Happy birthday to Rangers manager Ron Washington, who turns 59 years old today. Let's celebrate by taking a look at some items from Washington's division…
- Daric Barton admits that he has been thinking about his multiyear contract negotiations with the Athletics, reports Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. "It's always in the back of your mind," Barton said. "It's not something you like to think about, but realistically, it happens." We heard about these negotiations last month, with MLBTR's Tim Dierkes noting that Barton's walk-heavy production could make him a bargain for the A's if they choose to go to arbitration with the first baseman.
- The Angels are integrating young players into their lineup while still remaining competitive in the AL West, writes Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
- Mike Trout is having a nice season at Double-A Arkansas, but ESPN.com's Jason A. Churchill predicts Trout will only reach the majors in 2011 if the Angels want to give him a few token at-bats in September. Churchill speculates that Trout might skip Triple-A altogether and potentially make the Angels out of Spring Training next year, or at least be in the majors by May 2012 (or after next year's Super Two cutoff date).
- Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports profiles Mariners right-hander Tom Wilhelmsen, who made his improbable Major League debut this season after spending five years away from the sport.
I would bet that if by the deadline the angles are 8+ games back they trade someone like abreu and slot either kendrys or trout in at dh. It’s late enough in the year to delay his service time. Gives them a great look at him and he could spark them to make a run
Why would they put Trout as a DH? His fielding is some of his best assets. If they don’t call him up in early June that aren’t going to call him up at the end of July.
wth DH?!? do you know who Trout is? If for some strange reason they do that they would put Wells or Hunter at DH before Trout.
Why the heck would Barton negotiate with the A’s right now? If I were the A’s and I did give him a multi-year deal, I think he’d be the first player in the last 10 or more years that got offered a multi-year deal that averaged less than $1MM per season. Honestly I wouldn’t go beyond 3 years/$1.3MM- meaning he’d still make the league minimum- and even then I wouldn’t be comfortable on the years. Dude needs to figure out how to hit before he talks about an extension.
Yes, he’s struggling so far this year, but he was productive last season.
Refreshing honesty by players…
what do they do when trout comes up? do they trade hunter or boby? and what do they do with trumbo when kendry comes back. I say trade amarista, trumbo, santana and bell for David wright, J.A. Happ, Ricky Romero,or Cole Hamels after kendry comes back
Agreed. It’s refreshing when players are honest.
It’s just natural to be thinking about your future, job stability, etc. Barton is a nice young player. Hope the A’s lock him up. He should come cheap as not many teams are on the look-out for no power 1B.