Yooooooooooooennis Cespedes: To Oakland pg 44

[KingCubsFan]

At this point I think we have to assume that spending money will be an issue until we get rid of soriano's contract.

 

Yeah, $18 million is all it takes to build a hell of a contender.

 

no one said that 18 million is all it takes to be a contender. only that they arent willing to spend on a big free agent with that contract hanging around. 18 million may or may not make us a contender with this division you never know. 18 mil spent properly probably makes us more interesting to watch though. Thats all im looking for really. Field a team that has a chance to be .500.

What proof do we have that they're not "willing to spend?" They just offered Cespedes the most guaranteed money. They severely overpaid for another Cuban prospect, and they're reportedly offering Soler a ton of money. We have no idea what they offered Pujols, Fielder, Wilson or Darvish, but the fact that they were seemingly involved in all of those discussions indicate that they are at least "willing" to spend.

[Sammy Sofa]

At this point I think we have to assume that spending money will be an issue until we get rid of soriano's contract.

 

Yeah, $18 million is all it takes to build a hell of a contender.

 

no one said that 18 million is all it takes to be a contender. only that they arent willing to spend on a big free agent with that contract hanging around. 18 million may or may not make us a contender with this division you never know. 18 mil spent properly probably makes us more interesting to watch though. Thats all im looking for really. Field a team that has a chance to be .500 while all the guys in the minors continue to progress.

 

The Cubs are in REALLY bad, bad, bad shape financially if the remaining three years of Soriano's contract are anything more than a frustrating annoyance.

 

Fortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case.

[questionmarkgrace]

At this point I think we have to assume that spending money will be an issue until we get rid of soriano's contract.

 

Yeah, $18 million is all it takes to build a hell of a contender.

 

no one said that 18 million is all it takes to be a contender. only that they arent willing to spend on a big free agent with that contract hanging around. 18 million may or may not make us a contender with this division you never know. 18 mil spent properly probably makes us more interesting to watch though. Thats all im looking for really. Field a team that has a chance to be .500.

What proof do we have that they're not "willing to spend?" They just offered Cespedes the most guaranteed money. They severely overpaid for another Cuban prospect, and they're reportedly offering Soler a ton of money. We have no idea what they offered Pujols, Fielder, Wilson or Darvish, but the fact that they were seemingly involved in all of those discussions indicate that they are at least "willing" to spend.

 

What proof do you have that they bid more? some other message board poster? until I read it from a reputable source that means nothing to me. We are a major market team, there is no reason we shouldnt be able to spend on amateur and professional talent at the same time. Theres no excuse for putting the present team on the field.

 

edit: 7 million dollars is not severely overpaying for a lefthanded pitcher that immediately becomes a top 5 prospect in our system.

[SouthSideRyan]

The A's have a better chance of competing before we do? Tremendous.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

edit: 7 million dollars is not severely overpaying for a lefthanded pitcher that immediately becomes a top 5 prospect in our system.

 

Wut?

[KingCubsFan]

At this point I think we have to assume that spending money will be an issue until we get rid of soriano's contract.

 

Yeah, $18 million is all it takes to build a hell of a contender.

 

no one said that 18 million is all it takes to be a contender. only that they arent willing to spend on a big free agent with that contract hanging around. 18 million may or may not make us a contender with this division you never know. 18 mil spent properly probably makes us more interesting to watch though. Thats all im looking for really. Field a team that has a chance to be .500.

What proof do we have that they're not "willing to spend?" They just offered Cespedes the most guaranteed money. They severely overpaid for another Cuban prospect, and they're reportedly offering Soler a ton of money. We have no idea what they offered Pujols, Fielder, Wilson or Darvish, but the fact that they were seemingly involved in all of those discussions indicate that they are at least "willing" to spend.

 

What proof do you have that they bid more? some other message board poster? until I read it from a reputable source that means nothing to me. We are a major market team, there is no reason we shouldnt be able to spend on amateur and professional talent at the same time. Theres no excuse for putting the present team on the field.

 

edit: 7 million dollars is not severely overpaying for a lefthanded pitcher that immediately becomes a top 5 prospect in our system.

