Winter in SD Grill ← FREE KRAUT!

Winter in SD Grill 86

As the winter meetings commence, the A’s continue their quest to find the best LHH hitter/reliever ~5 million can buy…

86 thoughts on “Winter in SD Grill

  1. FreeSeatUpgrade Dec 9,2019 11:19 am

    Congrats batgirl on Stanford’s women’s soccer title, vanquishing the Heels.

    Congrats Cal on securing a berth in the commuter school bowl at Levi’s.

    Congrats to anyone who already abandoned college sports watching. If the Tar Heels men’s hoops team is any guide the sport is avert-your-eyes hideous.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  2. lenscrafters Dec 9,2019 12:06 pm

    Strasburg back to Nats for 7/245. That’s pretty crazy. Cole might hit 300.

  3. MikeV Dec 9,2019 12:11 pm

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

    Thanks, and go As.

  4. lenscrafters Dec 9,2019 12:22 pm

    All the lefties

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Dec 9,2019 12:39 pm || Up

      Love the sidearm delivery. Can he also farm crickets?

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Glorious Mundy Dec 9,2019 1:00 pm || Up

      My elbow hurts from looking at that picture.

    • Glorious Mundy Dec 10,2019 10:23 am || Up

      The Royals have believed to have interest in some of the A’s young middle infielders, with Sheldon Neuse potentially their top target in any talks. Neuse is one of three internal candidates for the second-base job along with Franklin Barreto and Jorge Mateo, although the team might also look at free-agent or trade possibilities after sending Jurickson Profar to San Diego last week.

      At least ask about Merrifield, Billy.

      • Glorious Mundy Dec 10,2019 3:58 pm || Up

        • dmoas Dec 10,2019 4:00 pm || Up

          Okay, but doesn’t a guy like that also deserve to be playing for a potential winner like, say, the A’s? I mean, do him a favor here.

  5. sslinger Dec 10,2019 10:46 am
    • lenscrafters Dec 10,2019 11:06 am || Up

      It’d be nice if he didn’t treat spectacularly blowing a top 10 overall pick in the draft as such a joke.

      • FreeSeatUpgrade Dec 10,2019 1:09 pm || Up

        Or at least use as much cost/risk strategy on the A’s roster as he does with his fantasy football team.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • Glorious Mundy Dec 10,2019 6:09 pm || Up

        Other lulz

  6. Glorious Mundy Dec 10,2019 1:24 pm

    Time for the annual Considering of the Wieters

  7. Future Ed Dec 10,2019 3:19 pm

    ??

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Glorious Mundy Dec 10,2019 3:24 pm || Up

      Salary dump for Cole?

    • Soaker Dec 10,2019 3:26 pm || Up

      Having to give away your #1 draft choice after one year in short-season ball in order to dump a bad contract isn’t a heck of a lot better than wasting your #1 choice on Kyler Murray.

      Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
      • Glorious Mundy Dec 10,2019 3:30 pm || Up

        Maybe they’ll give us Jo Adell if we can scrounge up the money for Pujols.

        • Soaker Dec 10,2019 5:09 pm || Up

          We moan about the annual $5M for the crappy reliever (Casilla, Rodney, Diekfarland) but man do they have a legacy. Gary Matthews Jr., Vernon Wells, Josh Hamilton, and on a smaller scale this past season but still worse than anything the A’s have ever done (jury still out on Khris), Matt Harvey and Trevor Cahill. With Pujols they knew the final 3 years or so would be bad taken independently, but the guarantee of at least 3 world championships before that made that one worthwhile.

          Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
      • andeux Dec 11,2019 10:51 am || Up

        Cozart only has 1 year, $12M left.
        Fangraphs estimates the surplus value of Wilson’s draft slot at around $18.4 M (on top of the $3.4 M signing bonus paid), so on the surface this is a steal for the Giants. Of course, as we know even many mid-1st rounders never amount to much, and it’s possible that his value has already fallen since the draft.

        TINSTAAFK
  8. Glorious Mundy Dec 10,2019 8:59 pm

    Too bad Angels

    • MikeV Dec 10,2019 9:11 pm || Up

      LOL.

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

      Thanks, and go As.

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Dec 11,2019 8:03 am || Up

      AT 36M for 2020 Cole will make more than the youngest 15 A’s big leaguers combined. Maybe 20.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  9. Glorious Mundy Dec 11,2019 10:18 am

    Nomar Mazara from the Rangers for the White Sox’ second round pick last year.

    Kind of a weird trade. Mazara has been in the bigs for four full seasons without once posting a league average wRC+. On the other hand, the prospect the Rangers got back is only a year younger than Mazara and hasn’t played above A ball so whatever.

  10. Glorious Mundy Dec 11,2019 10:23 am

  11. lenscrafters Dec 11,2019 11:34 am

    Would love to see us find a way to get this guy

    • MikeV Dec 11,2019 11:49 am || Up

      WE could dangle Chad Pinder!

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

      Thanks, and go As.

      • 5Aces Dec 12,2019 9:04 am || Up

        So, a hanging Chad?

