Mark80

I think you summed it up already, when you said they are already pitching rich; you don't need to become more pitching rich. A low payroll team like the A's should not be sending off top tier prospects who they will have control over for 6 years after be breaks in (was supposed to be starting SS next season) for a guy you'll have for only 1.5 seasons and another guy who you'll most likely have for only 1/2 a season. They already have Sonny Gray, Kazmir, and Milone who are all solid. Plus a great season going for Chavez and Pomeranz (stupidly injured himself though). Not to mention they'll have Parker back next season who is probably better than all but Gray. Straily could have been used a filler until Pomeranz came back. I just don't see the logic in getting rid Russell for an unproven guy in Hammel and an inconsistent pitcher who struggles in the second half year after year (in the NL none the less). And on top of that Straily who dominated the minors but has run into some control issues that could easily be fixed, and McKinny who is no slouch prospect either. However, I'll readily admit that Billy Beane is much, much smarter than I am, so I'm sure he knows what he's doing! I disagree, 17 home runs last season as a 19 year old in only 110 games and 21 SBs and a plus fielder at a vital position. That is very good, especially for a SS. Top 5 prospects usually pan out. As I said earlier, if they wanted to trade him they should have went after Price. I think that package would have got him (or possibly adding in Olsen or Robertson instead somewhere). Finally, as I've said they've done this before. Trading away Carlos Gonzalez, Andre Eithier, Nelson Cruz (though not a high prospect at the time) and it has never panned out for them. Hopefully this time it does.

A's get Samardzija and Hammel Cubs get Addison Russell, Dan Straily, Billy McKinny As an A's fan I have to say that I hate, hate, hate this deal. Sure it looks good for this season but Samardzija has only a year and a half left on his deal and we all know the A's won't resign him for the money he'll want. Also, he notoriously struggles in the second half of the season which is what he was brought in to do, bring it home in the second half. Hammel is 31 and is having his first good season ever. Am I really to accept that he's suddenly just figured it out at 31? I don't think so. Not against the bats in the AL, and more specifically, the AL West. You simply just don't trade a SS prospect of Russell's caliber for these type of players, you don't, I'm sorry. This is bringing back horrible memories of the Carlos Gonzalez and Huston Street for Matt Holliday trade. Holliday stayed for 1/2 a season and Carlos and Huston have been all-star caliber players ever since. I guess the A's are all in this season which I can get on board with, but man, I wish they would have got a better pitcher (David Price perhaps) for such a quality prospect in Russell. On the flip side, the Cubs are absolutely stacked in their system with offensive talent. It will be interesting to see what pieces get moved to add some pitching. Cubs fan's should be pretty excited with what they have brewing over there, even though I know it doesn't look very good right now on the MLB level. Kris Bryant is absolutely destroying the minors.

And to clarify, I'm not one the people who believe that, that was just my impression of them. To play devil's advocate they would probably say that we didn't offer them enough to come here. I can't remember what we offered them (or if it was even made public), but that would be the logic of their argument. I too, think it's unfounded and untrue.

I have one but rarely if ever use it. However, if I was in sales or looking for a job I'd be all over it.

Not that I disagree with any aspect of your post, I just wanted to say that I think the "bean counter" people are talking more about what we are willing to pay for top end Personnel and Coaching staff than the roster. Or maybe I'm wrong, but that was always my impression (at least the ones that know what they are talking about).

Even though I'm a mid 30s educated and employed person, my grandmother and aunts / uncles still are determined to give me birthday and Christmas presents even though I repeatedly asked them not to since my mid 20s. A few years back I came up with a solution. I asked them all to instead donate to the V Foundation what they would have been giving me as gifts. It's not a ton of money, but at least it's something. ESPN always pushes this fund and I like it because the Foundation has a big enough endowment to pay for all of their expenses and every dollar donated at this point goes directly to funding research efforts. There is no reason why we cannot cure many, if not all types of cancers in the next few decades. I implore each of you to take the time to donate any amount you feel comfortable with if you can afford it. Every little bit helps. Also, if any one knows of a better foundation for said same purpose please let me know.

Nice work Steffan, nice work.

I know a lot / most of you hate Olberman. But last night on his show he had this story as his "Worst" on the Worst of the Worse segment. He absolutely destroyed Texas A&M and it was fantastic. Edit: Guess it's called World's Worst segment. Same difference.

