Grilled A’s links…I can smell the tailgate already ← FREE KRAUT!

Grilled A’s links…I can smell the tailgate already 306

All A’s, all the time!

Cespedes put on the 15 pounds on muscle this offseason by flipping 400 pound tires under the supervision of a professional trainer (who adorably calls him “Yoeni”). Added bonus, Cespedes grins warily at a clearly crazed A’s fan wearing an autograph-festooned batting helmet on top of a bucket cap.

Speaking of weight: AJ Griffin blames his having added “the freshman 15” on all the irresistibly tasty treats available to the modern big league ballplayer. Then last summer, feeling portly, AJ lost 20 pounds, sapping his strength and leading to suckiness. So this year he’s going for a steady 240-ish.

Brandon Moss is cultivating his shift-busting bunt skills this spring.

Bob Melvin and the managers of lesser teams will attend an MLB-run workshop on the new instant replay rules tomorrow, after which the A’s brain trust will start planning out their strategies around its use.

CSNBA will only show two A’s spring games live: Tues 3/18, 1:05p vs CWS and Fri 3/28 at SF. Also per that link the Sun 3/23 game vs the Cubs will be on WGN. MLB Network has eight A’s games (but only one live): Sun 3/2, Mon 3/3, Thurs 3/6, Tues 3/11, Sun 3/16, Tues 3/18 (live), and Tues 3/25. Have not been able to find a schedule of spring radio broadcasts yet.

Five weeks from tomorrow!

"Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."

306 thoughts on “Grilled A’s links…I can smell the tailgate already

  1. FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 23,2014 9:43 am

    Anyone have a link to wacc’s opening night tailgate event? What time is he starting up?

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • ptbnl Feb 23,2014 5:20 pm || Up

      He’s planning to start at 2pm.

      If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
      • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 23,2014 5:41 pm || Up

        Thanks! That’s about when I hope to arrive as well.

        The last few years in particular I have found the Opening Night parking lot scene to be just amazing. Such a great vibe, funky and soulful and spirited. Not only very Oakland, but also uniquely A’s.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
        • ptbnl Feb 23,2014 5:54 pm || Up

          Schedule permitting, me and the keg may try to blag a ride with you.

          If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
          • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 23,2014 6:07 pm || Up

            That would only add to the delightful rolling party atmosphere that I am already excited for. I want to start packing the van now.

            "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
            • MikeV Feb 23,2014 7:02 pm || Up

              I’ll start the ribs.

              And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

              Thanks, and go As.

        • Englishmajor Feb 23,2014 11:43 pm || Up

          I loved the people doing the electric slide last year; I hope they’re back for more.

    • the llama Feb 25,2014 11:38 pm || Up

      I should be at the game with a bunch of boring scientist types, I’ll swing by for a beer.

      • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 26,2014 8:39 am || Up

        As luck would have it, we’ll have a scientist with a keg of beer to make them feel welcome (and demonstrate by example how not all scientists are boring).

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
        • the llama Feb 26,2014 8:53 am || Up

          Pfft, cosmologists.

          • ptbnl Feb 26,2014 10:09 am || Up

            Pfft yourself, engineer.

            If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
            • andeux Feb 26,2014 10:12 am || Up

              Ouch.

              TINSTAAFK
            • the llama Feb 26,2014 10:14 am || Up

              By the way, keep your eye on the cover of Journal of Applied Physics (says the engineer) in about a month or so.

              • ptbnl Feb 26,2014 10:24 am || Up

                Cool!

                And in the spirit of your publication year (at least until recently) we got rejected by Nature.

                If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
                • colin Feb 26,2014 10:27 am || Up

                  For which paper?

                • Future Ed Feb 26,2014 10:28 am || Up

                  does nature count as publishing? Isn’t that a periodical for us commons?

                  I have $5. No I don\'t.
                • the llama Feb 26,2014 10:32 am || Up

                  Nature counts like quintruple.

                • colin Feb 26,2014 10:37 am || Up

                  But the weird part is that, while it’s way more presitgious, you also do have to write your paper with less technical detail than normal. Or at least that is the case in my field, where we tend to submit 15-20 page papers to the Astrophysical Journal or Phys Rev D.

                • the llama Feb 26,2014 10:40 am || Up

                  That is true everywhere, I think. PRL, Nature, Science, etc. are more advertisements of results than real research papers IMO. But you better have some kind of result to publish there (like net energy gain from an implosion, even if it is short on details.

                • Future Ed Feb 26,2014 10:38 am || Up

                  So would you drop your beaker and walk off if you got published in People?

                  I have $5. No I don\'t.
                • colin Feb 26,2014 10:39 am || Up

                  Who wore it better?

                • the llama Feb 26,2014 10:43 am || Up


                  “I’m the best scientist in the game! When you come at me with a sorry problem like inability to properly explain the self-seeding behavior of cryogenic hydrogen isotopes, that’s the result you’re gon’ get!”

                • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 26,2014 10:58 am || Up

                  Awesome.

                  "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
                • the llama Feb 26,2014 10:37 am || Up

                  I’d say I’m in good company, but I didn’t even bother with Nature Materials (much less Nature). The paper I’m most proud of, where we demonstrate legit record-breaking material properties, has been rejected twice. It is still under consideration at a third place, but it really has jaded me on the concept “expected impact.” How can that be known a priori anyway, and how is demolishing the previous world record not impactful?

                  The J App Phys paper I thought was kind of lame – too specific to be important – but oddly the editor liked it.

  2. andeux Feb 23,2014 9:48 am

    Full Broadcast Schedule
    First radio broadcast Wednesday.
    Also lists 3/13 as CSNCA but 3/18 on MLBN (which makes more sense, since 3/18 is a Tuesday afternoon).

    TINSTAAFK
  3. Future Ed Feb 23,2014 10:16 am

    AJ can really smell the tailgates too, amirite?

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  4. dmoas Feb 23,2014 10:20 am

    I hate spring training and fake games that don’t count. Wake me in April.

    • Future Ed Feb 23,2014 10:25 am || Up

      you’ll miss opening day

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • dmoas Feb 23,2014 10:56 am || Up

        I’m okay with that. Just make sure we win, if you don’t mind.

  5. Future Ed Feb 23,2014 10:38 am
    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  6. Future Ed Feb 23,2014 10:57 am
    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 23,2014 12:00 pm || Up

      And ye shall hear of trouts and rumours of trouts: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  7. Jennifer Feb 23,2014 11:09 am

    After all that bitching, I’ll be in Oakland in April after all. Around 4/20.

    • Future Ed Feb 23,2014 11:12 am || Up

      cool. as a vacation?

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • Jennifer Feb 23,2014 11:13 am || Up

        Yes. My MOTHER will be with me.

        • Future Ed Feb 23,2014 11:19 am || Up

          Is that an acronym?

