Posted March 27, 200618 yr Oakland - It looks like Frank Thomas (ankle) will be in the Opening Day lineup, making Jay Payton the odd man out initially. Thomas, though, probably won?t be an everyday player, and since Milton Bradley and Mark Kotsay are also good bets to miss time with injuries, Payton won?t be forcing his way off another team anytime soon. ? Because seven starters weren?t enough, the A?s sent Juan Cruz to Arizona for Brad Halsey on Sunday. Halsey will probably be in the rotation at Triple-A Sacramento, though the A?s could give him a look as a left-handed reliever at some point. Since he possesses just one above average pitch -- a curveball -- Halsey?s upside is pretty limited. Still, with such a quality defense behind him, he?d likely be a league-average starter should the need arise. ? Oakland?s next deal could involve either Keith Ginter or Freddie Bynum. Both belong in the NL. Ginter would make sense in Florida, Colorado or even St. Louis. Bynum?s speed and versatility should lead to a long career as a reserve in the Damian Jackson mold. He?s out of options and isn?t expected to clear waivers. Cleveland - With just one bullpen spot, the backup catcher job and one more place on the bench up for grabs, the Indians have been rather boring to follow this spring. Danny Graves has emerged as the favorite for the bullpen spot, with one of my deep sleepers, Andrew Brown, already being eliminated. Einar Diaz has outproduced Kelly Shoppach in the competition to play behind Victor Martinez. As few at-bats as that player is going to get, I think it should be Diaz?s job, at least for the first couple of months. The other bench spot will likely go to Ramon Vazquez. Brandon Phillips should get traded this week, and it will be a good thing for his career. ? Ben Broussard?s .227/.306/.318 line this spring doesn?t seem to have the Indians considering alternatives at first base. Not claiming Choi off waivers before he got to Boston could go down as a mistake, but the team needs to have Ryan Garko playing regularly at first in Triple-A. Likewise, the Indians probably won?t be first in line for Carlos Pena.
March 27, 200618 yr both of those guys could come cheap ... I really liked watching Ginter with the brew crew whenever that was and Phillips came with a high talent tag ... so maybe all he needs is a change of scenery the Phillips Idea could be good
March 27, 200618 yr Oakland - It looks like Frank Thomas (ankle) will be in the Opening Day lineup, making Jay Payton the odd man out initially. Thomas, though, probably won?t be an everyday player, and since Milton Bradley and Mark Kotsay are also good bets to miss time with injuries, Payton won?t be forcing his way off another team anytime soon. ? Because seven starters weren?t enough, the A?s sent Juan Cruz to Arizona for Brad Halsey on Sunday. Halsey will probably be in the rotation at Triple-A Sacramento, though the A?s could give him a look as a left-handed reliever at some point. Since he possesses just one above average pitch -- a curveball -- Halsey?s upside is pretty limited. Still, with such a quality defense behind him, he?d likely be a league-average starter should the need arise. ? Oakland?s next deal could involve either Keith Ginter or Freddie Bynum. Both belong in the NL. Ginter would make sense in Florida, Colorado or even St. Louis. Bynum?s speed and versatility should lead to a long career as a reserve in the Damian Jackson mold. He?s out of options and isn?t expected to clear waivers. Cleveland - With just one bullpen spot, the backup catcher job and one more place on the bench up for grabs, the Indians have been rather boring to follow this spring. Danny Graves has emerged as the favorite for the bullpen spot, with one of my deep sleepers, Andrew Brown, already being eliminated. Einar Diaz has outproduced Kelly Shoppach in the competition to play behind Victor Martinez. As few at-bats as that player is going to get, I think it should be Diaz?s job, at least for the first couple of months. The other bench spot will likely go to Ramon Vazquez. Brandon Phillips should get traded this week, and it will be a good thing for his career. ? Ben Broussard?s .227/.306/.318 line this spring doesn?t seem to have the Indians considering alternatives at first base. Not claiming Choi off waivers before he got to Boston could go down as a mistake, but the team needs to have Ryan Garko playing regularly at first in Triple-A. Likewise, the Indians probably won?t be first in line for Carlos Pena. I'd take a flyer on Brandon Phillips. Perhaps trade the Tribe one of our "can't miss" prospects that missed. Maybe Ben Howard?
