Could Devine be new closer?

Post #1 » by **HMFFL** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 1:35 am

Beat reporter Mychael Urban answers A's fans' questions

I thoroughly enjoyed watching Mark Kotsay play when he was healthy, but I also understand that the A's need to play their young guys if the goal is to rebuild. What I don't understand is the amount of money the team swallowed in the reported deal. I think the A's could have gotten more out of a Kotsay trade by waiting for midseason if he was healthy and productive in June. Also, I've heard this Joey Devine kid has promise as a closer. Should we be bracing for the Huston Street trade now?
-- James D., Fremont, Calif.

It's definitely a steep price to pay if the reports are accurate, but paying it is obviously the only way they could move Kotsay, and it still represents a savings of about $2 million (less Devine's 2008 salary). As far as I know, the Braves were the only team really interested in gambling on Kotsay's health.

That takes us to your second question. Would the A's have gotten more for Kotsay in June if he was healthy and productive? Sure. But general manager Billy Beane's made it pretty clear lately how he feels about health-related "ifs." What if the A's kept Kotsay, hoping to trade him in June, and his back blew up in May? They'd be out about $7 million and end up getting nothing for Kotsay when he hit free agency; he probably wouldn't be classified high enough to net a compensatory Draft pick if he missed most of two consecutive seasons.

As for Street, a trade is obviously a possibility. Anything is a possibility at this point. But Beane has gone out of his way to note that Street is young enough (24) to be a part of a rebuilding process, and I know the A's talked to Street's agents last week, so a multi-year extension is still a possibility, too. No matter what happens, I can't imagine Devine entering the 2008 season as the closer. He's got a nice arm, but he still has plenty to prove.

Link

Post #2 » by **FNQ** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:07 am

Sign Street to a multi year extension, use Devine as setup... then next season, :wave:

Street.... a closer on a semi-friendly, multi-year extension is worth way more than an arbitration case... thats why we netted what we did in the Swisher heist.

TSC25 · Post #3 » by **TSC25** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:36 am

Plus Street is coming off of a season where he was injured for most of it,so I'd say your right about keeping one more year,and giving him the bigger contract.

Post #4 » by **FNQ** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:02 pm

For the first time in a while, I'm excited about A's baseball.. I like our centerpiece (Daric) and still think we have enough vets and talent to win around 80 games...

But if not, we're still heading in the right direction... pure youth. Maybe a couple league minimum vet signings to give us some clubhouse leadership... and we're in business.

Some players who could help and are FAs to my knowledge: Brad Wilkerson, Craig Wilson, Mike Sweeney, Luis Gonzalez... a role player/fringe starter that can continue the A's tradition of having a great locker room and being extremely professional.

oakfanintheeast · Post #5 » by **oakfanintheeast** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:18 pm

510Reggae wrote:Sign Street to a multi year extension, use Devine as setup... then next season, Street.... a closer on a semi-friendly, multi-year extension is worth way more than an arbitration case... thats why we netted what we did in the Swisher heist.

street is way too injury prone to sign to an extension.Street is as good as gone, maybe not now, but my the ASB. Devine should be able to close, the a's pen will be very good in the future with, Castillo, Brown,Blevins, Lugo, etc.

TSC25 · Post #6 » by **TSC25** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:15 pm

oakfanintheeast wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

street is way too injury prone to sign to an extension.Street is as good as gone, maybe not now, but my the ASB. Devine should be able to close, the a's pen will be very good in the future with, Castillo, Brown,Blevins, Lugo, etc.

And dont forget about Jay Marshall,I still think he's going to be a good pitcher out of the pen.

oakfanintheeast · Post #7 » by **oakfanintheeast** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:51 am

TSC25 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

And dont forget about Jay Marshall,I still think he's going to be a good pitcher out of the pen.

he got cut, but i think the he's back. Marshall was used completely wrong all last year anyway.

TSC25 · Post #8 » by **TSC25** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 2:32 am

oakfanintheeast wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

he got cut, but i think the he's back. Marshall was used completely wrong all last year anyway.

Yes we got him back,and yes I agree he was used wrong,but we had to keep him on the big league roster,so I hope he gets the time he needs to improve in the minors,and can still be a part of the Athletics future.