Oakland A's Officially Acquire Matt Holliday

[Guest]

The A's have one of the best farm systems in baseball, they easily could pull this one off.

 

I hope they didn't part with Cahill though.

[Jehrico]

Very surprising...usually Oakland is on the other end of a trade like this. I wonder if they already have another suitor lined up and are going to reflip him? Doubtful, but it's the only way this would make sense to me.

 

Either way, glad he's not going to the Cards.

[nilodnayr]

So far...

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/11/as-acquire-matt.html

A's Acquire Matt Holliday

By Tim Dierkes [November 10 at 1:27pm CST]

2:03pm: The ESPN guys talked to A's assistant GM David Forst, who said, "It's still an ongoing discussion."

 

2:00pm: Ken Rosenthal chimes in. The deal may not be finalized for about 48 hours. Players discussed over the weekend: Carlos Gonzalez, Huston Street, and Smith. Rosenthal says the A's do not plan to flip Holliday or trade him in July.

 

1:57pm: ESPN's Buster Olney and Jerry Crasnick say the two teams have agreed to terms, and believe pitcher Greg Smith was under discussion.

 

1:51pm: Yahoo's Tim Brown also says a deal is close.

 

1:27pm: According to SI.com's Jon Heyman, the A's traded for Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday. More as it comes in!

[nilodnayr]

Updated...

 

2:39pm: Troy Renck says the A's had been offering Street and Gonzalez. Meanwhile ESPN adds Ryan Sweeney and Gonzalez to their mix of players discussed.

 

2:30pm: Brown says the two teams have agreed in principle to a deal that will send Gonzalez, Smith, and Street to the Rockies.

 

2:24pm: The ESPN report now says Brett Anderson was under discussion as well as Smith.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Billy Beane has lost his ever loving mind if he trades Street, Smith, and Gonzalez for Holliday.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Thats somewhat of a surprise. Better Oakland than St Louis.

[Mephistopheles]

Billy Beane has lost his ever loving mind if he trades Street, Smith, and Gonzalez for Holliday.

 

Street is nothing to Beane. His experience is that solid closers grow on trees. Greg Smith, while still just 26, has no control and slightly above average strikeout stuff but gives up quite a few longballs. He's not really a Beane type pitcher. I am not surprised he flipped Gonzalez at all. I figured Gonzalez would get traded. His perceived value is much higher than his actual value (in Beane's eyes). I really don't think Beane makes this deal unless he thinks he has enough money to sign Holliday long term.

 

I honestly don't see him giving up a whole lot

[carolinacubbie]

Billy Beane has lost his ever loving mind if he trades Street, Smith, and Gonzalez for Holliday.

 

 

Street is a blah of a player IMO, and was on the way out in Oakland this offseason no matter what. I wouldn't worry about Greg Smith if I was an A's fan so much considering they always have good young starting pitching. Carlos Gonzalez is definitely a good young player, but how long are the A's going to look towards the future? They finally went out and got a player in his prime. Great deal IMO, and just what they needed. A bat they can put in the middle of the order.

[carolinacubbie]

Billy Beane has lost his ever loving mind if he trades Street, Smith, and Gonzalez for Holliday.

 

Street is nothing to Beane. His experience is that solid closers grow on trees. Greg Smith, while still just 26, has no control and slightly above average strikeout stuff but gives up quite a few longballs. He's not really a Beane type pitcher. I am not surprised he flipped Gonzalez at all. I figured Gonzalez would get traded. His perceived value is much higher than his actual value (in Beane's eyes). I really don't think Beane makes this deal unless he thinks he has enough money to sign Holliday long term.

 

I honestly don't see him giving up a whole lot

 

 

Beat me to it.

[Jehrico]

Billy Beane has lost his ever loving mind if he trades Street, Smith, and Gonzalez for Holliday.

 

Street is nothing to Beane. His experience is that solid closers grow on trees. Greg Smith, while still just 26, has no control and slightly above average strikeout stuff but gives up quite a few longballs. He's not really a Beane type pitcher. I am not surprised he flipped Gonzalez at all. I figured Gonzalez would get traded. His perceived value is much higher than his actual value (in Beane's eyes). I really don't think Beane makes this deal unless he thinks he has enough money to sign Holliday long term.

