A's Interested In Nick Johnson, Jason Giambi

Johnson is a very nice player, but the guy is NEVER healthy.

Then again, he walks a lot and is always injured. Sounds like an Oakland ballplayer.

I usually have nothing to add ever, but just for the record (and I only mention it because I really didn't like Jim Bowden as Reds GM), Jim Bowden wasn't responsible for Aaron Harang.

Brad Kullman traded for Harang as interim GM between Bowden's firing and Dan O'Brien's hiring.

"I usually have nothing to add ever, but just for the record (and I only mention it because I really didn't like Jim Bowden as Reds GM), Jim Bowden wasn't responsible for Aaron Harang.

Brad Kullman traded for Harang as interim GM between Bowden's firing and Dan O'Brien's hiring."

Can't you let him have ONE trade to his credit?! :)

A's do sound like a contender if they lock up Furcal and Johnson and if they stey healthy.

Bout time someone in the AL West tries to better themselves and doesn't make the division look like a joke.

Who is ready in the A's minor league system to make an impact? Holliday and Johnson would be a huge boost if guys like Patterson are ready. That pitching staff is going to be among the best in the league sooner or later, but will they be ready this year? Duscherer, Gallagher, Gonzalez, Eveland, and whose the fifth now that Smith is gone?

Even without Furcal that team could be competitive if the Angels fail to sign Teixeira or Sabathia. Why isn't Giambi being brought up more?

trading for*

have no clue what johnson's value is...100ab's in 2 seasons, makes 5.5 mill for 09...plus he wont behealthy to start 09. maybe A's are willing to take on the contract if they can dump crosby on another team. bowden likes hard throwers, speed, toolsy guys. maybe cassilla or eric patterson interests him? this would end any pursuit of giambi, who actually can hit and is healthy

I wonder if Nick Johnson is traded that means the Nationals think they have the inside track on Tex?

If they traded Johnson and didn't get Tex, who would be their next 1B option?

I don't really think Overbay is Beane's type of guy. I'm thinking if it isn't NJ, it's going to be Giambi.

"The team would be more competitive, but possibly not enough to knock out the Angels. Angels still have a good 1-4 rotation without Sabathia."

I have to disagree. Love Lackey/Santana at the top, but I think Saunders comes back down to earth and they raelly outplayed their Pythagorean W/L last year (88 games I think is what they should have won). I think the West is very winnable.

That is of course unless the Angels go lock up CC.

"If they traded Johnson and didn't get Tex, who would be their next 1B option?"

Assuming Willie Harris plays 2B, an OF of Milledge/Langerhans/Dukes, with Willingham at 1B.

I'm wondering where this would leave Daric Barton. Perhaps he would be part of the deal? What would it reasonably take for Oakland to get Johnson? I guess Crosby wouldn't have much value to Washington since they've got Guzman at SS.

melonis rex sorry but langerhans isn't even on the team any more and anderson hernandez or ronnie belliard would play a 2nd before harris all he is is a good utility guy the 13 homers where a fluke sorry willie also pena and kearns would fight for the outfield spot.

i just cant see giving much up for a guy who's barely played the last 2 yrs

A's take on the 5mill...salary dump

give up a depth player like robnett, cassilla, or patterson

And if the A's want Nick Johnson he should be free. No way he commands prospects + having the A's pick up his entire salary.

He makes Rich Harden look like Cal Ripken.

"Cubby fan23: Are you saying the Angels don't have a GOOD 1-4 rotation?"

Not at all, it's a very solid one. Saunders is at the worst still a decent guy to throw every fifth day. I just don't think it's such a knockout rotation that it prevents anyone else from contending in the AL West.

"Some day I hope to live in a world where people stop bringing up the Angels record as it relates to Pyth and Francisco Rodriguez's high injury risk (even though he has pitched injury free for 7 years).

Two of the most irrelevant facts ever."

Perhaps if you failed math in high school they are. I'm not totally sure how judging a team's chances of future success based on statistics in the past is irrelevant. What do we go on then?

And it's off topic, but K-Rod's injury risk isn't based on the fact that he hasn't gotten (or has gotten) hurt in the past. It's based on a drop in velocity, a drop in other numbers like K/BB rates that signal a problem with the arm at worst, or a pitcher who is not going to be the stud he once was at best.

"He makes Rich Harden look like Cal Ripken." ---- Very funny

"Some day I hope to live in a world where people stop bringing up the Angels..."

I agree with this portion of your statement. It's bad enough having the cubby fans all over the comment boards, but why do the halo fans feel like they have to jump in and destroy every article that pertains to Oakland? I respect the heck out of the organization, but their fans blow harder than the Santa Ana winds.

that must be one LONG report. As I'm sure has been said he has a lot of talent, but just can't stay healthy. Could be a steal.

A's should send em Crosby for Johnson after Furcal signs.

They make similar money, both come off the books after the '09 season, both have tons of unfulfilled potential, and both would represent a surplus given a Furcal signing and the Nats going hard after Tex with Dmitri Young and Josh Willingham already in tow.

Crosby could move to 2nd and significantly improve their infield defense. Maybe a change of scenery is just what the doctor ordered for getting his head right.

Yeah I agree, Johnson is the type of player the Nationals need, high risk high reward for not too much $$ or too much of a commitment. Not sure what you gain by trading him if the return is minimal.

CubbyFan23 - what were you saying 7 years ago about K-Rod? Maybe you didn't have an opinion of him then. Let me tell you what the "experts" have claimed ever since he was in the minors.

1. K-Rod's mass effort motion makes him susceptible to tiring and leading to a fatgiue based injury.
2. K-Rod's unorthodox motion makes him susceptible to injuring himself.
3. K-Rod's slight build will lead to injuries and fatigue.

You can argue all you want about how effective K-Rod is. My point was related to references regarding his durability.

As for pyth I get the math. I'm quite good at math. My only comment is that the method doesn't accurate reflect projected win/loss for each teams style of play. The system assumes that winning close games is a function of luck rather than a function of a solid bullpen.

If pyth was really the way to determine win/loss then the Jays would have been the 2nd best team in the league (behind the Red Sox). Incidentally, the Jays were the 3rd best team in baseball according to pyth.

As for it's predictive value in the next year take a look at 2007 results.

Cubs were 88-74 (pyth) in 2007. They add a subpar RF and go on to win 97 games. The Red Sox were 103-59 (pyth) in 2007 and they go on to win (with virtually the same team) 95 games in 2008. One more example, the Rays pyth was 66-96 in 2007. Their record in 2008 was 97-65. Their big off-season acquisition - Matt Garza.

I don't care what the stat is. If you only look at one stat you will miss the bigger pitcher. Pyth has gotten it really wrong for the Angels the past 3 years. This doomsday talk is silly. With or without Furcal/Johnson the Angels walk away with the AL West.

Nick Johnson is perpetually injured and you can never count on him. He's a major risk, but if he comes cheap enough I suppose he's worth the risk.

KangarooBoxer26- Agreed. And, Beane won't/shouldn't move Cust. I'd much rather take Cust than Giambi at this stage of their careers. Giambi shouldn't be allowed to put on a glove. Ever.

jolstad- I'll repeat it again. Giambi cannot play defense. He HAS to DH. Giambi playing 1B is the A's giving back runs to the opposing team. With the A's young pitching staff, defense is HUGE for any kind of success.