Fire sale continues. Mulder traded to the Cards.

[FatTony]

<NOSCRIPT>A's get two pitchers, minor league catcher
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ESPN.com news services
<!-- template inline --><!-- insertinlineAd -->The Oakland Athletics continued to wheel and deal Saturday, sending starting pitcher Mark Mulder to the St. Louis Cardinals for pitchers Danny Haren, Kiko Calero and catcher Daric Barton, ESPN's Peter Gammons has learned.



<!-- BEGIN INLINE UNIT -->
<!-- END INLINE UNIT -->The A's have dealt two of their vaunted "Big Three" starting pitchers in the past three days, having sent Tim Hudson to Atlanta on Thursday for a package of outfielder Charles Thomas and pitchers Juan Cruz and Dan Meyer.



Mulder, the A's first-round pick in 1998 (second overall) was 17-8 last season but saw his ERA balloon from 3.13 to 4.43. The left-hander won 21 games in 2001 and finished second in AL Cy Young voting that season, but has been sidelined for three or more starts in two of the past three seasons.



Haren, a hard-throwing 24-year-old right-hander was stellar in the postseason, giving up two earned runs in 8 1/3 innings.



Calero fits Oakland GM Billy Beane's prototype of an inexpensive reliever with pinpoint control. Calero, who turns 30 next month, was 3-1 with two saves and a 2.78 ERA in 2004.



Barton is considered one of the top catching prospects in baseball, and was the Cardinals' first-round pick (28th overall) in 2003. He spent the 2004 season with the Peoria Chiefs in the Class A Midwest League. The left-hand hitting catcher put up "Moneyball" dream numbers, with a .445 on-base percentage, and .511 slugging percentage.

 

[Hitman26]

Wow. Good thing they are holding Zito (for now anyways) because he's been soooooooooooooo good the last 2 years.





I'm giving up on the A'S since they are just giving up all together

 

[FatTony]

Can't imagine being the GM of the A's and this is what you have to do. Sucks.

 

[-Slim-]

what a horrible trade, and i mean horrible!

 

[Hitman26]

Yeah really. Why didn't they throw Zito, Harden, Crosby, Chavez, Kotsay, and Burns in there too. That way they could make all the money they need with "Money Ball" or "Billy Ball"



I don't like this one bit. I guess it's back to being a Dodger fan.

 

[GreenDoberman]

A shame, what the A's did with their draft strategy is nothing less than remarkable. I still wish they could get a little money, because they are one of the 3 best run organizations in baseball (Twins, Marlins).

 

[cadillacman]

Mulder really stuggled at the end of last season. I remember Gammons mentioning his hip he hurt the season before might be giving him some trouble. Maybe now was the time to get something in return, though what they got really doesn't seem all that impressive. So far they' lost Dye, Damien Miller, Hudson and Mulder. They are a well run organization. They'll find away to still be competitive.

 

[gopherbob]

you can't evaluate a trade like this for at least several years.

 

[winkyduck]

i've got a friend who works for the angels.


looks like he can start selling playoff tickets now for the 2005 season!

 

[jjgold]

Card-yanks

ws

 

[5teamparlay]

what a horrible trade, and i mean horrible!

Hey slim the A's would make the playoffs today:

and Haren is part of the new 'big 3'

24 Dan Haren, SP
Height/Weight: 6-5/220
Birthdate: 09/17/1980MLB Experience: 3
2005 Salary: $323,500

30 Mark Mulder, SP
Height/Weight: 6-6/210
Birthdate: 08/05/1977Birthplace: South Holland, IL
Bats/Throws: L/L
Team: St. Louis
College: Michigan State
MLB Experience: 6
2005 Salary: $6,550,000

 

[FairWarning]

That is moneyball at its finest. It would be hard for big market teams to use this strategy since fans want instant success, and the potential pr disaster if they are wrong in talent evaluation.

 

[5teamparlay]

Strange how oakland is a small market and SF is a big market (as is St Louis). If St. Louis can be 'big' anyone can be big, KC should follow St. Louis lead.

 

[5teamparlay]

-Slim-
RX Local




Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 15,144

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what a horrible trade, and i mean horrible!



I'd RATHER HAVE HAREN than Mulder.

June 9, 2007:

Haren (7-2) -- who had 1-2-3 innings in the first, third and fifth -- lowered his majors-best ERA from 1.70 to 1.58.
"He's just been so consistent," A's manager Bob Geren said. "It's fun to watch. We feel real good every time he goes out there. Here has all the pitches, the stamina to go deep in games and the intelligence to work the hitters. He's definitely a No. 1." He has a day ERA of 0.76 in five starts

 

[-Slim-]

Wow, Mulder was traded for Haren?

Damn, thats thievery.

 

[VIEJODINOSAUR]

Slim....you want thievery......Lou Brock for Ernie Broligho.......