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
            • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 23,2014 11:57 am || Up

              Will you and Mom be attending any A’s games? First game of the year vs Texas is Monday 4/21.

              And Sunday 4-20 does suggest a certain irresistible tailgate party theme.

              "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
              • Jennifer Feb 23,2014 12:02 pm || Up

                The week before. Mom doesn’t tailgate. Not because she doesn’t want to, bit because I don’t want her to.

                No 4/20 partaking for me.

                • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 23,2014 12:05 pm || Up

                  Sat 4/19 then, no theme. Come on, your Mom is a lifelong Midwestern farm gal, I would think she’d love a party centered around grilled meat.

                  "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
                • MikeV Feb 23,2014 1:49 pm || Up

                  *perks up*

                  And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

                  Thanks, and go As.

                • Jennifer Feb 23,2014 3:43 pm || Up

                  Bring your meat, bitch.

                • dmoas Feb 23,2014 4:42 pm || Up

                  Bring your tits and ass… and by that I mean chicken breasts and rump roast.

                • MikeV Feb 23,2014 7:02 pm || Up

                  and by that I mean tits.

                  and ass.

                  And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

                  Thanks, and go As.

                • Jennifer Feb 23,2014 12:12 pm || Up

                  Isn’t4/19 the Donaldson bbobblehead?

              • 5Aces Feb 23,2014 8:47 pm || Up

                Easter on 4/20 is either perfect or totally ridiculous. Im not sure which yet.

                Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
          • andeux Feb 23,2014 11:53 am || Up

            TINSTAAFK
        • Jennifer Feb 24,2014 7:44 pm || Up

          Confirmed. 4/17-4/20.

          • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 24,2014 7:47 pm || Up

            Right on! Did you decide to stay in Oakland?

            "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
            • Jennifer Feb 24,2014 7:49 pm || Up

              Ugh. My aunt is in charge of that shit. She just said she doesn’t want to stay in Oakland because there isn’t a pool. I said, “Um… it’s April. I’m fucking bringing a parka.”

              • 5Aces Feb 24,2014 8:13 pm || Up

                Duh…It’s California!! You always need a pool. Let me guess, she expects there to be movie stars by it too? Plans on surfing under the golden gate and then heading to sit on the Hollywood sign?

                Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
              • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 24,2014 8:17 pm || Up

                Well, April could see anything from cold drizzle to mid-70s sunniness, impossible to know. Supposedly the one you were telling me about does in fact have a pool, though.

                "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
                • Soaker Feb 24,2014 8:55 pm || Up

                  Yes, I’ve walked through the grounds of the Claremont many times when I lived in Rockridge, in fact there are a couple of pools there.

                  Even at my regular stays on the crappy strip of airport hotels on Hegenberger, many of them have pools. Why you would come from the Midwest to California and then want to sit next to a hotel pool for more than 2 minutes, I can’t quite fathom.

                  What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
              • Englishmajor Feb 24,2014 11:09 pm || Up

                We recently had a crisis at work when our very new — both to the company and to the Bay Area — booked our Sacramento bureau chief into the Travelodge on Market Street (in San Francisco), because it was close by and cheap. Before checking in, he did a Google search – mostly to check the address. Public radio journalists generally like cheap and convenient, as long as the first few things that come up when you Google a place aren’t “bedbugs”, “The room was kind of dank but we thought we were ok until we examined the blankets and discovered what looked to be poop”, and the ever-popular””man found severely beaten“. None of the standard hotel booking places could offer anything for a day-of reservation in SF for less than $300. There were some decent options in the East Bay and Peninsula but nothing convenient for someone who had left his car at home. Then for some reason I remembered the Berkeley City Club and the day was saved.
                It might not be the best place for your family holiday. It doesn’t have TV in the rooms. But it does have a very elegant indoor pool.

            • Jennifer Feb 24,2014 7:53 pm || Up

              This is why I go alone.

  8. ozzman99 Feb 23,2014 1:15 pm

    Remember that time Ruben Sierra decided to bulk up in the off-season, and then totally sucked? Something about his arms being so big they interfered with his swing or something.

    • AV Feb 23,2014 11:16 pm || Up

      remember that time nick swisher added 20 pounds in the off season, and then totally raised his BA slightly, his OBP slightly, lowered his SLG slightly more than slightly, and overall raised his WAR by .8 from the previous season, but then the year after that kinda sucked for chicago?

      yeah i have no idea what i’m saying.

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  9. FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 23,2014 1:43 pm

    Going to the Lego Movie with 6 kids. Should be much fun, if I live.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 23,2014 5:43 pm || Up

      The Lego Movie was even better than I hoped, really funny, self-consciously satirical without being at all jaded. I think the adults in the audience liked it more than the kids.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • Jennifer Feb 23,2014 5:51 pm || Up

        Everything is awesome!

      • colin Feb 24,2014 5:22 am || Up

        I’m excited to see it.

      • PDXAthleticsfan Feb 24,2014 10:27 am || Up

        ‘Twas. Sound was a bit much for the 3-year old at first, but after she got used to that, she enjoyed it immensely. It goes without saying that Master Builder Spawn1 loved it.

        A soliloquy of fresh-sounding ideas which would probably be disastrous.
    • the llama Feb 25,2014 11:40 pm || Up

      I haven’t taken the kids yet but god i hate that stupid song from that stupid movie.

      • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 26,2014 8:41 am || Up

        It fits the plot well, though.

        The recent movie song I want to hate but can’t keep myself from liking is Pharrell’s “Happy,” from Despicable Me 2.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
        • the llama Feb 26,2014 8:57 am || Up

          The LEGO movie is the first movie my kids have not categorically said “no” to, so I will be taking them eventually. The crias are bonkers for LEGOs, so they actaully have some interest.

        • batgirl Feb 26,2014 10:50 am || Up

          I love that song. Especially when it’s covered by 8 rescue dogs!

          • harensheir15 Sep 7,2014 10:02 am || Up

            “We’ve come too far…to give up who we are.”

  10. whimsical witch Feb 23,2014 5:28 pm

    hi. the countdown is on!

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 23,2014 5:43 pm || Up

      Yesssssssssss!

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  11. Jennifer Feb 23,2014 6:06 pm

    FSU, the 19th is also a day game.

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 23,2014 6:08 pm || Up

      You got something against grilled meat for breakfast?

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • Jennifer Feb 23,2014 6:10 pm || Up

        I like my eggs fertilized.

        • Jennifer Feb 23,2014 6:12 pm || Up

          Also, I’m coming in my PJs.

        • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 23,2014 6:13 pm || Up

          As far as I know that would be a first for one of our tailgates.

          "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
          • Jennifer Feb 23,2014 6:14 pm || Up

            You offering?

            • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 23,2014 6:19 pm || Up

              No, I’ve fertilized all the eggs I plan on fertilizing already, thanks.

              "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
        • dmoas Feb 23,2014 8:56 pm || Up

          I didn’t know you were into boobs.

  12. FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 23,2014 6:10 pm

    Australia’s feelings are hurt because Zack Greinke “can’t think of one reason to be excited for” the season opener down under. It could have been worse; he could have insulted their boot

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  13. FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 23,2014 7:23 pm

    I still watch Survivor…there’s something I find riveting about televised human duplicity. The new season starts Wednesday, and one of the contestants is Marlins President David Samson, who in order to participate took a six week leave of absence from the team during the season including the trading deadline.

    Samson could do well on Survivor, since he is apparently a real sleazeball whose resume includes both an alleged RICO violations around the very shady sale of the Expos to MLB, as well as the also allegedly illegal shenanigans around the fleecing of Miami for the new Marlins stadium. He’s Jeffrey Loria’s former stepson and longtime co-conspirator.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • dmoas Feb 23,2014 8:57 pm || Up

      Wooo. Nice!

    • the llama Feb 26,2014 11:19 am || Up

      Just remember that Red Sox owner John Henry was part of that sordid affair.

      • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 26,2014 9:20 pm || Up

        Indeed.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
        • dmoas Feb 26,2014 9:55 pm || Up

          That may be the dumbest group of “smart” people ever assembled.

          • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 27,2014 10:35 pm || Up

            Seriously, real mutton heads. And for a guy who claims he’s a huge Survivor devotee, David Samson made some super obvious first-few-days mistakes. So glad his smug weaselly ass got sent packing.

            "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
            • dmoas Feb 27,2014 11:36 pm || Up

              Me too. I was worried they may go after someone else but he was pathetically idiotic. That was like going all-in before the ante and then flipping over your 2 – 7 before anyone calls/folds. Trying to make a end game move within minutes of arriving? WTF.

    • DFA Feb 28,2014 1:15 am || Up

      who hasn’t been involved with alleged RICO act violations

      In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
  14. East Bay Evans Feb 23,2014 9:27 pm

    The Stranger: There’s just one thing, Dude.

    The Dude: And what’s that?

    The Stranger: Do you have to use so many cuss words?

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 23,2014 10:25 pm || Up

      That must’ve been a lot of fucking work.

      This sent me to the google machine to find out which film has more uses of the word fuck, Lebowski or Glengarry Glen Ross, one of my favorite cussing movies. And it turns out wikipedia has a list. Of course.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • East Bay Evans Feb 23,2014 10:32 pm || Up

        Props to the folks that made that documentary. 9 times per minute!

        Also, fuck, I still need to see Wolf of Wall Street.

        • MikeV Feb 23,2014 11:04 pm || Up

          It was pretty good but I wouldn’t call it amazing or anything.

          DiCaprio was solid. I hated Peter Brand’s role though, awful casting choice IMO.

          And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

          Thanks, and go As.

          • Glorious Mundy Feb 24,2014 3:22 pm || Up

            The main problem for me was I spent the last 5/6 of the movie wondering when McConaughey’s character was going to come back, and then getting sad when I realized he wasn’t coming back.

      • MikeV Feb 23,2014 11:01 pm || Up

        And it turns out wikipedia has a list. Of course.

        Citation Fucking Needed.

        And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

        Thanks, and go As.

  15. colin Feb 24,2014 7:45 am

    ” classid=”clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000″>

    • colin Feb 24,2014 8:21 am || Up

      hmm… not sure why some of the html tag properties are showing up there.

    • Future Ed Feb 24,2014 1:52 pm || Up

      speaking of cussing too much

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • Future Ed Feb 24,2014 1:53 pm || Up

        reply fail

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
        • colin Feb 24,2014 2:11 pm || Up

          I was a little bit confused about that one. It was a bumpy ride, but not *that* bumpy.

    • Future Ed Feb 24,2014 1:53 pm || Up

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  16. andeux Feb 24,2014 9:40 am

    Stick to your guns Wash! And you too, Scioscia.

    TINSTAAFK
    • Glorious Mundy Feb 24,2014 10:10 am || Up

      Holy [bleep]! He’s [bleep][bleep]!

    • 5Aces Feb 24,2014 10:27 am || Up

      That’s some bleeping bleeped up logic. The manager who did worse than me did this more than I did, so obviously I should try and be more like him.

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 24,2014 12:02 pm || Up

      Well, the first four letters in analytics are…

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • dmoas Feb 24,2014 12:04 pm || Up

      (Ron, people think Scoiscia’s an idiot too.)

    • lenscrafters Feb 24,2014 12:37 pm || Up

      Until others in the lineup — Washington named Jurickson Profar, Leonys Martin, Elvis Andrus and Geovany Soto — show that they can execute properly in a situation, the manager asserted Sunday that he will continue to call for his “safer” choice.

      “The percentages for me in that situation go up by them squaring and bunting it rather than me allowing them to swing,” Washington said.

      Don’t blame just him for bunting too much, in other words. Blame the Rangers for not giving Washington the confidence that they can identify the situation and execute.

      Telling the press that you don’t have confidence in half of your lineup? Now that’s the mark of a true player’s manager.

      • Glorious Mundy Feb 24,2014 3:20 pm || Up

        This kind of rant would be amazing in August after the team just finished a 2-7 road trip. For him to unload like that in February is really something else.

      • colin Feb 24,2014 3:22 pm || Up

        Yeah, I thought that was nuts too. I mean, he named some pretty decent hitters there.

      • andeux Feb 24,2014 3:29 pm || Up

        He has been rewarded with a contract extension.

        TINSTAAFK
      • Dial C for Concupiscence Mar 3,2014 2:05 pm || Up

        That’ll show them. You’ll never get a $100 million contract extension unless your manager has confidence in you.

    • Future Ed Feb 24,2014 1:53 pm || Up

      speaking of cussing too much (here)

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • East Bay Evans Feb 24,2014 6:38 pm || Up
  17. Glorious Mundy Feb 24,2014 10:49 am

    Has it been mentioned here that you can now select your exact seats off of a map when buying on the A’s website now, rather than just picking a ticketing category and hoping for the best? Well, you can. It even shows things like where the overhang ends in a section. I guess they finally decided that they needed to at least try to match the experience you can get on StubHub.

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 24,2014 11:52 am || Up

      About time. Hell, fans have been able to do this for Raiders games for at least three years, in the same damn building. And the Raiders are hardly at the pinnacle of ticket-sales technology.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • Englishmajor Feb 24,2014 11:12 pm || Up

        Hell, fans have been able to do this for Stockton Ports games for at least two years.
        That’s awesome news though and I had not heard it.

