The 2005 Swingin' A's thread

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

Kirk Saarloos steps in for Harden (blister) and throws 6 shutout innings, while "Moneyball" ensemble player Nick Swisher belts two!

Definitely looks like the most potent Oakland lineup in the Beane era, and I'm expecting good stuff from Danny Haren (debuting tonight) and Rich H.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 7 April 2005 12:24 (twenty years ago)

What is it w/ the young kids & the blisters? Is it a matter of delicate skin? Do their hands need to be prepped as preteens via daily sandpaper rubs?

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 7 April 2005 12:36 (twenty years ago)

no, they need to start pissing on their hands.

― Hurlothrumbo (hurlothrumbo), Thursday, 7 April 2005 13:19 (twenty years ago)

Does the blister thing just come from gripping the ball too hard? I've always wondered about it myself. Didn't Ryan have problems early on with them?

LET'S GO OAKLAND!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 7 April 2005 15:29 (twenty years ago)

He did, and " tried several remedies, including soaking his fingers in pickle brine."

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/R/Ryan_Nolan.stm

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 7 April 2005 15:40 (twenty years ago)

learn from Moises, people.

― Hurlothrumbo (hurlothrumbo), Thursday, 7 April 2005 15:58 (twenty years ago)

Love this little description:

After a Ryan pitch grazed Chicago's Robin Ventura's arm during a game in 1993, the White Sox third baseman charged Ryan, hoping to knock the 46-year-old pitcher off of his feet. But Ryan stood his ground and caught his assailant in a headlock before subsequently delivering several blows to Ventura's head.

― ojitarian (ojitarian), Thursday, 7 April 2005 21:43 (twenty years ago)

Haha you should find the video of it. It's actually even funnier to watch.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 7 April 2005 22:49 (twenty years ago)

one of the few things me and president bush agree on: that was totally awesome.

― j blount (papa la bas), Thursday, 7 April 2005 23:46 (twenty years ago)

josh beckett had (has?) some crazy blister problems too.

― j blount (papa la bas), Thursday, 7 April 2005 23:47 (twenty years ago)

Danny Haren and Kiki Calero both did well today for the A's.

Mark Mulder goes tomorrow night against the Phils.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Friday, 8 April 2005 01:21 (twenty years ago)

Wow Haren had a great game. I really wanna see the A's do well just to prove all those Beane naysayers wrong. Fuck them.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 8 April 2005 02:33 (twenty years ago)

lowest paid attendance in camden yards history, btw.

― hstencil (hstencil), Friday, 8 April 2005 02:56 (twenty years ago)

dang those Nats!

― Hurlothrumbo (hurlothrumbo), Friday, 8 April 2005 11:31 (twenty years ago)

Did Sammy stay til the end?

Missed these ... #11 is my favorite:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/2005/03/23/gallery.zito/content.1.html

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Friday, 8 April 2005 13:12 (twenty years ago)

I can't believe I forgot about Moises Alou pissing on his hands.

― David R. (popshots75`), Friday, 8 April 2005 13:18 (twenty years ago)

my god i love him

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Friday, 8 April 2005 13:52 (twenty years ago)

http://www.slapshotfan.com/where/wherekiller.jpg

http://www.defianttheatre.org/company/gehr/zito%20hotty.jpg

― Jimmy Mod Knows You Eat Your Own Farts (ModJ), Friday, 8 April 2005 14:48 (twenty years ago)

Blanton tonight against the Devil Rays and it looks like Harden will be back for Sunday. Is Meyer not in the rotation (is he actually in AAA now)?

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 8 April 2005 15:11 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, he's in AAA for the time being. I'm wondering who the 5th starter would've been if Harden was out for longer, tho - I think they brought up Saarloos to take Harden's start earlier this week, but he might've been in line to be #5 if necessary. They probably eschewed the 5th slot because of the wacky Opening Week schedule, & are just going w/ Zito / Harden's slot / Haren / Blanton for the time being. &, also, it makes sense for Meyer to actually get regular work in the minors (since they hope he's one of their long term guys) than deal w/ irregular work in the majors - he'll probably come up when the need for a 5th is more pronounced (unless he tanks, or Saarloos turns into Cory Lidle).

― David R. (popshots75`), Friday, 8 April 2005 15:18 (twenty years ago)

i think they're also holding meyer back for money reasons. if they bring him up his service time clock starts ticking, and i have a feeling that billy would like to see how far he can get with a random fifth starter in the mix. the a's are looking great so far.

