Unfortunately, Athletics third baseman Scott Sizemore is out for the 2012 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Assistant GM David Forst addressed reporters today, explaining that Josh Donaldson will get the first look as his potential replacement. The team will look both internally and externally for other options, though Forst noted that spring training is generally not a time for trading.
Donaldson, 26, is a catcher by trade, but he's played the infield corners and a touch of outfield in the minors. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, "The A's liked the work Donaldson did at third base the final month of last season at Triple-A Sacramento and at winter ball in the Dominican Republic, and they believe he's improved enough defensively to handle the position at the big-league level. In addition, some think Donaldson will hit better when he's not catching." The A's have a few other internal candidates, but a little outside help is worth considering.
Slusser wrote Sunday the A's would be likely to have interest in Alberto Callaspo of the division-rival Angels, if they could get him without parting with a significant prospect. Our free agent tracker shows a few minor league deal options, such as Miguel Tejada and Wes Helms. Where could the A's look if they are to get more aggressive on the trade market this summer?
Baltimore's Mark Reynolds could become available, though he's not known for his defense and has limited no-trade protection. Chone Figgins is another midseason name to consider, but only if he gets off to a strong start and the Mariners assume most of the money remaining on his contract. Same goes for Brandon Inge of the Tigers. I could see the Rockies moving Casey Blake, should Nolan Arenado force the issue in a few months. Projected as a short-side platoon partner at the infield corners for the Pirates, Casey McGehee might prefer a chance to play regularly again.
The A's are in a weird spot, as Sizemore seemed something of a stopgap himself. Most likely if they bring in anyone this spring, it'll be a free agent on a minor league deal, or a trade for someone who signed one, such as Blake, Brooks Conrad, Jose Lopez, Mark Teahen, or Brandon Wood. In that case, guys like Donaldson and Stephen Parker might as well get looks.
Fine, someone tell Billy to call me up, I’ll do it.
Jack Hannahan
Hannahan for Co Co with Sizemore going down this would be a one for one that helps both teams this year IMHO.
I don’t see Oak giving up all those SB for a kid who was hot for a couple months.
Matt Carpenter from the Cardinals could be a good fit that wouldn’t cost a lot. He has the potential to be a solid 3B but he’s never going to get that chance in St. Louis. He’s now 26 and it appears he will be the odd-man out and not get a regular roster spot again. I like him quite a bit so I’d like to see him traded somewhere he could get a chance to become the regular 3B.
I thought the same thing.
That is one lean list of names. sure, reynolds has the power, but -0- else.. helms is getting old. Man.. beane has his work cut out here as the available FA for 3b was brutal anyway outside of Ramirez.
I bet you he sure wishes had held onto Bailey a little longer before the swap with Boston and tried to work up something bigger to involve Middlebrooks about now.
Totally agree! Perhaps local kid McGahee would be a nice fit. Chavy is my favorite, but he wouldn’t even WANT a full-time gig!
I don’t think the Sox would give up Middlebrooks in a Bailey deal
If the deal had been widened. Seem to recall there was talk of Suzuki mentioned at one time also. Boston seems to be more than happy with Salty and he was league avg in 2011.
But? Water under the bridge now.. Beane is a smart GM and will find someone for sure.
The Greek God of Walks… I’d be okay if Beane takes him from us. He wanted him all that time before and even if he’s older now, he’s still the Greek God of walks.
yeah.. You know? Not picking on Boston fans here now but here me out please…
We Sox fans have been blessed with really good 3b for 50+ years and sometimes take it for granted.. Frank malzone, Then George Scott played it a few years before going to 1B, Joe Foy, Rico petrocelli, Butch Hobson, Wade Boggs, Billy Mueller, Lowel, Youk.
What is missing there? Someone was ready before the previous inhabitant was either traded, retired, or moved to another position. That would not be the case if Youk is moved yet, cause it looks like Middlebrooks isn’t quite ready for a break in for a team contendinding for the playoffs and there would be a roulette of standins breaking a 50+ year old tradition of steady, solid players at 3b… One position, even over LF where they had 3 consecutive HOF of good ball players.
Then? Maybe I just don’t like seeing traditions broken also…
Maybe trade the Greek God of Walks to Billy Beane?
Eric Chavez! Oh wait…
yankees have Hall and Branyan signed to minor-league contracts and neither one will make the team. either one would make a decent “insurance” back-up for Donaldson.
Branyan is nothing left but a DH and an emergency 1B. Bill Hall isn’t good enough to be in the majors anymore. Really don’t want the A’s to waste a roster spot on him. The only real options I see are McGehee hoping that he returns to his ’09 and ’10 form or Donaldson.
Where’s Bobby Crosby?
A free agent, it appears. A free agent who hasn’t hit over .237 in the last seven seasons, but a free agent none the less.
Instead of Mark Reynolds from the O’s, why not Josh Bell?
It would be a nice spot for Roger Dorn to make a long awaited comeback!
The A’s resemble the ‘Major League’ Indians, it could happen!
