Kuzul

The Oakland Athletics were hanging tight in the race for the American League 
West division title. After the past two series where the A’s have lost five games out of six that were played, it has become clear the A’s need to make some major adjustments. 

That would involve making trades for a big time bat in the lineup. The only problem is, what self-respecting player would want to play for Bob Geren? This was shown by the most recent trade the A’s have made. 

Instead of getting a big bat from Arizona which has been rumored to be trading pretty much its entire roster, the A’s could only come up with Conor Jackson. No offense to Jackson, who’s a solid hitter, but he’s not the guy who’s going to be a savior for the A’s inept offense. 

Over the last few games there’s been countless times the A’s have had scoring opportunities and the A’s have come up empty each and every time. It hasn’t helped that manager Bob Geren has been shuffling the lineup since the arrival of Jackson either. 

In the second game against the Chicago Cubs, Rajai Davis was benched in favor of Ryan Sweeney in center field. Jackson was actually the leadoff hitter for the A’s. Davis was out of the lineup after going 3-5. 

Just inexcusable managing by Geren. To make matters worse, today’s game was lost because Geren took out Dallas Braden way too early from the game. 

That’s just icing on the cake for how Geren manages the A’s. He doesn’t know what it takes to win because every season the A’s have been nowhere near a playoff spot. This year has been a surprise and with the A’s strong starting pitching they should be able to remain close. 

The issue is, can the A’s bring in a bat to help with the offense? At this point there’s really no positives going for the A’s team. Their next series is against the St. Louis Cardinals and they will be facing Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainright.

Even if the A’s had one of the better offenses in the league, it’d be a scary matchup, but it’s much worse with the pathetic offensive lineup. 

At the end of the series against the Cardinals, the A’s could be easily suffering their fourth straight loss along with having lost eight of their last nine. Even at that point in the season the A’s chance at a playoff spot will be slim to none. 

Lack of confidence for such a young team and will lead to the young starters, specifically Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez, and Vin Mazzaro, to try to make the perfect pitches. 

The end of the season will be a disaster if the A’s can’t find a way to bring in more than just prospects. 

In 2008 the A’s traded Nick Swisher to the Chicago White Sox for Ryan Sweeney and Gio Gonzalez. While, Sweeney has been a solid player for the A’s he’s nowhere near the power threat that Swisher was. 

The most homeruns in a season by Sweeney has been six compared to Swisher who as an A hit a career high 35 in 2006. Gonzalez has come along very well for the A’s and has been one of the more consistent starters for the A’s but it took him some time to get to the big leagues. 

Dan Haren trade along with Connor Robertson for Chris Carter the A’s best power prospect, Brett Anderson, Aaron Cunningham, Dana Eveland, Carlos Gonzalez, and Greg Smith. 

Anderson has become one of the A’s best pitchers but is currently injured. Carter again is the best power prospect for the A’s but hasn’t shown the stick yet at Sacramento to be called up, Eveland is gone, Gonzalez is gone, and Smith is gone. 

Gonzalez showed promise for the A’s but was part of the trade that brought in Matt Holliday. Which, will go down as one of the worst trades that Billy Beane has made. 

Holliday was eventually traded for Brett Wallace, Shane Peterson, and Clayton Mortenson. Wallace is gone, and Peterson and Mortenson down in the minor leagues. 

Joe Blanton was traded for Adrian Cardenas, Matt Spencer, and Josh Outman. Only Outman has seen time in the big leagues and is currently recovering from major surgery. 

Question is where is the Major League talent being traded for? There hasn’t been much and a majority of the players are either in the minors still or have been traded away in parts of other trades. 

The common denominator is the clueless man managing the team, Geren! 

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Today continues the legacy of Bob Geren’s incompetency as the Oakland Athletics manager. How he got invited to be one of the managers in the all-star game by Joe Girardi is beyond me. 

There’s no manager in baseball as clueless as Geren is! Today’s game is just another fine example of just how clueless Geren is on the bench. 

In the top of the seventh inning, the Oakland A’s took a 2-1 lead against the Chicago Cubs. Dallas Braden had his groove going and the Cubs were off balance against him. After throwing 27 pitches in the first inning Braden settled down. 