I didn't realize that quote was from another message board poster, so I agree it means nothing. But overall, the reports on various available players this offseason has tended more towards the fact that the Cubs have been involved in the discussions as opposed to sitting on the sidelines counting their money. You can't just look at the end result and proclaim that they're not willing to spend money. Besides, the deals given to big free agents (except CJ Wilson) have ranged from bad to absolutely ridiculous. The fact that they passed on those should be applauded.

[questionmarkgrace]

The A's have a better chance of competing before we do? Tremendous.

 

Besides jackson and rizzo. our best prospects are four years away. And its not like Rizzo or Jackson are of the top ten prospect variety. I.e. no sure thing. Their minors are deeper and their prospects are much closer to the majors.

[SouthSideRyan]

The A's have a better chance of competing before we do? Tremendous.

 

Besides jackson and rizzo. our best prospects are four years away. And its not like Rizzo or Jackson are of the top ten prospect variety. I.e. no sure thing. Their minors are deeper and their prospects are much closer to the majors.

 

And their major league roster is horrendous and they spend 8 dollars a year on major league payroll.

[questionmarkgrace]

The A's have a better chance of competing before we do? Tremendous.

 

Besides jackson and rizzo. our best prospects are four years away. And its not like Rizzo or Jackson are of the top ten prospect variety. I.e. no sure thing. Their minors are deeper and their prospects are much closer to the majors.

 

And their major league roster is horrendous and they spend 8 dollars a year on major league payroll.

 

 

And yet somehow they are always remarkably close to .500 every single year. They're doing something right.

 

Season Wins Losses Win % Place Playoffs

2000 91 70 .565 1st in AL West Lost ALDS to New York Yankees, 2–3.

2001 102 60 .630 2nd in AL West Lost ALDS to New York Yankees, 2–3.

2002 103 59 .636 1st in AL West Lost ALDS to Minnesota Twins, 2–3.

2003 96 66 .593 1st in AL West Lost ALDS to Boston Red Sox, 2–3.

2004 91 71 .562 2nd in AL West

2005 88 74 .543 2nd in AL West

2006 93 69 .574 1st in AL West Won ALDS vs. Minnesota Twins, 3–0.

2007 76 86 .469 3rd in AL West

2008 75 86 .466 3rd in AL West

2009 75 87 .463 4th in AL West

2010 81 81 .500 2nd in AL West

2011 74 88 .457 3rd in AL West

[sneakypower]

...not since 2006, they aren't

[MSG T]

The A's have a better chance of competing before we do? Tremendous.

 

Besides jackson and rizzo. our best prospects are four years away. And its not like Rizzo or Jackson are of the top ten prospect variety. I.e. no sure thing. Their minors are deeper and their prospects are much closer to the majors.

 

And their major league roster is horrendous and they spend 8 dollars a year on major league payroll.

 

 

And yet somehow they are always remarkably close to .500 every single year. They're doing something right.

 

Season Wins Losses Win % Place Playoffs

2000 91 70 .565 1st in AL West Lost ALDS to New York Yankees, 2–3.

2001 102 60 .630 2nd in AL West Lost ALDS to New York Yankees, 2–3.

2002 103 59 .636 1st in AL West Lost ALDS to Minnesota Twins, 2–3.

2003 96 66 .593 1st in AL West Lost ALDS to Boston Red Sox, 2–3.

2004 91 71 .562 2nd in AL West

2005 88 74 .543 2nd in AL West

2006 93 69 .574 1st in AL West Won ALDS vs. Minnesota Twins, 3–0.

2007 76 86 .469 3rd in AL West

2008 75 86 .466 3rd in AL West

2009 75 87 .463 4th in AL West

2010 81 81 .500 2nd in AL West

2011 74 88 .457 3rd in AL West

 

10 to 14 games under .500 is remarkably close to .500? That's what their last 5 years have mostly looked like.

 

As far as their prospects go, once they come up what are they adding them to? They'll either trade off current players or let them walk before those prospects can come up and get acclimated to the majors.