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Friday, 8 April 2005 15:22 (twenty years ago)

Is Etherton currently #5? They've got so many options. They can even use Cruz if they needed to.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 8 April 2005 15:25 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, service clock is very key - I always forget about that (as do other teams) (hello Seattle w/ A-Rod). It must be nice to have your worst start of the season's first week (Blanton notwithstanding) come from the experienced veteran guy.

[xpost]

I totally forgot about Etherton! They'll probably ping-pong between him & Saarloos for the #5 once Harden comes back (unless they ship out Saarloos or release Etherton).

― David R. (popshots75`), Friday, 8 April 2005 15:27 (twenty years ago)

Well if Saarloos keeps pitching like he did on Wednesday, he's probably got it for the time being. Etherton didn't look anywhere near that hot in spring training.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 8 April 2005 15:32 (twenty years ago)

I think Etherton's career temperature is somewhere between a defrosting chicken & an Italian ice.

― David R. (popshots75`), Friday, 8 April 2005 16:06 (twenty years ago)

What is up with Barry Zito?!?!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Sunday, 10 April 2005 03:05 (twenty years ago)

What is up with Keith Ginter?!?! (I.e why isn't he starting full-time?)

― Léèê (Leee), Sunday, 10 April 2005 03:18 (twenty years ago)

What is up with the A's offense (I guess this is the question every post-Giambi team faces)?

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 14 April 2005 03:51 (twenty years ago)

And you ask this AFTER they score 6 runs?

What is up, from what I know / see: I see Swisher getting into the 6 spot soon, I see most of the sexxy power numbers (i.e. the homers) coming from Chavez & Durazo (tho Swisher's leading the team in HRs, I think), and I see (once Crosby's back) probably the best all-around line-up the team's had since 2001 (when they last had you-know-who and that-other-guy on the same team) (and over 1/3rd a year of pre-broke-leg Jermaine Dye) (and a crappy Johnny Damon, to boot). Not as much bash brothering as in the past (three 30 HR guys in '01), but patient bat-on-ball hitter types that can do the job all throughout the lineup.

BTW, they actually scored MORE runs last year than in 2003, 793 to 768; of course, the pitchers let up 99 more runs last year, which played a not-so-small role in their playoff run coming up short.

Off-topic: please to look at what John Jaha did in 1996 and 1999.

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 14 April 2005 04:14 (twenty years ago)

i think maybe part of me takes baseball too seriously or it means to much to me or something cuz for some reason i teared up looking at them photos

― j blount (papa la bas), Thursday, 14 April 2005 04:37 (twenty years ago)

Kiki Calero picked up a "W" out of the pen last night, he has done quite well so far this season.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Thursday, 14 April 2005 11:26 (twenty years ago)

>What is up with Barry Zito?!?!

Aside from the immediate answer "two bad starts," Zito's peripheral stats have been on the downswing for a few years; it's pretty clear he's not likely to be as good as Hudson for the rest of their careers.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 14 April 2005 12:15 (twenty years ago)

I thought blister problems were a result of throwing a change-up...? Or I guess any pitch where your fingers are rubbing against the seams of the baseball.

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 14 April 2005 12:58 (twenty years ago)

"And you ask this AFTER they score 6 runs?"

Yes, I am greedy.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 14 April 2005 15:16 (twenty years ago)

Off-topic: please to look at what John Jaha did in 1996 and 1999.

In 1999, similar OPS to Giambi (.970 vs. .975) at <1/4th the price ($.5M vs. $2.1M). Ranked 10th in MLB for OPS (vs. Giambi @ #7).

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 14 April 2005 17:42 (twenty years ago)

I know it's early BUT!!!:

St. Louis Cardinals
Mark Mulder (0 wins - 1 loss):
ERA 8.18
WHIP 2.18
K/9 5.73
K/BB 1.75
BAA .408
OPSA 1.008

Oakland Athletics
RP Kiko Calero (2 wins - 0 loss):
ERA 0.00
WHIP 0.33
K/9 11.57
K/BB 9.00
BAA .120
OPSA .274

Oakland Athletics
SP Danny Haren (0 wins - 1 loss):
ERA 2.77
WHIP 1.08
K/9 6.23
K/BB 1.50
BAA .167
OPSA .585

Stockton Ports (Class A Athletics' California League affiliate)
C Daric Barton
BA .297 (11-37)
OBP .381 (5 Walks vs. 5 Strikeouts)
SLG .405 (9 singles, 1 double, 1 HR, 6 RBIs)

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 18 April 2005 20:11 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, it totally looks like the A's gamed the Cardinals (the jury is still out on the Braves' deal.) Haren alone may end up being a better pitcher from here on out than Mulder!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 18 April 2005 21:44 (twenty years ago)

Even if Mulder was pitching like Mulder, the Cards would've still got gamed.

