MOVING, NO SHAKING

Here's the deal with the Freddie Bynum situation; it's fishy. Looking at the numbers it doesn't make sense. Looking at the scouting report is doesn't make sense. Even from an organizational perspective it doesn't make sense. Bynum is not the A's type of player. And to be honest, he's really not much of a player if we are talking about a guy on a MLB 25 Man Roster. I'm sure he's a nice guy, whale of a teammate and he has gone through some adversity with a rare blood disorder. But this move smells of something up Billy Beane's sleeve.

However, none of that shows up in his OPS or even in his inability to play defense.

Bynum will be used as a pinch runner, and as we saw last night, incorrectly running for the player on the A's with the best OBP and OPS. He might get some time in center, because the bullshit line that Nick Swisher can play centerfield has been laughed out of baseball, and because Jay Payton needs a day off this season. With Crosby down, he might get some time at short. Playing a few different positions in the middle of a Playoff Race...hmmm.

Now, let's set up some of the parameters of Bynum's call up;

• Mark Kotsay's health was beyond 'in question'.



• Bobby Kielty has been 'iffy' health-wise and in the production department.



• With Keith Ginter going down to Sacramento (eventually), and Ron Flores being thrown into the bullpen and then yanked back out there was some room on the bench for another player.



• Sacramento's outfield and infield was full of better players.

GOPHER: (phone rings)"Clubhouse."

A's FRONT OFFICE: "Hey this is the Oakland A's, is this the visiting clubhouse?"

GOPHER: "Yup, I said clubhouse"

A's FRONT OFFICE: Well, I only have one number for Fresno and this is it, so...

GOPHER: "Hey, pal, I got laundry to deal with, what do you want?"

A's FRONT OFFICE: "DO you know who you're talking to?"

GOPHER: "Yah, some douche bag from the A's."

A's FRONT OFFICE: (Silence)

GOPHER: "Hey, bub, you got about three seconds to tell me what you want or I'm going to call the cops and tell them this was an obscene call."

A's FRONT OFFICE: "We need you to pack up Freddie Bynum's stuff as soon as possible, we're sending him out to Baltimore."

GOPHER: "Finally cutting the guy loose, huh?"

A's FRONT OFFICE: "What?"

GOPHER: "Hell, the guy's been in your system for 5 years and ain't done a damn thing. About time you guys let him go."

A's FRONT OFFICE: "Ugh, no we're sending him to Baltimore, he's joining the big league team."

GOPHER: "Hey, it's your ballclub."

A's FRONT OFFICE: "Damn right."

GOPHER: "The guy doesn't get on base much."

A's FRONT OFFICE: "Well,..."

GOPHER: "But you kept having DeFrancesco bat him leadoff. Hurt the 'Cats early in the year. Luckily you have options."

A's FRONT OFFICE: "Well, you know, we really..."

GOPHER: "He doesn't hit for power."

A's FRONT OFFICE: "Not really."

GOPHER: "...or at all really."

A's FRONT OFFICE: "There's some potential that..."

GOPHER: "It's not like he can steal bases for you guys since he's rarely on base."

A's FRONT OFFICE: "But,..."

GOPHER: "Even when he does put the ball in play, he ain't drivin' it around the park."

A's FRONT OFFICE: "That's..."


GOPHER: "He might have speed, but he doesn't run the bases well at all."

A's FRONT OFFICE: "He's got some abilities that..."

GOPHER: "He can't play in the infield and he's a joke in center."

A's FRONT OFFICE: "Ugh."

GOPHER: "Like I said, your ball club."

A's FRONT OFFICE: "Hey, can I put you on hold?"

GOPHER: "Yah, don't be too long I've got to wipe the gunk of the thing and..."

A's FRONT OFFICE: "Won't be but a sec...(puts clubhouse on hold, hits button for another line) Hey, Billy, yah it's me. Are we sure about calling up Bynum?"



The A's are hoping Freddie Bynum turns into Chone Figgins. An all around utility guy. Which begs the question, why would you hope for a guy to turn into Chone Figgins?

There are players that are utility players because they are too valuable to leave out of the lineup and are able to play multiple positions.

There are utility players who have a lot of athletic ability and can't really hit for a particular position and are moved around a lot because they are better options available.

Freddie Bynum is the latter.

Scouts rave about his athletic ability. That doesn't translate, in Bynum's case, to baseball ability. He takes Terrence Long routes in center, misjudges balls - breaking in on balls that hit off the wall behind him, and he doesn't have the arm to play shortstop or the range.

He might be a great athlete, but he's not much of a baseball player. Which isn't to say he's a bad guy, the numbers are there for everyone to see. He strikes out too much, doesn't walk and doesn't make contact.

So why on earth did the A's call him up?

It's a gamble. Bynum has one more year before he becomes a six-year minor league free agent. If they can slip him into a few games in September and he gets a few hits and doesn't embarrass himself, the A's might be able to package him to a team that values his skills more than the A's.

Bynum was the A's first pick in 2000. A 2nd round choice since the A's gave their 1st round pick up to sign Mike Magnante.

All around, not one of the team's shinning moments.

Still September 1st is just a few hours away and help is on its way.