Comments on: Travis Buck sent down, Matt Carson brought up as A’s open long road trip in Cleveland

By: crister

crister — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:28:40 +0000

i appreciate the effort to respond and give a well thought answer and not a vague “we’ll have to see” and “barton is great. how dare you question his future on this team.” that i was actually expecting.

again, thanks…

By: Joe Stiglich

Joe Stiglich — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 21:35:22 +0000

Crister … here’s your long overdue response …

No doubt there’s going to be an outfield logjam going into next season. I think a lot of unknowns have to shake out first before we know what kind of decisions the A’s might make. Is Michael Taylor going to be ready for the big leagues by the start of the year? Hopefully we’ll get some clarity on that via a September call-up and spring training ’11. Is Ryan Sweeney going to be healthy to start the season?

I’m not sold on either Conor Jackson or Daric Barton being a long-term fit for what this team needs (more power). I think Jackson is the 2010 version of Scott Hairston — a player the A’s traded for and were excited about (partly because he’s under team control and affordable) but who has trouble staying healthy in an A’s uniform. Maybe Jackson goes on the trading block this winter as Hairston did. … As for Barton, it seems he got a big vote of confidence with the decision to try Chris Carter in the outfield. I like his defense overall, but a light-hitting first baseman is not a good fit when there’s no power coming from other positions.

Bottom line, the A’s need to decide this winter whether Chris Carter and/or Michael Taylor are ready to be everyday players. If not, they need to import some hitters, whether that’s through free agency or parting with a stud pitcher in a trade. Once they make an addition or two this winter, that will help determine the fate of many of the players you mentioned.

How’s that for an all-over-the-map answer???

By: scott no2

scott no2 — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:50:41 +0000

The Buck stops here. I’m afraid all that potential 2 years ago has disappeared into nothingness and endless DL visits. He’s been passed up on the depth chart. I like Buck, but business-wise, if he can’t get healthy, it’s time to let him go.

By: you knowwho

you knowwho — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:16:07 +0000

barton has made more eroors this year than would be hoped for BUT he has made a lot of saves on throws from penny and kouz. he’s got a good stretch. pus in a pinch i suppose he could fill in at catcher too if ever needed

By: you knowwho

you knowwho — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:13:47 +0000

that would be “cut bAIt”. they will keep raj. he plays good defense and is good as a late game pinch runner or as a defensive replacement. plus if coco goes down they need someone to fill in

By: crister

crister — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:55:44 +0000

conor jackson, travis buck, kouzmanoff, cust, raj davis, gross, ziggy… does anyone else smell a little non-tender in the air? cust is pretty obvious considering that the a’s cut bate on him last year and he hasn’t even come close to equaling his production this year. even if you prorate it out for the first month he got shafted and sent to sacramento. i’d even throw barton in there if for nothing else, he’s already logged quite a bit of time in the majors and is getting closer to the dreaded . . . arbitration years and it’s not like his single digit to 13 homer power with not even a good average at first base is exactly building block worthy material. at minimum wage, sure i suppose, but at a higher price? maybe not so much… defensively he’s not keith hernandez either.

thoughts mr. stiglich?