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 18 April 2005 22:08 (twenty years ago)

ha, Mudler IS still pitching like Mulder (post-all-star break 2004).

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 18 April 2005 22:27 (twenty years ago)

Mulder, Haren and Hudson all did well today.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 01:48 (twenty years ago)

Harden is getting a little absurd. I was skeptical when a whole bunch of folks picked him to win Cy Young, but not no more.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 22 April 2005 14:46 (twenty years ago)

I'd say round 2 has to go to the Cardinals as Haren got lit up last night by the Angels, Calero is probably going on the DL Monday with tendonitis and Mulder threw a ten inning shutout yesterday.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Sunday, 24 April 2005 13:10 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, Haren better figure out how to hold runners. SIX STOLEN BASES is a joke.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Sunday, 24 April 2005 14:45 (twenty years ago)

ESPN game tonight... will Joe Morgan not mention "Billy Beane's book" once?

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Sunday, 24 April 2005 19:45 (twenty years ago)

seriously.

i think there just needs to be a joe morgan over/under thread.

― jonathan quayle higgins (j.q. higgins), Sunday, 24 April 2005 20:00 (twenty years ago)

Well, I didn't hear any refs. Joe also skipped Bill James' "Underestimating the Fog" article, or Michael Lewis' power emphasis in the minors piece in the NYT magazine.

Jeez, Blanton is 0-2 with a 1.75 ERA. He looks like Spanky from Our Gang.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Monday, 25 April 2005 12:21 (twenty years ago)

gotta love the sweet stache, though...not to mention 6 walks 7 ks over three or four starts.

― jonathan quayle higgins (j.q. higgins), Monday, 25 April 2005 12:47 (twenty years ago)

There isn't much to love about a K:BB ratio near one.

Eric Chavez is pulling a 2003 Miguel Tejada, except he's already GOTTEN the contract.

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 25 April 2005 12:50 (twenty years ago)

okay, more to the point...6 bb in 26 innings. i mean, a less than one whip is a-okay, in my book.

― jonathan quayle higgins (j.q. higgins), Monday, 25 April 2005 12:53 (twenty years ago)

Well, yeah, when you put it THAT way...

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 25 April 2005 12:54 (twenty years ago)

Skipping 338 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

When was the last time the A's signed a major free agent? I mean, as opposed to re-signing. The ones I can think of are Rhodes and Hatteberg. Everyone else of note was traded for or came from the minors.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 19:05 (twenty years ago)

JERMAINE DYE MOFO

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 19:38 (twenty years ago)

nope, he was either resigned or traded now that i think about it.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 19:39 (twenty years ago)

He was acquired in the Ben Grieve deal, I think. And that signing burned them, too, thanks to the broken leg. Beane's free-agent record (IIRC) ain't so hot. And if they weren't gonna drop $$$ for Giambi, I'll be damned if they drop $$$ for Konerko.

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 29 September 2005 00:01 (twenty years ago)

Taking Sides: part I

St. Louis Cardinals
Mark Mulder (16 wins - 8 losses):
ERA 3.64
WHIP 1.38
K/9 4.87
K/BB 1.59
BAA .273
OPSA .745

vs.

Oakland Athletics
RP Kiko Calero (4 wins - 1 loss, 12 Holds, 1 Save, 1 Blown Save):
ERA 3.23
WHIP 1.13
K/9 8.41
K/BB 2.89
BAA .203
OPSA .611

Oakland Athletics
SP SP Danny Haren (14 wins - 12 losses):
ERA 3.73
WHIP 1.22
K/9 6.76
K/BB 3.08
BAA .255
OPSA .709

Stockton Ports (A) and Midland Rockhounds (AA)
C Daric Barton
BA .317 (160/504)
OBP .428 (97 Walks vs. 79 Strikeouts, 98 Runs scored)
SLG .478 (108 singles, 36 doubles, 3 triples, 13 HR, 89 RBIs)

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 3 October 2005 16:22 (twenty years ago)

O that Billy is a crafty one...

― Jimmy Mod wants you to tighten the strings on your corset (The Famous Jimmy Mod), Monday, 3 October 2005 16:24 (twenty years ago)

Oh well I'd take Mulder cuz he has 16 wins haha.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 3 October 2005 16:24 (twenty years ago)

Unfortunately the other two offseason trades don't look so good. :(

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 3 October 2005 16:25 (twenty years ago)

all about Harden and Crosby.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Monday, 3 October 2005 16:34 (twenty years ago)

Next year, fuckers!

