Oakland A's Stadium and San Jose

Coliseum Woes Continue to Overshadow A's Great Season

A sewage backup in the O.co Coliseum has cause a huge stir in the Oakland Athletics clubhouse in the last few days. Despite the A's winning ways, currently sitting thirteen games above .500 at 43-30 with a 3 game lead over the nearest Texas Rangers, the focus has once again been on their aging stadium. The issue has yet to be resolved in the quest to move the team to the nearby Silicon Valley, and San Jose. MLB and Bud Selig are now faced with an antitrust lawsuit, spurred on by the latest incident that saw both the visiting Mariners and the Athletics having to shower in the Oakland Raiders locker room together. 

Given Selig's snail pace to get the issue resolved, I am not surprised by the lawsuit. However, being a longtime fan of the Athletics, I also don't think the solution is up and moving the team. Here are some potential things to look at for A's/MLB fans. 

• There are options in Oakland
• Massive renovations to the Coliseum (not likely)
• New stadium in Oakland (Clorox and other local companies have pledged assistance to keep the team in Oakland) Likely to happen if Lew Wolff changes his stance on "needing" to move the team.
• Raiders get new stadium, Coliseum becomes baseball only, renovations to follow. I see this as most likely, since NFL seems to drag their feet less than MLB.
• Move to San Jose
• More money for everyone involved except city of Oakland. Potentially higher payroll to help keep home-grown talent. Also very likely that Wolff becomes the next Jeffrey Loria (get taxpayers to foot the bill for the new stadium, then cut payroll to pocket more money.)
• Gets rid of MLB's antitrust exclusion, cities would then be able to lobby for teams to come to them. Larger markets would soon be taking small market teams. (No more Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland A's, Kansas City Royals, etc...) Extremely unlikely, MLB will likely avoid this at all costs. 

What I eventually see happening is the A's ownership and MLB will come up with a joint agreement with the San Francisco Giants (who own San Jose territorial rights.) This agreement will probably include several hundred million dollars changing hands from the A's to the Giants. Keep in mind that these rights had basically been given to the Giants from the A's to save their franchise back in the 90's (?) Now that the A's are basically trying to do the same thing, the Giants owners are refusing to work in the best interest of baseball and only working in the best interest of their own pocketbooks. Not that I want the A's to move, in fact I don't, but Wolff won't sell the team, and he wants to be elsewhere. The A's franchise deserves a better, or improved stadium, and I'm hoping either take place in Oakland rather than San Jose. 

So once again A's fans, if you're looking for your daily reason to hate the Giants, here it is. Let's all hope that a resolution is found that can keep the Green and Gold Oakland for many years to come. #SaveOaklandBaseball

Hideki Matsui Retires

Hideki "Godzilla" Matsui Calls It A Career

Hediki Matsui, a star in two lands has finally rode off into the sunset. After clubbing his way into the majors from his homeland Japan, and stints with four different teams, including a one year stop with my Oakland A's, he has decided to retire. He was a constant professional, and adjusted quickly to the constant media and fan pressure to perform under the bright lights of New York. Hideki was the first true power hitter to come from Japan, and he did not disappoint. He hit 332 home runs in his 10 year Japanese career, and tacked on another 175 at the MLB level. He also hit for a respectable .282/.360/.462 line in his 10 year MLB career. The peak of his career came in 2009 when he led the Yankees to a World Series victory in which he took home World Series MVP honors. The Yankees rewarded him by letting him walk in free agency in which he found a new home for the LA Angels. 

The rest of his career in the majors was statistically uninspiring as he saw all of his major batting categories fall in value. I would like to think that he did have an impact on all the teams that were lucky enough to have him on board. He was grateful for every opportunity given to him, and was a great clubhouse presence according to many of his previous teammates. He did provide a few exciting at-bats for Oakland back in 2011 that I can remember, for a team that was less than exciting to watch. 

Whatever he may do in the future, I'm sure he will succeed at. There is a good chance that he will return home to Japan and manage for a baseball team there. We may have not seen the last of Matsui in a major league uniform, although his return will be in a coaching role. For the right team, I believe he could be a great hitting coach. Here's to Godzilla and all the great memories he provided, even though most of them were in a Yankees uniform. 

AL West Offseason Update

AL West Offseason Update

Houston Astros-

Notable Addition(s):  Carlos Peňa
Notable Loss(es):  N/A

The newcomers to the division have made little improvements on their roster from last year in which they went 55-107. This roster is loaded with young talent, but much of it hasn't translated to the big leagues yet. They are apparently happy moving forward with just the addition of a DH in Carlos Peňa for now. It may be a few years before they are even competitive, especially in this loaded division. I don't see them winning many games this year with this roster, they will be lucky to squeak out a few wins within the division.

