A's Have Some Tough Decisions
Batter Up May 13th, 2007
Within the next few weeks the A’s will be faced with some interesting decisions as their veteran players return from the disabled list.
With Dan Johnson smacking the ball at a .400 clip, he has reclaimed his spot in the line up until further notice.
Left fielder Shannon Stewart is fitting into the A’s hitting philosophy more each day. Stewart who hasn’t hit for much power is a very capable leadoff hitter.
Milton Bradley and Nick Swisher round out the outfield right now. Once center fielder Mark Kotsay returns the plot thickens.
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With Kotsay back, Nick Swisher should become the first baseman making Johnson the full time DH.
When Mike Piazza’s shoulder heals he should spell Johnson against tough lefties giving Johnson the majority of swings as the team’s DH.
Marco Scutaro, Adam Melhuse, and Bobby Kielty fill the bench. Travis Buck, Jack Cust, and Chris Snelling all go to Sacramento to play every day.
Esteban Loaiza should rejoin the rotation in early June. Once Loaiza is ready for big league action, the A’s current fifth starter heads back to AAA.
As soon as Rich Harden comes back, rest assured he will at some point, Joe Kennedy goes to the ‘pen to help lefty Alan Embree.
A starting five of Dan Haren, Harden, Blanton, Chad Gaudin, and Loaiza can match the Angels, Indians, or the Red Sox as the best in the league.
This season the A’s might consider adding a right handed power bat if one is available at the trade deadline on July 31st, otherwise this 25-man roster is good enough to win the West.
Until the Angels swing a deal for a hitter like Miguel Tejada, the Halos will continue to sputter on offense.
I’ll say 90 wins will win the AL West in ‘07.
How about these potential pitching match ups for next weekend in Oakland: The Giants with Barry Zito, Matt Cain, and Matt Morris facing the A’s with Chad Gaudin, Dan Haren, and Joe Kennedy.
The biggest beneficiary of Roger Clemens’ return to the Big Apple is Alex Rodriguez. With the press dissecting every perk of the Rocket’s contract A Rod and his opt out clause are no longer the big stories for the New York media.
As absurd as it sounds Sammy Sosa might be the Rangers all-star representative. Mark Teixeira is starting to heat up, but his slow start and Michael Young’s season slump might keep them off the AL squad.
If I had to pick the starting pitchers for the all star game today I’d take Haren or Josh Beckett for the AL. In the NL, the choice is the Padres Jake Peavy or the Braves Tim Hudson.
The Giants need a big hitter. Why not Seattle’s Richie Sexson? Sexson has the power to easily hit homers in AT&T Park. He needs a change of scenery and the Mariners need to rebuild. Noah Lowry would benefit from pitching in spacious Safeco Field. That’s a trade that would help both clubs.
Top teams in baseball: Red Sox, Manny is starting to be Manny with the bat; Mets, the key, the shaved heads; Braves, they have the pitching: Tigers, one tough team; and the Brewers, closer Francisco Cordero has been perfect.
Seattle’s Kenji Johjima is one solid hitter. Jorge Posada will be the AL’s all star catcher. Johjima should be his back up.
With James Shields emerging as a pitching ace in Tampa and Al Reyes as a legit closer, it’s time for the Rays to part with one their top outfield prospects for more pitching. No matter how many great young hitters the Rays have, they won’t win until they get more help on the mound.
0 comments
Don’t think Cust’s going back to the minors, someone else is getting traded, injured (wink wink), or just plain dropped.
Johnson the regular DH? And Piazza only used for tough lefties? Why did we pay Piazza 8-mil, then? To sit on the bench? And just a few weeks ago, Marty, you were saying Gaudin should go back to the pen. Hmm ..
If Duchscherer and Calero continue to struggle there is a reasonable chance Gaudin will go back to the ‘pen. Gaudin has not looked sharp two of his last three starts. Is it a red flag or a bump in the road? We’ll see, but it is worth noting. Maybe Kennedy will stay in the rotation when Harden comes back. These things usually work themselves out.
