Olney's Latest: Sabathia, Ellis, Embree, Giles

I agree with Olney about Sabathia. Sabathia would be an out-standing addition to the pitching staff and a huge up-grade to the team. Lets go sign him!

The A's have too much middle infield talent in the minors, they have to either let Ellis go or trade Crosby. I'm preferable to dealing Crosby, I love his attitude and outlook on the game, but Ellis is a true Vet and thats something that's gonna be needed next year. I say deal Crosby in a deal similar to the Marco Scutaro deal, no big name prospects but maybe a sleeper. Then I'd say the A's opening day lineup looks something like this:

C - Kurt Suzuki
1B - Daric Barton
2B - Mark Ellis
3B - Eric Chavez/Offseason signee
SS - Cliff Pennington
LF - Travis Buck/Aaron Cunningham
CF - Carlos Gonzalez
RF - Ryan Sweeney

Looks pretty beast to me.

AriGoldisaG-

1. I agree that the A's should trade Crosby and hold Ellis. Ellis is more valuable defensively, and that's huge with all the young pitchers coming through the system.

However, with his current and past injuries, I doubt he gets more than 2 years. The A's shouldn't give him more than 2 years, for Cardenas and Weeks could be ready in 2010.

2. Eric Chavez might not be able to play 3B next year. If he were to be moved to 1B, I would advocate Pennington moving to 3B, with either a trade/signing of an SS or holding on to Crosby for one more year.

"The A's have too much middle infield talent in the minors, they have to either let Ellis go or trade Crosby."

But Oakland's top infield prospects, Adrian Cardenas and Jemile Weeks aren't going to be ready come opening day. For example, Jemile Weeks has only played 19 games in Single-A ball while Cardenas will need to maintain his solid swing in Double-A ball. I could see Cardenas being called up mid-season or being a September call-up, but Jemile Weeks won't be up in the majors for at least another year and a half. The Athletics do have other options though such as Jack Hannahan, Cliff Pennington, Eric Patterson, Donnie Murphy, and Gregorio Petit. However, Hannahan and Murphy look like backups for now until they adjust their swings in the majors, and Patterson and Petit will need to adjust their swings in Triple-A. Though I do think that Pennington would be an interesting option for the A's next year. Pennington was a first round pick in 2005. However, it's hard to say whether Pennington will do well next year in the majors or go back to Triple-A depending on how he does in spring training. With all those un-certainties, I think it would be the best idea to re-sign Mark Ellis. Even though he did have an off year batting only .233 with 12 homers and 41 RBIs, making last season his worst mark in his major league career, Ellis has had the best fielding percentage for a second basemen for the past three seasons in the AL with a .995 fielding percentage during that span. Ellis also provides the A's with a veteran leader along with having a very good sportsmanship. I think that it would probably take a 2 year, $12 MM contract with perhaps a $7MM option for the third year.

whos going to trade for crosby?

What does Crosby's contract look like?

green_and_gold- I meant Foulke and Embree were the A's WORST relievers. I just didn't reread my post.

Devine and Ziegler were the A's best, hands down.

Crosby should get the Mark Kotsay treatment: eat most of his salary and trade for something. Detroit makes sense as a stopgap.

why would pirates want him, they are trying to dump wilson too. replace one lousy SS with another?

i'd like to see a deal for 3b laroche though, A's have pitching to spare