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 3 October 2005 16:38 (twenty years ago)

Taking Sides part II

Atlanta Braves
SP Tim Hudson (14 wins - 9 losses):
ERA 3.52
WHIP 1.35
K/9 5.39
K/BB 1.77
BAA .265
OPSA .736

vs.

Oakland Athletics
RP Juan Cruz (0 Wins - 3 Losses, 0 Saves, 0 Holds)
ERA 7.44
WHIP 1.84
K/9 9.37
K/BB 1.55
BAA .290
OPSA .891

Sacramento Rivercats
SP Dan Meyer (2 Wins - 8 Losses)
ERA 5.36
WHIP 1.19
K/9 6.37
K/BB 1.46
[SF Chronicle: Dan Meyer was placed on the disabled list at Triple-A because of tightness in his shoulder.
Meyer missed time earlier this season with shoulder problems, so this setback is very concerning.]

Oakland Athletics
OF Charles Thomas
30 ABs = 5 singles, 5 BBs, 9 Ks
.109/.255/.109 = OPS .363

Sacramento Rivercats
OF Charles Thomas
277 ABs = 39 singles, 16 doubles, 3 triples, 5 HRs, 35 BBs, 56Ks.
.227/.314/.361 = OPS .675
[Contra Costa Times: Charles Thomas is hitting .429 (15-for-35) since being demoted to Triple-A.
Thomas looked completely lost at the plate with the A's, but he is not nearly that bad a player. Expect him to rejoin the team in the second half, because the A's aren't going to give up on him yet.]

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 3 October 2005 16:44 (twenty years ago)

What's the other trade Alex?

Mark Teahen for Octavio Dotel?

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 3 October 2005 16:46 (twenty years ago)

Rhodes/Redman for Kendall.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 3 October 2005 16:49 (twenty years ago)

Yeah I'll pass on that one, use your imaginations.

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 3 October 2005 16:57 (twenty years ago)

Anyway the second trade looks bad now, but if I was the Braves I'd be less than pleased that Hudson's #s got worse moving to the easier league. But if nothing comes of Meyer and Cruz and Thomas and none of those guys can be spun for anyone else well even a 3/4-strength Hudson looks like a great deal.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 3 October 2005 17:03 (twenty years ago)

Okay, so one more eerie comparison (and boy do I mean eerie):

Joe Blanton (who?)
ERA 3.53
WHIP 1.22
K/9 5.25
K/BB 1.77
BAA .235
OPSA .692

vs.

Tim Hudson (OMG ONE OF THE BIG THREE LORD A MERCY WHAT ARE THE A's TO DOOOOoooooo!!!!):
ERA 3.52
WHIP 1.35
K/9 5.39
K/BB 1.77
BAA .265
OPSA .736

and just one kind reminder ladies and gentlemen, these statistics are provided for the sheer purpose of demonstration only. they are not intended for any masturbatory activity at all.

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 3 October 2005 19:46 (twenty years ago)

*masturbates self-loathingly*

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Monday, 3 October 2005 19:53 (twenty years ago)

A's make an offer to Macha, who will wait a week to make a decision (*ahem* Pittsburgh, Florida and LA).

― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 4 October 2005 03:43 (twenty years ago)

he's not coming back (sorry for the xpost).

― maura (maura), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 19:10 (twenty years ago)

VORP:

Blanton 44.3
Hudson 40.5

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 19:28 (twenty years ago)

considering what Macha did this year, this failure to come to terms could be construed as a mistake (unless he's got some hidden Dusty-isms that freaked out Beane)

― gear (gear), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 20:34 (twenty years ago)

They agreed on three years but Beane offered a team-option after 3 and Macha wanted a manager-option.

But don't think for a minute that Beane doesn't have an ace in the hole. I would have liked to see Leyland (maybe my favorite manager ever) in there.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 20:39 (twenty years ago)

Hitting coach Dave Hudgen was also let go, maybe the Swingin' A's make more consistent contact in 2006.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 20:39 (twenty years ago)

I get the feeling that Beane will just hire a quiet guy who tows the line, and in year 3-4 when he starts getting lippy, Billy'll let the guy hit the road and get rich and fail somewhere else.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 21:01 (twenty years ago)

A thought: do you think Lou Pinella and Beane could co-exist? Or Beane and Bobby V?

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 21:52 (twenty years ago)

Doubtful, but even more important is that those managers you named demand a salary that is not in line with the A's "cheap-bastards" philosophy.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 22:03 (twenty years ago)

Why must you destroy my dreams with logic.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 22:11 (twenty years ago)

Tony Muser!

