MATT WATSON

Height:	5'11"		DOB:	5-Nov-78
Weight:	200 lbs		2005 Age:	26
Bats:	Left		Birthplace:	Lancaster, PA
Throws:	Right		ML Service:	17 Days
Obtained:	Claimed on waivers, October 9, 2003 from the NY Mets

A week before Christmas Matt Watson was kind enough to take time in between putting up decorations, getting a tree and feeding his one-year old son the breakfast of champions (cheese dog, a pickle, pretzels...and Gatorade) to answer a few questions on the spot. The interview took place after the Jason Kendall trade and prior to the trades involving Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder.



ELEPHANTS in OAKLAND:

Let's just dive right in with a question that we can rid ourselves of right of the bat:
Did you read Moneyball before the A's claimed you? If not, have you by now?

Matt Watson (Oakland A's):

"I read parts of the Moneyball book when I got claimed by the A's just to see what all the hype was about. I thought it was an interesting concept but I didn't try to adapt my style of play this year to fit into the mold of the book. I think the A's claimed me because I already fit that mold to a certain extent."

MATT WATSON with MONTREAL (1999 - 2002)

Year	Team	Lg	Age	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
1999	Vermont	NYPL	21	MTL	A	.380	.518	.439	.957	70	284	55	108	12	3	7	47	30	27
2000	Jupiter	FSL	22	MTL	A	.175	.241	.276	.517	40	137	10	24	5	2	0	8	18	23
2001	Jupiter	FSL	23	MTL	A	.330	.455	---	---	124	446	70	147	33	4	5	74	63	45
2002	Harrisburg	EAST	24	MTL	AA	.250	.250	.250	.500	1	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0

ELEPHANTS in OAKLAND:

You got to the big leagues with the Mets for a few AB's. What was a better experience; playing with a big league team in 2003 or winning a championship with the Sacramento RiverCats last season?

Matt Watson (Oakland A's):

"The experience of getting to the big leagues in 2003 and that of playing for Sacramento in 2004 were two totally different ones for me. 2003 was big for me and my family because reaching the major league level was something I've always strived for and knew I could achieve. Getting there and having a chance to experience what it takes to succeed at the highest level of competition was something I'll never forget and will help me get back there someday I believe. 2004 was also rewarding for me because I wasn't playing where I aspired to be but the group of players we had in Sacramento made me feel like we were sort of on a four A level. We had a great group of guys and some of us could have been playing in the majors, but we all rallied around each other and went out to prove ourselves every game. I'd never played on a team that good in the minor leagues and it was very rewarding to go out and win another championship for the Rivercats."

MATT WATSON with NY METS (2002 - 2003)

Year	Team	Lg	Age	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
2002	Binghamton	EAST	24	NYM	AA	.279	.416	.339	.755	127	437	55	122	26	2	10	67	39	52
2003	Brooklyn	NYPL	25	NYM	A	.143	.214	.294	.508	4	14	0	2	1	0	0	0	2	3
2003	St. Lucie	FSL	25	NYM	A	.286	.571	.333	.904	2	7	2	2	0	1	0	2	1	2
2003	Binghamton	EAST	25	NYM	AA	.393	.607	.452	1.059	8	28	6	11	3	0	1	1	2	2
2003	Norfolk	IL	25	NYM	AAA	.295	.504	.366	.870	74	254	40	75	18	1	11	55	23	23
2003	METS	NL	25	NYM	MLB	.174	.261	.208	.469	15	23	0	4	2	0	0	2	1	5

ELEPHANTS in OAKLAND:

For some reason, you, Mike Edwards and Jon Weber were always confusing to tell apart (at least to me) because your stats were very similar and the common first names and surnames. I came to the nickname of 'replacement parts' for the lot of you. I think you, Edwards and Weber are all ready for the jump to the big leagues. Is there a sinking feeling that, in reality, you're waiting for an injury or a trade to open a spot to move up?

Matt Watson (Oakland A's):

"I try not wish any ill will upon players at the major league level. I've always felt that if you're good enough to play in the big leagues, you'll get there somehow. You are not going to make it and stick in the show if you're the best of the worst. All you can do is go out there and make somebody in the front office make a decision on you. You have to play well and make it hard on your evaluators and make them feel like they need you on their 25 man roster."

