We Get letters…

Will Carroll of BASEBALL PROSPECTUS was kind enough to throw us a bone and answer our screaming from the hills on the A’s injury situation;

”I think you're right. One of the things that the Beane approach (EIOS note: short for the Oakland A’s Organization - it's just easier to mention the GM as at the helm, sort of like the referring to a sitting president's "administration" rather than trying to mention the thousands of people responsible at the White House; it saves time...we'll shut up now and let Will, finish, or rather, start) does is end up with a real lack of depth at the bottom of the 25. Scrap guys like Bowie and Menechino aren't really going to help, aren't really going to hurt, and should be easily replaceable by the next guy. I'm not sure how much the usage patterns are manager and how much is front office.
On Dye, his knee problem is the result of his leg problem. He was limping, his gait changed, he hurt his cartilage. While I don't think he's headed down the Dawson path, I think that broken leg - and nasty spiral fracture at that - will be a turning point in his career.”
-WILL CARROLL

Dye is also dealing with a heel problem, now, and he may need a wheelchair before the road trip is over. There are discussions over cortisone injection (s) and use.

For $12 million bucks you’d think the A’s would get a little less headache…or is the headache this big because of the $12 million?

Who knows?

We do, but we aren’t telling.

Along the lines of the A’s 25 man roster Plus! Situation, there are new fringes to explore. A few lads are beginning to make their jersey size more relevant to the A’s clubhouse manager.

PLAYER	AVG	ON BASE	SLG	HITS	RUNS	BB/K	2B	HR	GAMES	AB
Bobby Crosby	.280	.351	.488	70	41	27/66	12	12	70	250

A few people were mentioning why they think Miguel Tejada is starting to hit. Theories range from new hitting coach Dave Hudgens, to the law of averages, to placing the Miggi bobblehead closer to the Eric Byrnes bobblehead. The real answer might be that SRC shortstop and former number one pick, Bobby Crosby, has adjusted to AAA. Crosby could be the reason the A’s trade Miguel or consider signing Miggi to a deflated multi-year deal (very unlikely, although more possible since suggested this off-season and especially since April 1st).

PLAYER	AVG	ON BASE	SLG	HITS	RUNS	BB/K	2B	HR	GAMES	AB
Mike Edwards	.318	.396	.488	67	35	37/25	13	5	64	211

Holy whereabouts. Edwards has played in the outfield and a little at 3B. Playing third in the Oakland system is sort of like playing centerfield for the Yankees in the 1940’s – 1960’s. Not much point if you’re not the guy. The A’s have already traded Scott Speizio, Mark Bellhorn, Scott Brosius and Eric Hinske in the last several years - not to mention, letting Tony Batista go unprotected in the expansion draft. Edwards could be trade bait or a good 26th player to have around, if it weren’t for Jason Grabowski…

PLAYER	AVG	ON BASE	SLG	HITS	RUNS	BB/K	2B	HR	GAMES	AB
Jason Grabowski	.311	.371	.490	64	36	22/35	9	8	53	206

About the only argument you can make against Grabowski is that he doesn’t pitch. Maybe, that he doesn’t walk enough. But his production is there, and had Ron Gant not been with the A’s, Jason Grabowski might be in right field and Jermaine Dye would still be on the DL. Instead, Graboswki got a handful of late inning assignments and was rudely sent back to Sacramento. Pardon us for questioning the A’s, but, if a player doesn’t get at-bats, how is he supposed to produce?

PLAYER	AVG	ON BASE	SLG	HITS	RUNS	BB/K	2B	HR	GAMES	AB
Esteban German	.284	.378	.373	63	37	32/13	7	2	57	222

If you thought German’s numbers look like he’s finally ready to be the A’s everyday 2nd baseman, think again. He failed horribly in that role at the beginning of 2001 and has turned into a singles hitter. Sure, he’s hitting .284 and his on-base percentage is respectable. But, for a guy who was supposed to be a prospect worth talking to other prospects about, he’s fallen into the litterbin. His power has disappeared. Though, other clubs may not have a problem with a good glove and speed up the middle. Billy Beane has German ready to ship with any deal in the next four weeks. Bank on it.

PLAYER	AVG	ON BASE	SLG	HITS	RUNS	BB/K	2B	HR	GAMES	AB
Mike Lockwood	.303	.376	.513	23	14	9/10	4	4	29	76

Mike Lockwood is an outfielder that has paid his dues in the minors and deserves a shot on somebody’s roster. If he can pad his numbers over the next few weeks he might find himself still in AAA, but closer to a locker with another MLB club.

Tomorrow we’ll torch the pitching issue and include the Mike Neu Question.