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!
Just some quick thoughts on the flurry of moves conducted by Billy Beane over the last couple of weeks.
Signed Nick Punto. This is a excellent little move by the A's to get needed SS depth and a superb all around utility player. Nick also has the added bonus of being a great clubhouse guy for whatever that is worth.
Traded for Fernando Abad. Left handed relief pitcher who will be part of a revamped bullpen.
Traded 2B Jemile Weeks and C David Freitas to the Orioles for Closer Jim Johnson. Did I say revamped bullpen? Yep, and here is another big piece. It is strange to see the A's trade for an expensive -gulp- "proven closer" but that is exactly what Billy did here. Balfour leaving was a foregone conclusion but most people, myself included, figured Billy would promote from within not trade for what the A's have traditionally stayed away from during Billy' tenure. While a bit peculiar this move does make sense when examined more closely. First off, Billy acquired Johnson for very little. Weeks was not going to be in any of the A's future plans and at this point most experts had written him off as replacement level at best so shipping off Weeks for a reliable relief pitcher was actually sort of a coup. Freitas was a solid org catcher but nothing the A's couldn't find again at the Spring Training swap meet. As for expensive, Johnson's contract is for only one year at the moment so he will not be a financial hindrance in future seasons. Also, because Johnson comes with the "proven closer" title it will put to bed any questions about who will be the new closer and allow the A's to employ their better relievers(Doolittle) into higher leverage situations leaving the 3-out 9th innings for Johnson. And if need be, the A's could always flip the "proven closer" to another team for additional assets. This was a nice move by the A's.
Trade OF Michael Choice and 2B Chris Bostick to the Rangers for OF Craig Gentry and RHP Josh Lindblom. This is the one move that worries me. The A's are obviously going for it now by trading future assets for current assets but this is the one move that could come back to haunt. Lindblom provides more pitching depth but the A's do need someone like Gentry to compete in 2014. He can play a great defensive CF(Coco does get hurt), provide platoon options for RF, and be a terror on the base paths if need be. He really completes the A's outfield picture, but at what cost? Both Choice and Bostick, while not projected superstars, were on most experts' top 10 lists for A's prospects. Bostick is still a couple years away but Choice is ready to make his move to MLB now and should get his opportunity next year. And while I applaud Billy for having the confidence to trade within the Division, the thought of Choice helping the A's biggest division rivals over the foreseeable future makes me think of Nelson Cruz, Andre Ethier, and Carlos Gonzalez. I also thought of Choice as Reddick insurance just in case Reddick never gets his swing back on track. Now the A's have no one in the high minors other than org guys ready to step in if Reddick or God forbid, Cespy, fail to live up to certain standards. TBD...
Trade OF Seth Smith to the Padres for RHP Luke Gregerson. I like this move. Smith is a nice role player. Someone who can come off the bench or platoon in LF on some days but getting Gregerson for him was a steal. Gregerson is another important piece to a very deep and talented bullpen that should be able to shut down most games from the 5th inning on.
Sign LHP Scott Kazmir. Apparently Kazmir was plan C for the A's of the oft-injured-starting-pitchers right behind Bartolo Colon and Timmy Hudson. After not liking Colon's contract demands*, and getting spurned by Hudson*, the A's settled for Kazmir on a high-risk contract. If the A's can get 150+ solid to above average innings a year out of Kazmir then it will be worth it. If, however, he gets injured again or is unproductive(both probabilities) then it will be a waste of money and roster spot.
Trade LHP Brett Anderson to the Rockies for LHP Drew Pomeranz and RHP Chris Jensen. The A's trade lotto ticket Anderson for lottery scratcher Pomeranz plus org pitcher Jensen. Anderson still has youth and promise on his side but I feel the ship has sailed and he is destined to be another "what if..." guy. Pomeranz may still be able to start and provide some innings but could end up in the bullpen to provide another lefty arm.
Trade LHP Jerry Blevins to the Nationals for OF Billy Burns. With the revamped bullpen Blevins was expendable and the A's need a new OF in the high minors for depth after dealing away Choice earlier. Burns is an all speed/no pop OF who could end up as solid 4th Of/defensive replacement type of player.
Billy went into the off-season with a plan and by golly he full-filled it. The A's look great on paper right now and 2014 should prove to be just as exciting as 2012 and 2013 with hopefully a better finish. The bullpen is going to be a monster and when the A's make the playoffs again next year, it will be interesting to see if the A's try to really shorten the game by using more relievers than the starting pitchers for the majority of innings. My only concern is the OF. With no depth waiting in the minors and all three starters having injury histories, making a couple more moves to acquire some low-rent depth may be in order.
demands*- Colon signed with the Mets for less than what the A's will pay Kazmir but 1) I don't think the A's wanted Colon on a 2 year contract and 2)We don't know if what the Mets ended up paying is what Colon was demanding from the A's earlier in the off-season.
Hudson*- Who then went on to sell his soul to the devil!
