Baseball Guru
02-19-2002, 03:04 PM
'We're not a one-man team,' Oakland manager Art Howe says as spring training opens without Jason Giambi
February 16, 2002
By JEFF FLETCHER
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
PHOENIX
When Art Howe makes his first address to the A's full squad next week, he doesn't plan to mention the name Jason Giambi.
Of course, the A's manager doesn't really need to talk to his players about recovering from the loss of their franchise player. They'll no doubt be reminded of it every day by the media.
Many of those questions have started already, and the A's have collectively given a simple answer: This team is still loaded, even with the bulky tattooed slugger having bolted to the New York Yankees.
"I know we're not a one-man team," Howe said. "Obviously, he did a great job when he was here, and we will miss him; but we had a guy named McGwire a few years back, and it hurt to lose him, too. But you have to turn the page and move forward and pick up the pieces and do the best job you can. We are far from destitute. We are in a lot better shape when we lost Jason than when we lost Mark. We are still a very, very good team."
The reason for that will largely be apparent today, when guys named Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito report for spring training, along with the other pitchers and catchers.
"To be honest with you, I think that we're in better position than we were last year, with our starters and our bullpen," outfielder Terrence Long said. "You've got no choice but to believe in a pitching staff like that. When you've got all three of them going in a three- or four-game series, that's almost a guarantee we're going to win three of four."
Long's statement would seem a bit of an exaggeration, except that's exactly what the A's did for the final three months of the 2001 season. Behind the lights-out pitching of the Big Three and Cory Lidle, the A's took 67 of their last 87 games to win 102 and cruise to the wild card. The A's had four starters finish in the league's top 10 in earned-run average, and the team ERA of 3.59 was tied for second in the majors.
That pitching staff remains largely intact, except that closer Jason Isringhausen has been replaced by Billy Koch, who is two years younger and has 25 more career saves.
Because of their pitching, the A's once again will go into the season as at least a co-favorite, along with the Seattle Mariners, in the American League West. Assuming that the staff performs to its potential without injuries -- the sound you hear is Howe knocking on the nearest piece of wood -- the A's have no questions in that area.
As for the rest of the team, a handful of issues ought to become much clearer during spring training:
How will the clubhouse be without Giambi?
Never mind the phenomenal numbers Giambi posted in the middle of the A's lineup. He was almost as valuable as the pulse of the team in the clubhouse.
Infielder Eric Chavez said one of his first questions in the spring will be what the clubhouse is like without the dominant personality of Giambi at the center. Howe said he'll also be looking to see who rises to the top as a leader.
"I think Terrence will be more involved in that area," Howe said. "Don't be surprised if Chavez steps up, too. In the pitching area, I have no concern because Hudson is definitely a leader on this club. It's just difficult for a pitcher to be a leader in the whole clubhouse, but he's certainly not afraid to put his two cents in when it's needed."
Veteran outfielder Dave Justice should also provide some short-term leadership, although he isn't likely to be around past this season.
How will the batting order look?
There's probably not a single spot in the order that is settled. Outfielder Jermaine Dye probably will hit cleanup, and Chavez, Long and Justice will certainly be somewhere in the middle, but otherwise the lineup is going to be an ongoing project this spring.
The most pressing issue will be Giambi's old No. 3 spot. Howe said Justice might get the first shot, because he's got the experience to handle the responsibility that comes with hitting third. Chavez might also get a look there.
The A's are also without a true leadoff hitter since Johnny Damon signed with the Boston Red Sox. Howe said he definitely will not use Long, who hit first in 2000, back in the leadoff spot. It probably will be either Frank Menechino or Randy Velarde, whichever happens to be playing second base at the time. Menechino had a .369 on-base percentage last year, which is pretty good considering that he slumped the entire second half.
The No. 2 spot will also be interesting. Designated hitter Jeremy Giambi hit there for much of the second half last year, but at the end of the season Howe was enamored with putting Miguel Tejada in that spot. Howe said he's not planning to put Tejada back at No. 2.
Is Carlos Pena ready?
The A's acquired Pena from the Texas Rangers with the idea that he would be their first baseman of the future. They'd love him to be the first baseman of the present, and there is a good chance that he might be, but the A's aren't going to force him in there. They are especially leery of pressuring him to be The Next Giambi.
"I'll have a few conversations with him," Howe said. "I'll just tell him we traded for you because of you. Don't try to do more than what you can ... We certainly don't want him to think he has to carry the team the way Jason was capable of doing. Hopefully, he'll evolve into a player like that, but we don't expect it out of the chute."
Considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball, Pena, 23, has had impressive numbers in four seasons since he was a first-round pick. Last year at Triple A, he hit .288 with 23 homers in 119 games, with a .550 slugging percentage and .408 on-base percentage.
If Pena isn't ready, the A's can probably use Scott Hatteberg, Jeremy Giambi and Olmedo Saenz at first. Each would be just a temporary solution, though.
How is Jermaine Dye's leg?
Dye, who shattered his shin bone on a foul ball during Game 4 of the playoffs last October, has been hitting and throwing, but he still can't run.
The A's are going to take it slow with him because they don't want him to alter his mechanics to protect his leg if it's still sore. Dye probably won't participate fully in spring training at first, and he might not get into any exhibition games until the second week of March. Still, that would give him three weeks of games, which he says is plenty.
"I can get ready for the season in about a week and a half, two weeks of games," Dye said. "Spring training is mainly for pitchers. For us hitters, we get so many swings that we are just dead at the end of the spring anyway."
How will Esteban German look?
Despite the exodus of prospects in general manager Billy Beane's recent trades, at least one young hotshot remains in the pipeline, close to being ready for the majors. The A's no doubt held on to German because he potentially fills two of their most immediate needs: he's a second baseman who has the speed and on-base percentage to hit leadoff.
Although the A's are satisfied with Menechino, he's 31 years old and not likely to get much better. German is just 23.
Last year at Double A, he had a .415 on-base percentage, and then a .457 mark when he was moved up to Triple A for the final month of the season. He stole a combined 48 bases. He still needs work defensively, so he could eventually be an outfielder.
A's SPRING TRAINING
WHERE: Phoenix.
WHEN: Pitchers and catchers report today, with first workout Sunday. Full squad reports on Wednesday, with first workout on Thursday.
WHO'S NEW: IF/C Scott Hatteberg, LHP Mike Holtz, OF David Justice, RHP Billy Koch, 1B Carlos Pena, 2B Randy Velarde, LHP Mike Venafro.
WHO'S GONE: IF Mark Bellhorn, OF Johnny Damon, 1B Jason Giambi, LHP Mark Guthrie, OF Ron Gant, RHP Gil Heredia, RHP Jason Isringhausen.
February 16, 2002
By JEFF FLETCHER
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
PHOENIX
When Art Howe makes his first address to the A's full squad next week, he doesn't plan to mention the name Jason Giambi.
Of course, the A's manager doesn't really need to talk to his players about recovering from the loss of their franchise player. They'll no doubt be reminded of it every day by the media.
Many of those questions have started already, and the A's have collectively given a simple answer: This team is still loaded, even with the bulky tattooed slugger having bolted to the New York Yankees.
"I know we're not a one-man team," Howe said. "Obviously, he did a great job when he was here, and we will miss him; but we had a guy named McGwire a few years back, and it hurt to lose him, too. But you have to turn the page and move forward and pick up the pieces and do the best job you can. We are far from destitute. We are in a lot better shape when we lost Jason than when we lost Mark. We are still a very, very good team."
The reason for that will largely be apparent today, when guys named Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito report for spring training, along with the other pitchers and catchers.
"To be honest with you, I think that we're in better position than we were last year, with our starters and our bullpen," outfielder Terrence Long said. "You've got no choice but to believe in a pitching staff like that. When you've got all three of them going in a three- or four-game series, that's almost a guarantee we're going to win three of four."
Long's statement would seem a bit of an exaggeration, except that's exactly what the A's did for the final three months of the 2001 season. Behind the lights-out pitching of the Big Three and Cory Lidle, the A's took 67 of their last 87 games to win 102 and cruise to the wild card. The A's had four starters finish in the league's top 10 in earned-run average, and the team ERA of 3.59 was tied for second in the majors.
That pitching staff remains largely intact, except that closer Jason Isringhausen has been replaced by Billy Koch, who is two years younger and has 25 more career saves.
Because of their pitching, the A's once again will go into the season as at least a co-favorite, along with the Seattle Mariners, in the American League West. Assuming that the staff performs to its potential without injuries -- the sound you hear is Howe knocking on the nearest piece of wood -- the A's have no questions in that area.
As for the rest of the team, a handful of issues ought to become much clearer during spring training:
How will the clubhouse be without Giambi?
Never mind the phenomenal numbers Giambi posted in the middle of the A's lineup. He was almost as valuable as the pulse of the team in the clubhouse.