LA Angels-

Notable Addition(s): Josh Hamilton (TEX), Joe Blanton (LAD), Jason Vargas (SEA)
Notable Loss(es): Zack Greinke (LAD), Kendrys Morales (SEA), Dan Haren (WAS), Torii Hunter (DET), Maicer Izturis (TOR)

The Angels have not been afraid to spend money this offseason. They acquired Josh Hamilton from division rival Texas for a 5 year $125 million contract, and Jason Vargas from the Mariners. They also doled out 2 years and $15 million to Joe Blanton who looks to be more of a 4th or 5th starter in most other teams rotations. The amount of money they gave him showed how desperate they were for pitching. Vargas looks to be an upgrade as he's coming off what was probably his best year in the Majors, but they also had to give away a good middle of the order bat in Kendrys Morales to get him. Hamilton does give the Angels what could be the best 3-4 punch in the Majors with him and Pujols. The Angels got better on offense, but their pitching has not.
One major difference I expect from last year, I don't think this team will start off as awful as it did last year. They should be in the thick of things straight from the beginning. They will probably start the year as division favorites, and may finish in first place.

Oakland Athletics-

Notable Addition(s): Hiroyuki Nakajima (JAP), Chris Young (ARI)
Notable Loss(es): Jonny Gomes (BOS), Stephen Drew (BOS), Brandon McCarthy (ARI), Brandon Inge (FA), Dallas Braden (Injury), Cliff Pennington (ARI)

Many people are overlooking the A's because they haven't made many moves this offseason, but this is a very talented team. Last year they didn't really hit their stride until late June, and after the All-Star break, they had the best record in baseball. I would have liked to see them bring Jonny Gomes back, simply because he was a great right handed DH vs. lefty pitchers and he was a great clubhouse presence. I look for the A's to make one more signing to platoon the DH with Seth Smith again this year. Potentially they could bring Inge back on a one year basis, and cut him loose if things don't work out. He could be a great cheap signing, with veteran savvy to pass along to many of the young A's hitters. The loss off McCarthy shouldn't hurt too bad with Brett Anderson back and ready to go, especially with McCarthy's recent injury problems. Drew signed with Boston as well. With his asking price, and the addition of Nakajima, I see his void as already being filled.
The A's silently have stockpiled arms, and look to be very good at pitching again next year. Pitching keeps teams in games no matter how bad the offense is, and the A's offense looks only to get better with the emergence of Cespedes, Moss, Reddick, and more as well as the addition of Chris Young from Arizona. He should add some depth to give the loaded outfield some rest as well as being a decent added bat and an above average defender. This could be a very exciting year for the Athletics if they can hold off Texas and LA. I think this is a repeat year for Oakland, as they should have the team to take the division again.

Seattle Mariners-

Notable Addition(s): Jason Bay (NYM), Kendrys Morales (LAA)
Notable Loss(es): Jason Vargas (LAA), Brandon League (LAD)

The Mariners could be a very interesting part of the AL West division. They have a lot of unproven talent that they have been building up. They also had a great second half of the season last year making a serious push for a .500 record after an abysmal start. The addition of Kendrys Morales from the Angels coupled with Jesus Montero, the M's could finally have a decent 3-4 option in the middle of their lineup. Losing Vargas looks to be tough to overcome though, he was their 2nd best option behind King Felix in the rotation, and had his best major league season last year. They also lost some talent in the bullpen with League leaving town for the Dodgers. The Mariner's seem to have become worse in pitching and marginally got better on offense with the addition of Bay and the trade for Morales. The trade benefited both teams, but I don't think it put either team over the top. I see the Mariners as an improved team from last year, but I don't think it will be enough to challenge for the division crown.

Texas Rangers-

Notable Addition(s): Joakim Soria (KC), A.J. Pierzynski (CHW), Lance Berkman (STL)
Notable Loss(es): Josh Hamilton (LAA), Michael Young (PHI), Mike Adams (PHI), Ryan Dempster (BOS), Mike Napoli (BOS),  Scott Feldman (CHC)

After sitting back and letting free agent after free agent sign with other teams, Texas finally jumped in the pool. They signed their catcher for next year (Pierzynski) after losing Napoli to Boston. They held onto Giovanni Soto, but went ahead and signed A.J. to be their primary catcher. He looks to be an upgrade at the position, as he's always been a solid starter and an above average bat at the catcher position. Napoli has seen his 3 year $39 million contract become in jeopardy because of a hip issue that was discovered during his physical, so Texas may end up better off after letting him walk and signing the veteran Pierzynski away from the Chicago White Sox.
This teams is also dangerous because of their farm system. This may be why they let so many free agents walk, because they are seriously loaded with near-ready prospects for the major league level. They look to feature a still very dangerous lineup even sans Hamilton, and should be near the top of the offensive standings.
However, their pitching may be their weakness again this year. They will be getting Colby Lewis back, but Neftali Feliz will most likely miss significant time after his Tommy John surgery from last season. They also lost two of their starting pitchers from last year in Dempster and Feldman, plus lost one of their better bullpen arms in Mike Adams. The team's offense will keep them in most games, and often bail the bad pitchers out, but over a long season it is tough to win without a decent pitching staff. Texas should stay in the race till the end, but I don't think they'll have the arms to win the division.