  18. Glorious Mundy Feb 24,2014 10:54 am

    Looks like I’m going to be moving on Opening Day :(

    My New Season’s resolution is going to be to make it to at least one tailgate though.

    • Future Ed Feb 24,2014 2:33 pm || Up

      boo

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Soaker Feb 24,2014 3:47 pm || Up

      I could come down for the Opening Day tailgate. Or I could have a colonoscopy that afternoon. Guess which one I chose! Given that the A’s haven’t started a season 1-0 since 2004, I think the sedation is just as well. I’ll open the season the following night. (I may find a similar excuse to lop ALDS Game 5 off the schedule in October.)

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  19. ptbnl Feb 24,2014 11:36 am

    No front row opening day seats for me :-(

    If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 24,2014 11:56 am || Up

      Oh no! As we draw closer to 3/31 there’s a chance one of my tix might become available, if Nurse Upgrade can’t get the day off. Won’t know for awhile though.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • ptbnl Feb 24,2014 12:02 pm || Up

        Thanks but I’ll need two. Still plenty of tickets available though – just not front and center!

        If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
        • Future Ed Feb 24,2014 6:23 pm || Up

          you best make it.

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
          • ptbnl Feb 24,2014 8:11 pm || Up

            $25 “convenience fee” for a pair of tickets, or twice face value on stubhub … bah!

            If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
            • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 24,2014 8:25 pm || Up

              Box Office now open Mon-Fri 10 am to 5 pm, Sat 10 am to 3 pm, for the convenience fee dodging consumer. But with Opening Night tix having gone on sale early via online only, a really big chunk of the inventory got snatched up by fee-payers before box office was even an option. I ended up eating the fees myself for fear of being shut out altogether.

              "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
              • Future Ed Feb 24,2014 9:40 pm || Up

                i waited too long last year and had a terrible under the overhang in 203 or some such section

                I have $5. No I don\'t.
              • ptbnl Feb 24,2014 10:32 pm || Up

                I leave for Europe at 7am on Saturday so I guess $25 is more convenient for me, but it sure feels like gouging.

                If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
                • MikeV Feb 24,2014 10:59 pm || Up

                  I won’t bother going in if I have to.

                  I haven’t looked that far ahead on the calendar yet anyway so I dunno if I’ll have my boys with me or not.

                  And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

                  Thanks, and go As.

                • batgirl Feb 25,2014 10:22 am || Up

                  I’m going to the Oakland airport mid-day tomorrow if you want me to pop over and grab a pair for you at the box office. Lemme know.

                • ptbnl Feb 25,2014 1:13 pm || Up

                  Maybe so. I’ll be in touch, thanks.

                  If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
  20. MikeV Feb 24,2014 2:22 pm

    I mean… I might have to be a Jays fan for awhile.

    And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

    Thanks, and go As.

  21. colin Feb 24,2014 3:00 pm

    Fangraphs has 2014 ZiPS projections now. Jeff Sullivan took a look at the players with the biggest difference in their ZiPS vs Steamer wOBA projections. No A’s players highlighted there, but I had to share one line:

    ZiPS doesn’t seem to think so much of the Mariners. In that way, ZiPS is like a lot of people.

  22. FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 24,2014 6:05 pm

    You know the Eric Chavez era is long forgotten when a bunch of A’s players stand united against Chavismo:

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Future Ed Feb 24,2014 6:21 pm || Up

      aj.

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • 5Aces Feb 24,2014 8:14 pm || Up

      There was also a group supporting Chavez, but they tweaked their back and are now day-to-day.

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  23. lenscrafters Feb 24,2014 8:38 pm

    Keebs is going up against Posey in the Face of MLB thing right now. I’m actually thinking about making a Twitter and voting because fk Posey and fk the Giants.

    • Future Ed Feb 24,2014 9:50 pm || Up

      twitter is a good thing to have.

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • ozzman99 Feb 24,2014 10:04 pm || Up

        So how does this voting thing work? Just send a tweet with #EricSogard and #FaceofMLB in it?

        • dmoas Feb 24,2014 10:06 pm || Up

          Masturbate. Every time you cum an elf gets his pointy ears.

          • ozzman99 Feb 24,2014 10:13 pm || Up

            I don’t know how to masturbate. Can you link me to some video tutorials?

            • dmoas Feb 24,2014 10:18 pm || Up

              Here’s a classic video for you.

              • ozzman99 Feb 24,2014 10:23 pm || Up

                I’ll be honest, I’m scared to click that.

                • Future Ed Feb 25,2014 10:33 am || Up

                  I clicked. Its glorious.

                  I have $5. No I don\'t.
                • ozzman99 Feb 26,2014 12:11 am || Up

                  I’ll just take your word for it.

                • dmoas Feb 26,2014 12:57 am || Up

                  Come on… you know you want to. Just… click it…

    • James V. Feb 25,2014 8:25 am || Up

      Sogard advanced, 55% to 45%. It’s become hilarious at this point, just a massive trolljob overall. But then, it has led to some fun pics people have been making.

  24. ozzman99 Feb 24,2014 11:15 pm
  25. colin Feb 25,2014 12:03 pm

    Woo! Fake games!

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 25,2014 12:14 pm || Up

      I know that who pitches when is not really telling in early spring training, but are the A’s planning on stretching Jesse Chavez out as a starter heading into the year?

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • colin Feb 25,2014 12:16 pm || Up

        I’m always in favor of making every one a starter if they can possibly cut it. But Chavez in the long-relief role was a really nice luxury.

      • dmoas Feb 25,2014 12:32 pm || Up

        They have in the past. Technically speaking he is a starter, just one that they’ve used in long relief.

    • lenscrafters Feb 25,2014 12:40 pm || Up

      This bothers me more than it should, but you just know that with a guy like Punto on the team, the manager isn’t going to resist batting him second.

      • colin Feb 25,2014 1:07 pm || Up

        I’m hoping that he hardly ever starts a game during the regular season and is used purely as a defensive replacement.

        • andeux Feb 25,2014 1:23 pm || Up

          Whereas I’m hoping that he platoons with Sogard.

          TINSTAAFK
          • colin Feb 25,2014 1:28 pm || Up

            What about Callaspo?

            • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 25,2014 1:33 pm || Up

              He’ll be our starting first baseman after Moss injures himself during a bunt attempt (and Barton extends his apartment lease in Sacramento).

              "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
            • andeux Feb 25,2014 1:33 pm || Up

              Callaspo is a significantly better hitter from that side, but Punto is a significantly better fielder. It’s probably about a wash overall, but I hate the idea of Lowrie/Callaspo defense up the middle on a regular basis. Maybe it will depend partly on who’s pitching.

              Are we sure that Punto/Callaspo/Sogard will all make the roster? I’d agree that it’s likely, but not sure if it’s 100%.