Well, you just in one post ruined any and all credibility you had on this site. Congratulations. Our best WR huh? Mike Williams and Sammy Watkins have more talent than Stevie Johnson could ever dream of having. Just because a guy can run routes very well doesn't mean he's a great receiver. He drops balls in huge situations, he admittedly doesn't put forth any effort in the off season to get better (what a great example to set for our younger players), he gets the stupidest penalties at the worst times, and his a the epitome of a "me first" guy on and off the field. He would have been our 4th, maybe even 5th best receiver this season after Williams, Watkins, Woods, and possibly even Marquise. Not to mention our TEs. And then you want to go 0-16 when we have no first round pick next year just to prove a point? Holy smokes. If this team goes 0-16 attendance plummets and it becomes a very, very serious in regards to the future of this franchise in this city (not that it isn't already serious enough). Great idea Super Fan. "I may be the biggest optimist on here." Oh, OK, now I get it, you were just joking the whole time. Now I understand. You might as well change your user name now, I have a feeling a lot of people will be blocking your posts after this one. I know I am.

This thread really puts the Kiko thread into it's proper perspective. Wish all of you and your friends / families the best.

Europe teams have mandatory systems in place to train adolescents in camps for free with legit coaches. MLS has recently picked up on this and it will pay dividends in years to come. 2022 is our real goal. Have patience. As far as my booty call? Either I'm too drunk to make sense in the text of I have dipped the pail into the well one too many times with no commitment. Oh, "well."

"They" say it takes 3 generations of players to build a top end program. Realistically, ours started in the early 90's. We are about 1/2 - 3/4 of the way through the second generation. I feel we're right on track for this to come to fruition. In 2022 we should be a force to be reckoned with. We had the World Cup that we needed to keep the momentum going getting out of that group with Portugal and Ghana was huge. Sure, we could surprise in Russia (as we had a slim chance to here) but 2022, we could / should be among the favorites. It was a fun ride, but we were never winning it all this time. Now I drink Scotch and drunk dial a girl I'm going to regret in the morning. Don't Tread On Me.

Just got the blue one. Already have a white Spiller and a dark blue Fletcher. Needed a royal blue one. Thanks for the idea man. Now, where to get a new nameplate (although i wouldn't mind rocking Cowart for a game or two). Anyone know who does nameplates in the Western NY area? North Suburbs specifically.

Cowart jersey...good idea. Think I'll roll with that, thanks.

Anyone know where someone could pick up a Talley jersey? Ebay and Google have come up empty in my quest. Thanks for any help.

Yeah it's a funny shirt. Unfortunately, my days of rocking shirts with such language are over. Years ago at a Bills home opener I bought a "F the Jags" t-shirt in the parking lot and wore it around. I felt like such an idiot anytime I walked by a family and took it off very quickly. Never wore it again or another shirt with offensive language on it. But that's just me.

Absolutely.

Two days ago man, keep up.

Also some old ones: SNK Baseball Stars - basically invented the powering up of attributes and league play - NES Mario 3 - NES Super Smash Bros - N64 Soul Calibur - Dreamcast R.C. Pro Am - NES Mike Tyson's Punch Out - NES New Ones: Skyrim - 360 XCOM: Enemy Unknown - 360 Batman Series - 360 The Last of Us - PS3

What a sick goal by Rodriguez.

I remember when I could hit the net and almost the rim...oh the glory days.

Saw Candlebox with Sponge and Our Lady Peace at UB around 1995 or 1996. They were the headliner. Sponge opened, killed it. OLP on next, killed it even more. Candlebox came on and stood up there like statues. They started getting booed, made some nasty remarks about Buffalo and left the stage after about 20 mins. They were the worst live band I have ever seen, and I've seen a lot (even worse that that Black Crowes performance I referenced earlier). Silverchair - Israel's Son is a great one - dedicated to Tom Brady.

I think you have me confused with someone else, or I'm completely missing something.

Really, who cares? If either sees the field we are in big trouble.

I don't care what anyone thinks, A Boy Named Goo is an excellent record from top to bottom and it is in my normal playlist. Flat Top came on the Ipod at the gym today and there was no thought of hitting "next" at all.