2008 MLB Season

[Cujo]

Chicago Sun Times -- The Cubs have acquired Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin for right-handed pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielder Matt Murton, infielder Eric Patterson and catcher Josh Donaldson.

NO WAYYYY!!!

ARE YOU FU*KING KIDDING ME?

What the FU*K?!

Are you serious? Are you fu*king serious?!?!

Our BEST pitcher for a crappy pen guy and a catcher and some mid level outfielders?

I'm about to pull a Tnak here, gasket is long since blown. Screw wasting any more money on this team building for the future, there is no future because WE KEEP TRADING IT AWAY!!!!

So here's what Oakland fans can expect from the players they got in exchange for one of the nastiest starters in baseball, Rich Harden, along with Chad Gaudin.

- Sean Gallagher. He is the main reason we went out to get another starter because he couldn't cut the mustard as the Cubs' #5. Beane is a fool if he think's this guy is going to be any kind of replacment for Harden, or even Gaudin for that matter.

- Matt Murton. If he were any good, Chicago wouldn't have been desparate enough to ink San Diego Padres reject, Jim Edmonds, back in May.

- Eric Patterson. He is just another 'Patterson'. I would be shocked if he turned out to be any better than his brother.

- Josh Donaldson. Just some throw-in catcher, batting .223 in Single-A Peoria.

I'm not gonna lie, the Cubs robbed the A's absolutely blind with this deal. Thank You Billy Beane!

[TFoA]

2008: The Year of Fleecing.

[NJTank]

Oakland Athletics No Money Ball

They were in the race and now just folded like a cheap suit, and the Angels have been given the division title, amazing.

I understand the CC Sabathia trade on behalf of the Indians they are in last and things are going down the tubes fast and CC is a FA.

But the A's are right behind the Angels, it was a winnable division for them and instead they have nothing.

[Cujo]

Ugggh, I am on the cusp of a full out Tnak eruption right about now. I am literally sick to my stomache over this one. It's to the point that one of these will be my next A's purchase.

Really terrible considering just how much hope for the future there was for this team. Hell, I even thought bringing in a guy like Matt Holliday wasn't out of the question. But alas, once again, won't happen. But despite just how much I hate management, I'm still gonna remain a fan. At least I can try to take solace in the thought that when we do win, times like these will just make it that much sweeter....... I just hope I'm not 90 by the time that happens

It's going to be a verrrry long time until we see another title in Oakland. Sadly, it's become more than clear now that the Athletics are only in existence to sell tickets and rake a profit because they sure as hell aren't putting together a championship team any time soon.

Unlike teams such as Kansas City or Pittsburgh, the A's have had quite a few MVPs and Cy Young contenders in recent years and could have easily build a team around any of those players if they wanted to build a winner. Yet, Billy Beane has been more-than-willing to trade away any player who has seen any form of success in Oakland over the past ten years for a handful of prospects in hopes that one or two of them will pan out. And then once any of those prospects finally become All-Stars, they are shown the door for even more minor leaguers. The cycle doesn't end.

I really do fell for the loyal A's fans out there who continue to get screwed. I understand the loyalty, but if you care anything about winning, there has to come a point where you just gotta bail on the 'Oakland Triple-A's'.

[Spezza19]

The Blue Jays finally get a walk off win this year!

[gingerbreadmann]

As bad as the trade appears for the A's at this point, don't you have to just marvel at how Beane essentially turned Mark Mulder into Daric Barton, Carlos Gonzalez, Dana Eveland, Greg Smith, Brett Anderson, and Chris Carter?

Though I won't bring up the Hudson deal or how he didn't trade Zito in time...

[TampaBayEverybodyLovesRays]

I'd put a little more faith in Beane. A number of critics thought the Haren deal was bad and borderline horrible. I would not be surprised of the newly acquired players was able to be a big contributor to A's this or next season.