              TINSTAAFK
              • Glorious Mundy Feb 25,2014 1:48 pm || Up

                It sure sounds like they all will, which means that Vogt, Barton, and Taylor are battling for the last spot on the roster.

                • colin Feb 25,2014 1:51 pm || Up

                  Fuld too, right? He seems like at least as good of an option as Taylor.

                • Glorious Mundy Feb 25,2014 1:56 pm || Up

                  I suppose. He would be useful as a pinch runner, although Gentry and Punto/Sogard can already do that job. And I guess he’s a better defender. I still feel like Taylor has more upside with the bat, though, and I think he’s out of options whereas Fuld can be stashed in Sacramento.

                • colin Feb 25,2014 2:02 pm || Up

                  I was tossing Fuld’s name in there, but I think I would prefer Barton or Vogt anyway.

                • Future Ed Feb 25,2014 3:03 pm || Up

                  is this like a stanford reunion

                  I have $5. No I don\'t.
                • batgirl Feb 25,2014 4:10 pm || Up

                  All right now, baby it’s all right now.

                • andeux Feb 25,2014 1:58 pm || Up

                  And Freiman.

                  My guess is that it will be Barton, unless they reverse course on Jaso catching, in which case it would be Vogt.

                  TINSTAAFK
                • Glorious Mundy Feb 25,2014 2:01 pm || Up

                  For some reason I’ve been getting the vibe that they are anxious to take advantage of their new full ownership of Freiman to get him some action in AAA. I suppose if he has a huge spring he could make it over Barton.

                • Future Ed Feb 25,2014 3:03 pm || Up

                  giminez

                  I have $5. No I don\'t.
                • lenscrafters Feb 25,2014 3:12 pm || Up

                  See, it worries me that we are already talking about guys like Barton/Vogt/Taylor making the team even when everyone is healthy.

                  So when people aren’t healthy, even worse players are going to be taking up roster spots.

                • Future Ed Feb 25,2014 3:25 pm || Up

                  Are we? OK, pitching aside there are what 13 spots?

                  Jaso/Norris
                  Moss
                  Callaspo/sogard
                  Lowrie/Punto
                  Donaldson
                  Cespedes
                  Crisp/Gentry
                  Reddick

                  that leaves the last spot for one of Barton/giminez/Vogt/Fuld.

                  Is taylor out of options? Fuld? Giminez?

                  I assume friman will be in AAA

                  I have $5. No I don\'t.
                • Future Ed Feb 25,2014 3:30 pm || Up

                  Fuld per cots

                  may opt out of contract if not on Major League roster in late March or 6/1/14

                  I have $5. No I don\'t.
                • Future Ed Feb 25,2014 3:31 pm || Up

                  and

                  may earn additional $0.1M based on games played

                  that is an expensive pinch runner

                  I have $5. No I don\'t.
                • andeux Feb 25,2014 3:37 pm || Up

                  Fuld and Gimenez both suck.

                  I’m not sure what the problem with Vogt is, he’s about average (maybe better) for a second-string catcher, and a luxury for a third-.

                  And while I’m not a fan of Barton, he’s not entirely useless either.

                  Most teams, even championship ones, have players like that somewhere on the roster.

                  I’m most worried about middle infield. After Lowrie, Sogard/Callaspo/Punto seem like a bunch of different flavors of meh.

                  TINSTAAFK
                • colin Feb 25,2014 3:39 pm || Up

                  I worry about middle infield defense, since Lowrie doesn’t provide much of that either. I think that Lowrie/Callaspo would be pretty decent middle infield offense, if we just don’t give a shit about run prevention.

                • elcroata Feb 26,2014 11:34 am || Up

                  I’ll admit I have not followed every A’s roster move in the offseason, but I’m pretty sure nobody’s name is Giminez anyway

                  Because survival is insufficient
                • colin Feb 25,2014 3:37 pm || Up

                  My (more optimistic) take is that Barton/Vogt/Taylor are not terrible choices for the 25th spot on the roster. And we have enough of them that the quality of replacements isn’t going to drop off that much as injuries happen. Now it would suck if injuries happened to the point that *all* of those guys were on the ML roster and accumulating significant at-bats. But pretty much any team is screwed if they lose that many players.

                • lenscrafters Feb 25,2014 3:51 pm || Up

                  I just believe that the 25th man you start the season with inevitably becomes an important part of your team as the season goes on and injuries and people sucking start to accrue.

                  For example, Barton and Vogt were 25-30 when the season began last year and they both ended up starting by August through Game 1. Who are the 25-30 for us this year if Barton/Vogt are already 25? And last year, I think the A’s stayed pretty healthy by A’s standards at least

                • Future Ed Feb 25,2014 4:08 pm || Up

                  Barton is a fine 25-30 player. He can replace moss or a corner outfielder. and play replacement level or better. Vogt is a catcher. as we saw, he can hold his own at replacement or better.

                  Chris young was 23/24 last year. Sure we expected better but was replacement level.

                  adam rosales was replacement level as the 19/21 player.

                  Brandons hicks, allen and inge, Lukes hughes and montz, Jemile weeks, Kila Ka’aihue, george kottaras, kurt suzuki.

                  These players all suck and played significant roles in the past 2 division championships.

                  I agree with colin SS is the big ledge that we best not fall off, cuz that one has very little depth. But outfield? I am comfortable with the first five.

                  I have $5. No I don\'t.
                • lenscrafters Feb 25,2014 4:20 pm || Up

                  I agree with the overall point, but I’d say it’s not exactly that the A’s did “fine” with those guys you listed, it’s that they did “fine” because they were able to limit those guys’ appearances by finding guys like Moss, Carter, Donaldson, Gray, Norris, Griffin, Straily instead when the injuries did start piling up.

                • 5Aces Feb 25,2014 4:30 pm || Up

                  At what point does that ledge get filled with the kid? All the right things are being said right now about Russell staying in the minors. But if he is doing well and something happens in June/July and we are contending do you pull the trigger, do you go shopping, or do you hope that Rosey has been DFA’d again?

                  Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
                • dmoas Feb 25,2014 5:11 pm || Up

                  I don’t think you try to forecast ahead on that one. You really have to make him force the issue. Until he does, he’s a non-entity this season. All plans should be with the thought that he won’t factor in the MLB this season.

                • Future Ed Feb 25,2014 5:38 pm || Up

                  And what do you shop with Straily/milone/Griffin?

                  What do you want in return? Rollins? bogarts? (is enough left for him) Avilas ? escobar? Cabrera?

                  I can’t see the union of availability and affordability.

                  I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • the llama Feb 25,2014 11:44 pm || Up

      Jaso catching makes this team so much better. Guaranteed we beat DET in the ALDS if Jaso was playing instead of Vogt.

      • Glorious Mundy Feb 26,2014 9:54 am || Up

        Yes. I’ve muttering this all winter like a crazy person.

