Chisox73
01-02-2006, 08:17 PM
A's fill holes for '06 with little sacrifice
Beane addresses biggest needs without losing Zito
By Mychael Urban / MLB.com
http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051218&content_id=1283776&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak
OAKLAND -- After watching his club miss out on the postseason for the second consecutive year, A's general manager Billy Beane went into the offseason with a clear top priority: upgrade the offense with a middle-of-the-order to stick next to resident slugger Eric Chavez.
The popular perception was that Beane would have to weaken Oakland's starting rotation to do so, and with ace lefty Barry Zito entering the last year of his contract, it was widely assumed that Zito would be the bait used to land the bat.
Always full of winter surprises, Beane not only addressed his team's most glaring need by trading for switch-hitting outfielder Milton Bradley, but he also appeared to strengthen the starting rotation and the bullpen by signing free agent righty Esteban Loaiza.
In the process, Beane managed to add depth, versatility and insurance against the kind of injuries that ultimately cost the A's the American League West title. All without having to deal Zito, who instead of being shipped out now appears to be the anchor of one of the best rotations in the game.
With Loaiza in the rotation, along with Zito, potential Cy Young candidate Rich Harden and emerging stars Dan Haren and Joe Blanton, the A's are sending righty Kirk Saarloos, one of the top No. 5 starters in the AL in 2005, back to his bullpen roots. Saarloos and lefty Joe Kennedy, a career-long starter who pitched well in relief after being acquired at the All-Star break, will be available as spot starters, long men or situational arms.
And with hard-throwing Jay Witasick, reliable Kiko Calero, 2005 All-Star Justin Duchscherer and Rookie of the Year closer Huston Street -- all righties -- at the back of the bullpen, manager Ken Macha has a variety of looks and styles from which to choose.
Macha will have similar flexibility with his position players.
As a bonus in the Bradley trade, which cost Oakland its hottest prospect in Andre Ethier, Beane picked up backup infielder Antonio Perez, who will be used to give Chavez and his sore shoulder more time off. The presence of three natural center fielders on the roster in Bradley, Jay Payton and Mark Kotsay, will allow the A's to rest Kotsay's chronically cranky back more often, too, and when they do, Bobby Kielty and Nick Swisher can step right into the outfield.
When it's Swisher, who played mostly in right field last season but figures to see most of his time at first base, Dan Johnson can move from designated hitter back to first, where he played in 2005, and Kielty can DH. When Kielty's in the outfield, Swisher and Johnson stay put.
Factor in catcher Adam Melhuse and middle-infield specialist Marco Scutaro, and Oakland looks to have solid backups everywhere on the diamond. Only one spot on the 25-man roster appears available heading into Spring Training.
Granted, the A's can ill-afford Harden or shortstop Bobby Crosby to miss months, as they did in 2005. And Mount Milton, who himself admits that he brings plenty of off-the-field baggage, might just erupt.
But if all goes well, Beane suggested shortly after the Bradley trade, look out.
"I like this team a lot," he said. "I know the games aren't played on paper, but on paper, this is a team that can do a lot of different things and doesn't have many weaknesses -- not that I can see, anyway.
"I think we've got a shot to do some damage."
Offseason report card: Addressed every glaring need and then some -- 9.
Arrivals: RHP Esteban Loaiza (free agent), OF Milton Bradley (trade), IF Antonio Perez (trade)
Departures: RHPs Octavio Dotel and Keiichi Yabu, LHP Ricardo Rincon, 1B/DH Scott Hatteberg, DH/1B Erubiel Durazo, C Alberto Castillo
The road ahead: After adding Bradley and Perez, Beane repeatedly said he's happy with his club as is, but he didn't close the door on more moves before the start of Spring Training. So while signing free agent slugger Frank Thomas isn't likely, it's not out of the question, either. And though Beane said he's fine with Kennedy as the lone lefty in the bullpen, Rincon's departure leaves the A's without a southpaw with a wealth of late-innings experience. There could be a move there, too.
