Comments on: A’s acquire outfielder Josh Willingham from Washington Nationals — what are the roster ramifications?

By: Ed Kerr

Ed Kerr — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 00:36:24 +0000

The options are much better in 2011, the defense will continue to protect the pitching staff, Harden, Devine
and Outman could be difference makers in relief, while the other additions will provide additionl chances to score more runs, with reliable help at AAA if needed.

By: jclay09

jclay09 — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:54:13 +0000

I’m not worried about the implications on Carter. This at least buys him some time to become a better fielder in left while in the minors and saving service time. But all of Crisp, Sweeney, Jackson, and Willingham have a history of injury and Dejesus has his share of freak injuries. It’s entirely possible Carter could end up starting a significant number of games for Oakland even after starting out as #6 on the depth chart.

I was a little skeptical about the addition of Willingham at first, but the more I look at it they really didnt give up much to get a potential stud at the plate. I’m very unsure what to make of a career NLer moving to the A-league and playing half his games at the toughest pitcher’s park in baseball, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a big upgrade. Not tough to be better than the 7-headed monster that was Gross/Watson/Carson/Jackson/Patteron/Fox last season.

In the end, this makes the team better in 2011 and Willingham has already said he’s interested in signing an extension here. Another step forward made this offseason by the front office. Good work.

By: James

James — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 00:47:43 +0000

im not a fan of pushing sweeney to the bench at all. this upsets me. and carter should be getting some damn playing time.

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 21:36:12 +0000

In the last five seasons, Willingham’s OPS has been between 827 & 863. Very good numbers and he’s been really consistent too so that’s obviously an upgrade on what the A’s have had. So they’ve upgraded three spots in the lineup with Matsui, DeJesus and Willingham. Is that enough if the pitching staff can do what it did last year? Maybe if say Suzuki plays more like he did in ’09 than ’10, Pennington hits more consistently, the bullpen stays healthy…

I do wonder what it means for Carter & Taylor though. Just last year it seemed like the plan was for them to be here in 2011…I’m sure if Carter hits like crazy in the spring they’ll find room and I know Taylor was disappointing last year…it’s not like they’ve given up Carlos Gonzalez to get DeJesus or Willingham so there’s not a huge risk here. We’ll see. And yeah everytime I see Gonzalez…ugh. Wouldn’t be making some of these trades if they hadn’t done that one. At least the Ethier one…Bradley was an important part of the ’06 ALCS team so I can live with it.

By: Jay Blaisdell

Jay Blaisdell — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 21:12:21 +0000

Joe Stiglish: You’re apologizing for a “late” blog ? Please. You’re a newspaperman first, THEN a blogger. You don’t put on the blogger’s bathrobe with the oatmeal crusted on the lapels until AFTER you’ve done the news story.
But the trade: i’d rather have either Carter or Michael Taylor than Willingham. And a Willingham putting either DeJesus or Sweeney on the bench is ridiculous no matter how you slice it.

By: seymour butz

seymour butz — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 20:59:50 +0000

Obviously Carter is the odd man out. (Even though he did appear to be finding a groove after going 0-30) Keep in mind Barton also appears to finding a power stroke (hitting 6 of his 10 homers in the final 50 games of ’10.)

By: crister

crister — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 20:32:47 +0000

So Rosenthal says that it’s Henry Rodriguez and Cory Brown on their way to Washington. I kind of always liked Brown, but alas, he didn’t establish himself enough to really make noise. Rodriguez…he seems like one of those classic cases of golden arm, but… Cant’ say I’m heartbroken with either guy leaving the organization. Suddenly, with one guy just traded, another coming off of a crappy season and yet another splashing holy water left and right the A’s outfield dept looks rather thin. I wonder if any of the numerous infielders may be converted to play the outfield in response.

By: Andy K

Andy K — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 20:15:19 +0000

I miss Carter already. Hope he kills it in Spring.

By: cristercrister

cristercrister — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 20:14:59 +0000

How much is a 32-year-old left fielder who has only one year left of arbitration to go and tops out at 25 home runs or so worth? Jaws dropping? It at first sounded like a salary dump. I’m curious to see who will go back in the trade. Possibly 12 years of cost control for a one year rental? Please say that one of the guys is Barton.

By: J Canseco

J Canseco — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 20:11:50 +0000

Jackson or Sweeney has to go. How can one of those guys not go?