ELEPHANTS in OAKLAND:

The A's lost a lot of their replacement parts in the last year. Can you give me a brief run down on these players and how the A's will cope with the loss?

Matt Watson (Oakland A's):

Mike Edwards - "Mike Edwards is a great guy and a great teammate. He's versatile and puts up good numbers every year. I think he'd be a solid bench player in the big leagues right now."



Jon Weber - "Jon Weber was a scrapy little player. I think he's a lot like me in many ways. He went out and did what we needed him to do this season and really stepped it up for us in the playoffs. He's the kind of guy that every championship team needs to come in and pick up the slack when you get depleted at the end of season. He gets it done and he's not a flashy type of player but he's definitely a gamer."



Mike Rose - "Mike Rose was one of our cornerstones behind the plate this year. He was in Sacramento in 2003 and helped us get back on top last year. He's a disciplined hittier who fits the A's mold. He walks a lot and is a bulldog behind the dish."



Mike Lockwood - "Mike Lockwood is another great guy who went out there and did his job every day. He was in a tough spot with a packed outfield and didn't get to play a whole lot, but, given the chance he can put up good numbers if he can get in the lineup. I think he is an asset to any team because he is positive and knows how to win."



Mike Wood - "What can you say about Mike Wood? He's dominant in triple A and he knows how to pitch. He's a fielder's dream because he works fast and gets outs."



"I think all of these guys each have something that makes them an asset to any team - but the nature of the business doesn't allow teams to protect and keep everyone. For some of these guys a change of scenery might help them take their careers to the next level."

ELEPHANTS in OAKLAND:

You and Marco Scutaro both were picked up off of waivers last year from the New York Mets. What were some of the factors, that you were aware of, that allowed the Mets to let you both leave? It seems odd that a team would allow two players of your caliber to float to another team.

MATT WATSON with OAKLAND (2004)

Year	Team	Lg	Age	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
2004	Sacramento	PCL	26	OAK	AAA	.305	.515	.377	.892	125	476	79	145	37	3	19	96	54	75

Matt Watson (Oakland A's):

"I didn't have much contact with anyone from New York after I left but Marco was a guy the Mets had up and down between Norfolk and the big leagues. They have some young and talented players like Jose Reyes and others so maybe they felt like they could get by without him. I'm sure they could have used him a lot last year, but their loss was Oakland's gain.


I think I was in the role of a lefty off the bench, fourth or fifth outfielder. The Mets picked up Eric Valent and he had a good year for them. Like I said earlier, they gave me a look-see in 2003 and I didn't make them feel like they had to keep me for that role. I had some chances at pinch hitting and didn't take full advantage of them but it was a learning experience for me and one that I feel I'm better capable of handling now."

ELEPHANTS in OAKLAND:

Now, you're a left-hand hitter, but throw right-handed. Reading up on you online, reviews of your glove pale to that of your ability at the plate. How would you describe your defense as far as range in the OF?

Matt Watson (Oakland A's):

"I think on the whole I played a solid outfield this year. I never played right field before this year and actually prefer it now. Sometimes I was a little too aggressive and tried to make throws I shouldn't have but I feel like I can play a good outfield, left or right. I went to winter ball this year (Mexican League - Hermosillo Orange Growers) and experienced my first long season, but, the one thing I feel great about doing was going to Mexico and getting a chance to play all three outfield positions. I had some of my better games in center field which I haven't played since 1999."

ELEPHANTS in OAKLAND:

Have you ever been asked to consider playing a different position, like first base? With Graham Koonce and Dan Johnson in Sacramento, there may not have been a chance, but with either moving on (up or out) do you think first base might be an option?

Matt Watson (Oakland A's):

"I've always told everyone that I would gladly play anywhere on the field. I asked player development guys in the past if I could to instructional league after my double A and triple A years to work on different positions and I was always told that my outfield play was fine and it wasn't something they saw I needed to do. But I love to play baseball and if I had the chance to learn a different position that might help me get back to the big leagues I would jump at the chance."


ELEPHANTS in OAKLAND:

How was your adjustment from playing in college at Xavier to hitting with wood bats in the pros? Is it easier or harder than most think?

Matt Watson (Oakland A's):

"I didn't have a huge adjustment to wooden bats. I think because my swing is simple and short I didn't have to adjust too much to a different style of bat. I much prefer wooden ones now to the aluminum. There's nothing like sound of a wooden bat when you get one on the sweet spot."