2008 A's Spring Training Thread

[Providence A's]

Let's talk about ST!

Barton's hand injury is thought to be minor now that he's been examined by an orthopedist. He's day-to-day like everybody else in life.

I've been pleased with the progress of our young pitchers so far. Mike Sweeney is doing well and may push Dan Johnson...Johnson is out of options though so he'd have to be traded.

[love_that_reefer]

Per Peter Gammons
From one scout in Arizona: "The best young pitcher I've seen in two years out here is Oakland's Henry Rodriguez. He throws 98 with a devastating breaking ball." The 19-year old Venezuelan won't open the season with Oakland, but he will get there in a hurry if he stays healthy.

Billy Beane notes that Rich Harden, whose stuff is elite, is throwing as well as ever. Hey, if Harden is healthy and Gio Gonzalez is what he appears to be, why trade Joe Blanton? Beane may well wait.

Haven't heard much on this Rodriguez guy but sounds like a stud. Harden is one of the nastiest pitchers in the league but just can't stay healthy. I love to watch him pitch and hopefully will get to do more of that this year.

[Providence A's]

I can't find the information, but I'm pretty certain we signed Rodriguez through our Venezuelan camp or whatever...Signed by the Oakland Athletics as a non-drafted free agent on July 18, 2003.

here are his stats from low class A last year:

Minor League Baseball: Stats: Player

He also played in the winter league in Venezuela. I've read very good things about him, too. It'll be interesting to see how he, Cahill, Simmons, De Los Santos, and the other pitching specs do this year.

And yes, if Harden's healthy, then he'll be fine. We'll see. It appears he's healthy and he is ironing out his mechanics to help improve the fluidity of his motion. I, obviously, hope he stays healthy.

[hot_corner_gurl]

Listening to today's radio broadcast of the game I heard them singing praises of Rodrieguez.

On a worse (worser?) note, Chavez seems to be taking his time with everything. He's taking it day to day but even then seems doubtful he'll be ready by opening day. But I don't blame him. It if means that he'll be healthy the whole season, he can take all the time he wants.

[A'sDiehard]

Last I heard Chavez and Crosby were hurting (as usual) and for some reason I still hold out my idiotic hope of those two tearing it up and having a monster season.

I hope Sweeney stays hot and you never know sometimes a change of scenery can do wonders for some players.

[hot_corner_gurl]

I hope Sweeny stays hot too. But if he makes the team he'll be playing half his games in the most hitter-unfriendly park ever (the last time we had a batting champ was decades ago). No wonder they call it the Mausoleum.

More on today's game...Blanton pitched 5 innings of one-run ball. Nice to see that after some awful starts.

[Providence A's]

Crosby is playing again and appears to be fine...

Chavez started running again today. Barton was back in the lineup and homered in a loss today.

[love_that_reefer]

The Giants had scouts at a game to either look at Sweeney or Johnson.

[Providence A's]

probably Johnson since you can't trade recently signed free agents for 60 days IIRC.

[love_that_reefer]

Even on a minor league contract?

[Providence A's]

as far as I know...I'm not 100% sure though Johnson is out of options though so I'm sure we'd be looking to move him.

[love_that_reefer]

Too bad he's left handed but does have power we could sure use.

[A'sDiehard]

Originally Posted by love_that_reefer Too bad he's left handed but does have power we could sure use.

DJ would love that short porch in right.

Prov nice to hear about Crosby and I really hope it lasts.

[love_that_reefer]

Too bad that "short" right field porch is the hardest part of the field to hit a ball out of in a hitter's park.