on base problem). I expect the bats to get going tomorrow. Looking forward to watching it.

JDOldSchool · 04-06-2005, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green & Gold Heart

Yeah, a guy who didn't live up to expectations for another guy who didn't live up to expectations. The only thing is, Kirk is just 25 as has been valuable as that starter in a pinch. I really hope he has a good year and can make somewhat of a name for himself.

Saarloos has a huge upside, I think. Like you said, he's just 25. More importantly, he's improved every season. His ERA+ was 106 last year. Like Josh said, it's trades like this that make so many of us all doe-eyed when looking at Beane.

That said, Harden better get his blisters under control. This is bad news.

UngratefulDead · 04-06-2005, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDOldSchool

That said, Harden better get his blisters under control. This is bad news.

F'real. I never thought of blisters as being at all a serious injury until Josh Beckett last year.

rem · 04-06-2005, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker76

The Orioles had someone similiar in Matt Riley.

Sorry, I couldn't help it.

Green & Gold Heart · 04-06-2005, 10:24 PM

Well the bats decided to show up tonight. 7 on the board and still in the 7th inning - that provides some balance for the shutout on Monday.

Joshv02 · 04-06-2005, 10:35 PM

Sarloos appears to have pitched well, so far!

Green & Gold Heart · 04-06-2005, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshv02

Sarloos appears to have pitched well, so far!

Yeah, a couple of hit batsmen so not pretty, but only one hit in 6 IP. Very impressive against a tough lineup!

Faroo6 · 04-06-2005, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faroo6

Kirk did a good job filling in for Huddy last season and you heard it right here. Sarloos will get the W tomorrow and tie Randy Johnson for the MLB lead in W's. That's right Sarloos and RJ in the same sentence. Quick everyone on the Sarloos bandwagon.

Called it.

Sarloos for Cy Young.

04-05-2005, 11:49 AM	#1
Green & Gold Heart Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,242	Oakland A's 2005 season official thread This is for those few A's fans we have trickling around here and whoever else might want to chime in. It should be a very interesting season. They started the season on a low note getting shut out by the O's. Getting beat by pitching is one thing, but that's not what happened here. 9 LOB and no runs. Ugh. Looking forward to the season debut of Mr. Superhype - Rich Harden - on Tuesday. Go A's! Last edited by Green & Gold Heart; 04-05-2005 at 11:50 AM.

04-05-2005, 12:38 PM	#4
abailey3313 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,718	O's > A's. __________________

04-05-2005, 01:03 PM	#8
Joshv02 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: , " Posts: 3,082	They traded the very replaceable Chad Harville for Kirk. It is those trades that make people love Billy. sigh __________________ Brookline Maccabees. RIP

04-06-2005, 10:35 PM	#18
Joshv02 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: , " Posts: 3,082	Sarloos appears to have pitched well, so far! __________________ Brookline Maccabees. RIP

04-05-2005, 12:10 PM	#2
Luis_Rivera Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4,177	I'll be pulling for them this year to justify my picking them in the West over the Angels.

04-05-2005, 12:12 PM	#3
Green & Gold Heart Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,242	Just found out Harden has been pushed back to Sunday at Tampa due to a finger blister. So I'll have to wait a few more days for Mr. Superhype.

04-05-2005, 12:54 PM	#6
Skywalker76 All Star Reserve Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Miami Posts: 833	Next game is Wednesday: Daniel Cabrera vs Kirk Saarloos Should be interesting. Who is Saarloos, anybody any information ?

04-05-2005, 01:16 PM	#9
Skywalker76 All Star Reserve Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Miami Posts: 833	The Orioles have someone similiar as their 5th starter: Bruce Chen. Has been with several team and landed in Baltimore last season. Has won the #5 spot after going 15 IP with an ERA of 0 this spring. I think he's also a former top prospect.

04-06-2005, 12:33 AM	#13
Green & Gold Heart Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,242	Well it was just one game so I'm not about to get all fired up about it (the runners left on base problem). I expect the bats to get going tomorrow. Looking forward to watching it.

04-06-2005, 10:24 PM	#17
Green & Gold Heart Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,242	Well the bats decided to show up tonight. 7 on the board and still in the 7th inning - that provides some balance for the shutout on Monday.