        • the llama Feb 26,2014 9:59 am || Up

          You transposed the “this” and the “all.”

      • andeux Feb 26,2014 10:27 am || Up

        I just don’t see that at all. The difference between them is awfully small once you account for defense.

        TINSTAAFK
        • Future Ed Feb 26,2014 10:28 am || Up

          HE GUARANTEED IT!

          that is all I need to know.

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
          • andeux Feb 26,2014 10:31 am || Up

            Joe Namath, Justin Wilson, George Zimmer, and the llama.

            TINSTAAFK
        • Glorious Mundy Feb 26,2014 10:34 am || Up

          Over the course of a season, maybe. But in a short series against that pitching staff, I think Jaso’s .400 OBP against righties would quite likely have tipped the balance. He certainly would have had better at bats against Scherzer.

          • the llama Feb 26,2014 10:45 am || Up

            Yes, this. Vogt was so sorry in high-leverage situations (according to my fuzzy rage-fueled memory) that I have to think Jaso would have been some kind of improvement.

            I really hate Vogt.

            • ptbnl Feb 26,2014 10:49 am || Up

              You got a problem with -0.4 WPA for the series?

              If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
              • the llama Feb 26,2014 10:53 am || Up

                FUUUUUUUU

              • Glorious Mundy Feb 26,2014 10:58 am || Up

                -0.2 in game 4 alone. He even managed to have a negative WPA in the game that he won with a walkoff hit.

                • andeux Feb 26,2014 11:06 am || Up

                  That’s awfully misleading, though. He had a long but ultimately unsuccessful AB against Verlander in that game (Game 2) that got praise from both teams for what a great battle it was.

                  TINSTAAFK
                • Glorious Mundy Feb 26,2014 11:07 am || Up

                  True. It was epic.

                • the llama Feb 26,2014 11:09 am || Up

                  Wow, I had forgotten about that already.

                • dmoas Feb 26,2014 11:28 am || Up

                  Well, I mean, wtf has he done for us lately? Absolutely nothing for more than 3 months, that’s what. Guy’s lazy.

              • colin Feb 26,2014 11:08 am || Up

                Verlander was +0.84 WPA for that series. If you add in the one game he pitched against Boston, he put together +1.12 WPA in just three starts. 23 IP, 1 ER, 31 K, 3 BB, 1 HR.

                • nevermoor Mar 1,2014 11:35 am || Up

                  Worst part? I knew as soon as game 4 ended that it would go exactly that way.

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
            • MikeV Feb 26,2014 10:53 am || Up

              This.

              And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

              Thanks, and go As.

            • andeux Feb 26,2014 10:53 am || Up

              I like Vogt.

              TINSTAAFK
              • the llama Feb 26,2014 10:55 am || Up

                But surely you think Jaso is a better option for LHB catcher, no?

                • andeux Feb 26,2014 11:02 am || Up

                  Overall yes, but only a little bit. Jaso’s defense is really bad, and I don’t get why no one seems to care about that. I mean, I’m not going full Fosse and claiming that only defense matters for a catcher, just that it does count. And while some aspects of catcher defense are still hard to measure, it seems pretty clear that Jaso is not good at any of it.

                  TINSTAAFK
                • the llama Feb 26,2014 11:06 am || Up

                  I’ll take your word for it on the defense. But man, Vogt has a sorry plate approach compared to Jaso and that’s a very visible shortcoming.

                  Also, the hair.

                • lenscrafters Feb 26,2014 11:12 am || Up

                  Well is Vogt’s defense any good? I feel like I heard “Ball in the dirt — past Vogt” quite a few times last year. But his arm seems to be the best out of the trio, not that that’s saying much.

  26. MikeV Feb 26,2014 9:42 am

    I don’t want to get ahead of myself and call today a must win game, but…

    And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

    Thanks, and go As.

    • the llama Feb 26,2014 9:52 am || Up

      I liked it better when we opened the spring season against the Brewers.

    • 5Aces Feb 26,2014 10:10 am || Up

      WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  27. FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 26,2014 7:24 pm

    I for one appreciate it when the local newspeople who lick up the snot that drips out of their nose on live TV are kind enough to out themselves as Giants fans.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • colin Feb 26,2014 7:38 pm || Up

      Your link just goes to the A’s website.

      • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 26,2014 7:54 pm || Up

        Ironic mistake, given my editorial snark. Fixed now.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  28. Jennifer Feb 26,2014 7:56 pm

    Not enough boobs in this thread for Mike.

    • MikeV Feb 27,2014 7:54 pm || Up

      pretty much always true

      And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

      Thanks, and go As.

  29. Glorious Mundy Feb 26,2014 9:53 pm
    • Kay Feb 26,2014 10:42 pm || Up

      A former rival of mine… Of course he outlasted me in our battle for the tourist dollar in front of the excursion boats, but then again, I wasn’t meant to be a lifer and he was.

      I don’t know if he will be missed, but I don’t want him to reincarnate as a tree sloth, either.

      \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
      • Glorious Mundy Feb 27,2014 10:14 am || Up

        What was your shtick?

        • Kay Feb 27,2014 9:45 pm || Up

          I made up songs about people as they walked by.

          Sometimes the boat owners would tip me to talk shit about the Bushman (They hated the Bushman), so I’d sing a song to the people who walked past me before the Bushman…

          “Oh the guy over there’s not a bush not a bush, but that bush over there might be a guy… You can give your money to him or to me, but at least I don’t make little children cry!”

          \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
  30. aardvark Feb 27,2014 9:20 am
    • colin Feb 27,2014 9:32 am || Up

      They just don’t know that Ynoa is the next Verlander.

    • Glorious Mundy Feb 27,2014 10:14 am || Up

      At least we’re not the Angels.

    • Future Ed Feb 27,2014 11:27 am || Up

      Choioce is not even listed as a ranger to watch. He was what our #2?

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • brian.only Feb 27,2014 10:33 pm || Up

      Not really worried seeing as our rotation is fucking bargain and solid for a good 3-4 years. Ynoamean?

    • nevermoor Mar 1,2014 11:37 am || Up

      Holy shit.

      Farm System Trajectory for 2015: Up. It’s not a deep system, but if you project strong years from prospects like Wahl, Robertson, Alcantara and McKinney—in addition continued excellence from Addison Russell–the farm should jump a few spots.

      So if everything breaks perfectly, we can jump to the bottom of the middle-third?!?

      "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
  31. brian.only Feb 27,2014 10:34 pm

    So are we doing a WACC/FSU hybrid thing for opening day?