[See Red]

Chicao Sun Times -- The Cubs have acquired Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin for right-handed pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielder Matt Murton, infielder Eric Patterson and catcher Josh Donaldson.

NO WAYYYY!!!

ARE YOU FU*KING KIDDING ME?

What the FU*K?!

Are you serious? Are you fu*king serious?!?!

Our BEST pitcher for a crappy pen guy and a catcher and some mid level outfielders?

I'm about to pull a Tnak here, gasket is long since blown. Screw wasting any more money on this team building for the future, there is no future because WE KEEP TRADING IT AWAY!!!!

So here's what Oakland fans can expect from the players they got in exchange for one of the nastiest starters in baseball, Rich Harden, along with Chad Gaudin.

- Sean Gallagher. He is the main reason we went out to get another starter because he couldn't cut the mustard as the Cubs' #5. Beane is a fool if he think's this guy is going to be any kind of replacment for Harden, or even Gaudin for that matter.

- Matt Murton. If he were any good, Chicago wouldn't have been desparate enough to ink San Diego Padres reject, Jim Edmonds, back in May.

- Eric Patterson. He is just another 'Patterson'. I would be shocked if he turned out to be any better than his brother.

- Josh Donaldson. Just some throw-in catcher, batting .223 in Single-A Peoria.

I'm not gonna lie, the Cubs robbed the A's absolutely blind with this deal. Thank You Billy Beane!

I would actually disagree. Murton's career averages are actually pretty good for a guy that's only had a single season as a full-time starter. I think if he gets more consistent playing time in Oakland he could turn out to be pretty good.

As for Sean Gallagher, he was #82 on Baseball America's top 100 prospects list and was lights out in his time in the minors. You're judging him after what, 10 professional starts? I don't know anything about Eric Patterson or the other guy (who I've read has the makings of a star, despite any trouble he's having now -- very far away, though) but it wouldn't suprise me if Murton and Gallagher were very good contributors to the A's in the future.

That said, the Cubs still win this deal by a landslide.

... However... Rich Harden complained of a dead arm two weeks ago and, from what I've seen, has lost velocity since then. Maybe the A's are smarter than we think...

[footballfiji]

I can speak a little for Donaldson, who is a former catcher for Auburn. He's solid. Truly solid. He's not going to be called up anytime soon (maybe mid 2009) but he continues to improve. Here's what the Cubs had to say after they drafted him:

"He's got all the skills to be an impact catcher," Cubs player development director Oneri Fleita said. "He can catch, he can throw, he's very athletic. He's got the other intangibles -- I think he's a tough guy, and he can hit. That makes a big difference. The ability to command the strike zone -- he led the league in on-base percentage in Boise. Not only can he hit, but hit for power. It's been a long time since the organization has had a catcher with those type of abilities."

From Cubs.com

Plus he wasn't going anywhere for the Cubs. Soto has become a stud and looks pretty durable. Look at the A's. They have Kurt Suzuki, who while solid defensively leaves more to be desired at the plate.

[Breakwood]

The Blue Jays finally get a walk off win this year!

That was a quality implosion by the Baltimore bullpen.

[Jigga]

A's send Rich Hardin and Chad Gaudin to the Cubs

Chicao Sun Times -- The Cubs have acquired Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin for right-handed pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielder Matt Murton, infielder Eric Patterson and catcher Josh Donaldson.

NO WAYYYY!!!

ARE YOU FU*KING KIDDING ME?

What the FU*K?!

Are you serious? Are you fu*king serious?!?!

Our BEST pitcher for a crappy pen guy and a catcher and some mid level outfielders?

I'm about to pull a Tnak here, gasket is long since blown. Screw wasting any more money on this team building for the future, there is no future because WE KEEP TRADING IT AWAY!!!!

Dude, you have like 16 other favorite teams, you'll deal...

[Cujo]

So here's what Oakland fans can expect from the players they got in exchange for one of the nastiest starters in baseball, Rich Harden, along with Chad Gaudin.

