Oakland A's or Angeles?

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Apr 25, 2002
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#2
The A's will be the favorites if Stoneman don't get to work.

The A's upgraded their rotation by replacing Saarloos with Loaiza...

They upgraded their bullpen by adding Saarloos... They also have Street, Kennedy, and Witasick all year instead of Dotel, Cruz & Yabu...

They have Jay Payton all year instead of Eric Byrnes, and replaced Scott Hatteberg in the lineup with Milton Bradley... And they're gonna sign Frank Thomas if he's cleared by doctors.

The Angels on the other hand... They lost Washburn & Byrd, replacing them with Escobar (good) and Carrasco (huge question mark.) Carrasco is gonna be 37 years old this season and has started like 5 major league games in his entire career. He's never pitched 90 innings in a season, and that's about half of what he'll need to do as a starter.

They also finally got an OK lefty for the bullpen, but they also weakened their pen by removing Escobar.

They're also putting a lot on Juan Rivera this year, who's never had 400 AB's in a season. They also lost Bengie Molina, who was one of their best hitters last year, to replace him with his brother and some rookies.

If the Angels don't make some moves soon the A's will be favorites going into the season.
 
May 6, 2002
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#4
We don't really need to make that many moves.
We held onto everyone that was of real importance. Our bullpen is pretty much intact still. If your team makes it to the ALCS, you dont really want to change it that much, just a couple minor tweaks.

The biggest loss we took was bengie. That is fine because Jose Molina is better defensively, a better "catcher". He just lacks in the offense.

So we lost Bengie, Washburn, Byrd, & Finley.

Jose takes over Bengie.
Escobar and someone from the farming system take over the two pitchers.
Air itself will replace Finley.

I think we are in pretty good shape still.

In regards of who is favored, odds still have us as favorties.
Nevertheless, it will still go down to the wire as always with either team being able to take it in the last week or two.

I can't wait until April!!!!
 
Apr 25, 2002
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#6
714KaliHydro said:
The biggest loss we took was bengie.
I think the loss of Washburn/Byrd will be the biggest loss... I don't understand the idea of putting Carrasco in the rotation... He's 36 and has started 6 games in his career... He's never pitched 100 innings... That deal could be a steal if it works out, but it has the makings of a tremendous failure...
 
May 6, 2002
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#8
G-Dubb said:
I think the loss of Washburn/Byrd will be the biggest loss... I don't understand the idea of putting Carrasco in the rotation... He's 36 and has started 6 games in his career... He's never pitched 100 innings... That deal could be a steal if it works out, but it has the makings of a tremendous failure...
Well obviously losing two players is worse the one :)
If I had to choose one to stay , it would be Bengie.

I'm not that upset with Byrd leaving. He was solid at times, but a good amount of times he would get shook up. All he throws are fastballs and change ups, and his fastballs are nothing special. Washburn is a fan favorite, just like Erstad. The numbers aren't great, but a great person to have on your team.

I have no clue why we got Carrasco, byut time will tell. I have no idea why we got Christensen (i think his name was) from the Giants at the end of the season. He became our only lefty in the pen, and did more bad than good.

Our home opener is against the Yankees!!!
They are also going to raise the AL West flag for 2005, present Colon his Cy Young, and Friday fireworks. It should be a good one.