2006 A's Spring Training Thread

[Providence A's]

thanks...well in that case, I can only hope for a repeat of the '89 series

[Bear]

Providence A's...Well I would take 89 with two changes. One, who would win, and I give it to you that would take a great series for S.F., and second that I not loose my home in another quake. There is a greater chance of a Bay World Series tha another Quake! GO BAY AREA BASEBALL!!

[Providence A's]

I miss the Bay Area just for the weather alone

[Providence A's]

News on Freddie Bynum:

http://www.insidebayarea.com/sports/ci_3638805

This spring, a lot more teams, a lot more scouts, and a lot more players are becoming enamored with Freddie Bynum.

He's ripping extra-base hits up the gaps, making diving catches, bunting for hits, stealing bases, hitting .381 entering Friday's game, and lighting up stop watches. He's playing himself onto a major league roster.

Question is, which one?

Bynum is out of options, meaning the A's can't send him to the minors unless he clears waivers. The A's know that won't happen. They've fielded plenty of calls from teams eager to acquire Bynum and could make a deal.

But they'd love to keep him. He can play the infield or outfield and would be an ideal pinch runner for designated hitter Frank Thomas late in games. Even Bynum's teammates are asking reporters almost daily how they can keep Bynum on the roster.

But there's no spot for him on the opening-day roster, unless a trade is made or Bobby Kielty's strained oblique isn't healed.

"Selfishly, for the organization, you want him to stay," manager Ken Macha said. "But if he gets claimed by somebody and gets a chance to play in the major leagues, he's the guy who put in the hard work to get himself ready. That's the idea of the rules. Make yourself attractive to other clubs."

Hmmm, I wonder what we could get for him.

[Providence A's]

woo hoo! the first A's ST game on MLB.tv (that I've seen anyway)! Harden has thrown 6 shutout innings so far...0 - 0 in the 7th.

[Providence A's]

Harden is done after 6 innings, 2 hits, 1 walk, and 8 k's.

[Providence A's]

Well, after getting 1 hit in a 1 - 0 ten inning loss to the Cu-hubs the A's showed no mercy against the M's...drilling them 20 - 8...

http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NAS...=.jsp&c_id=oak

[A'sDiehard]

I watched the Cubs game on WGN and Harden looked sharp. It was also nice to see Bradley get on base and steal; he had the opposing pitcher pretty nervous. That's something we haven't seen in awhile. The no hits sucked but oh well.

[Providence A's]

Yea, but I wonder how much Macha will let him run...I don't think Macha was at that game, I believe he was watching the A's score 9 runs in the 9th inning against the M's.

http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NAS...=.jsp&c_id=oak

Thomas has been cleared for all activities by the team doctor

[Providence A's]

http://www.nj.com/columns/ledger/gra...l=1&thispage=4

*That the Braves think they can patch together their closer situation with Chris Reitsma, Oscar Villareal and the rest of the crew they have, but that that's not stopping them from shopping starting pitcher John Thomson for bullpen help, including Oakland's Juan Cruz and Detroit's Franklyn German.

Uhhh, that's fine if they want Cruz back, but we don't need anymore starters

[Fishercat]

And Cruz is going, going, gone for Brad Halsey.

I guess Beane sees a few option years here with Brad.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/pla...rt=MLB&id=3324

[Providence A's]

interesting...

A's win today as Haren is strong and Thomas crushes a homer in his 1st game. Swisher and Payton also went deep in the 3 - 1 victory.

http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NAS...=.jsp&c_id=oak

[A'sDiehard]

That's great for the Big Hurt.

[Providence A's]

and even better for the A's

[Providence A's]

It appears the Cubs are interested in Bynum:

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune....ck=1&cset=true

The Cubs are interested in Oakland A's utilityman Freddy Bynum, a Chone Figgins-type who can play second or third base as well as any outfield spot.

Bynum, 25, who carried a .386 average and five stolen bases into the weekend, is out of options and unlikely to make the A's final roster cut.

of course it doesn't even begin to speculate what they'd be willing to give up.