He was only at 83 pitches after six innings. There’s was no reason at the time to take Braden out of the game; he wasn’t struggling and he wasn’t being hit hard. Braden probably could have gone two more innings, allowing for Andrew Bailey to get a save opportunity. 

Unfortunately for Bailey, he had the opportunity for a save, but was put in a situation where he was going to most likely fail. Michael Wuertz got one out in the eighth inning, but gave up back to back singles before walking the next batter. 

This left the bases loaded for Bailey to come into the game. Bailey gave up a sacrifice fly, but was able to get out of the inning with only one run scoring. That tied the game up at 2-2. 

Instead of leaving Bailey in the game, another pinch hitter was used, leaving Jerry Blevins to pitch the bottom of the ninth. What manager brings in a reliever who’s specialty is getting left handed hitters out, to face right handed hitting batters? 

Secondly, what manager in the ninth inning intentionally walks a hitter to put runners at first and second with one out? The answer is no competent manager would do that, because you don’t put runners on with the game on the line. 

Blevins ended up walking Ryan Theriot to load the bases. This meant the infield was in and the outfield was in as well. Kosuke Fukodome came up and hit a hard grounder through the infield which won the game. 

If the A’s had been playing their defensive normally, that’s a double play ball. It wasn’t like the A’s needed to bring the infield in either, because Geovany Soto was the runner at third base. 

Again another game, another loss at the hands of Bob Geren. When is Geren going to be shown the door? It’s obvious that Geren does not have what it takes to field a winning team! 

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The A’s have certainly had plenty of talented starting pitchers come along over the years. Narrowing down this list to the top 10 was no easy chore, although Robert Slye Jr. did a great job of analyzing the top 10 pitchers in the franchise’s history.

I’m concentrating on just the starting pitchers, and there have been some great ones for this franchise. In fact, half of the pitchers on the top 10 list are in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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With Brett Anderson being on the injured list for most of the season, the Oakland A’s needed someone to step up to become the ace of the staff while Anderson recovered from his injury. 

All signs pointed to Dallas Braden as being the new ace of the staff.

The highlight of Braden’s success came on Mothers Day when he pitched a perfect game. Since then, Braden has struggled. 

Part of the problem has been the lack of run support for the perfect pitcher.

The other problem with Braden is that he doesn’t throw particularly hard and since he throws a slider only on occasion, hitters know that they are either getting a mid-to-high 80s fastball or a change-up that’s in the 70s. 

He’s made six starts as of tonight since the perfect game and has given up 44 hits, 21 runs (19 earned), and has gone 0-4 with two no-decisions in that span. 

Overall Braden has a 4-6 record, two complete games, one shutout, a 3.95 ERA, 81 hits given up, 38 runs (36 earned), 50 strike outs, and walked 14. 

Braden’s numbers aren’t bad but he hasn’t been pitching like an ace.

On the other hand, Gio Gonzalez has been pitching with greater poise and actually has become the most consistent starter on the staff for the A’s. 

Early in the season Gonzalez did have some struggles.

One issue that was noticeable with him was when he got in a little bit of a jam he’d lose his focus and would lose the strikezone. 

He’s been much better as of late in those situations.

Unlike Braden, Gonzalez possesses two above average pitches his slider and fastball. So, when Gonzalez needs to, he can blow a hitter away with a 95 mile-per-hour fastball whereas Braden would try to finesses his way through it and, because of that, he’s liable to give up bloop hits. 

Gonzalez in his last six starts has given up 34 hits, 15 runs (all earned), and has gone 3-1 with two no-decisions. 

Overall for the season, he’s got a record of 6-3, no complete games or shutouts, a 3.58 ERA, given up 60 hits, 29 runs (all 29 earned), and has 61 strikeouts to 32 walks. 

The key to Gonzalez being the ace of the staff came after two late losses in the first two games of their three-game series against the Minnesota Twins.

Gonzalez came through in a big way—throwing seven innings while giving up six hits, two runs, and struck out four while walking one. 