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 27,2014 10:36 pm || Up

      Looks that way, come one come all. So long as fans are allowed to park where they want to the tailgate should draw a huge and awesome crowd.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • brian.only Feb 27,2014 10:51 pm || Up

        Awesome, kinda curious what attendance is going to be this year- looking at their recent success and baseballs weird ascendance amongst young hipsters; I’ve never ever seen so much A’s gear reppin’, I picked almost all my ST for weeknights practically, as I abhor long lines/ coliseum chode-ster cholesterol. Gawd I sound old heh…

        • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 27,2014 10:59 pm || Up

          I have definitely seen more A’s hats around the last month than I remember in any February for a long time. If the A’s are contenders all season long they could top 2 million. I also think that if demand is strong for the high demand games we might just see some tarps come off.

          "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
          • brian.only Feb 27,2014 11:08 pm || Up

            I’m down for tarps off, suck it Lew!

            • Glorious Mundy Feb 28,2014 9:39 am || Up

              It was so FKing beautiful with the tarps off in the playoffs.

          • dmoas Feb 27,2014 11:39 pm || Up

            I’d be lying if I thought both weren’t very far fetched. But I wouldn’t mind in the least bit to eat crow over that. Not one bit.

      • Dial C for Concupiscence Mar 3,2014 2:17 pm || Up

        Looks like a work from ballpark home Monday for me!

  32. ptbnl Feb 27,2014 11:25 pm

    Updating my CV for a grant application, I just realized its 20 years since my first paper.

    If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
    • AV Feb 27,2014 11:55 pm || Up

      NERD!!

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • the llama Feb 28,2014 4:42 am || Up

      Old man, but apparently 20 years well-spent.

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 28,2014 7:31 am || Up

      How long since your first rolling paper? Every good CV includes that.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • AV Feb 28,2014 11:06 am || Up

      oh man, counting 20 years on my fingers overnight, i was sure “Transgressing the Boundaries: Towards a Transformative Hermeneutics of Quantum Gravity” was yours. alas, 2 years off. but there’s hope!

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  33. FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 28,2014 7:38 am

    Very curious what some of you science types think about Elon Musk’s new battery factory. Wondering if he’s going to make big strides in the battery size/storage capacity connundrum.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • dmoas Feb 28,2014 8:48 am || Up

      Nah. He’s just going to set more things on fire.

    • colin Feb 28,2014 11:26 am || Up

      I don’t know anything about the technical issues in battery research, but it seems like a good move from a business perspective, assuming they are really serious about developing mass market electric cars.

    • Dial C for Concupiscence Mar 3,2014 2:20 pm || Up

      Batteries are one of the biggest limitations towards increases in feasible/affordable production electric technology, so attempts to address that are welcome. I don’t know about the science of it though

  34. Future Ed Feb 28,2014 8:09 am

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • colin Feb 28,2014 8:15 am || Up

      …but he probably still will.

    • Glorious Mundy Feb 28,2014 9:43 am || Up

      He seems like the kind of guy who would have spent the last five months stewing over that swing against Scherzer. I hope it motivates him in a positive way rather than breaking him. I really like Reddick.

      • dmoas Feb 28,2014 10:16 am || Up

        Based on his history, he’ll just dig in and do worse. He needs some weed to relax and let that shit go.

    • Dial C for Concupiscence Mar 3,2014 2:21 pm || Up

      According to Fangraphs swing numbers, Reddick actually swung at less stuff across the board last year than in his successful 2012

  35. Glorious Mundy Feb 28,2014 9:41 am

    Slusser on the radio this morning said she thinks Barton makes the team out of Spring with Vogt coming up at some later point, and that if Gentry’s back issue lingers its Fuld > Taylor/Peterson for the 4th outfield spot.

    • Future Ed Feb 28,2014 9:55 am || Up

      taylor is out of options, I would guess.

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • dmoas Feb 28,2014 10:17 am || Up

      Well, if Barton makes the team, then they’d only need a 5th outfielder spot since Barton could play first with Moss in the outfield.

      • andeux Feb 28,2014 10:18 am || Up

        Who is the DH in that scenario?

        TINSTAAFK
        • Glorious Mundy Feb 28,2014 11:31 am || Up

          I think in this scenario Cespedes or Crisp is carrying a minor injury and needs a day at DH.

      • Glorious Mundy Feb 28,2014 10:19 am || Up

        Correct. They’re going to carry 4.5 outfielders, basically.

      • lenscrafters Feb 28,2014 11:29 am || Up

        I think you’re forgetting about Reddick.

        • colin Feb 28,2014 11:35 am || Up

          Isn’t it like this?
          LF = Cespedes
          CF = Crisp
          RF = Reddick
          OF = Gentry
          1B/OF = Moss
          1B = Barton
          Then Fuld, Taylor, Peterson go to the minors.

          • lenscrafters Feb 28,2014 11:38 am || Up

            Yes, so if Barton makes the team over Vogt, Moss isn’t going to the outfield. Moss is going to DH with Jaso at C.

            • Glorious Mundy Feb 28,2014 11:41 am || Up

              Either way you usually need five guys on a roster who can play the outfield. Since the A’s have Moss, they only need to carry four “true” outfielders and can instead carry all the scrappy middle infielders and defensive specialist first basemen they want.

              • lenscrafters Feb 28,2014 11:49 am || Up

                Right, but I don’t see how this has anything to do with Barton vs. Vogt.

              • andeux Feb 28,2014 11:55 am || Up

                I think there are two separate issues here:

                1) Guys who can play the outfield. Agreed, we have a lot of those, even if there are a couple of injuries. Not really an issue.

                2) What bats are in the lineup. It looks like:
                C – Jaso/Norris platoon
                1B – Moss
                2B – Sogard/Callaspo/Punto platoon
                SS – Lowrie
                3B – Donaldson
                LF – Cespedes
                CF – Crisp
                RF – Reddick/Gentry platoon
                That’s 8 slots that are at least OK. 2B is clearly not great, and who knows about Reddick, but all in all there isn’t much to complain about.

                The problem is the 9th (DH) slot. Options are:
                – Barton at 1B, with Moss moving to DH.
                – Vogt at LH C, with Jaso moving to more or less full-time DH.
                – One of those other platoon players hitting from his worse side.

                As lenscrafter argued the other day, those are already not-great options, and an injury to one of the starters means we are getting two of those options (or Fuld/Peterson/Taylor), which makes it a lot worse. I wasn’t crazy about the Nelson Cruz idea, which I don’t think would be much of an upgrade, but it really would be better to have one more decent hitter instead of one of those utility infielders.

                TINSTAAFK
                • Glorious Mundy Feb 28,2014 12:02 pm || Up

                  Good summary. Thinking more about this, I expect to see a fair amount of Callaspo in the DH spot against lefties, with Barton at first if he makes the team.

                • Glorious Mundy Feb 28,2014 12:09 pm || Up

                  Apropos of not much, I just noticed that Norris’ platoon split was crazy last year. 177 wRC+ against lefties, 33 wRC+ against righties.

