Done Deals for the 2010 Season

hunteralan:

Whatever the deal is, Beane just spent millions on eventual prospects without actually drafting them. This is just another way for the mid- to low-market A's to stock up on young prospects. First Holliday, now Sheets. This could become a yearly happening in Oakland.

Not a bad strategy if you ask me.

I agree.

I thought Beane gave up more in talent to get Holliday from the Rox than he got back in talent from the Cards, but the young talent he gave up to get Holliday was starting to get expensive via the arb process, while the kids he got from the Cards were further away from arb. So, it appears that he "paid forward" a bit on Holliday to reduce his costs the following 2-1/2 years or so. It should also be noted that he eventually acquired somewhat proven prospects as opposed to throwing big bonuses at untested draftees acquired via 2 draft pix.

Beane is always trying a different angle, but not every tack has worked. IMHO, the focus on underated high OBP hitters didn't work as long or as effectively as some of his supporters believe. For the most part the under-valuing was probably along the lines of $3M players as compared to $5-6M players, not $3M players as compared to $10M+ players. The studly players were never undervalued and they tend to have high OBP to go along with good SLG. Players with high OBP but not high SLG tend to be solid complimentary players, not future studs.

kennerbuggy:

I agree.

I thought Beane gave up more in talent to get Holliday from the Rox than he got back in talent from the Cards, but the young talent he gave up to get Holliday was starting to get expensive via the arb process, while the kids he got from the Cards were further away from arb. So, it appears that he "paid forward" a bit on Holliday to reduce his costs the following 2-1/2 years or so. It should also be noted that he eventually acquired somewhat proven prospects as opposed to throwing big bonuses at untested draftees acquired via 2 draft pix.

Beane is always trying a different angle, but not every tack has worked. IMHO, the focus on underated high OBP hitters didn't work as long or as effectively as some of his supporters believe. For the most part the under-valuing was probably along the lines of $3M players as compared to $5-6M players, not $3M players as compared to $10M+ players. The studly players were never undervalued and they tend to have high OBP to go along with good SLG. Players with high OBP but not high SLG tend to be solid complimentary players, not future studs.

At least Lew Wolff has the money and interest to allow Beane to try things and crawl out onto the ledge. For all the talk about Wolff being more interested in the Earthquakes and getting someone to build him a stadium near BART, he has never not had money for Billy Beane to spend on the A's. Sure, Beane has made some mistakes - name any GM who hasn't goofed, but Woolf has a short memory, while our clown is a meddlesome nimrod who can't forget bad moves like Hindenburg (his own fault for forcing him down Ned's throat), but seems to be quick to lay blame on others for his lack of finances (the Dan Evans' fiasco). Hell, it has a week since I sent a nasty e-mail directed at Bud Lite. Gotta get on that, next.

Willie:

Ronnie Belliard is back.

850K + incentives

Mike Scioscias tragic illness:

I don't understand this at all. Belliard's not a SS either. Isn't this what Carroll's for?

Almost guarantees that Hu makes the team out of camp. I swear they are setting up DeWitt to be traded. Belliard and Carroll would be able to cover the second and third, Hu can play second, third and short and DeWitt is the odd man out. Unless they intend to go with Paul as the only backup outfielder and an eleven man pitching staff, I can't see any other direction.

DoppelgangBang:

I am completely confused. I think this must mean that he's in direct competition with DeWitt for a roster spot. If he doesn't make it, we eat 850K? WTF? I am totally confused.

I would not be shocked to hear that DeWitt and Sherrill have been dealt for a pitcher by the end of the month. I just don't think that Torre is gonna give DeWitt a chance, this year.

Dylan Hernandez reporting that Brad Ausmus is coming back.

grabarkewitz:

Almost guarantees that Hu makes the team out of camp. I swear they are setting up DeWitt to be traded. Belliard and Carroll would be able to cover the second and third, Hu can play second, third and short and DeWitt is the odd man out. Unless they intend to go with Paul as the only backup outfielder and an eleven man pitching staff, I can't see any other direction.

Unless Dewitt is traded I see him making the team over Hu, remember Dewitt can play short in an emergency, and his left handed stick (with some power) is a big must since Eye Chart has no power and only other lefty on the bench. In fact if anything I think this may mean Eye Chart chances of making the team are slim.

And now Jon Garland to the Padres. Love to know what he got from them.

Mike Scioscias tragic illness:

And now Jon Garland to the Padres. Love to know what he got from them.

With that team's defense, I suspect Garland may rue the day he signed with the Padres. Every fly ball could be an adventure in that outfield. Blanks has no range, Hairston is just awful and Gwynn is good, but not great in centerfield.

DoppelgangBang:

It's a mil. 850 this year, 1M option next year ... if we decline next year, he gets 150K.

I gotta think that Lucas May should be ready by '11. Might as well just cut Ausmus his check for $150K and not waste time waiting for the Dodgers to option his contract. I figure by '11 Ausmus will be a coach somewhere or managing in the minors on his way to being an ML manager.

grabarkewitz:

Twins sign Jim Thome and Garland is going to get $4.7 million plus a 2011 option for $6.7 million with a $600K buy out. Gotta think we got Padilla on the cheap.

Thome's deal is $1.5 million with $750K in incentives.

Decent position players are now signing for $1M or less, and Thome signs for all of $1.5M guaranteed. Meanwhile, Damon and Bora$$ continue to wait out the market.

Sorry Johnny, it's time to for Scotty to beam you down. Nobody looks to be willing to pay you for what you were 3-5 years ago, and you weren't exactly playing at a discount then. This is the flip side of the development curve that Bora$$ plays so well on the upside. Scotty always demanded you get paid every nickle you were worth - what happens when you ain't worth all that many nickels?

Mike Scioscias tragic illness:

Interesting news - Belliard's deal is NOT guaranteed.

It looks the Dodgers are might still be giving DeWitt a shot at the 2B job, while hedging their bets.

It becomes guaranteed if Belliard drops below 209 lb at any point in the spring. Seriously.

Willie:

Ronnie Belliard is back.

One note, Belliard looked awful in the witer here in the DR, both at defense and hitting, he seemed to be out of focus. Many fans blame him for Licey not making it. Let's hope that this is just antoher example of a player vactioning in winter. Although after watching DeWitt playing i think DeWitt has a lot more upside than Belliard and would not like DeWitt loosing playing time because of Belliard.

BlueMamma:

20*9*? That's pretty specific. "Put some language about weight in the contract there. We don't want him showing up at camp weight 210 or something..."

Apparently that's the weight he was at when he was playing well in September, so that's what they want him to be at.