Charlie Sheen is available I think, and the bullpen could use an extra arm.
what is up with sizemores? is it some kind of a gene that gives athletic ability and then takes it away with injury? allowing low dosage, doctor-controlled hgh’s maybe a good thing for the baseball.
As time goes on and hgh and PED’s become medically acceptible and prominent throughout mainstream society it will happen. Bonds looks pretty good as he approaches fifty. These guys (and gals) that were doing PED’s under medical supervision seem to be doing fine. It’s a shame because horror stories of people taking ridiculous amounts of steroids and the sanctity of the game argument ishurting all of us. Lots of us have injuries that hgh etc. could help. Public opinion will come around over time.
The Rangers have a great prospect for 3B in Mike Olt, but I don’t see anything for the Rangers in the A’s roster for a trade match up.
I wonder if Beane and Theo are on the phone right now talking about Blake DeWitt. He’d be an acceptable stopgap – he has a decent amount of upside and no place to play in the Cubs’ infield.
He’s a warm body that would definitely fill the hole.
How about Matt Dominguez from the Marlins system? He’s blocked by Hanley now. If he costs too much in trade, I definitely see the Rockies having some guys the A’s would take. Brandon Wood and Casey Blake were mentioned, but the Rox probably would also consider moving EY2, Nelson or Herrera.
I was thinking along the same lines. Matt Carpenter is blocked in St. Louis by David Freese. I’d imagine there are plenty of options out there like Carpenter, Dominguez, etc, if the A’s decide to look on the trade market.
I’m curious what will happen with Nelson. This is his last shot with the Rockies. Will he break camp with them? Even if he does well, I expect he’ll be moved shortly. But I would love for him to have a breakout Spring, win the 3B job over Blake and stick. Just doubt that will happen.
Watch Billy trade for David Wright
Don’t tease us like that! haha
at the moment, I would be more than happy with someone who still has options (and better yet, prospect status, more years under control just in case)
list of (possible) options, in order, including internal and external guys
matt carpenter
taylor green
josh donaldson
todd frazier
james darnell
conoro gillaspie
stephen parker
matt dominguez
getting the external ones and/or their availability, however, is a complete different story
Trading for a third basemen when you are currently scrapping the entire team would not be prudent. They should just give Josh Donaldson, Eric Sogard, and Adam Rosales a shot until Sizemore could comeback. I think Sizemore should still get the job when he comes back for next year.
A msg. to Dan Duquette – Please, please, please trade Mark Reynolds. Ask Billy Beane for a couple of fungo bats and a box of used balls. Anything. Just get him off the team.
On behalf of A’s fans, please, no!
Why do you think the D-Backs let him go so cheap?
Why would the Mariners give Figgins away if he starts off hot?
Why would the M’s just give Figgins away if he starts off hot?
Taylor Green would also be an interesting fit, being blocked by Aramis in Milwaukee and all.
Long-term, the A’s still need a great third baseman, Scott Sizemore is really only a stop-gap in my opinion – looks to be a .250 15hr hitter. That’s decent enough but not a long-term corner-infielder IMHO. Would love to see someone like Donaldson fill-in until the A’s can trade for a really solid 3B prospect mid-season. In my dreams Manny produces and the A’s trade him and Coco mid-season for a ML-ready 3B stud!
Is Sal Bando still alive. He’d be a better option that Eric Chavez, who stole $66 million from the A’s and then magically regained his ability to hit/spot start when the Yankess signed him. It was a miracle.
Callaspo for who?
If the A’s didn’t sign Manny, i think the Angels and A’s could have hooked up on a deal of Callaspo + Abreu for low level prospect and salary relief. Basically including Callaspo in a deal with Abreu to make the A’s take more salary.
Don’t know why the Angels would help the A’s (pity?) but can’t the two still swing a deal for Callaspo?
Don’t know why the Angels would help the A’s (pity?) but can’t the two still swing a deal for Callaspo?
Bobby Crosby is currently serving as an Area Scout for the Toronto Blue Jays in Gilbert, Arizona.[
Why not sign Tejada to a minor league deal? If he doesn’t do well in the spring, you are not out much, and if he does do well, it is another homecoming like they have done over the years with Reggie, Rudi, Canseco, Giambi, and Rickey.
Why not sign Tejada to a minor league deal? If he doesn’t do well in the spring, you are not out much, and if he does do well, it is another homecoming like they have done over the years with Reggie, Rudi, Canseco, Giambi, and Rickey.
They should trade prospects for one of the third basemen behind chase Headly in sd or for John McDonald from dbacks
Give “Miggy” a shot, it’s only spring training…
I think Cerrano is primed for a comeback. He’s got to be tired of those Allstate commercials by now…
not really, he’s had all of 0 plate appearances in the bigs and he’s already on the wrong side of 30, he’s a true career minor leaguer.
internal options: Josh Donaldson, Stephen Parker (needs a year but he’s got the strike zone control that could make him a sleeper out of spring training)
external options: matt carpenter, matt dominguez, todd frazier, taylor green