[questionmarkgrace]

The A's have a better chance of competing before we do? Tremendous.

 

Besides jackson and rizzo. our best prospects are four years away. And its not like Rizzo or Jackson are of the top ten prospect variety. I.e. no sure thing. Their minors are deeper and their prospects are much closer to the majors.

 

And their major league roster is horrendous and they spend 8 dollars a year on major league payroll.

 

 

And yet somehow they are always remarkably close to .500 every single year. They're doing something right.

 

Season Wins Losses Win % Place Playoffs

2000 91 70 .565 1st in AL West Lost ALDS to New York Yankees, 2–3.

2001 102 60 .630 2nd in AL West Lost ALDS to New York Yankees, 2–3.

2002 103 59 .636 1st in AL West Lost ALDS to Minnesota Twins, 2–3.

2003 96 66 .593 1st in AL West Lost ALDS to Boston Red Sox, 2–3.

2004 91 71 .562 2nd in AL West

2005 88 74 .543 2nd in AL West

2006 93 69 .574 1st in AL West Won ALDS vs. Minnesota Twins, 3–0.

2007 76 86 .469 3rd in AL West

2008 75 86 .466 3rd in AL West

2009 75 87 .463 4th in AL West

2010 81 81 .500 2nd in AL West

2011 74 88 .457 3rd in AL West

 

10 to 14 games under .500 is remarkably close to .500? That's what their last 5 years have mostly looked like.

 

As far as their prospects go, once they come up what are they adding them to? They'll either trade off current players or let them walk before those prospects can come up and get acclimated to the majors.

 

We have had four 90 loss seasons in that same time. Most recently last year. They at least have consistency when they rebuild. We are probably looking at another 90 loss season this year.

[KingCubsFan]

 

We have had four 90 loss seasons in that same time. Most recently last year. They at least have consistency when they rebuild. We are probably looking at another 90 loss season this year.

I don't think anyone is going to argue with you that Billy Beane is a better GM than Jim Hendry. But you said the A's have a better future going forward. I think even Billy Beane would disagree with you on that (unless they get a new stadium).

[SouthSideRyan]

 

 

And yet somehow they are always remarkably close to .500 every single year. They're doing something right.

 

Season Wins Losses Win % Place Playoffs

2000 91 70 .565 1st in AL West Lost ALDS to New York Yankees, 2–3.

2001 102 60 .630 2nd in AL West Lost ALDS to New York Yankees, 2–3.

2002 103 59 .636 1st in AL West Lost ALDS to Minnesota Twins, 2–3.

2003 96 66 .593 1st in AL West Lost ALDS to Boston Red Sox, 2–3.

2004 91 71 .562 2nd in AL West

2005 88 74 .543 2nd in AL West

2006 93 69 .574 1st in AL West Won ALDS vs. Minnesota Twins, 3–0.

2007 76 86 .469 3rd in AL West

2008 75 86 .466 3rd in AL West

2009 75 87 .463 4th in AL West

2010 81 81 .500 2nd in AL West

2011 74 88 .457 3rd in AL West

 

10 to 14 games under .500 is remarkably close to .500? That's what their last 5 years have mostly looked like.

 

As far as their prospects go, once they come up what are they adding them to? They'll either trade off current players or let them walk before those prospects can come up and get acclimated to the majors.

 

We have had four 90 loss seasons in that same time. Most recently last year. They at least have consistency when they rebuild. We are probably looking at another 90 loss season this year.

 

Yes, they're consistently a 75 win team. Let's aspire to that.

[MSG T]

And their major league roster is horrendous and they spend 8 dollars a year on major league payroll.

 

 

And yet somehow they are always remarkably close to .500 every single year. They're doing something right.

 

Season Wins Losses Win % Place Playoffs

2000 91 70 .565 1st in AL West Lost ALDS to New York Yankees, 2–3.

2001 102 60 .630 2nd in AL West Lost ALDS to New York Yankees, 2–3.

2002 103 59 .636 1st in AL West Lost ALDS to Minnesota Twins, 2–3.

