Links for Saturday, as Ubaldo Jimenez prepares for his third attempt at his 18th win….
- Alex Speier of WEEI spoke to Red Sox draftees Anthony Ranaudo and Brandon Workman about their down to the wire negotiations.
- Greg Dobbs has cleared waivers and accepted a minor league assignment, tweets Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Phillies designated Dobbs for assignment earlier this week.
- After sending Conor Jackson back to the disabled list, the Athletics could use another bat, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Rosenthal notes that the market for right-handed hitters is fairly thin.
- Despite being suspended 50 games for a drug policy violation, Ronny Paulino could be back with the Marlins next year, writes Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.
- As Jim Tracy tells Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post, Brad Hawpe's DFA doesn't mean the 31-year-old will never be a Rockie again.
- A few Reds who spoke to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon are hoping Dusty Baker will accept the team's extension offer.
- Recently-acquired Joe Saunders is excited about the future in Arizona, according to Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic.
So Ken Rosenthal agrees with me…The A’s aren’t completely out of it.
Not yet, but someone has to carry there offense and get hot, Crisp will cool down soon. Kouz has been known to go on month raking streaks and not hit after that so they could use that, or Cust.
The A’s have a history of playing better as the season progresses, the Rangers, not so much. It would not surprise me for the A’s to “come out of nowhere” and win the division.
I agree
puff puff pass
At this point the A’s are borderline, it is definitely do or die time for them. The good news is they don’t have to worry about their pitching staff since it has been great for them. But as you said they need the offense to get hot. I could see Cust getting hot and becoming a driving force for the A’s. Also I have a feeling if the A’s get on a roll Kurt Suzuki will get his bat going too. The trade market though is pretty void of right handed hitters though, so I think they will have to rely on what they have to make a push.
Your right on the pitching side as long as they stay healthy but the offense is not bad. It’s terrible. They don’t have one player in their lineup in my mind that is the leader of this ball club. They need a guy that can hit. Crisp, davis and sweeney are not a good combo in the outfield. No power in the outfield and minimum in the infield barring Kouzmanoff. Kurt Suzuki is thier main man on offense and I don’t think you wan’t your catcher to have that responsibility.
thats putting your guts on the table but sorry i’m going to have to smash them. The A’s no doubt have had a surprising season but they do not have the talent to finish the season winning. Also the A’s have shown they are not willing to dive in to strike a deal and Texas has. Oakland has been hit the injuries with Braden, and Anderson and others. They are missing a big bat and I’m not sure Cust is that guy. Sorry Oakland fans, they are on the right track though if that helps.
Ronny should be back. He mashes LH pitching.
I wonder why.
Mr. Saunders-with your horrific peripherals, do explain why you should be excited. While you are talking about Arizona’s future as a whole, chances are you won’t be a major contributor (or even minor one) pitching in that ballpark.
Ya, Saunders is almost implying that he will remain a diamondback and I don’t see that happening. The rotation of the Dbs will see a major overhauling.
Why am I not surprised that Greg Dobbs is back with the Phillies orginaization? They just can’t seem to quit each other, can they?
Dobbs is their utility player forever. Can’t wait to see Dobbs at age 50 filling in for the 45 year old Utley. Can you imagine the phillies future. :}
what future? someone explain the term “non-tender” to mr. saunders
The Red Sox have alot of “Anthonys” and “Ryans” in their farm system.
And a lot of Yamaico’s…wait
2 is a lot? There’s Rizzo and Ranaudo, that’s it.
So Jim Tracy says he’s let Hawpe go so he could hook up with a contender, but he would be welcomed back. But there’s the matter of 500k Hawpe will be owed when the ’11 option isn’t picked up by what ever team –if any– picks him up. Rock’s trying to save that cash buyout and could care less about “contenders.”
Semi surprised no team claimed Dobbs. He won’t make that much for the rest of the season and is a solid PH who can play 1B3B. Probably about 300k.
He would have been an upgrade for Kotsay for the Chi. Sox.
The Cards could’ve used him at 3B and still could even with Feliz. The Pads could have also used his veteran presence off the bench.
I know he doesn’t have good numbers this year, but he is streaky and could get hot down the stretch….like he did last year.
Cheers