Mychael Urban is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Beane addresses biggest needs without losing Zito
By Mychael Urban / MLB.com
http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051218&content_id=1283776&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak
OAKLAND -- After watching his club miss out on the postseason for the second consecutive year, A's general manager Billy Beane went into the offseason with a clear top priority: upgrade the offense with a middle-of-the-order to stick next to resident slugger Eric Chavez.
The popular perception was that Beane would have to weaken Oakland's starting rotation to do so, and with ace lefty Barry Zito entering the last year of his contract, it was widely assumed that Zito would be the bait used to land the bat.
Always full of winter surprises, Beane not only addressed his team's most glaring need by trading for switch-hitting outfielder Milton Bradley, but he also appeared to strengthen the starting rotation and the bullpen by signing free agent righty Esteban Loaiza.
In the process, Beane managed to add depth, versatility and insurance against the kind of injuries that ultimately cost the A's the American League West title. All without having to deal Zito, who instead of being shipped out now appears to be the anchor of one of the best rotations in the game.
With Loaiza in the rotation, along with Zito, potential Cy Young candidate Rich Harden and emerging stars Dan Haren and Joe Blanton, the A's are sending righty Kirk Saarloos, one of the top No. 5 starters in the AL in 2005, back to his bullpen roots. Saarloos and lefty Joe Kennedy, a career-long starter who pitched well in relief after being acquired at the All-Star break, will be available as spot starters, long men or situational arms.
And with hard-throwing Jay Witasick, reliable Kiko Calero, 2005 All-Star Justin Duchscherer and Rookie of the Year closer Huston Street -- all righties -- at the back of the bullpen, manager Ken Macha has a variety of looks and styles from which to choose.
Macha will have similar flexibility with his position players.
As a bonus in the Bradley trade, which cost Oakland its hottest prospect in Andre Ethier, Beane picked up backup infielder Antonio Perez, who will be used to give Chavez and his sore shoulder more time off. The presence of three natural center fielders on the roster in Bradley, Jay Payton and Mark Kotsay, will allow the A's to rest Kotsay's chronically cranky back more often, too, and when they do, Bobby Kielty and Nick Swisher can step right into the outfield.
When it's Swisher, who played mostly in right field last season but figures to see most of his time at first base, Dan Johnson can move from designated hitter back to first, where he played in 2005, and Kielty can DH. When Kielty's in the outfield, Swisher and Johnson stay put.
Factor in catcher Adam Melhuse and middle-infield specialist Marco Scutaro, and Oakland looks to have solid backups everywhere on the diamond. Only one spot on the 25-man roster appears available heading into Spring Training.
Granted, the A's can ill-afford Harden or shortstop Bobby Crosby to miss months, as they did in 2005. And Mount Milton, who himself admits that he brings plenty of off-the-field baggage, might just erupt.
But if all goes well, Beane suggested shortly after the Bradley trade, look out.
"I like this team a lot," he said. "I know the games aren't played on paper, but on paper, this is a team that can do a lot of different things and doesn't have many weaknesses -- not that I can see, anyway.
"I think we've got a shot to do some damage."
Offseason report card: Addressed every glaring need and then some -- 9.
Arrivals: RHP Esteban Loaiza (free agent), OF Milton Bradley (trade), IF Antonio Perez (trade)
Departures: RHPs Octavio Dotel and Keiichi Yabu, LHP Ricardo Rincon, 1B/DH Scott Hatteberg, DH/1B Erubiel Durazo, C Alberto Castillo
The road ahead: After adding Bradley and Perez, Beane repeatedly said he's happy with his club as is, but he didn't close the door on more moves before the start of Spring Training. So while signing free agent slugger Frank Thomas isn't likely, it's not out of the question, either. And though Beane said he's fine with Kennedy as the lone lefty in the bullpen, Rincon's departure leaves the A's without a southpaw with a wealth of late-innings experience. There could be a move there, too.
Mychael Urban is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.