SI Heyman's Offseason Grade

job · 01-19-2007, 12:42 PM

For Oakland:

Oakland A's
Genius GM Billy Beane has managed to go on winning without Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada, Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder, and the guess here is that he'll figure a way to keep it going. Somehow, he will. Not a bad try using Joe Kennedy to replace Zito and Alan Embree to replace Kennedy. And Mike Piazza, who made sense as Frank Thomas' replacement once Barry Bondspriced himself out, should hit even better as a DH. Beane did the bestanyone possibly could have within the parameters of poverty. But nottoo many teams can lose their best hitter (Thomas) and pitcher (Zito)and not suffer some dropoff.
Grade: D.

Doctor Morphine · 01-19-2007, 12:50 PM

The 2007 season hasn't started these off season grades are still a premature. In fact isn't it still the off season.

job · 01-19-2007, 12:57 PM

I agree. Also, the review and the grade seem quite contradictory to me.

Sibelius · 01-19-2007, 01:55 PM

They certainly do, and let me start out by saying I don't give a damn what any dimwitted sportswriter writes about baseball.

However, two possible explanations come to mind.

1. The grade is only for the end result. In that sense, any other GM would have scored an F, because it's basically an impossible situation.

2. He's being sarcastic. How is replacing Zito with Kennedy a standout move? It seems like one of several obvious but undesirable options to me. And how is it so certain that Piazza is going to out-hit Thomas, considering their respective recent performances, with Thomas being in the tougher league?

edit: I misquoted him. The writer didn't use the word "brilliant", but in the context of saying Beane did as well as anyone could, I guess it amounts to basically the same thing.

Sawman · 01-19-2007, 01:55 PM

I wondered that, too, job. Even though us Angel fans aren't as evolved as A's fans are, it appears as if Heyman says one thing and then grades something else.

whobob · 01-19-2007, 02:17 PM

I think Sib is right, the writer is saying that Billy Beane did the best he could and no one could have done better given the situation. I don't see how losing Zito and Thomas to FA makes the offseason any better than a D, but that wasn't Beane's fault.

job · 01-19-2007, 02:31 PM

Hmmm...I think Sib may be right...I hadn't thought of the sarcasm angle. Ouch.

a's fan in florida · 01-19-2007, 05:25 PM

I don't think you could give a full off-season assessment until at least the start of spring training.

It just gives baseball writers some copy during a very slow time in the sport.

Now if that's all they do when the team shows up in Arizona, granted I'm not too excited. Luckily, nobody else in the AL West is having a gonzo off-season, either.

ak4na2 · 01-19-2007, 06:52 PM

the angels did go gonzo with one signing though..

Sully · 01-19-2007, 07:27 PM

As a Mariner fan I would rather have seen the A's get rid of some of their young and very talented starting pitching! That seems to be where it starts for you guys and then every inning you seem to get a boatload of baserunners on!
I predicted the division was yours last year and I get the same feeling this year.
Most of these sports writers have only seen NY teams play anyway!

a's fan in florida · 01-19-2007, 07:29 PM

did Luis Gonzalez sign with the Angels?

ak4na2 · 01-19-2007, 08:07 PM

no.. the LA team went gonzo for gonzo..

the angels did the bizarre contract for gary matthews jr..

whobob · 01-19-2007, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sully

As a Mariner fan I would rather have seen the A's get rid of some of their young and very talented starting pitching!

Meaning Joe Blanton?

Kev · 01-20-2007, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sully

As a Mariner fan I would rather have seen the A's get rid of some of their young and very talented starting pitching! That seems to be where it starts for you guys and then every inning you seem to get a boatload of baserunners on!

Lucky for you, we never bat them in.

01-19-2007, 12:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
job Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fort Mohave, AZ Posts: 26	SI Heyman's Offseason Grade For Oakland: Oakland A's Genius GM Billy Beane has managed to go on winning without Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada, Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder, and the guess here is that he'll figure a way to keep it going. Somehow, he will. Not a bad try using Joe Kennedy to replace Zito and Alan Embree to replace Kennedy. And Mike Piazza, who made sense as Frank Thomas' replacement once Barry Bondspriced himself out, should hit even better as a DH. Beane did the bestanyone possibly could have within the parameters of poverty. But nottoo many teams can lose their best hitter (Thomas) and pitcher (Zito)and not suffer some dropoff. Grade: D.

01-19-2007, 01:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sibelius New Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Red Bluff, CA Posts: 8	They certainly do, and let me start out by saying I don't give a damn what any dimwitted sportswriter writes about baseball. However, two possible explanations come to mind. 1. The grade is only for the end result. In that sense, any other GM would have scored an F, because it's basically an impossible situation. 2. He's being sarcastic. How is replacing Zito with Kennedy a standout move? It seems like one of several obvious but undesirable options to me. And how is it so certain that Piazza is going to out-hit Thomas, considering their respective recent performances, with Thomas being in the tougher league? edit: I misquoted him. The writer didn't use the word "brilliant", but in the context of saying Beane did as well as anyone could, I guess it amounts to basically the same thing. Last edited by Sibelius; 01-19-2007 at 05:41 PM.

01-19-2007, 12:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Doctor Morphine New Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 7	The 2007 season hasn't started these off season grades are still a premature. In fact isn't it still the off season.

01-19-2007, 12:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
job Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fort Mohave, AZ Posts: 26	I agree. Also, the review and the grade seem quite contradictory to me.

01-19-2007, 01:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sawman Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Riverside, Ca. Posts: 259	I wondered that, too, job. Even though us Angel fans aren't as evolved as A's fans are, it appears as if Heyman says one thing and then grades something else.

01-19-2007, 02:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
whobob Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 31	I think Sib is right, the writer is saying that Billy Beane did the best he could and no one could have done better given the situation. I don't see how losing Zito and Thomas to FA makes the offseason any better than a D, but that wasn't Beane's fault.

01-19-2007, 02:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
job Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fort Mohave, AZ Posts: 26	Hmmm...I think Sib may be right...I hadn't thought of the sarcasm angle. Ouch.

01-19-2007, 05:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
a's fan in florida New Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 7	I don't think you could give a full off-season assessment until at least the start of spring training. It just gives baseball writers some copy during a very slow time in the sport. Now if that's all they do when the team shows up in Arizona, granted I'm not too excited. Luckily, nobody else in the AL West is having a gonzo off-season, either.

01-19-2007, 06:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
ak4na2 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 103	the angels did go gonzo with one signing though..

01-19-2007, 07:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
Sully Rookie Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Everett Posts: 5	As a Mariner fan I would rather have seen the A's get rid of some of their young and very talented starting pitching! That seems to be where it starts for you guys and then every inning you seem to get a boatload of baserunners on! I predicted the division was yours last year and I get the same feeling this year. Most of these sports writers have only seen NY teams play anyway!

01-19-2007, 07:29 PM	#11 (permalink)
a's fan in florida New Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 7	did Luis Gonzalez sign with the Angels?

01-19-2007, 08:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
ak4na2 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 103	no.. the LA team went gonzo for gonzo.. the angels did the bizarre contract for gary matthews jr..