Amazin' A's

[JC]

Oakland is something like 33-13 since May 30. Despite his many detractors, Billy Beane appears to have constructed a very competitive team. They are unlikely to catch the Angels (though it isn't impossible), but when you look at their youth, you can certainly see reason to be optimistic. A good job by Billy and Ken Macha to turn around a club that was struggling early. Edited July 22, 2005 by JC

[hawkeyecub]

It is pretty amazing. Every year they seem to turn it on when it gets hot.

The Astros are turning into the A's of the National League in that regard.

[katway]

Oakland does do an amazing job year in and year out inspite of their payroll. They even manage to trade players that are an integral part of their team during playoff runs. I'm almost convinced Beane has some formula value measurement for players like the Cowboys used to use for their drafts. Beane seems to always have a good read on what he can get in return for a player (he doesn't overvalue his own players) and finds a way to make trades work for everyone involved.

[MembersOnlyJacket]

They've also done it without Durazo, who's been out most of the way and will miss the rest of the season.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I really like their rotation. Harden is awesome.

[Brian]

I really like their rotation. Harden is awesome.

 

And everyone was trying to make them look stupid for keeping Zito of the "Big 3".... looks like he still has it. Haren is also pretty awesome.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Maybe if Billy Beane would stop writing books about himself, his team would've been good starting from opening day.

[Brian]

:lol:

[David]

I really like their rotation. Harden is awesome.

 

And everyone was trying to make them look stupid for keeping Zito of the "Big 3".... looks like he still has it. Haren is also pretty awesome.

 

Just thought I'd point out, Harden is awesome. He isn't the guy that they got from the Cardinals for Mulder. Haren is a pretty good pitcher, not awesome, IMHO, though. He's the guy they got for Mulder.

 

I've just noticed people hearing about how much success Harden has been having lately and thinking that Harden is who they got from the Cardinals. IIRC, Harden is actually a pitcher that came up through their system and has been in the majors a couple of years.

 

EDIT - for a typo

Edited July 22, 2005 by David

[David]

Maybe if Billy Beane would stop writing books about himself, his team would've been good starting from opening day.

 

Billy Beane wrote a book about himself?

[Brian]

I really like their rotation. Harden is awesome.

 

And everyone was trying to make them look stupid for keeping Zito of the "Big 3".... looks like he still has it. Haren is also pretty awesome.

 

Just thought I'd point out, Harden is awesome. He isn't the guy that they got from the Cardinals for Mulder. Haren is a pretty good pitcher, not awesome, IMHO, though. He's the guy they got for Mulder.

 

I've just noticed people hearing about how much success Harden has been having later and thinking that Harden is who they got from the Cardinals. IIRC, Harden is actually a pitcher that came up through their system and has been in the majors a couple of years.

 

I know the difference, I like Haren which is why said he's pretty awesome. Not necessarily based on his skills, but he is still a pretty good pitcher.

[Brian]

Billy Beane wrote a book about himself?

 

It's a joke because a lot of critics of "Moneyball" most notably Joe Morgan, can't seem to realize that Beane didn't write Moneyball and criticize him for writing a book about himself (which he didn't)

[David]

I really like their rotation. Harden is awesome.

 

And everyone was trying to make them look stupid for keeping Zito of the "Big 3".... looks like he still has it. Haren is also pretty awesome.

 

Just thought I'd point out, Harden is awesome. He isn't the guy that they got from the Cardinals for Mulder. Haren is a pretty good pitcher, not awesome, IMHO, though. He's the guy they got for Mulder.

 

I've just noticed people hearing about how much success Harden has been having later and thinking that Harden is who they got from the Cardinals. IIRC, Harden is actually a pitcher that came up through their system and has been in the majors a couple of years.

 

I know the difference, I like Haren which is why said he's pretty awesome. Not necessarily based on his skills, but he is still a pretty good pitcher.

 

That's cool. Even so, just clearing it up for everyone else. I've seen a ton of people who really believe that this guy who almost threw a perfect game and almost pitched back to back shutouts then next time out is the guy they got from St.L... so I just thought I'd clear it up. Not a dig at you, by any means...

[David]

Billy Beane wrote a book about himself?

 

It's a joke because a lot of critics of "Moneyball" most notably Joe Morgan, can't seem to realize that Beane didn't write Moneyball and criticize him for writing a book about himself (which he didn't)

 

But seriously...what was Beane thinking writing a book about himself? He should be out there, uh, GMing or something... :wink:

[Balsa]

AND they regularly beat the Sox to a pulp.

[TB_11]

They managed through some early injuries and are now flying. Beane said this year was going to be a retooling year, but it's turning out to be very successful so far. It'll be interesting to see if he makes any sort of push to make the playoffs this year, or if he'll wait til 2006.

[treebird]

They managed through some early injuries and are now flying. Beane said this year was going to be a retooling year, but it's turning out to be very successful so far. It'll be interesting to see if he makes any sort of push to make the playoffs this year, or if he'll wait til 2006.

 

If they add anyone, I imagine it'd be someone for next year as well as this.

 

This whole run they've been on (something like 34-13) makes you wonder what would've happened if they hadn't had half the team die and then go 1-30 (or thereabouts) in May.

[dime]

just think how good they'd be if they hadn't given away tim hudson!

[Transmogrified Tiger]

just think how good they'd be if they hadn't given away tim hudson!

 

Tim Hudson at age 23 dominated A ball and performed decently at AA. Dan Meyer at age 23 dominated AA ball and performed decently at AAA. Juan Cruz is also dominating AAA as a starter. Hudson would help them right now no doubt, but they didn't wind up empty handed.

[treebird]

The A's just completed a 4 game sweep in Texas. At 53-45, they are tied with Twins for the Wild Card lead.

[imb]

A's are better than Marlins.

 

Miggy is the best player on both teams though.

[treebird]

Miggy is the best player on both teams though.

 

for reals.

 

none of the a's hitters are all that scary. chavez is better than he was earlier this year, but if you look at his numbers, he's really not that great this year.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I went to see the A's play the Indians this year, but they were in their crappy phase and lost. I got to see that sweet Elarton v. Saarloos pitching matchup.

[Lefty]

The schedule heavily favors the A's over the Angels the rest of the way. The A's have played 24 more games vs. the East (8-16) and the Angels have played 28 more against the Central (17-11). The A's have a better divisional record as well (22-12 vs. 17-14). Basically the Angels are in 1st only because they have played the Central part of their schedule.

 

Another little tidbit, the White Sox are 21-20 outside of their division. I know, I know, it doesn't matter. I'll bet the Sox win the World Series, at least the pennant, and finish below .500 next year. But flags fly forever.

[dime]

Tim Hudson at age 23 dominated A ball and performed decently at AA. Dan Meyer at age 23 dominated AA ball and performed decently at AAA. Juan Cruz is also dominating AAA as a starter. Hudson would help them right now no doubt, but they didn't wind up empty handed.

 

you gotta be kidding me. I know you some of you have an allegiance to billy beane, but this is a ridiculous series of implied conclusions.

 

- Tim Hudson's career ERA+ is 138. He is an established pitcher who supplies a lot of quality innings at the top of a big-league rotation.

 

- Juan Cruz is "dominating" AAA? HE'S TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS OLD! His ERA in oakland this year? 8.49

 

- Dan Meyer is either injured or just not a good pitcher:

55 IP, 67 H, 27 BB, 12 HR to date

 

I don't see how you can suggest Beane didn't get the worst of this deal. They'd give Cruz and Meyer back for Hudson in a heartbeat...but at this point I don't think they'd get anything more than a AAA reliever for either of these guys.