2003 96 66 .593 1st in AL West Lost ALDS to Boston Red Sox, 2–3.

2004 91 71 .562 2nd in AL West

2005 88 74 .543 2nd in AL West

2006 93 69 .574 1st in AL West Won ALDS vs. Minnesota Twins, 3–0.

2007 76 86 .469 3rd in AL West

2008 75 86 .466 3rd in AL West

2009 75 87 .463 4th in AL West

2010 81 81 .500 2nd in AL West

2011 74 88 .457 3rd in AL West

 

10 to 14 games under .500 is remarkably close to .500? That's what their last 5 years have mostly looked like.

 

As far as their prospects go, once they come up what are they adding them to? They'll either trade off current players or let them walk before those prospects can come up and get acclimated to the majors.

 

We have had four 90 loss seasons in that same time. Most recently last year. They at least have consistency when they rebuild. We are probably looking at another 90 loss season this year.

 

 

74-88 is not remarkably close to .500. Neither is 75-86 or 75-87 or 76-86. That is their record 4 of the last 5 years. The Cubs have been better than them 3 times in those 5 years and only 3 games in back of them last year. The A's haven't been a very good team for 6-7 years.

[Guest]

74-88 is not remarkably close to .500. Neither is 75-86 or 75-87 or 76-86. That is their record 4 of the last 5 years. The Cubs have been better than them 3 times in those 5 years and only 3 games in back of them last year. The A's haven't been a very good team for 6-7 years.

 

They've pretty much been screwed since they lost all those young cheap great pitchers and the rest of baseball realized what OBP was.

[SouthSideRyan]

The A's had a hell of a great run in the early 2000s. That run has little to do with their potential for success in the future.

[MSG T]

74-88 is not remarkably close to .500. Neither is 75-86 or 75-87 or 76-86. That is their record 4 of the last 5 years. The Cubs have been better than them 3 times in those 5 years and only 3 games in back of them last year. The A's haven't been a very good team for 6-7 years.

 

They've pretty much been screwed since they lost all those young cheap great pitchers and the rest of baseball realized what OBP was.

 

Yep, once the rest of baseball, minus the Cubs, decided there was value in things other than BA vs LHP with men of 2nd and 3rd, Beane lost his mojo. Others have taken what he was doing ten years ago and are now doing it far better.

[questionmarkgrace]

They have 6 top 100 prospects in baseball. Make it 7 with cespedes. thats about as good as a core as you can get. but again they are a small market team working with much less resources and somehow can manage to field a descent enough team every year despite a constant rebuilding cycle. All of the sudden we cant field a team better than last years 90 loss pos? come on. Theres no reason we cant do both.

[SouthSideRyan]

71-91: pos

74-88: decent enough.

[MSG T]

They have 6 top 100 prospects in baseball. Make it 7 with cespedes. thats about as good as a core as you can get. but again they are a small market team working with much less resources and somehow can manage to field a descent enough team every year despite a constant rebuilding cycle. All of the sudden we cant field a team better than last years 90 loss pos? come on. Theres no reason we cant do both.

 

Actually, and I may very well be in the minority, but I think they'll end up better than last year. Granted, I don't think they're a .500 team, but I do see improvement happening. I could see 74-75 wins.

[mookie]

We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both.

[Guest]

71-91: pos

74-88: decent enough.

 

descent enough*

[SouthSideRyan]

They have 6 top 100 prospects in baseball. Make it 7 with cespedes. thats about as good as a core as you can get. but again they are a small market team working with much less resources and somehow can manage to field a descent enough team every year despite a constant rebuilding cycle. All of the sudden we cant field a team better than last years 90 loss pos? come on. Theres no reason we cant do both.

 

Actually, and I may very well be in the minority, but I think they'll end up better than last year. Granted, I don't think they're a .500 team, but I do see improvement happening. I could see 74-75 wins.

 

There's that hallmark consistency of the Oakland A's.

[questionmarkgrace]

We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both. We are doing both.

 

 

thats very mature of you.

 

But I dont see much evidence of doing both. We signed a bunch of other teams rejects and are hoping that one of them figures it out.