- Sean Gallagher. He is the main reason we went out to get another starter because he couldn't cut the mustard as the Cubs' #5. Beane is a fool if he think's this guy is going to be any kind of replacment for Harden, or even Gaudin for that matter.

- Matt Murton. If he were any good, Chicago wouldn't have been desparate enough to ink San Diego Padres reject, Jim Edmonds, back in May.

- Eric Patterson. He is just another 'Patterson'. I would be shocked if he turned out to be any better than his brother.

- Josh Donaldson. Just some throw-in catcher, batting .223 in Single-A Peoria.

I'm not gonna lie, the Cubs robbed the A's absolutely blind with this deal. Thank You Billy Beane!

I would actually disagree. Murton's career averages are actually pretty good for a guy that's only had a single season as a full-time starter. I think if he gets more consistent playing time in Oakland he could turn out to be pretty good.

As for Sean Gallagher, he was #82 on Baseball America's top 100 prospects list and was lights out in his time in the minors. You're judging him after what, 10 professional starts? I don't know anything about Eric Patterson or the other guy (who I've read has the makings of a star, despite any trouble he's having now -- very far away, though) but it wouldn't suprise me if Murton and Gallagher were very good contributors to the A's in the future.

That said, the Cubs still win this deal by a landslide.

... However... Rich Harden complained of a dead arm two weeks ago and, from what I've seen, has lost velocity since then. Maybe the A's are smarter than we think...

All players acquired by Oakland today have upside (as do all "prospects"), but I have to disagree with you on Matt Murton.

He's been called up on several occasions from Iowa since his rookie year in '05, only to be sent back to Des Moines time, after time, afer time. The Cubs have been patiently waiting for the guy to get it together and become their full-time starter on the Northside for years now, but it just wasn't happening and they finally decided to pull the plug on him today, a move that I 100% agree with.

I would say Murton has basically maxed out as a 'real good Triple-A player'. But then again, I suppose that's why Oakland went after him so they don't have to pay him huge money later on down the road .... I believe that is how the A's front office operates.

[TampaBayEverybodyLovesRays]

Baltimore has started to fall off as of late. Who could be next?

[See Red]

So here's what Oakland fans can expect from the players they got in exchange for one of the nastiest starters in baseball, Rich Harden, along with Chad Gaudin.

- Sean Gallagher. He is the main reason we went out to get another starter because he couldn't cut the mustard as the Cubs' #5. Beane is a fool if he think's this guy is going to be any kind of replacment for Harden, or even Gaudin for that matter.

- Matt Murton. If he were any good, Chicago wouldn't have been desparate enough to ink San Diego Padres reject, Jim Edmonds, back in May.

- Eric Patterson. He is just another 'Patterson'. I would be shocked if he turned out to be any better than his brother.

- Josh Donaldson. Just some throw-in catcher, batting .223 in Single-A Peoria.

I'm not gonna lie, the Cubs robbed the A's absolutely blind with this deal. Thank You Billy Beane!

I would actually disagree. Murton's career averages are actually pretty good for a guy that's only had a single season as a full-time starter. I think if he gets more consistent playing time in Oakland he could turn out to be pretty good.

As for Sean Gallagher, he was #82 on Baseball America's top 100 prospects list and was lights out in his time in the minors. You're judging him after what, 10 professional starts? I don't know anything about Eric Patterson or the other guy (who I've read has the makings of a star, despite any trouble he's having now -- very far away, though) but it wouldn't suprise me if Murton and Gallagher were very good contributors to the A's in the future.

That said, the Cubs still win this deal by a landslide.

... However... Rich Harden complained of a dead arm two weeks ago and, from what I've seen, has lost velocity since then. Maybe the A's are smarter than we think...

All players acquired by Oakland today have upside (as do all "prospects"), but I have to disagree with you on Matt Murton.