 

I honestly don't see him giving up a whole lot

Agreed, its the bolded part that surprises me.

[nilodnayr]

Billy Beane has lost his ever loving mind if he trades Street, Smith, and Gonzalez for Holliday.

 

Street is nothing to Beane. His experience is that solid closers grow on trees. Greg Smith, while still just 26, has no control and slightly above average strikeout stuff but gives up quite a few longballs. He's not really a Beane type pitcher. I am not surprised he flipped Gonzalez at all. I figured Gonzalez would get traded. His perceived value is much higher than his actual value (in Beane's eyes). I really don't think Beane makes this deal unless he thinks he has enough money to sign Holliday long term.

 

I honestly don't see him giving up a whole lot

 

I think what TT was commenting on was from the other side of the ledger. I definitely see Beane trading all of those guys, but not for Holliday. Hes gotta plan to 1) sign him long term 2) trade him at the deadline or 3) get his comp draft picks. I can't see how any of those are more valuable (either in terms of real assets or tradeable assets) than the package he gave up.

 

I don't disagree with much of what you said, but while Street was nothing to Beane, he most definitely has value to other teams as a cheap alternative to a very inflated closers market.

 

Frankly, I think this is one of those lose-lose deals.

[Geech]

I'm having some trouble picturing the A's corner situation if this happens. With Gonzalez in Colorado, you've gotta figure that Sweeney becomes the new centerfielder. Holliday has one corner outfield position, and then you have Aaron Cunningham, Travis Buck, Jack Cust and Daric Barton to play somewhere. Assuming you're still willing to give Barton a shot at first, you still have three people in the running for two lineup slots.

 

Although, if you think one of Cunningham or Buck can handle center instead of Sweeney it makes a lot more sense.

 

I don't know.

[nilodnayr]

I'm having some trouble picturing the A's corner situation if this happens. With Gonzalez in Colorado, you've gotta figure that Sweeney becomes the new centerfielder. Holliday has one corner outfield position, and then you have Aaron Cunningham, Travis Buck, Jack Cust and Daric Barton to play somewhere. Assuming you're still willing to give Barton a shot at first, you still have three people in the running for two lineup slots.

 

Although, if you think one of Cunningham or Buck can handle center instead of Sweeney it makes a lot more sense.

 

I don't know.

 

You forgot DH.

 

Sweeney starts in CF, Buck starts in right, Cust is full-time DH, Barton starts at 1B, Cunningham is the 4th OF.

 

A's still have Davis, Murton and Denorfia too. Not sure, but its possible none of those guys have options left.

[CP_414]

So does this trade make it any more realistic that the Rockies will trade Hawpe? He would be a good fit in RF for us. I assume this was more about moving Holliday while they can, rather than a firesale, but it would be nice.

[inari]

So does this trade make it any more realistic that the Rockies will trade Hawpe? He would be a good fit in RF for us. I assume this was more about moving Holliday while they can, rather than a firesale, but it would be nice.

 

Count me in as thinking Hawpe just might be the best option we have in right field if he's available.

[Geech]

I'm having some trouble picturing the A's corner situation if this happens. With Gonzalez in Colorado, you've gotta figure that Sweeney becomes the new centerfielder. Holliday has one corner outfield position, and then you have Aaron Cunningham, Travis Buck, Jack Cust and Daric Barton to play somewhere. Assuming you're still willing to give Barton a shot at first, you still have three people in the running for two lineup slots.

 

Although, if you think one of Cunningham or Buck can handle center instead of Sweeney it makes a lot more sense.

 

I don't know.

 

You forgot DH.

 

Sweeney starts in CF, Buck starts in right, Cust is full-time DH, Barton starts at 1B, Cunningham is the 4th OF.

 

A's still have Davis, Murton and Denorfia too. Not sure, but its possible none of those guys have options left.

 

I actually did not forget DH. I think using Cunningham as a 4th OF is a misuse of reasonably well-regarded prospect, especially when you have a guy like Sweeney in your starting lineup. That is why I don't care for this solution so much.

