Angus Jung wrote:

Bradley R. Weissenberger wrote:I think that the A's, apart from failing to pry Marcus Giles from Atlanta, did a fantastic job with the Hudson/Mulder trades.

I am a little bit WTF? about the Atlanta trade (Charles Thomas? WTF?).

But I think the St. Louis trade was a fantastic coup for Billy Beane. I feel strongly that we have seen the best of Mark Mulder. And the A's got a stud in Haren, a stud in Kiko Calero, and a future superstar in Daric Barton.
Fantastic trade.

Bradley R. Weissenberger wrote:I'm really anxious to see how this young rotation (Zito, Harden, Haren, Blanton and Meyer) performs over the next few years.

So fun! They will fail! They will do things that will make you to say, wtf?! They will succeed! So fun!

I think it's interesting that Beane got a better package for Mulder than he did for Hudson, who is the better pitcher in my opinion.

that being said, Bobby Cox was quoted as saying that Charles Thomas was one of the best outfielder's he's seen in the last decade, so who knows.

Mulder has been pitching like shit this spring (not that that matters), I doubt he'll have an ERA under 4. Zito, on the other hand, seems poised for a real solid season.

-Jeremy

oucheh wrote:Mulder has been pitching like shit this spring (not that that matters), I doubt he'll have an ERA under 4.

There are some who think that Mulder's abysmal second half of 2004, and now his lousy spring, are indicative of a psychological issue of some kind.

To put it plainly, there are some who think that Mulder has lost his mechanics and now has some kind of mental block. Like a less severe version of what happened to Rick Ankiel.

I don't know about this. But it'll be interesting to see what Mulder does this year.

Angus Jung wrote:There are some who think that Mulder's abysmal second half of 2004, and now his lousy spring, are indicative of a psychological issue of some kind.

To put it plainly, there are some who think that Mulder has lost his mechanics and now has some kind of mental block. Like a less severe version of what happened to Rick Ankiel.

I don't know about this. But it'll be interesting to see what Mulder does this year.

In the latest issue of ESPN The Magazine, Mark Mulder claims that he fixed the mechanical problem. He claims his mechanical breakdown led to inconsistent placement of his right foot. He says that he now ends up with correct and consistent foot placement when he pitches.

Angus Jung wrote:But I think the St. Louis trade was a fantastic coup for Billy Beane. I feel strongly that we have seen the best of Mark Mulder. And the A's got a stud in Haren, a stud in Kiko Calero, and a future superstar in Daric Barton.

I thought Danny Haren was great the few times I saw him pitch. I also thought Calero was good, but not as terrifying as Ray King. I haven't looked-up his stats, but Ray King left me with the impression that If he doesn't balloon up to lumbering giant size, he will be a dominant relief pitcher. He reminds me of a (pardon the pun) king-size Roy Oswalt, with a compact, violent, deceptive delivery.

Bradley R. Weissenberger wrote:In the latest issue of ESPN The Magazine, Mark Mulder claims that he fixed the mechanical problem. He claims his mechanical breakdown led to inconsistent placement of his right foot. He says that he now ends up with correct and consistent foot placement when he pitches.

Well, I guess that's all there is to it then.

An athlete would never claim to have everything under control unless everything was, in fact, under control.

Mulder has thrown the ball all over the place this spring, but I guess he's doing it with correct and consistent foot placement.

steve wrote:I thought Danny Haren was great the few times I saw him pitch. I also thought Calero was good, but not as terrifying as Ray King.

I think it'd be fun, during outings when Ray King is getting hit around, to hear the color guy on the radio say "They are sure are raking Ray King."

Angus Jung wrote:An athlete would never claim to have everything under control unless everything was, in fact, under control.

Exactly. My bullshit detector was in five-alarm mode when I read that little tidbit.

ESPN The Magazine is worse than Sports Illustrated, which is really saying something.

Angus Jung wrote:I think it'd be fun, during outings when Ray King is getting hit around, to hear the color guy on the radio say "They are sure are raking Ray King."

Many years ago (c. 1988), Vanderbilt was going to play Purdue in a college basketball game.* I believe it was Jim Nantz or Pat O'Brien who had this lame comment:

"Will Purdue be able to stop Will Perdue?"

* NOTE: I cannot find any record of this Purdue-Vanderbilt game. Perhaps I am simply insane.

Mark Mulder is, as we speak, throwing the ball all over the place in his debut start for St. Louis.

Dan Haren and Kiko Calero held the Orioles to 1 run in 8 innings last night.

Angus Jung wrote:Dan Haren and Kiko Calero held the Orioles to 1 run in 8 innings last night.

That game was incredible! Bedard was lights out as well.

That game was a pleasure to watch.

What a great deke the Athletics pulled off in that game, with Eric Byrnes bunting a pitch foul, then fooling everyone by hitting away and getting a meatball to hit out.

Ken Macha can go back to sleep for the rest of the year after that one.