He's been called up on several occasions from Iowa since his rookie year in '05, only to be sent back to Des Moines time, after time, afer time. The Cubs have been patiently waiting for the guy to get it together and become their full-time starter on the Northside for years now, but it just wasn't happening and they finally decided to pull the plug on him today, a move that I 100% agree with.

I would say Murton has basically maxed out as a 'real good Triple-A player'. But then again, I suppose that's why Oakland went after him so they don't have to pay him huge money later on down the road .... I believe that is how the A's front office operates.

In 51 games with the Cubs in his first Major League season, he hit .321/.386/.521 with 7 HR's. In his second season he hit .297/.365/.444 with 13 HR's and 62 RBI's -- not bad for a rookie season.

The Cubs then signed Cliff Floyd to split time with Matt Murton and he's hasn't been productive since and he's never had consistent playing time since. They haven't waited patiently because when he proved that he could be a full-time starter they signed a guy to platoon with him. The Cubs mishandled him.

By the way (completely unrelated), but the Red Sox have a knuckleballer in AAA Pawtucket right now that's pitching very well -- I don't know if he's thought of as a serious prospect but it'd be pretty cool if the Red Sox had two knuckleballers in their pitching staff.

[gingerbreadmann]

By the way (completely unrelated), but the Red Sox have a knuckleballer in AAA Pawtucket right now that's pitching very well -- I don't know if he's thought of as a serious prospect but it'd be pretty cool if the Red Sox had two knuckleballers in their pitching staff.

ZZZZINK!

[See Red]

By the way (completely unrelated), but the Red Sox have a knuckleballer in AAA Pawtucket right now that's pitching very well -- I don't know if he's thought of as a serious prospect but it'd be pretty cool if the Red Sox had two knuckleballers in their pitching staff.

ZZZZINK!

At the very least, with Zink, Kottaras and Brown get experience catching a knuckle baller which is important as long as Wakefield is on the roster.

[gingerbreadmann]

By the way (completely unrelated), but the Red Sox have a knuckleballer in AAA Pawtucket right now that's pitching very well -- I don't know if he's thought of as a serious prospect but it'd be pretty cool if the Red Sox had two knuckleballers in their pitching staff.

ZZZZINK!

At the very least, with Zink, Kottaras and Brown get experience catching a knuckle baller which is important as long as Wakefield is on the roster.

Yeah, but too bad that neither of them can hit either.

[See Red]

By the way (completely unrelated), but the Red Sox have a knuckleballer in AAA Pawtucket right now that's pitching very well -- I don't know if he's thought of as a serious prospect but it'd be pretty cool if the Red Sox had two knuckleballers in their pitching staff.

ZZZZINK!

At the very least, with Zink, Kottaras and Brown get experience catching a knuckle baller which is important as long as Wakefield is on the roster.

Yeah, but too bad that neither of them can hit either.

Can't be worse than Tek or Cash...

[LMU]

The only thing I can possibly think is that regardless of record, Beane still was in rebuilding mode, and wasn't going to let any success derail his plan.

As an Angel fan, though, I'll surely be sending Mr. Beane a Christmas card.

[FiddySicks]

A's send Rich Hardin and Chad Gaudin to the Cubs

Chicao Sun Times -- The Cubs have acquired Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin for right-handed pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielder Matt Murton, infielder Eric Patterson and catcher Josh Donaldson.

NO WAYYYY!!!

ARE YOU FU*KING KIDDING ME?

What the FU*K?!

Are you serious? Are you fu*king serious?!?!

Our BEST pitcher for a crappy pen guy and a catcher and some mid level outfielders?

I'm about to pull a Tnak here, gasket is long since blown. Screw wasting any more money on this team building for the future, there is no future because WE KEEP TRADING IT AWAY!!!!

Dude, you have like 16 other favorite teams, you'll deal...

Get over it bro. Talk to anyone who knows me, the A's are my #1.