2005/2006 A's offseason thread

[A'sDiehard]

Nothing new, but...

http://www.newsday.com/sports/printe...y-sports-print

[Providence A's]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba...p-310742c.html

Talented and troubled Milton Bradley could be a choice, but the Dodgers believe there will be an active trade market for him, a source said. It's believed that five other teams are interested - the A's, Cubs, Nationals, Pirates and Tigers. Jim Tracy, Bradley's former manager with the Dodgers, is now the Pirates' skipper and he thinks highly of the 27-year-old's talent.

No thanks. This guy's trouble.

[Providence A's]

http://www.boston.com/sports/basebal...player/?page=4

Big Hurt is still a little hurt
An intriguing player out there for someone needing a DH/first baseman is Frank Thomas. The White Sox parted ways with him, buying out his contract for $3.5 million last week, but don't expect Thomas to be a quick sign. His ankle/foot problem has not fully healed, and more time is needed to determine just how well Thomas can rebound. White Sox brass at the general managers' meetings indicated that Thomas could be re-signed at a more manageable wage. But Oakland and Baltimore are said to be interested, too, if they can get some idea how much Thomas is progressing.

I like it if we can get him cheap and he's healed.

[love_that_reefer]

Hit big numbers in the few games he played in 05.

[A'sDiehard]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba...p-310742c.html



No thanks. This guy's trouble.

The A's have had their eye on this guy for awhile and it's hard to argue with that production. JMO.

[Providence A's]

that's not what I was referring to though. Yes, he's a good player, but is he really worth all the trouble?

[A'sDiehard]

I don't know, TO makes him look like a choir boy. I doubted Billy last year so I'll reserve judgement for now.

[Providence A's]

obviously, more would have to be added because I don't see how Nady would fit in as far as our needs go...

http://www.newsday.com/sports/printe...y-sports-print

Nady, 27, is known mostly for his potential because of limited playing time with the Padres, and Minaya is optimistic that he could flourish with more at-bats for the Mets.

But there is another possibility. Minaya, who already is involved in trade discussions for numerous players, could use Nady as relatively cheap bait for a bigger fish. Nady could be included in a package for Carlos Delgado, Manny Ramirez or even Barry Zito.

He plays 1st and 3rd, right? We got that covered w/ Chavez and Johnson...but he also can play OF I believe...still, I say "meh"

[love_that_reefer]

Zito, if traded, needs to get the A's some priorities like a first baseman. Nady is not the answer.

[Providence A's]

We have a 1st baseman. His name is Dan Johnson. We could use a DH that could play other positions to give other players rest. We don't have a DH. It was Durazo and then it was Hatteberg mostly. They're both gone now.

[A'sDiehard]

Somebody is going to have to come with a helluva lot more than that for Zito. Besides, I agree, we don't need Nady.

[Providence A's]

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

40 man roster update:

OAKLAND -- The Oakland A's today announced that they have selected outfielders Andre Ethier and Javier Herrera from Triple-A Sacramento and right handed pitcher Shane Komine from Double-A Midland. The A's also agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Matt Roney on a one-year Major League contract.

So, I'm confused a little. Barton is not on the 40 man roster. Does that mean another team can claim him? Or no?

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

40-Man Roster
Pitchers
55 Joe Blanton
50 Kiko Calero
51 Juan Cruz
58 Justin Duchscherer
47 Ron Flores
46 Jairo Garcia
40 Rich Harden
24 Danny Haren
37 Joe Kennedy
*54 Chris Mabeus
*45 Dan Meyer
*36 John Rheinecker
-- Matt Roney
31 Kirk Saarloos
20 Huston Street
45 Jay Witasick
75 Barry Zito

Catchers
*11 John Baker
*5 Jeremy Brown
18 Jason Kendall
17 Adam Melhuse

Infielders
49 Freddie Bynum
3 Eric Chavez
7 Bobby Crosby
14 Mark Ellis
11 Dan Johnson
*8 Mike Rouse
19 Marco Scutaro

Outfielders
26 Hiram Bocachica
-- Andre Ethier
-- Javier Herrera
23 Bobby Kielty
21 Mark Kotsay
16 Jay Payton
*60 Jason Perry
33 Nick Swisher
*26 Charles Thomas
12 Matt Watson

*Not on Active Roster

[Providence A's]

http://www.nj.com/yankees/ledger/ind...490.xml&coll=1

A baseball official familiar with the Yankees' plans said they recently reached out to the Oakland A's to ask about the availability of center fielder Mark Kotsay. The official said the A's aren't opposed to moving Kotsay, but that talks stalled when Oakland asked about second baseman Robinson Cano and pitcher Chien-Ming Wang -- the two players everybody keeps asking the Yankees about.

WTF?!?! Why did we sign Kotsay to an extension if we are thinking of trading him?

[Providence A's]

I read somewhere that the A's have yet to decide if they'll trade Zito or not...just that they've listened to offers.

[Providence A's]

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

Whispers

Oakland looms as a possible destination for Nomar Garciaparra or Frank Thomas, although Thomas could return for a 17th season with the White Sox if Paul Konerko goes elsewhere.

Interesting...I guess Nomar would be the DH? And he could give us some flexibility in the infield.