Predictions:

1st Place: Oakland Athletics
2nd Place: LA Angels (WC)
3rd Place: Texas Rangers
4th Place: Seattle Mariners
5th Place: Houston Astros

Oakland has the best pitching staff in the division, both the rotation and bullpen. They have enough offense to win close games, and above average defense. This continues next season and they ride it to back-to-back division titles.

Oakland A's Season Recap

Oakland A's Dream Season Comes to an Early End

The Oakland A's had great expectations for themselves at the beginning of the season. They were the only ones with a positive outlook on the team that traded 3 of it's better pitchers in the offseason in Gio Gonzalez, Trevor Cahill, and Andrew Bailey. From those trades they brought in Tommy Milone, Jarrod Parker, Josh Reddick, Ryan Cook, and Derrick Norris. An impressive haul of prospects by the magical Billy Beane, but surely those players weren't ready to perform well at the big league level. Oakland had also made a few value signings in Brandon McCarthy, Bartolo Colon, Jonny Gomes, traded for Seth Smith, and to top it off a Cuban phenom at the age of 26 in Yoenis Cespedes. Many of these players seen as has beens, and really just looked to fill roster spots for a year. 

Many expert analysts had this team as a 100 game loser before the season started and picked even the lowly Mariners to pass them up, leaving them as the 4th place team in the AL West that looked to be a pretty stacked division. The Texas Rangers coming off their second consecutive World Series loss, figured to be primed for a repeat after losing only a few key players, but replacing them in house with great alternatives. The Angels had stolen away CJ Wilson from their division rivals in the Rangers, and added one Albert Pujols to anchor their already stacked lineup. 

Adding to the negative vibes before the season had started was the impending San Jose move. Although Oakland businesses and the city have been willing to discuss building a new stadium in Oakland, Lew Wolff is insistent on moving to San Jose. This has angered many of the fans in Oakland for a couple years now, and is the main reason fans are not willing to show up to the games. With all this negativity leading into the season, it's no surprise that expectations were so low. But that is why we play the game...

The season started in Tokyo, Japan in late March. A match-up between the A's and Mariners most likely to promote one of Japan's premier players in Ichiro Suzuki. This was one of a few scheduling blunders by MLB that really got under my skin. The A's were counted as the home team for these two games, some 5000 miles from Oakland. So not only did they have to travel to another country, they also would only play 79 games at home this season. After a split in Japan, they returned home to play more SPRING TRAINING games... again, a questionable move by MLB.

March and April were months to forget, with the A's sitting at 11-13 on May 1st. Once May hit the A's started to show promise, getting on a roll and winning 3 of their first 4 series. Josh Reddick became the first A's player since Jack Cust in 2009 to hit 10+ HR's in a month. He had ignited the struggling offense and the Oakland boys looked like a team that might play well. That's when Cespedes got hurt, and the A's went into a tailspin losing 9 straight between May 22 and June 1st.

At this point, I was waiting for the massive sell off that happens yearly when we drop out of contention. But Billy Beane stuck to his guns and decided to wait till closer to the July 31st trade deadline before making any rash decisions. The players would reward him for that patience.

The season looked the most bleak on June 10th. Sitting at 9 games below .500 and 13 games behind the Rangers the A's had reached a new worst for the season. Luckily they were pulling into Colorado, a hitters paradise and just what the A's needed in order to get their bats going. Colorado had been a struggling team all year, and they were flirting with a 6 man rotation at the time. Meanwhile for Oakland, Brandon Moss had just been called up a few days previous from AAA Sacramento where he wasn't doing too well. But he did have a clause in his contract that if the A's hadn't called him up by the middle of June, they had to release him. Kila Ka'aiHue had just been placed on paternity leave, and Moss was about to make an impact in a big way.

The A's went on to sweep the Rockies in convincing fashion and things were beginning to look up, a series win against the Padres, and another sweep over the LA Dodgers who owned the best record in baseball at the time, was giving the young team some confidence. As June came to an end, Oakland sat 5 games below .500 at 37-42 but had just completed their first winning month all season.

