Bleacher Report - Articles by Wes Hofmann

Oakland A's: Kurt Suzuki Needs to Be Cut

Wes Hofmann — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:46:26 -0400

A couple entries ago, I wrote about how Jack Cust needed to be let go by the A's. And while it still wouldn't bother me if they got rid of Cabbage Patch Kid Face Jack Cust, he started hitting much better after I wrote the article.

Which leads me to the following statement: Kurt Suzuki needs to be let go by the A's.

Suzuki is hitless in his last 23 at-bats.

Rob Bowen got a rare start on Thursday, mostly because the game was early and it was "get away" day. Hopefully the day off for Suzuki helped him relax a little bit. Bowen did his best Suzuki impression by going hitless.

Bob Geren says Suzuki's slump is "mental." What Bob Geren will not admit is that batting Suzuki in the leadoff spot was mental.

In the last two games, though losses, Bob Geren decided to go with Rajai Davis at the leadoff spot. What? The fastest guy on the team and biggest threat on the bases in the leadoff spot? That's just crazy!

Somewhere Jeremy Brown is thinking about coming out of retirement, so look out, Kurt Suzuki.

Tough Roster Decisions Await the Oakland Athletics

Wes Hofmann — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:15:28 -0400

Rich Harden pitched for the Class-A Stockton Ports tonight in a rehab start. His line was six innings pitched, three hits, 0 ER, 0 BB, nine Ks, and three hit batsmen. (Why walk them when you can hit them, huh?)

Harden isn't the only Oakland Athletics players currently rehabbing. So is outfielder Travis Buck. This brings me to question: What two players do the A's remove from their 25-man roster when Harden and Buck return to the team?

My guess on this situation is as follows:

With Travis Buck's return, the A's will have six outfielders in Emil Brown, Ryan Sweeney, Chris Denorfia, Jack Cust, and Rajai Davis. Of these outfielders, the odd-man out is either going to be Denorfia or Davis. (Though if it were up to me, I'd still drop Cust...he is just too streaky and not a good or speedy fielder anyway)

So if it is between Denorfia and Davis getting moved from the 25-man roster like I speculate, my pick would be for Denorfia to be the odd-man out. Davis and Sweeney can platoon the same way that Denorfia and Sweeney were platooning. Davis has the edge speed-wise and can create excitement when on base. He is an above average fielder who reads the ball well off the bat.

Brown stays because he is a RBI machine right now, Sweeney because he is a left-handed bat, and Cust because Billy Beane has a crush on him.

The return of Rich Harden is an even tougher decision. The rotation has been so strong, who do you move out. If they decided to drop Greg Smith just because he was the replacement, then that is a mistake. Greg Smith has been remarkable in Harden's void and deserves to stay.

Obviously, Joe Blanton is staying in the rotation...unless he gets traded soon.

Dana Eveland and Justin Duchsherer have both looked good in their starts, too.

Might Chad Gaudin go back to the bullpen when Harden comes back? Will the A's try a six-man rotation? Dallas Braden will most likely be sent back to Triple-A Sacramento when Harden comes off the DL. Gaudin can be the long reliever out of the bullpen and a spot-starter. (Like for when Harden gets injured again perhaps?)

Keith Foulke is also in the equation, as he is another A's pitcher nearing a return from the disabled list. Andrew Brown or Joey Devine will most likely lose their spot when Foulke comes back. Again, if it was up to me, Andrew Brown would be the one to clear way to make room for Foulke.

Ya know, making decisions would be a lot easier if players could just stay healthy! But alas, this is baseball.

It's Time for Oakland A's to Get Rid of Jack Cust

Wes Hofmann — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:02:54 -0400

With a batting average below the minimum and only two home runs thus far, it is time for the Oakland A's to get rid of Jack Cust.

The A's have acquired Frank Thomas for most of the DH duties and added Rajai Davis for speed and outfield help. Cust is no longer needed.

I hate seeing Cust in the outfield just so he can get at-bats. Never mind that the A's came back and scored eight runs in the fifth inning tonight against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Jack Cust has been a disaster. The error he made in left field tonight was one of the saddest errors I have ever seen. The error proved costly too, as the Angels scored five runs afterward.

The A's have Emil Brown knocking in runs (the way people hoped Cust would), they have Ryan Sweeney, Chris Denorfia, Rajai Davis, and soon Travis Buck will be back. There's absolutely no need for Cust to be out on the field.

I would much rather see Frank Thomas or Mike Sweeney as the DH over Jack Cust any day.

Am I wrong fellow A's fans? Fellow baseball fans? Am I judging the guy too soon in the season?

I don't think I should have to twinge every time I see a fly ball go in his direction...but I do.

Hitting Woes Continue for Oakland Atheltics' Travis Buck

Wes Hofmann — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:52:04 -0400

The Oakland A's are 3-4 after seven games. Though they could easily be 5-2 or 4-3 instead, A's fans must be just fine with a 3-4 record at this point. Just look at the Detroit Tigers in comparison.

Travis Buck still does not have a hit this season for the A's. He got his first RBI on a sacrifice fly on Sunday, but when will Buck finally get a hit into the hit column. Buck is supposed to be the A's leadoff hitter this year. The A's have tried breaking his slump in various ways already. They've put Ellis at leadoff instead and they've even gone to benching Travis Buck so he could clear his head. Dan Johnson once started a season with a similar slump... and he barely plays anymore.

Travis Buck should never consider his job secure. Remember, Carlos Gonzalez is only down the road in Sacramento and considered the A's top prospect by many. The A's will not be afraid to replace him if needed and give Buck more seasoning in the minors if needed.

A's fans probably can't help but wonder if not having Swisher this year has put a lot of pressure on Travis Buck to be the face of the A's.

Oakland A's Home Opener Against Red Sox: This Time Actually at Home

Wes Hofmann — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:42:32 -0400

I was lucky enough to get a ticket to the A's second home opener of the season...this time in Oakland, not Japan.

I am excited for the game, which will be the second matchup between Daisuke Matzusaka of the Boston Red Sox and Joe Blanton of the Oakland A's. Last week in Japan, the Red Sox won in 10 innings when A's closer Huston Street blew the lead late.

Now it's time for a rematch.

While the A's are the home team tomorrow, it won't feel like it. Red Sox Nation, I assume, will fill about half or more of the stadium. I have seen them play Boston in Oakland many times before, and the Red Sox fans, and front-runners too, always seem to make it out to the ballpark.

I have no worries about that though. I will be sitting in the bleachers with the A's drummers, and we will be making enough noise to drown out the Boston Tea Party.

Pictured above is Daric Barton, A's rookie first baseman and my pick for Rookie of the Year. I really don't see Dan Johnson being with the A's much longer. Mike Sweeney is a great addition for the ball club. A right-handed batter with some pop is something the A's need.

In addition to Dan Johnson being gone soon and Daric Barton winning Rookie of the year Honors, here are the rest of my predictions for the A's 2008 season:

- Rich Harden will pitch in at least 20 games.

- Eric Chavez will miss more games than he will play.

- Huston Street will NOT be signed to a new deal and might even get traded.

- Fernando Hernandez will impress other teams with his pitching.

- The A's will finish with a .500 record or better, ending up in third place in AL West.

Thanks for reading my first entry. Hope you check back soon!