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  12. FreeSeatUpgrade Dec 11,2019 11:41 am

    I’m sure all you Old Blues will be running to get your Redbox Bowl swag. Go Cal State!

    https://mobile.twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1204483503351427073

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Soaker Dec 11,2019 10:42 pm || Up

      I gave the notion of attending the Redbox Bowl the 45 seconds of consideration it deserved, then stuck my credit card back in my wallet.

      Along with the Cal State blunder there, the scenery selections really hit the spot for a game played in Santa Clara.

      Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
      • FreeSeatUpgrade Dec 12,2019 8:54 am || Up

        The seats between the bullpen and the foul poles will be particularly intolerable with netting on top of the oblique angle view. Why not net off the bbq terrace too, basically the same risk.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  13. Soaker Dec 11,2019 10:38 pm

    Treinen to the Dodgers:
    Good for him, and I thought so; evidently there was some trade value there BillyForst let slip away.

    Roark to the Jays:
    Thank goodness we’re not in the journeyman starter market right now.

    Rendon to the Angels:
    They keep trying, but how much does it matter if Trevor Cahill is your Opening Day starter?

    Coliseum nets to the foul poles:
    That’s just silly at the Coliseum. At Yankee Stadium, sure.

    Hawk Harrelson joining Bill King as a Frick Award winner:
    Oh my god no. I was glad Bill eventually was chosen but I stopped taking that thing seriously 10 years ago.

    Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
    • Glorious Mundy Dec 12,2019 8:02 am || Up

      Lowrie back to the A’s?:
      Sure, why not.

    • dmoas Dec 12,2019 9:44 am || Up

      Wait. The COLISEUM to the foul pole? WTF. It makes sense in the bandboxes. But here? There’s zero risk. Hell, I’ve done behind the dugout. The ball doesn’t move that fast by the time it reaches there. That’s insane.

  14. AV Dec 12,2019 9:09 am

    not that i was holding on very tightly, but can pinpoint my completely lost the thread on england moment at the kid on the hospital floor photo.

    and all i keep thinking is, that was just finger exercises for 2020.

    *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  15. Glorious Mundy Dec 12,2019 10:13 am

    Rule 5: A’s lose Mark Payton to the Reds, get Vimael Machin (lefty-hitting infielder) from the Cubs, via the Phillies somehow.

    • andeux Dec 12,2019 10:51 am || Up

      Pickin’ Machin!

      TINSTAAFK
    • lenscrafters Dec 12,2019 11:37 am || Up

      And Buddy Reed as the PTBNL. Not bad, I remember liking him out of the draft.

      • lenscrafters Dec 12,2019 11:44 am || Up

        To recap on winter meetings: I feel like Machin, and SuSlu’s belief that they’re acquiring a 2B from outside the org, means that one of Barreto/Neuse/Mateo is almost certainly gone. Probably to KC for that reliever.

        If we target Lowrie, I really hope there’s a way to get Nimmo as well. It’s more likely if the A’s were one of those orgs that can just eat Lowrie’s salary and get Nimmo to make up for it, but of course we’ll be asking for money if we get Lowrie.

        Not a fan of some of the other 2B options. Cesar Hernandez, maybe, but not that interested in guys like Frazier or Sogard.

        • FreeSeatUpgrade Dec 12,2019 11:50 am || Up

          From Slusser article re Lowrie, an unnamed MLB exec: “it would be better than Halloween III, Die Hard III, Godfather III.” So very bad, then.

          "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
          • Glorious Mundy Dec 12,2019 1:02 pm || Up

            Return of the Jed III?

            • FreeSeatUpgrade Dec 12,2019 1:05 pm || Up

              I think you’ve just coined the caption of the next bleacher banner.

              "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • Soaker Dec 12,2019 12:16 pm || Up

        Hmmm…Marisnick is was the one breather in that lineup, so if that’s the upside…

        Edit: Marisnick was traded to the Mets last week for a couple minor leaguers.

        Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
        • Glorious Mundy Dec 12,2019 1:05 pm || Up

          Great fielder though. And unlike Marisnick, this Reed guy switch hits. Sounds like a useful fourth outfielder.

  16. Glorious Mundy Dec 12,2019 3:24 pm

    Popeyes chicken sandwich lives up to the hype.

  17. Glorious Mundy Dec 13,2019 12:08 pm

    Brett Anderson to Brewers

  18. Future Ed Dec 14,2019 8:00 pm

    Howard D terminal

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Dec 15,2019 9:36 am || Up

      It takes a nation of NIMBYs to hold us back.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • Glorious Mundy Dec 15,2019 9:48 am || Up

        I got a letter from the city council, the other day. I opened and read it. It said they were suckers.

  19. Glorious Mundy Dec 15,2019 9:50 am

    Kluber to the Rangers. I wasn’t expecting that.

    • andeux Dec 15,2019 11:22 am || Up

      Weird move for a team that doesn’t seem like they’re close to contending, but OTOH they may be able to flip him at the deadline for more than they gave up. Surprising that a contending team wasn’t willing to make a similar offer.