July was a magical month, the A's went 19-5. This was their 2nd best record in franchise history. Many heroes emerged in Cespedes, Crisp, Reddick, Moss, and Carter. Also, their pitching ranked 2nd in the AL, closely behind a Joe Madden led Rays club. This was the month of the walk-off for the A's in which many of their contests ended in last inning runs. This for me was the most exciting month of baseball I had ever witnessed, besides the 20 game winning streak in the 2002 season.

August was another great month. The A's posted an 18-7 record. They got a major boost in Brett Anderson coming back from a season ending injury last year. He hit the ground running and pitched very well for them. Also this was the month that the bullpen really separated themselves from the rest of the league. Balfour took back the closer role and never looked back after Cook struggled to shut out games, in many opportunities. The last game of August was a 20-2 drubbing of the lowly Red Sox. The A's were really hitting their stride and making major improvement on what was a 13 game deficit for the division lead. Although, they did lose a major contributor in Bartolo Colon who was caught using PED's.

September was more of the same for the boys in Green and Gold. 17 wins and 11 losses. They made the best of their opportunities and beat the bad teams and took one or two from the good teams. They played the Yankees, Tigers, Angels and Rangers and had a losing record against all of them in the month. But still had a winning month and made up even more ground in the chase for a pennant. With 3 games left at home against a very tough Texas team, the A's were trailing by 2 games. It seemed improbably that they would win all 3 to win the division, but this A's group had defied the odds all year.

The last 3 games were magical, like they were from a story you only see in Hollywood. The Coliseum was rocking and it was sold out for all 3 games. The ruckus crowd helped the boys win all 3 in convincing fashion, leading some to believe this was the best team in baseball surging at the right time. I can honestly say, this was the best 3 games of my life. I made up an excuse to leave work so I could witness the games, and I will never regret it.

With all the momentum in the world with the A's, they headed into Detroit. This was another thing that irked me about the season. The A's had "home field advantage" yet they were forced to travel and start on the road across the country. The first two games didn't go well. In fact they dropped them both, and Coco Crisp made the worst play of his life in allowing a ball to drop right in front of him off his glove and allowing Detroit to take the lead in game 2.

The A's dragged back to Oakland licking their wounds from the brutal road games in Detroit, but they were back in front of the greatest fans in baseball. And they would not disappoint. Anderson pitched the game of his career in my opinion, stifling the big Detroit bats over 6 innings. On came the trio of Cook, Doolittle, and Balfour to close out the game and all of the sudden the A's were back in it down 2-1 in the series.

Game 4 was a typical A's walkoff winner. They got down early and never really clawed their way back. In the 9th inning they hung 3 runs on Valverde. Coco was the hero for the second night in a row, after robbing a big homer from Prince Fielder the night before.

But in game 5, their magic had run out. Verlander came to the mound and pitched one of the best games of his career and shut out the A's that looked utterly lost at the plate. A 4 run inning for Detroit undid any hope of a comeback, and for once in the season, the A's had been stuck wishing for more.

For me, this was the year of the A's. Granted they came up short of their goals, but in terms of what everyone else expected (including myself) they destroyed everyone's predictions and made them eat their predictions.

Next year the core of this team returns and they seem primed to improve in every facet with the young pitchers having even more seasoning under their belt, and the young star players in Reddick and Cespedes have more experience. They do have some pending free agents in McCarthy, Gomes, Inge, and Colon. They picked up Balfour's option, and declined Stephen Drew's. Beane does hope to bring back McCarthy, Gomes and Drew if the price is right. With the departure of Cliff Pennington via trade and a weak shortstop market, I believe they have to get the Drew contract situated. But he is represented by Scott Boras, so that may complicate things.

The addition of Chris Young from Arizona also seems to muddle the picture for me. Coco is locked into one more year here in Oakland and is making $7.5 million so he will be tough to trade. Plus, I think he is a major addition to this team because of his defensive play, his bat, his speed on the bases, and his character. So I'm not really sure where Young fits on this team. I see the A's dealing Seth Smith and potentially Coco during the offseason, but the bulk of this team should be back and better than ever.

Here's to another great year in 2013, hopefully this time the trophy comes to the other side of the bay!

By Bill Montoya

Manager of the Year Awards

Image from www.caseclothesed.com

Major League Baseball announced today their Manager of the Year Awards.

AL Manager of the year award went to Joe Maddon. For me this was a no-brainer, as he led the Rays back from a 9 game deficit to take the wild card birth away from the Red Sox. He also made the playoffs with his team after losing 3 key starters from the year before (Crawford, Garza, and Pena,) and overcoming a lengthy slew of injuries to his star player Evan Longoria.

NL Manager of the year went to Kirk Gibson. This was an easy vote as well, he took his team from a big loser last year when he took over midseason to the playoffs the next year. So no surprises here, but well deserved winners. Congrats to both of them!