                • colin Feb 28,2014 12:19 pm || Up

                  Career split is 140/54, but that’s still with only ~260 PA for each half of the split (is anyone else surprised that he has logged equal number of PA vs LHP and RHP?). But even with appropriate skepticism about his true platoon split, I think it’s safe to say that Norris could be a damn good hitter as half of a catching platooon. I really hope that he and Jaso can manage to stay healthy and catch this year.

                • Dial C for Concupiscence Mar 3,2014 2:25 pm || Up

                  Are we not platooning Moss this year? I thought Callaspo or someone was going to play 1B against lefties.

          • Future Ed Feb 28,2014 12:34 pm || Up

            Fuld has outs in his minor league contract.

            I have $5. No I don\'t.
  36. Glorious Mundy Feb 28,2014 1:29 pm
    • PDXAthleticsfan Mar 3,2014 1:41 pm || Up

      Meh. The US, Soros, and Omidyar have been sponsoring these groups around FSU for years. And will continue to do so until they get it right or until it is no longer financially worthwhile to do so.

      A soliloquy of fresh-sounding ideas which would probably be disastrous.
  37. FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 28,2014 1:42 pm

    Sogard loses to David Wright? No fucking way! I smell a fix, somebody with MLB in NYC stuffing the ballot box to avoid having an anonymous non-star player from an anonymous non-star team as “the Face of MLB.”

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Future Ed Feb 28,2014 1:50 pm || Up

      this won’t make you feel better:

      ignore the source.

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • ptbnl Feb 28,2014 1:52 pm || Up

        Yeah – I think the 5am PST closing time was the only fix.

        If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
        • Future Ed Feb 28,2014 1:57 pm || Up

          20% of total votes coming between 7 and 8 am Eastern?

          I am not fully convinced.

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
          • Future Ed Feb 28,2014 3:10 pm || Up

            Deadspin

            the golden one commentor points out this and this

            I have $5. No I don\'t.
            • DFA Feb 28,2014 11:38 pm || Up

              Despite the outcome, this was a huge win for supporters of Eric Sogard and supporters of anarchy. The entire contest was hijacked by bespectacled nihilism.

              tagline?

              In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
              • ptbnl Feb 28,2014 11:39 pm || Up

                Hijacked by bespectacled nihilism, for sure.

                If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
      • Future Ed Feb 28,2014 1:54 pm || Up

        that is 51,747 to 14,665 in the last hour.

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • colin Feb 28,2014 1:51 pm || Up

      There’s lots of conspiracy theories flying around. Casey Pratt posted some map showing that a large chunk of the votes for Wright came from South Korea.

    • batgirl Feb 28,2014 1:55 pm || Up

      Totally. Also the contest ended at 8am eastern I think, so Mets fans had a chance to get in their last tweets while we were sleeping. I will say I sent what were my first and what could very well be my last tweets ever! I did get my tix for the nerd power night–love the tee.

    • Glorious Mundy Feb 28,2014 2:01 pm || Up

      What exactly was the point of this contest? Does the winner get featured in an ad campaign, or what?

      • Future Ed Feb 28,2014 2:06 pm || Up

        I don’t know. Apparently there was one last year with Cespedes being the A’s representative

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • andeux Feb 28,2014 2:10 pm || Up

      I haven’t been so outraged since Rory Fitzpatrick lost the NHL all-star vote.

      TINSTAAFK
  38. AV Feb 28,2014 4:21 pm

    too bad it was against a team of mine, but wow.

    *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  39. FreeSeatUpgrade Mar 1,2014 9:42 am

    Today’s selection of A’s links from Phoenix (note that none are from the Oakland Tribune due to their idiotic limit of 10 articles per month before you have to pay for them and I’m too lazy for the clear history and cookies workaround):

    Bruce Jenkins (aiee!) waxes rhapsodic about comfortable old Phoenix Muni. Worth it for this from Melvin:

    “We almost take offense when people start bad-mouthing (the Coliseum) and the stuff that goes on over there.”

    Yes, Sean Doolittle was working the new slider yesterday.

    Joliet Jake Elmore Leonard, Mr. Versatility. On August 19 last year he played all nine positions in a game for the Astros. Trivia question: Name the only person to have done that for the Oakland Athletics.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Soaker Mar 1,2014 9:48 am || Up

      (Elmore played all 9 positions for the Astros in various games during the season, but no more than 2 positions in any single game.)

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • FreeSeatUpgrade Mar 1,2014 10:44 am || Up

        Damn my feeble reading comprehension!

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
        • Soaker Mar 1,2014 11:04 am || Up

          I’m going to bust you on your trivia question too. Here is the list of position players who have pitched for the Oakland Athletics (emphasis added), none of whom played all 9 positions in their entire careers.

          What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
          • andeux Mar 1,2014 11:11 am || Up

            Surprising that most of them didn’t allow any runs.

            TINSTAAFK
            • Soaker Mar 1,2014 11:24 am || Up

              Usually in those blowout situations the other team tries to make some courtesy outs and get the game over with, the exception being somebody who’s 0-for-20 and needs a cheap batting practice hit. I guess the Rockies weren’t feeling so magnanimous that night.

              If I remember right, in the 19-inning game Moss won with a homer last April, the A’s were completely out of pitchers and one of the position players was prepared to pitch the 20th if the game had continued.

              What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
          • 5Aces Mar 1,2014 11:21 am || Up

            I was thinking a similar thought. The one I could think of was wrong because of the Oakland part I thought, but I was too lazy to do any actual research.

            Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
          • 5Aces Mar 1,2014 11:25 am || Up

            Also gotta love letting Gross go 2 and a third. I had to do a quick check because I would have just assumed Billy was still managing and was trying to blow his arm out as well.

            Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
          • FreeSeatUpgrade Mar 1,2014 11:30 am || Up

            My phrasing was off; the feat was accomplished in 1965 by a Kansas City Athletic. In my defense, the player is mostly associated with the team’s Oakland days.

            "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
            • sslinger Mar 1,2014 1:58 pm || Up

              Dagoberto. Bonus question, Minnesota edition: who did it for the Twins?

              • Kay Mar 1,2014 6:40 pm || Up

                Cesar Tovar, of course.

                \"Weren\'t you already aware the Kay is already writing everyone\'s story? We\'re all just characters who believe we are real. Things make more sense now, don\'t they. Be honest.\"- DMOAS
  40. Future Ed Mar 3,2014 2:29 pm

    NORTH BAY PEOPLE! GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN!

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • AV Mar 3,2014 3:47 pm || Up

      which would be much funnier if today’s actual headlines weren’t so similar.

      http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26408115

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  41. Future Ed Mar 3,2014 2:32 pm

    I have $5. No I don\'t.

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