― gear (gear), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 22:14 (twenty years ago)

A's will probably promote from within = Ron Washington

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 22:15 (twenty years ago)

A's will probably promote from within = Ron Washington

That would be really awesome.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 22:17 (twenty years ago)

Another good choice:

http://rivercats.com/team/office/?id=545

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 22:30 (twenty years ago)

What I meant to say but didn't is that DeFrancesco's coached most of these guys anyway (to much success).

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 22:34 (twenty years ago)

OK, what exactly did Macha do *independently* that helped turn the A's around this year? Isn't it clear from "Moneyball" and Art Howe's NY flameout that Beane considers a puppet who won't screw up good enough to manage?

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 6 October 2005 12:29 (twenty years ago)

I didn't realize that anyone thought Macha really DID do much of anything.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 6 October 2005 14:49 (twenty years ago)

yeah i'm an idiot then, huh

― gear (gear), Thursday, 6 October 2005 17:27 (twenty years ago)

i mean obviously Macha is no Bobby Cox, he's not that good, but he's proven himself to be a Beane guy. why mess with it? god forbid they get a guy in there who has a notion in his head to try some tomfoolery!

― gear (gear), Thursday, 6 October 2005 17:40 (twenty years ago)

I don't follow the A's closely enough to know the extent of Macha's skills, but obv Beane feels as with closers, they're replaceable enough to avoid overpaying for.

Bobby V would likely be too expensive, tho he seems Moneyball compatible.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 6 October 2005 17:51 (twenty years ago)

just kidding!

The Oakland Athletics announced today the club has reached an agreement with Ken Macha on a three-year contract to manage the club through the 2008 season. Macha, 55, made his Major League managerial debut with the A's in 2003 and guided Oakland to a 275-211 record in three seasons with the club, which is the fifth best record in baseball over the last three seasons. His .566 winning percentage is the second best mark in franchise history to Dick Williams, who compiled a .603 winning percentage from 1971-73.

― maura (maura), Friday, 14 October 2005 18:16 (twenty years ago)

OH LARRY'S GONNA BE PISSED!

― David R. (popshots75`), Friday, 14 October 2005 18:19 (twenty years ago)

Technically, the premise of that article is correct, as i posted upthread:

They agreed on three years but Beane offered a team-option after 3 and Macha wanted a manager-option.
But don't think for a minute that Beane doesn't have an ace in the hole. I would have liked to see Leyland (maybe my favorite manager ever) in there.

-- gygax! (gygax0...), October 5th, 2005 2:39 PM. (gygax!)

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 14 October 2005 18:23 (twenty years ago)

Art Howe sez "Smart move."

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Friday, 14 October 2005 18:41 (twenty years ago)

Nah, it's not bad blood, or that Oakland low-balled Macha, or even that Macha's demands were THAT outlandish.

It's more of a trivial difference over the 4th year that neither side could come to an agreement on and both parties decided to part ways rather than resolve.

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 14 October 2005 18:44 (twenty years ago)

Word is that Larry Bowa may wind up as the bench coach or hitting instructor.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Friday, 14 October 2005 18:54 (twenty years ago)

Did you read what Wash said poly? Let me dig it out...

Washington said, "It's not like they fired Macha (initially), you know what I mean? They just couldn't come together on the money, and I guess they worked that out.

"I still hope I made a good showing when I talked to them. I hope I impressed them.''

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 14 October 2005 19:31 (twenty years ago)

Sounds like he wants to keep his job.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Friday, 14 October 2005 20:12 (twenty years ago)

Macha? Or Washington? Cuz they ain't firing Washington! Everyone loves that guy.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 14 October 2005 22:35 (twenty years ago)

Washington. Everyone loves him, but they can't love him quite as much if he's coaching another team. Sounded to me like he was saying "hey guys, if I don't get a manager gig, I'm happy to stay.."

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Friday, 14 October 2005 23:34 (twenty years ago)

two weeks pass...

So the A's declined Hatteberg's option? End of an era, tho well-timed.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 3 November 2005 22:59 (twenty years ago)

I'm not reading that much into it. They declined his $2.75M option but that doesn't mean that they can't offer him less than that (as they turned part of his $2.75M into a 2-year deal Witasick).

I predict he'll stay with the A's for an agreed upon part-time role (with part/all of the freed up $1.4M leftover from Witasick) and then finesse him into the front office.

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 3 November 2005 23:06 (twenty years ago)

So any odds on whether Zito will still be around next April?

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 3 November 2005 23:09 (twenty years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.