March 27, 200618 yr been watching phillips for awhile now, has alot of talent maybe a move to the marlins would benefit him
March 27, 200618 yr I agree with Gee. At this point with so much time spent (on Perry Hill's part) grooming Ramirez and Uggla as the DP combination, and with Andino at least temporarily out of the picture, the only reasonable move would be to possibly bring someone in to play behind Dan. What's impressed me about Uggla is, when his BA plummeted to the .220s or whatever, the kid didn't just tank or give up on himself, but rather continued to work hard at the plate, raising his BA by some 60 points since it's low point. Hitting anywhere near .280 for the season would be nothing short of terrific. Color me naive if you want but I think the kid sticks, at least for this year.
March 27, 200618 yr Author I agree with Gee. At this point with so much time spent (on Perry Hill's part) grooming Ramirez and Uggla as the DP combination, and with Andino at least temporarily out of the picture, the only reasonable move would be to possibly bring someone in to play behind Dan. What's impressed me about Uggla is, when his BA plummeted to the .220s or whatever, the kid didn't just tank or give up on himself, but rather continued to work hard at the plate, raising his BA by some 60 points since it's low point. Hitting anywhere near .280 for the season would be nothing short of terrific. Color me naive if you want but I think the kid sticks, at least for this year. I agree, and believe it's his job to lose this season, but I much prefer an option behind him (like you said), that's ready to step in as a long-term option. It's a big stretch imo to view Uggla as such. He could still be a nice piece to our bench core of the future though, which isn't a bad thing at all. More on Oakland's Freddie Bynum... Freddie Bynum - 2B - Athletics The A's are reportedly likely to trade Freddie Bynum soon. The Pirates and Marlins are said to be interested in Bynum, who would be a solid super-utility man. Mar. 27 - 10:47 am et Source: San Francisco Chronicle
March 27, 200618 yr How does Bynum compare with Almezega??? Sounds like he might be a better option. :mischief2
March 27, 200618 yr Author How does Bynum compare with Almezega??? Sounds like he might be a better option. :mischief2 He's pretty comparable to Amezega on first glance, but his versatility is greater. We'd have to knock Harris off the 25-man to carry him probably. We need someone else behind Uggla though and I'd prefer Bynum over Ginter.
March 27, 200618 yr How does Bynum compare with Almezega??? Sounds like he might be a better option. :mischief2 He's pretty comparable to Amezega on first glance, but his versatility is greater. We'd have to knock Harris off the 25-man to carry him probably. We need someone else behind Uggla though and I'd prefer Bynum over Ginter. Ginter reminds me a bit of Uggla...a bit more pop in his bat. I think either Bynum or Ginter would be an upgrade over Almezega. I have no desire to see AA on the final roster. Hopefully Beinfest can get something done. Whoa...just found this on Bynum...sounds like a Gaithright-type at second base. Looks like he can play some short and outfield as well!!! Freddie Bynum is out of options, but there doesn't appear to be a spot for him on the A's roster. He is hitting .379, slugging .690 and playing solid defense in the infield and outfield. "He's having a great spring," A's manager Ken Macha said. Bynum, who has 175 minor league steals, was Oakland's first pick in the 2000 draft. :notworthy What's MarlinLou's take on this guy??? :mischief2
March 27, 200618 yr I'd take Bynum over Ginter anyday, but I agree we should stick with Dan Uggla. Don't expect Beinfest to be done, the opening day roster will be differ by seasons end, the marlins will be really busy through the waiver wire.
March 28, 200618 yr Call me crazy, but I'd like to stick with Uggla. Mr. Crazy and I go to the same pub
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