The A's announced that George Kottaras was claimed by the Royals. Wonder if the Yankees would have put in a claim had it gotten to them.

MelissaLockard wrote: The A's announced that George Kottaras was claimed by the Royals. Wonder if the Yankees would have put in a claim had it gotten to them.

Now he can catch Moscoso with Tejada at SS 

I'm still bummed out about losing Fauti.

I said it was a terrible trade when it happened and its an even worse trade now.

BeaneCounter wrote: I said it was a terrible trade when it happened and its an even worse trade now.

I didn't like the trade either, but FDLS was pretty terrible for MI in AAA after the trade and didn't even earn a call up.  So probably no loss.

Are you kidding me? Kottaras single-handedly won a couple game for us down the stretch. He gave us some desperately needed power at the bottom of the order.

BeaneCounter wrote: I said it was a terrible trade when it happened and its an even worse trade now.

BeaneCounter wrote: I said it was a terrible trade when it happened and its an even worse trade now.

Given the magical season the A's had last year, I tend to look at some of the individual contributions that each of the players made to give them that AL West title by one measly game. A's probably lose to King Felix in Seattle without the Kotteras HR. He had a real big hit vs. Detroit on the road in another victory, if I remember correctly. Was he worth giving up FDLS, especially for just a couple of months? IMO, yes.

APlus100 wrote:

BeaneCounter wrote: I said it was a terrible trade when it happened and its an even worse trade now.

Given the magical season the A's had last year, I tend to look at some of the individual contributions that each of the players made to give them that AL West title by one measly game. A's probably lose to King Felix in Seattle without the Kotteras HR. He had a real big hit vs. Detroit on the road in another victory, if I remember correctly. Was he worth giving up FDLS, especially for just a couple of months? IMO, yes.

Thanks for reminding of that.  So many amazing moments.  The Kottaras homer off F. Hernandez was huge.  A's were looking doomed at that point as they'd just lost some home games and then went on the road to face a seemingly unbeatable pitcher.  Then boom Kottaras.

Sorry George we barely knew you. OTOH guess I can watch you now on FoxSports as you are with the Royals and games are broadcast here. Hope you have a good season for them.

Real problem with all thse deals are that we keep crap on the roster while getting rid of good backup players. Why, Billy, why???

Yea and that extra-inning HR in Texas was huge as well.

AsAsAs wrote:

APlus100 wrote:

BeaneCounter wrote: I said it was a terrible trade when it happened and its an even worse trade now.

Given the magical season the A's had last year, I tend to look at some of the individual contributions that each of the players made to give them that AL West title by one measly game. A's probably lose to King Felix in Seattle without the Kotteras HR. He had a real big hit vs. Detroit on the road in another victory, if I remember correctly. Was he worth giving up FDLS, especially for just a couple of months? IMO, yes.

Thanks for reminding of that.  So many amazing moments.  The Kottaras homer off F. Hernandez was huge.  A's were looking doomed at that point as they'd just lost some home games and then went on the road to face a seemingly unbeatable pitcher.  Then boom Kottaras.

jayhawkerasfan wrote: Real problem with all thse deals are that we keep crap on the roster while getting rid of good backup players. Why, Billy, why???

Well, guess foremost it is a numbers game.  I know the A's were hoping he would go unclaimed so they could get him back in the system.  Better to KC than the Yanks or some others I could think of.  But really, maybe I'm having a brain cramp, but right now I can't think of too many ... or few, even ...  crap players on our roster.  Of course, Barton does come to mind.  Maybe by the end of ST they will have weeded the "crap" out, whoever they are ... besides Barton of course.

they shouldve dfa'd chavez then attempt to trade kottaras.

i didnt like the FDLS trade but its pretty obvious he didnt live up to expectations went from 5 star prospect, best in system, to a reliever. Best case scenario, he finally figures it out yrs later like santiago casilla did. After the bailey trade most were expecting him to be the closer in waiting instead he got surpassed by a ton of guys and fell out of favor. That said, currently in the A's system they arent many pure power relievers left in the upper minors other than figueroa and hunter (who kinda sucks)

This may have been posted elsewhere; I apologize for the repeat if it has.
Jane Lee,  mlb.com, lists the following as being out of options:  Daric Barton (is it good-bye finally?); Travis Blackley; Chris Carter; Moss; Neshek; Rosales.

arly2380 wrote: they shouldve dfa'd chavez then attempt to trade kottaras.

i didnt like the FDLS trade but its pretty obvious he didnt live up to expectations went from 5 star prospect, best in system, to a reliever. Best case scenario, he finally figures it out yrs later like santiago casilla did. After the bailey trade most were expecting him to be the closer in waiting instead he got surpassed by a ton of guys and fell out of favor. That said, currently in the A's system they arent many pure power relievers left in the upper minors other than figueroa and hunter (who kinda sucks)

I for one agree with you Arly.  No one wants chavez and would not claim him.  So long and  no loss if they do.  Kotteras would have been good insurance in case Norris is not up to standards this season.  Now they really have no good backup for the position.

Good luck, George! You played well for us during the last couple of months.

arly2380 wrote: they shouldve dfa'd chavez then attempt to trade kottaras.

i didnt like the FDLS trade but its pretty obvious he didnt live up to expectations went from 5 star prospect, best in system, to a reliever. Best case scenario, he finally figures it out yrs later like santiago casilla did. After the bailey trade most were expecting him to be the closer in waiting instead he got surpassed by a ton of guys and fell out of favor. That said, currently in the A's system they arent many pure power relievers left in the upper minors other than figueroa and hunter (who kinda sucks)

That would've been a great idea.  If Chavez ever sees the field again for the A's I will be extremely disappointed.  Would've been nice to get something for Kottaras even if it was just a 5th/6th guy out of the bullpen like FDLS was. 

I thought the trade was pretty solid last year, and still do.  FDLS wasn't going to be a high impact reliever given the guys ahead of him on the depth chart and the A's needed offense at C.  Easy decision really, and it paid off handsomely getting them to the postseason.  Even if FDLS goes on to save 200 games in his career I'll still consider it a win for the A's.

At the very least, doesn't this mean Kansas City picks up his contract? It's only (*only* ) $1 million but if that's the difference between signing a hot prospect and not signing him, isn't that worth something?

ComicBookGeek wrote: At the very least, doesn't this mean Kansas City picks up his contract? It's only (*only* ) $1 million but if that's the difference between signing a hot prospect and not signing him, isn't that worth something?

Yes, if a team is awarded a waiver claim then that team pays the salary.

jayhawkerasfan wrote:

arly2380 wrote: they shouldve dfa'd chavez then attempt to trade kottaras.

i didnt like the FDLS trade but its pretty obvious he didnt live up to expectations went from 5 star prospect, best in system, to a reliever. Best case scenario, he finally figures it out yrs later like santiago casilla did. After the bailey trade most were expecting him to be the closer in waiting instead he got surpassed by a ton of guys and fell out of favor. That said, currently in the A's system they arent many pure power relievers left in the upper minors other than figueroa and hunter (who kinda sucks)

I for one agree with you Arly.  No one wants chavez and would not claim him.  So long and  no loss if they do.  Kotteras would have been good insurance in case Norris is not up to standards this season.  Now they really have no good backup for the position.

Umm.. Jaso?