Bye-Bye Penny...

Disclaimer: I do not claim to be an expert…on anything.  I am just an A’s fan who loves talking about the A’s.  So if you find yourself shaking your head at my amateur ramblings or wondering why I even bother in the first place then please move along, move along.  If, however, you are like me and just love talking about the A’s then, by all means, welcome aboard! 


                                           “It’s not my job to put fannies in the seats.”
                                                    - Billy Beane
     We will come back to that quote a little later but for now let’s talk trade! Today the A’s traded Cliff Pennington and Yordy Cabrera to the D-Backs for Chris Young.
The Players!
Cliff Pennington- Ahh, Penny.  The A’s 1st round pick (21 overall) of the 2005 amateur draft.  He was a switch hitting SS who never quite came into his own despite some positive line drive rates and a strong throwing arm.  It got so bad that the A’s were forced to go out and trade for Stephen Drew with these same D-Backs.  Pennington then moved to 2nd where, to his credit, he responded professionally and even had his strongest offensive showing of the season(which still isn’t saying much) while covering the other side of the infield.  He is still considered an above-average defensive SS but the move to 2nd is inevitable.

Yordy Cabrera- 2nd round draft pick of the A’s in 2010.  Yordy was an older*(19) high school senior when the A’s took him in the second round.  Though he played some SS his future in the bigs would have to be at 3rd as his already large physique feels out.  Yordy never developed any of the power that was expected of him, struggling even in the hitter friendly Cal League playing for the Ports, although he has had some injuries that slowed his development. Note: D-Backs then traded Yordy to the Marlins for Heath Bell.

Chris Young-  29 year old centerfielder who has had some impressive seasons, as well as some…less than impressive seasons.  He has definite power, especially for a centerfielder, but will have his share of K’s and  OBP issues.  Clearly the best player in the deal.


But what does it all mean?
     Did anybody really think the A's were going into the next season with the exact same team?  Or close to it?  If you have been following the Billy Beane era at all then you know that for Billy, nothing is ever "good enough".  If there is a way for him to strengthen the team, whether it is real or imaginary, he will do it.  This trade definitely should strengthen the A’s, but this will not happen without consequences. Since we are still in October, anything and everything must be considered pure speculation.
     Lets start with the infield.  By trading away Penny the A’s re-open up the 2nd base position while leaving SS without much depth.  Unless there is another deal to be had, the A’s will almost have to bring back Drew for next season.  There really isn’t anybody in the high minors that is ready to step up and play SS for a playoff caliber team.  Grant Green might do in a pinch but I feel that ship has sailed.  As for 2nd, Beane has already stated that Scott Sizemore will be next year’s 2nd baseman but that is in no way set in stone.  Jemile Weeks is still young enough and talented enough to reclaim the position.  There is also Green who could steal the spot from both Sizemore and Weeks.  I think Beane is playing it coy letting the youngsters know he is ready to move on without them.  Yordy was once considered a future heir apparent at 3rd  but his struggles along with the arrival of Addison Russell, Daniel Robertson, and Renato Nunez leave him expendable.
     With the acquisition of Chris Young, the Oakland outfield will have some sorting out to do.  Remember that quote from the beginning?  Beane said that at the 2003 Fan Fest Q&A when we were discussing bringing back Rickey*.  A lady was arguing for the return of Rickey while Beane was trying explain why it wasn’t in the cards.  She finally stated “Rickey will put fannies in the seats!”  Beane’s reply, the aforementioned quote.  What does that quote have to do with today's trade? Because four of last year's outfielders(Josh Reddick, Yoenis Cespedes, Coco Crisp, and Jonny Gomes) all happen to be fan favorites.  And nobody, myself included, wants to see their favorite go.  Cespedes, Crisp, and Reddick are still signed with the A's while Gomes is a free agent.  All four were major contributors to one of the most exciting A's teams I have ever had the pleasure of rooting for.  I was hoping all four would be back for 2013.  Not to mention Seth Smith, Colin Cowgill, Michael Taylor, and Grant Green.  Chris Young makes things complicated.



older*- For a fascinating look at draft ages, check out these Baseball Prospectus articles: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15295
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15306

Rickey*- If you need to ask "Rickey who?" then you are definitely on the wrong site...and go hit your head on a wall for asking such an asinine question.

It's been awhile...

I haven't forgotten about my...whatever it is that you would call this(I feel blog would be an insult to real bloggers*) but from mid-July(notice my last post date) to the end of October I work 7 days a week 9-12 hours a day.  And when I start working that schedule I pretty much become physically, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually drained to the point that I can't find the energy to do much of anything but eat, sleep, and shi...go to work. Today is the 83 straight day I have worked with only a couple of half days off due to illness or A's games sprinkled in here and there. Why am I telling you this? Not so you will feel sorry for me, this is the life and job I chose and have no regrets, but so that if anyone who is curious(Hello? Anybody?) understands why Junior College Dropout hasn't been updated since well, mid-July. Thank you.


*bloggers- I discovered it takes a real dedication to keep a blog running day in and day out. I salute all the bloggers out there who keep their flame lit and shining bright, I wish I had your passion.