[nilodnayr]

I'm having some trouble picturing the A's corner situation if this happens. With Gonzalez in Colorado, you've gotta figure that Sweeney becomes the new centerfielder. Holliday has one corner outfield position, and then you have Aaron Cunningham, Travis Buck, Jack Cust and Daric Barton to play somewhere. Assuming you're still willing to give Barton a shot at first, you still have three people in the running for two lineup slots.

 

Although, if you think one of Cunningham or Buck can handle center instead of Sweeney it makes a lot more sense.

 

I don't know.

 

You forgot DH.

 

Sweeney starts in CF, Buck starts in right, Cust is full-time DH, Barton starts at 1B, Cunningham is the 4th OF.

 

A's still have Davis, Murton and Denorfia too. Not sure, but its possible none of those guys have options left.

 

I actually did not forget DH. I think using Cunningham as a 4th OF is a misuse of reasonably well-regarded prospect, especially when you have a guy like Sweeney in your starting lineup. That is why I don't care for this solution so much.

 

So who are you DHing? I like Sweeney more than Cunningham, but either can play CF if needed. I'd probably send Cunningham back to AAA, the A's have plenty of 4 OF types.

[RynoRules]

Wow. I am surprised that Beane wants in on this one.

[sneakypower]

what an unbelievable steal. even if they're out of it, they'll likely get a bigger return than this at the ASB

[SouthSideRyan]

what an unbelievable steal. even if they're out of it, they'll likely get a bigger return than this at the ASB

 

What? No they wouldn't. They may be extra parts for Oakland, but there's no way talent for talent they'd get a package equal to this.

[Clem Fandango]

what an unbelievable steal. even if they're out of it, they'll likely get a bigger return than this at the ASB

 

What? No they wouldn't. They may be extra parts for Oakland, but there's no way talent for talent they'd get a package equal to this.

 

You don't think they could get better or equal prospects/players back for Holliday at the trade deadline? I think it's feasible. Not guaranteed, maybe 50-50, based on whether or not Holliday will actually put up good numbers outside Coors. At least he'll get the opportunity to play at Texas more often than not.

 

Edit: Nevermind, I'll retract this statement. Looking at his career splits, all evidence points to him not putting up good numbers at all. I just saw Buster Olney on ESPNews say he's going to be the C.C. Sabathia of next year's trade deadline. I think that could be tough when he'll be putting up a .280/.340/.750 line with 13 home runs at the break, it would seem (at best). He's remarkably mediocre away from Coors, never realized how drastic that change was with him

Edited November 11, 2008 by The Logan

[Geech]

So who are you DHing? I like Sweeney more than Cunningham, but either can play CF if needed. I'd probably send Cunningham back to AAA, the A's have plenty of 4 OF types.

 

Probably Cust. Per my original post, I had Holliday at one corner, Sweeney in center, Barton at first and Buck, Cunningham and Cust in the running for the other corner OF and DH. I just didn't mention DH specifically. Sorry about the confusion.

 

I don't really like Ryan Sweeney as a hitter all that much, but looking him up, he's younger than I thought. Sweeney's probably a better bet to produce next year than Cunningham, although I think Cunningham might still have a brighter future.

[nilodnayr]

So who are you DHing? I like Sweeney more than Cunningham, but either can play CF if needed. I'd probably send Cunningham back to AAA, the A's have plenty of 4 OF types.

 

Probably Cust. Per my original post, I had Holliday at one corner, Sweeney in center, Barton at first and Buck, Cunningham and Cust in the running for the other corner OF and DH. I just didn't mention DH specifically. Sorry about the confusion.

 

I don't really like Ryan Sweeney as a hitter all that much, but looking him up, he's younger than I thought. Sweeney's probably a better bet to produce next year than Cunningham, although I think Cunningham might still have a brighter future.

 

Cunningham and Sweeney are an interesting study of numbers vs scouting (and funny enough, both out of the white sox system). I think based on what Sweeney did last year and age, the A's will start Sweeney in CF this year and send Cunningham back down to AAA to wait for the eventual injury. But if they are looking to clear room for Cunningham, I'd LOVE to take Sweeney off their hands :D

[nilodnayr]

The only way this trade makes sense to me is if in addition to getting Matt Holliday, Beane signed Jackson Holliday to a 25 year contract.

[CubinNY]

Could Beane use Holliday in another trade to get something(s) he actually wants?