totdprods

With Morin out for awhile they need a RHP to step up while he's out. Really need Cam to pitch like he can and take this opportunity. I'm actually glad they're testing him because it's showing they are getting a sense of urgency. Determining if Cam is someone they can rely on next month or more with Morin out or if they need to find a RHP.
They're using the same mindset with Perez, Marte, Krauss, Nieuwenhuis....bring them up, give then a trial-by-fire for a couple weeks to determine their place on the depth chart so team can begin assessing needs.

Probably gives Angels enough breathing room to lock up Street now.

The Royals

With how stat crazy baseball is, I'm still blown away someone hasn't devised some sort or metric or points system, even in approximation, to apply to a scout's accuracy.

Yeah, Scott Kazmir was out of baseball at one point too. I never rule out anything the A's do.

Yeah, Scott Kazmir was out of baseball at one point too. I never rule out anything the A's do.

I think Thatcher owes us a minor league deal with a spring invite. I'd imagine the FO would like an opportunity to salvage something from that deal.
Would be interesting to see how the K-Rod/Soriano/Janssen market plays out....

I remember when gary gaetti was our power hitter....i think i focused more on school than baseball during those years. Thankfully 2002 came along and i could go back to not worrying about being responsible and focusing on whats important in life.

I never want to see Gary Gaeitti's name posted here again.  Nor Von Hayes.
 
Nor Kelly Gruber, for that matter.

Also, has Dipoto traded away anyone, prospect or otherwise, that has actually improved or flourished elsewhere? I can't really think of any.
Seems like anyone he has dealt has either dropped off or remained comparable to when they left.
It felt like anyone Reagins shipped out or let walk improved.

That's soccer.

You're not into the whole brevity thing?

Not enough Vladdy Jrs

Not enough Vladdy Jrs

Cron gets a full year in the majors splitting time with Joyce at DH. He probably hits against lefties, Joyce against righties. Days when Joyce covers for an outfielder, Cron gets a DH chance against righties.

It's all about control. With the top-heavy contracts the team has, it's important to keep as many of these cheap options as long as possible.
They aren't going to give the back-up spot outright to Bandy or Perez because they have options, and both can benefit from working full-time in the minors. Both still have some room to grow; Bandy is still young, Perez is in a new org with new pitchers and knowing Scioscia, a new catching philosophy.
They obviously liked something about Butera enough to go out and trade for him, be it defense, his arm, pitch-framing, whatever. If they give the back-up spot to Perez or Bandy outright, they run the risk of losing Butera. If they lose Butera, they have to go out and find someone else to fill that spot on the depth chart. And whoever that player is, they likely aren't going to be much different than Butera.
It's a back-up catcher, they're there for a handful of games and defense. Is cutting Butera worth losing a catcher just so Bandy or Perez can fill a very minor role? A role in which any upside Perez or Bandy being would only be minimally useful because of the back-ups lack of playing time?
And besides, the pecking order can change during spring training due to performance or injuries to one or two catchers.

It's all about control. With the top-heavy contracts the team has, it's important to keep as many of these cheap options as long as possible.
They aren't going to give the back-up spot outright to Bandy or Perez because they have options, and both can benefit from working full-time in the minors. Both still have some room to grow; Bandy is still young, Perez is in a new org with new pitchers and knowing Scioscia, a new catching philosophy.
They obviously liked something about Butera enough to go out and trade for him, be it defense, his arm, pitch-framing, whatever. If they give the back-up spot to Perez or Bandy outright, they run the risk of losing Butera. If they lose Butera, they have to go out and find someone else to fill that spot on the depth chart. And whoever that player is, they likely aren't going to be much different than Butera.
It's a back-up catcher, they're there for a handful of games and defense. Is cutting Butera worth losing a catcher just so Bandy or Perez can fill a very minor role? A role in which any upside Perez or Bandy being would only be minimally useful because of the back-ups lack of playing time?
And besides, the pecking order can change during spring training due to performance or injuries to one or two catchers.

Cron gets a full year in the majors splitting time with Joyce at DH. He probably hits against lefties, Joyce against righties. Days when Joyce covers for an outfielder, Cron gets a DH chance against righties.

Cron gets a full year in the majors splitting time with Joyce at DH. He probably hits against lefties, Joyce against righties. Days when Joyce covers for an outfielder, Cron gets a DH chance against righties.

Looking like they're just going to throw Rutledge, Green, Featherston, Yaborough, maybe Baldoquin (??) and Curley (from AAA Rule 5) at the 2B position next year and hope someone sticks, with the runner-up being the back-up MIF.
 
Not bad.

A tiny ember to go with the Lester mystery team smoke?

Basically they traded Hank Conger's Potential for Hank Conger, with a controllable #6 started with potential.
Sounds great!

Basically they traded Hank Conger's Potential for Hank Conger, with a controllable #6 started with potential.
Sounds great!

Even if Oakland hangs on, they'll be a little shaken at how they almost blew it all again.
I know Oakland was built for playoffs, but KC looks a little scarier.