Kotsay has the big contract. When he comes back you tell me who goes where? Do you sit Dan Johnson? Swisher to first? Piazza has shown little power so far and might not hit for power because of the shoulder injury. I think he gets less playing time unless the A’s can trade Kotsay, say to the Cubs who are desperate for a center fielder allowing Swisher to stay in the outfield.
What about Jack Cust what do you do with him? Who would you rather have Jack Cust or Bobby Kielty as a part time outfielder? Travis Buck?
Your thoughts?
Marty
Oh sorry marty, I’m not being critical, I just don’t know. Hehe .. Well I will take a stab and say Kotsay in center, Stewart in left, Bradley in right, Swisher at first – with Kielty as backup OF, and I guess Snelling will get sent down or traded. {I personally would like to keep Snelling in our system if we can, since he can help us especially if we have any further spate of OF injuries). If Cust continues to hit, you have to leave a spot for a power bat like that don’t you? If he doesn’t continue to hit, then I suppose he’ll be sent down to AAA where he has spent most of his career. But Cust is a lefty bat so he could platoon with a righty bat like Piazza, but then Mike may not be happy playing part time especially considering we paid so much to get him. As for the rotation, many fans want Gaudin to stay in the rotation but as you suggest, that may be dictated by his future performance. We still have the best ERA in the league so that is a good problem to have. Finally with DJ, he’ll have to get playing time if he continues to hit, and Swisher will need off days, and likely everyone won’t be all healthy at the same time, so as you suggest maybe these things will all work themselves out. I trust Geren and Beane to make the right decisions: it surely will be interesting! One final question no one has brought up is Jason Kendall – if he continues to struggle, with weak hitting and inability to throw out runners, what will the A’s do about that? Kendall has been a liability on both offense and defense. He calls a good game but that’s about it for now. Sure hope he snaps out of it.
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At the same time Audiomind releases New EP album OCEAN – is full of drum and bass and breakbeat enriched of natural sounds and this time also with guitar of guest George Guitarra. Listen and download this EP on almost all worldwide music distributions or simply on http://WWW.AUDIOMIND.NET, where you can download some tracks for free as well. AISTBMOTW,
Audiomind releases his debut CD “ONE” and New EP “Ocean” !
Audiomind releases his debut CD “ONE” and New EP “Ocean” !
At the same time Audiomind releases New EP album OCEAN – is full of drum and bass and breakbeat enriched of natural sounds and this time also with guitar of guest George Guitarra. Listen and download this EP on almost all worldwide music distributions or simply on http://WWW.AUDIOMIND.NET, where you can download some tracks for free as well. AISTBMOTW,
At the same time Audiomind releases New EP album OCEAN – is full of drum and bass and breakbeat enriched of natural sounds and this time also with guitar of guest George Guitarra. Listen and download this EP on almost all worldwide music distributions or simply on http://WWW.AUDIOMIND.NET, where you can download some tracks for free as well. AISTBMOTW,
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At the same time Audiomind releases New EP album OCEAN – is full of drum and bass and breakbeat enriched of natural sounds and this time also with guitar of guest George Guitarra. Listen and download this EP on almost all worldwide music distributions or simply on http://WWW.AUDIOMIND.NET, where you can download some tracks for free as well. AISTBMOTW,
At the same time Audiomind releases New EP album OCEAN – is full of drum and bass and breakbeat enriched of natural sounds and this time also with guitar of guest George Guitarra. Listen and download this EP on almost all worldwide music distributions or simply on http://WWW.AUDIOMIND.NET, where you can download some tracks for free as well. AISTBMOTW,
Audiomind releases his debut CD “ONE” and New EP “Ocean” !
At the same time Audiomind releases New EP album OCEAN – is full of drum and bass and breakbeat enriched of natural sounds and this time also with guitar of guest George Guitarra. Listen and download this EP on almost all worldwide music distributions or simply on http://WWW.AUDIOMIND.NET, where you can download some tracks for free as well. seemusicon,
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Audiomind released CD “ONE” !
At the same time Audiomind releases New EP album OCEAN – is full of drum and bass and breakbeat enriched of natural sounds and this time also with guitar of guest George Guitarra. Listen and download this EP on almost all worldwide music distributions or simply on http://WWW.AUDIOMIND.NET, where you can download some tracks for free as well. AISTBMOTW,
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