Infielder Eric Chavez said one of his first questions in the spring will be what the clubhouse is like without the dominant personality of Giambi at the center. Howe said he'll also be looking to see who rises to the top as a leader.
"I think Terrence will be more involved in that area," Howe said. "Don't be surprised if Chavez steps up, too. In the pitching area, I have no concern because Hudson is definitely a leader on this club. It's just difficult for a pitcher to be a leader in the whole clubhouse, but he's certainly not afraid to put his two cents in when it's needed."
Veteran outfielder Dave Justice should also provide some short-term leadership, although he isn't likely to be around past this season.
How will the batting order look?
There's probably not a single spot in the order that is settled. Outfielder Jermaine Dye probably will hit cleanup, and Chavez, Long and Justice will certainly be somewhere in the middle, but otherwise the lineup is going to be an ongoing project this spring.
The most pressing issue will be Giambi's old No. 3 spot. Howe said Justice might get the first shot, because he's got the experience to handle the responsibility that comes with hitting third. Chavez might also get a look there.
The A's are also without a true leadoff hitter since Johnny Damon signed with the Boston Red Sox. Howe said he definitely will not use Long, who hit first in 2000, back in the leadoff spot. It probably will be either Frank Menechino or Randy Velarde, whichever happens to be playing second base at the time. Menechino had a .369 on-base percentage last year, which is pretty good considering that he slumped the entire second half.
The No. 2 spot will also be interesting. Designated hitter Jeremy Giambi hit there for much of the second half last year, but at the end of the season Howe was enamored with putting Miguel Tejada in that spot. Howe said he's not planning to put Tejada back at No. 2.
Is Carlos Pena ready?
The A's acquired Pena from the Texas Rangers with the idea that he would be their first baseman of the future. They'd love him to be the first baseman of the present, and there is a good chance that he might be, but the A's aren't going to force him in there. They are especially leery of pressuring him to be The Next Giambi.
"I'll have a few conversations with him," Howe said. "I'll just tell him we traded for you because of you. Don't try to do more than what you can ... We certainly don't want him to think he has to carry the team the way Jason was capable of doing. Hopefully, he'll evolve into a player like that, but we don't expect it out of the chute."
Considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball, Pena, 23, has had impressive numbers in four seasons since he was a first-round pick. Last year at Triple A, he hit .288 with 23 homers in 119 games, with a .550 slugging percentage and .408 on-base percentage.
If Pena isn't ready, the A's can probably use Scott Hatteberg, Jeremy Giambi and Olmedo Saenz at first. Each would be just a temporary solution, though.
How is Jermaine Dye's leg?
Dye, who shattered his shin bone on a foul ball during Game 4 of the playoffs last October, has been hitting and throwing, but he still can't run.
The A's are going to take it slow with him because they don't want him to alter his mechanics to protect his leg if it's still sore. Dye probably won't participate fully in spring training at first, and he might not get into any exhibition games until the second week of March. Still, that would give him three weeks of games, which he says is plenty.
"I can get ready for the season in about a week and a half, two weeks of games," Dye said. "Spring training is mainly for pitchers. For us hitters, we get so many swings that we are just dead at the end of the spring anyway."
How will Esteban German look?
Despite the exodus of prospects in general manager Billy Beane's recent trades, at least one young hotshot remains in the pipeline, close to being ready for the majors. The A's no doubt held on to German because he potentially fills two of their most immediate needs: he's a second baseman who has the speed and on-base percentage to hit leadoff.
Although the A's are satisfied with Menechino, he's 31 years old and not likely to get much better. German is just 23.
Last year at Double A, he had a .415 on-base percentage, and then a .457 mark when he was moved up to Triple A for the final month of the season. He stole a combined 48 bases. He still needs work defensively, so he could eventually be an outfielder.
A's SPRING TRAINING
WHERE: Phoenix.
WHEN: Pitchers and catchers report today, with first workout Sunday. Full squad reports on Wednesday, with first workout on Thursday.
WHO'S NEW: IF/C Scott Hatteberg, LHP Mike Holtz, OF David Justice, RHP Billy Koch, 1B Carlos Pena, 2B Randy Velarde, LHP Mike Venafro.
WHO'S GONE: IF Mark Bellhorn, OF Johnny Damon, 1B Jason Giambi, LHP Mark Guthrie, OF Ron Gant, RHP Gil Heredia, RHP Jason Isringhausen.