A’s sign Big Hurt

The Big Hurt is back in the Green & Gold.

The A’s signed Frank Thomas for a minimal $337,000 on Thursday, a nice price for a guy that can potentially go off like he did in 2006. I don’t mind the move at all, but it definitely leaves the A’s with one too many designated hitters. I say screw Jack Cust. The guy has nothing going for him and I am pretty much fed up with him at the plate. All he does swing for the fences every at-bat and end up taking a stroll back to the dugout. As we saw last night, Mike Sweeney can hit for power and average while Cust can’t even hit the ball. I think Cust had a bit of rookie luck last season and now teams have the lowdown on how to pitch to him.

I also think the the organization must feel the same way, or else why would they bring Thomas back? For kicks? In 56 at-bats this season Cust has 24 strikeouts. Thus he K’s 43 percent of the time! I don’t see any reason he should be in the game. I’d rather have a guy like DeNorfia in left field, someone who has the ability to get a base hit. Cust is either going to walk, K, or go yard. And the going yard part has only happened once. So here is my lineup with the Bug Hurt back:

1. Suzuki
2. Ellis
3. Barton
4. Thomas
5. Sweeney, M
6. Brown
7. Crosby
8. Sweeney, R
9. Hannahan

Will the A’s sign Frank Thomas?

ESPN.com is reporting that the A’s will meet during the next 48 hours to discuss whether or not they’ll sign Frank Thomas, who was cut by the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this week.

Vlae K. over at the Drumbeat has chimed in saying that his signing is unlikely. Blez at Athletics Nation agrees.

But Scott Ostler over at the SF Chronicle has a different plan: Signt Thomas and Barry Bonds.

There are obvious up and down sides to this. First, there’s no guarantee of instant offense: Bonds isn’t playing and Thomas is slumping. Also, if the A’s intend to move Blanton and, hopefully, Harden, then there’s no need to bring in the “big bats”; it’s a rebuilding year, right?

So, I’m pretty much against either of these trades. Give Ryan Sweeney some at bats. Bring up CarGon. Move Blanton, Street, Chavez and Crosby. Boost up the defense, bullpen and middle infield. I just don’t see the long-term benefits of having Bonds or Thomas.

But then again, looking long-term hasn’t won the A’s a championship during the Beane era …

Cats bats come alive in first home win of year

They scored 11 tonight to beat Las Vegas by six runs.

Carlos Gonzalez was 2 for 4 with a homer and now is batting .308 on the year. Linden was 2 for 4 with his third dong of the year.

Tomorrow night, the Cats begin four games at home against Tucson.

Gio Gonzalez no decision, Cats lose Sat. and Sun.; A’s lose on Sun. morning in crappy Cleveland weather

Japan, Oakland, Toronto, snowstorm Cleveland. Memo to the commisioner: can’t we just play spring ball on the West Coast?

In spite of it all, the A’s went 5-1 on the road trip, though they lost on Sunday.

The River Cats haven’t faired as well.

They lost their third straight at home today, losing 3-1. Both Dallas Braden and Gio Gonzalez pitched well in their starts, but the team couldn’t hold on.

Todd Linden and Carlos Gonzalez have hot bats, as does Putnam.

A side note: Nomar Garciaparra is still hitless in his rehab for Las Vegas.

A’s win again

Oakland extended their winning streak to five on Saturday with a 7-3 win in Cleveland.

The Oakland starting pitching continues to impress, as Lenny DiNardo went 5 innings, giving up 2 Rs on 6 Hs with 3 Ks and zero BB. Definitely a solid start from a guy like DiNardo. He kept the A’s in the game, didn’t make mistakes (0 HR), and then left 4 innings for the bullpen to mow down. With guys like Casilla pitching well, 4 innings shouldn’t be too much to ask for.

Meanwhile, the A’s offense is hot, averaging 6.8 runs over the five-game streak. I’m back on the Bobby Crosby bandwagon and I think he is going to have an excellent season at the plate. A year ago I doubted whether the A’s should even keep Crosby, but I have a feeling he is going to have a solid year for the A’s. Maybe hitting around .280 with about 20 HR and 75 RBI. He looks much more comfortable at the plate and has definitely started laying off the outside pitches. Something about seeing him hit that 3-run jack tonight got me juiced. Anyways, enough of the Crosby lovin’.

NICK CHIMES IN: I’m not on the B.C. Bandwagon just yet …

I am also impressed with the play of the platoons, Denorfia and Sweeney. In five wins, they are hitting a combined .350 AVG with 3 RBI and 4 runs scored. And neither has committed an error thus far. Losing Kotsay was a huge loss defensively (when healthy), but so far the young guns have filled in admirably.

Can you say 20 wins? I wish, but I’ll be just as happy with six. Oakland looks for the sweep tomorrow. Chad Gaudin vs. Clif Lee at 10:05 am. Be there.

Cats lose opener, A’s beat Tribe

I didn’t make the River Cats home opener last night–and it turns out I didn’t miss much.

Dan Meyer gave up 5 ER in 3 innings as the Cats lost 9-3. CarGon had two hits.

In Cleveland, however, the A’s had 12 hits off C.C. Sabathia and won 9-7, giving Joe Blanton his first win of the year. Bobby Crosby had 3 hits, the A’s had 4 doubles and left a whopping 18 runners on base.

Bobby Crosby is hitting .326. Hell, he’s still healthy.

Allow me to emphasize one thing

READ MY RIVER CATS / OAKLAND A’S FEATURE AT SN&R. Or just click on the link to make my boss think I have some crazy money readership.

Many thanks …

In other news, I hear Rich Harden returned to his rightful place in the A’s organization: the DL. Oh well, it was sure fun watching him rip up Boston. Perhaps the Yankees can sign him and just use him in the playoffs …