A's axe Geren, hire Melvin

[Post Count Padder]

Mired in a nine-game losing streak, the Athletics are making changes. They announced this morning that they have relieved manager Bob Geren of his duties and hired former MLB manager Bob Melvin to take his place.

 

Geren, a longtime friend of A's GM Billy Beane, rose through Oakland's system as a minor league manager before taking over the big league club. The A's had a 334-376 record in four-plus seasons under Geren, never finishing above .500. The 2011 Athletics are 27-36 after last night's loss to Baltimore.

[Formerly Snayke]

Did they hire him for his ability to communicate with closers?

[pitchcs]

I bet this will make the A's way better.

[17 Seconds]

the oakland athletics have to be the most boring organization in sports

[Little Slide Rooter]

the oakland athletics have to be the most boring organization in sports

 

They're pretty good at cranking out young pitchers and trading them or letting them walk before the wheels fall off. I wonder who will trade a bunch of prospects for Trevor Cahill a year before his arm falls off.

[apete6]

the oakland athletics have to be the most boring organization in sports

 

They're pretty good at cranking out young pitchers and trading them or letting them walk before the wheels fall off. I wonder who will trade a bunch of prospects for Trevor Cahill a year before his arm falls off.

 

They missed the boat on Brett Anderson. He's likely to get TJS soon as he's on his 2nd visit to Dr. Andrews this week.

[Little Slide Rooter]

However, we cant deny that Billy Beane had a hell of a run in the 1st half of the '00s considering that their team payroll was never much higher than Alfonso Sorianos salary.

[pitchcs]

the oakland athletics have to be the most boring organization in sports

 

They're pretty good at cranking out young pitchers and trading them or letting them walk before the wheels fall off. I wonder who will trade a bunch of prospects for Trevor Cahill a year before his arm falls off.

 

They missed the boat on Brett Anderson. He's likely to get TJS soon as he's on his 2nd visit to Dr. Andrews this week.

 

 

He's still really young though, just turned 23

[apete6]

the oakland athletics have to be the most boring organization in sports

 

They're pretty good at cranking out young pitchers and trading them or letting them walk before the wheels fall off. I wonder who will trade a bunch of prospects for Trevor Cahill a year before his arm falls off.

 

They missed the boat on Brett Anderson. He's likely to get TJS soon as he's on his 2nd visit to Dr. Andrews this week.

 

 

He's still really young though, just turned 23

 

Agreed, but paying for him last year means they're devoting a significant amount of money (for them) to a guy who won't contribute the rest of this year and most of next year. Stuff like that kills the whole "moneyball" philosophy. Hell, you could argue that paying Eric Chavez instead of Tejada or Giambi cost them a playoff run or two.

 

When the resources are limited, the margin of error is a lot less.

[The Logan]

The only big bat I remember them having in the last 5 years that was ever worth a damn was Frank Thomas. They always have pitching and they never have enough hitting. I understand it's a pitchers park, but maybe Beane should focus on sacrificing a little bit of the OBP for some SLG instead.

 

EDIT: Forgot about Nick Swisher, but he's not really an impact bat. They could use a franchise hitter to build an offense around. Not sure if Chris Carter is going to be consistent enough to be that guy.

[Little Slide Rooter]

The only big bat I remember them having in the last 5 years that was ever worth a damn was Frank Thomas. They always have pitching and they never have enough hitting. I understand it's a pitchers park, but maybe Beane should focus on sacrificing a little bit of the OBP for some SLG instead.

 

EDIT: Forgot about Nick Swisher, but he's not really an impact bat. They could use a franchise hitter to build an offense around. Not sure if Chris Carter is going to be consistent enough to be that guy.

 

Every since they got a bit lucky with Thomas, theyve gone after every retread they can get their hands on, IE Nomar, Matsui, Giambi, Hermida, Willingham.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

They also had Matt Holliday...and I believe they gave up Carlos Gonzalez to get him.

[SouthSideRyan]

Beane has laid some real turds over the past 5 years or so.

[Sammy Sofa]

All those balls just kept hitting those damn birds.

[Tarver]

Geren was no great shakes, but how does Melvin keep getting chances? This is the guy to turn your season around? I don't think Texas has much to worry about.

[davearm2]

If Bob Melvin is the answer, I don't want to know the question