With Gonzalez pitching so well he has taken over as the ace of the young A’s pitching staff in Oakland.

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The Oakland A’s are currently in a battle between two other teams for the American League West title. The A’s have some things that they need to work out to even consider being in contention for the division.

So, here are the seven things the A’s must do in order to win the American League West division.

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Oakland A’s manager Bob Geren nearly blew another game by having Tyson Ross come into the ballgame to face Delmon Young of the Minnesota Twins. With Joe Mauer on base via a free pass, in came Ross to face the right-handed hitting Young. 

Ross immediately fell behind 2-0 to the free-swinging Young. The next pitch that Ross threw was the last one he would for the game, he gave up a two-run home run that went out of the park in a hurry. 

There’s really one simple solution to help Ross though because during the season he has been used as a reliever and a spot starter. Ultimately, Ross is seen as a starter but is currently in the bullpen due to the injuries the A’s have suffered this season.

In the first few games of the season Ross looked good and that he belonged in the Major Leagues. As the season has progressed it has become clear that he is not ready for the Major Leagues.

He has great stuff, specifically his fastball which reaches 95 mph plus and a nice slider. The problem is that he hasn’t been able to consistently throw strikes and he’s been hit.

So far he’s appeared in 17 games as a reliever and two games as a starter. For the season he’s got a 1-4 record with a 6.14 ERA, one save, 22 strikeouts to 13 walks, and 29.1 innings pitched. 

Over the past six appearances for Ross, he has given up four hits, seven runs, and has pitched 2.2 innings. Half of the appearances has resulted in Ross not recording an out and his record in that span is 0-2. 

In the last eight games, Ross has a record of 0-4. He threw an additional 7.2 innings giving up 10 hits and six runs. 

With his current struggles it is clear that Ross needs to be sent down to Triple-A Sacramento to work on his command, and most of all, his confidence. With Michael Wuertz back it would allow for Ross to be sent down. 

Then the A’s could either call up another reliever from Sacramento such as Jon Hunton who currently has a 2.32 ERA in 21 games or Sam Demel who has a 1.04 ERA and five saves.

If not another reliever to take the place of Ross a starter could be brought up such as Clayton Mortenson with a 7-2 record, 4.30 ERA, and 49 strikeouts to 25 walks. 

Vin Mazarro could get another chance in the rotation if he can consistently throw strikes. 

Even Kyle Mittleton who has appeared in 11 games with five of those being starts, he could be a perfect fit to take the place of the struggling Ross because he could be used as a long reliever. 

If Geren and the A’s continue to use Ross as he struggles more and more at the Major League level, he could lose confidence in his abilities and never live up to the expectations that were held for him. 

So, the A’s need to send Ross down to Sacramento so he can get the confidence to succeed as a starter or reliever at the Major League level. 

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Being an umpire in Major League Baseball is though and unlike other major sports instant replay does not benefit them because it is not used. In fact when talk of adding it has been brought up it immediately is struck down because the thought is that it takes away the human element of the game and it would slow the game down.

Baseball is a long game already so the argument that the game would be longer doesn’t sit right. The second part is that yes there’s a human element to the game, but when it costs a team a win or momentum in a game that’s when instant replay needs to become available.

A team should not lose because an umpire blew a call. It happened last year with Matt Holliday who was called safe at home when the Oakland A’s had come back from a big deficit, but the reality is Holliday was out.

Even last year in the playoffs it happened when the Minnesota Twins were taking on the New York Yankees. Mauer hin the ball down into the left field corner and the ball landed right on the chalk, which means fair ball instead Phil Cuzzi ruled the ball foul.

Even with those two examples it doesn’t even compare to the biggest missed call of the decade. This one again involved the New York Yankees, but they were taking on the Oakland A’s in Oakland.

It’s time to go back and look at the play itself.

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The Oakland A’s are in a familiar spot this season just like most of the decade. There’s a need for a big bat in the lineup.

So, far in the young season, the A’s have been hovering near or been in first place in the American League West. 

If the A’s are to win the division, there’s no question of what needs to be addressed for this team, and that is to bring in a big bat to anchor the lineup.

