i loved rounders at school.

Bradley R. Weissenberger wrote:The rumor is Brandon McCarthy and Joe Crede going to Oakland with Eric Chavez going to Chicago.

Please discuss.

Eric Chavez's performance this year so far has been thoroughly disgusting. Far more than any other individual player on the Athletics, he is the reason why the team is circling the drain this year.

As you read the following cavalcade of crap, keep in mind that these numbers are being put up by the number 3 hitter in the Athletics' lineup, the focal point of the offense, the straw that stirs the sewage.

Eric Chavez, 2005

OBP=.271
SLG=.313
(which makes for an OPS of .584)
BA with RISP: .179 (10 for 56)
Overall RBI: 20

He recently told ESPN, "Maybe this is my Pat Burrell year." A real charmer, that Chavvy.

Eric Chavez is ruining the Athletics' 2005 season, but I'd be shocked if he were dealt. Besides the factors of his talent, relative youth, and track record, Billy Beane is very close to Chavez. They grew up in virtually the same San Diego neighborhood. Beane has more of a stake in Chavez's career than any other player in the Athletics system.

I do think that something relatively big, and unexpected, is going to happen with the Athletics very soon. Something on the level of the manager and/or high-level coaches being fired. That's my guess.

Bradley R. Weissenberger wrote:Brandon McCarthy and Joe Crede going to Oakland with Eric Chavez going to Chicago.

That's an appealing trade for the Sox, assuming Chavez reverts to form.
I just question whether they need Chavez's bat so much that it's worth trading away their top pitching prospect. Isn't Frank about to come back? Don't they need to re-sign Konerko at the end of the year? Would getting Chavez mean that there's no money for Konerko? If so, I wouldn't make the trade.
But at this point, I'd defer to Kenny Williams' judgment. I never thought I'd say that.

Angus Jung wrote:Eric Chavez's performance this year so far has been thoroughly disgusting.

But I'd love to see him in the hitter's paradise that is U.S. Cellular Field, particularly with the protection provided by a guy like Konerko -- and with guys like Podsednik and Iguchi on base.

I think that Eric Chavez is a very special player. If I'm the White Sox, I'd make this deal in a heartbeat, although I might want some cash from the Athletics.

The Pat Burrell comment is fucking great.

The Kid wrote:I just question whether they need Chavez's bat so much that it's worth trading away their top pitching prospect. Isn't Frank about to come back? Don't they need to re-sign Konerko at the end of the year? Would getting Chavez mean that there's no money for Konerko?

The Sox just scored a grand total of eight runs in a four game series with the Angels -- and still had a shot at taking three of four from Anaheim. So if I'm the Sox, I'll take Chavez.

Crede will be eligible for arbitration, so my guess is that he'd be gone anyway barring a miracle second half (although Ed Farmer, who is a wizard, keeps saying that Crede will be an All-Star). And I love Brandon McCarthy, but Eric Chavez is a good piece for winning this year. I'd be prepared to trade him.

As far as keeping both Chavez and Konerko, there would be money for both players. Thomas' contract likely will be gone, as will Everett's.

Bradley R. Weissenberger wrote:But I'd love to see him in the hitter's paradise that is U.S. Cellular Field, particularly with the protection provided by a guy like Konerko -- and with guys like Podsednik and Iguchi on base.

It's a good bet that Eric Chavez would thrive as a member of the Chicago White Sox, with the factors Brad mentions in place. Chavez certainly thrived when he had protection in the forms of Jason Giambi and Miguel Tejada.

Bradley R. Weissenberger wrote:I think that Eric Chavez is a very special player. If I'm the White Sox, I'd make this deal in a heartbeat, although I might want some cash from the Athletics.

You want Chavez for much less than his value, and you want cash too.

I'll tell you what- sneak into "Hawk" Harrelson's house while he's sleeping and smother him with a pillow. Then we'll talk.

Bradley R. Weissenberger wrote:The Pat Burrell comment is fucking great.

Yeah. Great.

Bradley R. Weissenberger wrote:The rumor is Brandon McCarthy and Joe Crede going to Oakland with Eric Chavez going to Chicago.

Please discuss.

While I would prefer having Chavez's bat to Crede's, I would not make this trade. For this year, I prefer the security of having McCarthy (I have a good feeling about him, even though he is ultimately unproven) available if one of the starters were to get injured/falter.

Angus Jung wrote:You want Chavez for much less than his value, and you want cash too.

I'm not suggesting anything that is out of keeping with normal business practice. For instance, the A's are getting money from Pittsburgh as part of the Jason Kendall deal.

Or perhaps you would have judged Mark Redman and Jason Kendall as having comparable value at the time of that salary dump trade.

If you want to shed salary or obtain prospects, it costs money these days.

So, yes. I'd ask for some cash.

Bradley R. Weissenberger wrote:For instance, the A's are getting money from Pittsburgh as part of the Jason Kendall deal. Or perhaps you would have judged Mark Redman and Jason Kendall as equal value at the time of that trade.

Arthur Rhodes was also part of that trade, but I see the point you're making.

Bradley R. Weissenberger wrote:If you want to shed salary or obtain prospects, it costs money these days.

So, yes. I'd ask for some cash.

You don't salary-dump a 27 year old player whose career arc is right in line with Mike Schmidt. I don't think you even need to be that familiar with the Oakland Athletics organization to know that the Oakland Athletics are never going to do this. But okay. You can ask.

Angus Jung wrote:I don't think you even need to be that familiar with the Oakland Athletics organization to know that the Oakland Athletics are never going to do this. But okay. You can ask.

i can't imagine the a's giving anyone money in a trade like that--a guy who looked a lot like their franchise player over the last few years

is he the same size now as he was last year? just wondering. i haven't seen him play.

tmidgett wrote:is he the same size now as he was last year? just wondering. i haven't seen him play.

I think Eric Chavez would have too much trouble figuring out which end of the needle was supposed to go into his ass.