1st Place?!?!

[Zito75]

I just noticed that as of tonight, (4/14) we're 9-5, first place in the West and have the best record in the AL. I know it's early, but I am pleasantly surprised! It's like our guys took the mojo from Spring Training and just kept it going... Nice work guys! :gt

[street_thug]

In Oakland, 'rebuilding' doesn't = losing. the rest of the league doesn't know that.. Best record in the AL.

[Zito75]

The Mariners lost Bedard today- he's going on the 15 day DL. Hopefully we can start building a cushion while he and the Angels staff are down and out.

[hudsonharden]

With a win today and an Angels loss, the A's are back in a tie for first place. I think Minnesota is going to be tough, though.

[SABR Matt]

Enjoy your flirtation with contention while it lasts.

The way the Ms spanked you guys around this week told me all I needed to know about your future prospects.

[street_thug]

Enjoy your flirtation with contention while it lasts.

The way the Ms spanked you guys around this week told me all I needed to know about your future prospects.

first off, no one is saying we're gonna win the West. the fact remains that overall, this team is playing well against quality opposition. Your M's was just a bump in the road for us. We had no chance against King Felix in game 1 and we had Di Nardo starting for us in game 2, nuff said.
The sweep over KC this wkend came against 2 good starters. I like how we're winning games despite our youth, injuries, and lack of power.

[SABR Matt]

Not saying the As are going to be horrid...I think when the dust settles, you'll be a .500 club this year...unless of course you sign Bonds and/or Thomas. In which case I'll get nervous. You've got a slightly below average offense and, when the good luck on balls in play evens out, a slightly above average pitching staff. I'm not a big believer in Greg Smith or Dana Eveland sustaining their performances from the early going.

[street_thug]

I couldn't agree more. Most A's fans was predicting btwn 80 to 82 wins, so anything more than that with this present group and Billy Beane would be a genius.

On Bonds/THomas, the M's are prob more likely to sign one of them than us.

There's absolutely NO interest in Bonds from A's management. And there doesn't appear to be a rush to sign Thomas right now. Unlike Toronto, we like to evaluate players beyond a mere 60 AB's. lol..

[SABR Matt]

What is UP with Toronto releasing Reed Johnson and then Frank Thomas so early in the year..I'm frankly STUNNED that they're letting good players go so early.

The Mariners have expressed interest in Thomas already with Vidro hitting so poorly in the early going...but at this point it sounds more like "eehh...we'll think about it" than "WOW...let's sign this guy up!!"

[street_thug]

Frank Thomas

looks like the A's are discussing the options at Mike Sweeney's expense. it would be nice to have Big Hurt back in our lineup.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3361270

[Dodgerfan1]

Imagine what Beane could do if he had the money that the Mariners have! He'd have probably won a couple of world championships with even that team by now! I wonder what sort of revenue they can generate once they move to Fremont? I would imagine not a whole lot more unless the new stadium itself becomes a draw, ala AT&T Park.

[Zito75]

I could see Big Hurt back in Oakland, but honestly, isn't he kind of spent? He could get a few ABs here and there, but I wouldn't want him to be a starter.

[SABR Matt]

I'm hoping the As agree with your assessment. His BB/K ratio says he's got more in the tank and the Mariners desperately need a legit power threat to DH.

[mlazar]

I could see Big Hurt back in Oakland, but honestly, isn't he kind of spent? He could get a few ABs here and there, but I wouldn't want him to be a starter.

Frank has hit 68 HR's the last 2 years.... I'm starting to wonder if Jack Cust is the one who is "spent".

[SABR Matt]

Yahoo! Sports reporting that the As had Thomas all but locked up when another team made a last minute offer and he back out.

Speculating the second team was either Texas or Seattle.