The A's Rotation

His minor league numbers are pretty damn good for someone his age, does CHONE take into account age?

But actually it is still the most favorable system of the 3 on FanGraphs to him right now. I’d expect him to outpace his projection (park adjusted even), he still struck out 8 per 9 last year.

As to the poll question, I’d really like to put both. If we’re gonna punt a 2nd rounder I think might as well punt the 3rd as well to make the team that much better. Payroll is only at like $58 million last I checked, which if they’re willing to go to something like $70 million I think they may be able to nab both (Sheets at 2 years $8 mil in ’09, $11 mil in ’10, and Cabrera at 2 years $4 mil in ’09, $7 mil in ’10)

is freakin’ YOUNG. Pardon the french, but the guy hasn’t even had a real full season in MLB. In fact, last season’s 115 IP’s were essentially his first real taste of the bigs (the miniscule experience in 2007 notwithstanding). If you look at his minor league stats, they range from good to really good. I don’t see why Gallagher couldn’t have a breakout year next year, although an ERA in the 4’s is still more likely. If I had to guess what he’d put up next year, I’d say that Gallagher would produce a 4.30 ERA in 150 IPs with 139 K’s and 60 BB’s.

I guess we can hope for two things…perfect health for the starting rotation and …that they pitch at the top of their abilities.

He’s a bigger upgrade over Crosby than a healthy Sheets is over anyone in that rotations. I think that Gallagher is going to be better than CHONE predicts, but that’s purely based on my opinion of him after seeing him pitch quite a few minor league innings at Iowa.

They also have 3 B+ or better arms at the AA and AAA levels right now that project as major league starters, so signing Sheets to a 2 or 3 year deal is just clogging up the pipeline for those young guys.

Given this choice, I would sign Cabrera — but I think they might be best served by waiting until spring training and seeing if they can sign Adam Dunn to a one year, incentive laden deal to DH for them.

The only way I’d pursue Sheets, if I’m Oakland that is, is if the Rangers or Angels look like they are going to sign him. Then I might get involved just to drive up the price for the other teams in the division.

RE: Sheets, the A’s don’t need another headache like Harden. Duke is 31, but behind him are a bunch of young guys to step in. Gallagher and Gio Gonzalez are 23, Josh Outman is 24, Eveland and Braden are 25. Oakland’s also way deep with Cahill, Anderson (both 21 on Opening Day) Mazzaro and Simmons (22), and it’s not crazy to think one or more could crack the rotation by season’s end. So there’s really little sense in investing in an area of future strength.

RE: Cabrera, he’d be an upgrade over Crosby, but the upgrade might not be worth the draft pick (or the coin). Part of me is intrigued that Crosby has been working out with McGwire and Holliday this offseason. (Crosby’s now standing closer to the plate, his stance is now crouched and more balanced, and he’s taking a shorter path to the ball. He’s basically doing what AN has been advocating all along….provided he’s laying off the low and away crap.) He’s so excited about the results of his workouts with McGwire that he says he can’t wait for Spring Training to begin……which is an interesting and encouraging take from someone who the A’s first tried to replace, then placed on unconditional waivers.