The A’s are currently on a four game losing streak. Over the span of those games the team has faced three left handed pitchers and one right handed pitcher.

So far in the losing the streak, the A’s have managed just five runs against Derek Holland, C.J. Wilson, Joe Saunders, and Ervin Santana. 

It’s the lineup that was brought out against those three left handed pitchers that make the A’s lineup look more like a Minor League team rather then a Major League team.

Here’s what the first game against Holland looked like. 

1. Cliff Pennington

2. Adam Rosales

3. Daric Barton

4. Kevin Kouzmanoff

5. Ryan Sweeney

6. Jake Fox

7. Landon Powell

8. Josh Donaldson

9. Rajai Davis

The game against Wilson saw a lineup of

1. Pennington

2. Rosales

3. Barton

4. Kouzmanoff

5. Fox

6. Powell

7. Donaldson

8. Gabe Gross

9. Davis

Third games lineup was

1. Pennington

2. Rosales

3. Barton

4. Kouzmanoff

5. Fox

6. Powell

7. Donaldson

8. Gross

9. Davis

None of these lineups would scare any Major League pitchers.

In the fourth game against Santana the A’s lineup was a lot better and here’s what that line up was: 

1. Pennington

2. Barton

3. Sweeney

4. Kouzmanoff

5. Eric Chavez

6. Jack Cust

7. Rosales

8. Eric Patterson

9. Powell 

Still, for the A’s the lineup isn’t that strong. As seen by the fact that Patterson is tied for the team lead in homeruns with just four. It also shows the problem with the A’s in games where they don’t score many runs. 

When the A’s score four or more runs, the A’s are 17-1, and when the team scores less than four runs, the team is 1-18.

That’s a big problem because as the season progresses the A’s are going to play in games where they will be scoring four or less runs. 

That means the A’s need to bring in a big bat to the lineup to put some fear into the opposing team’s pitching staff.

Right now the A’s two leading homerun hitters, who both have only hit four balls out of the park, are Patterson and Kurt Suzuki. Unfortunately, Suzuki is on the DL with an injury and has missed the last 20 games. 

Now more than ever is the time for the A’s to bring in a big hitter.

There are a couple of names the A’s should and could acquire in trade especially with their talented minor league prospects.

If it means giving up a big name prospect, then that’s the chance the A’s should take. It shows A’s fans that the team looking for a new ballpark is serious about winning.

One name to consider is Prince Fielder from the Milwaukee Brewers.

He’s a free agent at the end of the year and could sign anywhere. He would bring a huge bat into the middle of the A’s lineup and could offer the protection that has been lacking for Kouzmanoff, who has struggled with the bat this season for the A’s. 

Another possibility to consider would be trading away Tyson Ross, Daric Barton, who has been the best A’s hitter so far this season, Michael Taylor, and one of the young starters the A’s have such as Trevor Cahill, Vin Mazzaro, or Clayton Mortensen. 

Another name that has come up who more than likely will not sign with the San Diego Padres is Adrian Gonzalez.

If the Padres continue to win he maybe untouchable. 

If the A’s were to somehow pry away Gonzalez from the Padres they would have to give up players like Ross, Barton, Cahill/Mazarro, and Chris Carter who is the best prospect the A’s have in terms of power hitting ability. 

Manny Ramirez is another possibility, but his baggage may not be what the A’s want on this young team. But, his ability to hit would definitely add another dimension to the A’s lineup.

Ramirez also knows what it takes to win, something the A’s have had not had since the early part of this decade. 

However, there’s already a rumor that the Mariners may try to trade Cliff Lee for Ramirez because of the Mariners woeful offense.

For the A’s to get Ramirez, a trade for Ross and Mazzaro would be negotiated because it gives the Dodgers young pitching talent that the team has been desperately seeking.

Again, Ross is projected as a solid starter once he gets settled in at the Major League level and Mazzaro is very talented Triple A prospect. 

Lastly, another option for the A’s would be to bring in Jayson Werth from the Phillies.

He’ll also be a free agent at the end of the year and there is a rumor that Werth may cost too much money for the Phillies to retain. 