      TINSTAAFK
  20. Soaker Dec 15,2019 4:16 pm

    It was certainly an appropriate ending for the second iteration of the Oakland Raiders.

    I hope Clay Wood has a designated driver tonight.

    Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Dec 15,2019 5:48 pm || Up

      An uninteresting battle of futility capped by a blown win seems about right to cap the second iteration of the Oakland Raiders. Mostly not contenders, mostly not entertaining, with enough occasional flashes and heavy costumed nostalgia to sustain a fading zeitgeist through its long demise.

      I wonder if Clay likes the tradeoff: much more pristine grass, fewer game day paychecks.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • 5Aces Dec 16,2019 6:49 am || Up

        Dont forget a classic “the refs robbed us” to make it seem closer to good than it is. (Thanks to the NFL I did not see the game and refuse to look for video).

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
      • dmoas Dec 16,2019 9:33 am || Up

        Given that he’s getting a little older, I’m sure he’ll love the tradeoff of not having to pull all nighters converting the field.

  21. lenscrafters Dec 16,2019 11:03 am

    • andeux Dec 16,2019 11:07 am || Up

      Nothing has changed.

      TINSTAAFK
    • MikeV Dec 16,2019 11:41 am || Up

      Fuck that garbage company/site I hope they go down in flames

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

      Thanks, and go As.

      • dmoas Dec 16,2019 11:53 am || Up

        It sounds like are going down in flames, no? Also, I don’t fuck things that I’m likely going to get some sort of disease from. That site will definitely give me one of those. A literal hard pass.

        • lenscrafters Dec 16,2019 12:08 pm || Up
    • elcroata Dec 16,2019 10:33 pm || Up

      The last one I was reading was Sickels, so no loss at all. Also, they are assholes.

      Because survival is insufficient
    • Soaker Dec 17,2019 9:08 am || Up

      That bit in the CEO’s post about how the fired contractors have the privilege of continuing as “Community Insiders” with special access had me rolling on the floor.

      Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
  22. Englishmajor Dec 16,2019 11:05 am
  23. MikeV Dec 17,2019 1:57 pm
    And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

    Thanks, and go As.

  24. Soaker Dec 18,2019 2:16 pm

    Brewers on a nice run here:

    Friday: Brett Anderson
    Monday: Josh Lindblom (26th player in the second game of a doubleheader; Jim Johnson with the BS and L)
    Tuesday: Ryon Healy
    Today: Eric Sogard

    Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
    • Future Ed Dec 19,2019 12:39 pm || Up

      Justin Smaok [ducks]

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • andeux Dec 19,2019 1:13 pm || Up

        Mmmmm….smoked duck.

        TINSTAAFK
        • FreeSeatUpgrade Dec 19,2019 3:50 pm || Up

          Meanwhile, the Nats addedto their collection of terrible ex-Oakland relievers by signing Fernando Abad.

          "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
          • DFA Dec 19,2019 5:09 pm || Up

            They traded him to us in the first place!

            In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
            • Glorious Mundy Dec 19,2019 5:17 pm || Up

              Speaking of which, Gio signed with the White Sox.

    • Soaker Dec 31,2019 9:57 am || Up

      Twins on a nice run here:

      12/19: Daniel Coulombe
      12/20: Tyler Clippard
      Today: Homer Bailey
      Today: Rich Hill

      Treacherous chasms of half-truth and despair. -- Ken Korach
      • FreeSeatUpgrade Dec 31,2019 11:04 am || Up

        Hopefully they have acquainted Mrs. Hill with Target Field’s carry-in bag policy.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • andeux Dec 31,2019 11:07 am || Up

        Bailey and Hill on cheap one-year deals both seem like good gambles. I wouldn’t have minded the A’s re-signing either one at those prices, even with a rotation that is putatively full.

        TINSTAAFK
        • lenscrafters Dec 31,2019 12:12 pm || Up

          Right, the rotation is “full” but it seems unwise to push Puk/Luzardo to a full season’s workload even if they stay healthy. That plus Montas/Manaea’s injury issues means that this rotation will have reliability problems. I would’ve rather paid Bailey the 7 million instead of Diekman/McFarland and moved Puk or Luzardo into the bullpen at a certain point to limit innings.

          • dmoas Jan 5,2020 9:45 pm || Up

            With the additional roster spot, they could have also gone with a 6 man rotation that went down to a 5 man in case of injury and/or late season push. Give them both the starting experience while limiting innings. Bullpen gets taxed, you still have a fresh arm to take the back half of a game if need be.

  25. DFA Dec 20,2019 9:58 am

    Austin Beck
    Mateo
    Neuse

    for McNeil and Lowrie

    Who says no?

    In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
    • andeux Dec 20,2019 10:12 am || Up

      John Fisher.

      TINSTAAFK
    • lenscrafters Dec 20,2019 10:41 am || Up

      No way the Mets agree to that – there’s talk that the Indians want McNeil for Lindor but the Mets won’t give him up.

      That package for Nimmo/Lowrie (and money) could be plausible.

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