If that is the case, the Phillies will want to get something for him.

Maybe it means bringing back Michael Taylor, Adrian Cardenas, and Henry Rodriguez. Werth would give the A’s versatility in the outfield because he can play all three positions and he adds a big threat to the lineup. 

There’s one thing for sure and that is that the A’s need a bat in the lineup.

With an addition of the big bat in the lineup it would benefit the pitchers because now they would be able to make a mistake and not have to think about it for very long.

In the 19 losses this season the A’s have managed 38 runs! That’s an average of two per game. 

When the A’s win though, it’s a different story, the team averages 5.4 runs per game in the wins.

That’s a huge difference between the runs scored in losses and the runs scored in wins and with an addition of a big bat into the lineup it gives them a chance to win low scoring games as opposed to losing them. 

Just maybe with the addition of a big bat to the lineup it would excite A’s fans to come to the ballpark and watch this young team compete on a regular basis. 

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Last month, Dallas Braden was the subject of headlines after calling out Alex Rodriguez for taking a shortcut, and that path led right through the pitching mound. Apparently, the feud is still going. 

On the May 8 episode of “Pardon the Interruption,” Braden continued to bait A-Rod, because he felt slighted after the New York Yankees slugger tried to play down comments he made about the Oakland A’s starter having not done much as a major leaguer yet. 

Braden then went on to say, “There’s two ways that I can comment on that, and I’ll give you both of them. One, I was always told if you give a fool enough rope, he’ll hang himself, and with those comments, he had all the rope he needed. No. 2, I didn’t know there was a criteria in order to compete against A-Rod.”

True, Braden isn’t going to blow any team away with his fastball, which is in the high 80s, but it can get up to 90 mph at times. Braden also has an outstanding changeup, and will throw a curveball on occasion. 

But on the mound, Braden doesn’t back down from hitters — he goes after them. The 26-year-old lefty is a young, confident pitcher, and if he remains healthy, he could pitch for many years.

But, what makes A’s fans love Braden is that he just doesn’t back down, and claims that, “Rodriguez also is a selfish player. He plays for the name on the back of the jersey, not the front. I don’t know if he’s noticed, but he doesn’t have a name on the back over there so he should play for the name on the front.”

There are many people who despise Rodriguez, and Braden worded it perfectly of A-Rod’s demeanor.

But on Sunday, Braden proved to MLB, specifically A-Rod, on just how good he can be by tossing the game’s first perfect game in 42 years, a 4-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Oakland.

Braden became the 19th hurler in MLB history to complete pitching’s ultimate feat, effectively dismissing and discrediting A-Rod’s assertion that Braden hasn’t done much. 

Against the best team in baseball, Braden had everything going for him —h is changeup was outstanding, his fastball was located perfectly, and his curveball was spot-on. 

His pitching line: nine innings, six strikeouts, 109 pitches, and most importantly, 27 up, 27 down.

There was some nervousness for A’s fans in the ninth inning, though.

After getting the first out of the inning on a soft liner to Daric Barton, the Rays’ Dioner Navarro hit a hard line drive, but it was right at Eric Patterson, who made the catch. 

The last batter of the game, Gabe Kapler, came to the plate and worked a 3-1 count on Braden. But Kapler swung at the next pitch before grounding out to Cliff Pennington at shortstop to end the game.

Take that, A-Rod!

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Last year the Oakland A’s made big noise in the acquisition of Matt Holliday. Unfortunately, it also meant that the A’s gave up talent to the Colorado Rockies to get him and now that talent is doing so much more than Holliday did in an A’s uniform.

This trade by far was the worst decision Beane has ever made for the A’s. He gave up Carlos Gonzalez, Greg Smith, and Huston Street to bring Holliday over from the Rockies. Holliday didn’t win many fans in Oakland with his lackadaisical play and his slow start to the season.

He eventually was traded on July 24th, 2009 to the St. Louis Cardinals and the A’s brought in Brett Wallace, Shane Peterson, and Clayton Mortensen. Only Mortenson has seen time in the big leagues for the A’s. Wallace was traded this off season to the Toronto Blue Jays for Michael Taylor.

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