A's claim OF Davis from Giants

[anna]

ctually I was hoping the A's would call up Todd Linden, who's hitting about .350 for the Sacremento Rivercats!:noidea I hope Kirk Saarloos is back with the A's soon too!

http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/new...=.jsp&c_id=oak QUOTE:
04/23/2008 8:54 PM ET
By Mychael Urban / MLB.com

OAKLAND -- Looking to add some speed and defensive versatility, the A's on Wednesday claimed outfielder Rajai Davis off waivers from the Giants and designated for assignment right-hander Kirk Saarloos.

Davis, who was on San Francisco's Opening Day roster but was designated for assignment on April 20 after hitting .056 (1-for-18) with four stolen bases in 12 games, had to fly to Oakland from Connecticut after being claimed. He will be in an A's uniform for the first time Thursday for the finale of a three-game series against the visiting Twins at McAfee Coliseum.

Acquired by the Giants from Pittsburgh in exchange for righty Matt Morris at last year's July 31 trading deadline, Davis, 27, batted .282 with nine doubles, a homer, seven RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 21 attempts over 51 games with San Francisco in 2007.

He made his Major League debut with the Pirates in 2006 and has played all three outfield positions during his 107 games in the bigs, batting .252 with one home run, nine RBIs and 27 stolen bases in 36 attempts.

"He brings us a little different element with his speed," said A's manager Bob Geren, whose club entered Wednesday's game with five stolen bases in seven attempts. "Having a speed guy on the team is a nice addition."

Geren said he wasn't sure what his new outfielder's role will end up being, but Davis, who made several highlight-reel catches for the Giants last season, almost certainly will see plenty of time as a pinch-runner and/or late-game defensive replacement.

As for how many starts Davis might get, Geren said, "I'd like to see him play first. ... He plays left, center and right, and he's a good runner and good defender."

Geren said the decision to add Davis was not related to the health of struggling second-year outfielder Travis Buck, who was batting .154 through Tuesday and has been battling shin splints in both legs.

Buck hasn't started since last Friday, but Geren said Tuesday that the disabled list hasn't been discussed, and Buck on Wednesday said he didn't think a trip to the DL was imminent.

"It's not great, but I can play through it," Buck said before batting practice.

Saarloos, who was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on April 14 and appeared in two games for the A's with a 2.35 ERA over 7 2/3 innings, must be traded, released outright or placed on waivers within 10 days. If he clears waivers, the A's would like to have him back.

"I'd like to keep him," Geren said of Saarloos, who also pitched for the A's from 2004-2006. "He's done nice work for us."

[street_thug]

Speaking of Linden, I bet he's ticked off at this signing.

[Zito75]

Speaking of Linden, I bet he's ticked off at this signing.

You know that's a fact. Linden has been crapped on his whole career. The dude is a scrapper but for what ever reason he's been labeled as a "4A" player. Too good for AAA but not good enough for the show. Sure wish the A's would give him a stab.

[raiderjohn]

You know that's a fact. Linden has been crapped on his whole career. The dude is a scrapper but for what ever reason he's been labeled as a "4A" player. Too good for AAA but not good enough for the show. Sure wish the A's would give him a stab.

Politics, these 4A players are always squeezed out. They attend college, get a degree, but when young studs come through the pipeline or an old vet gets a minor league deal, these 4A players get bumped and basically become stars in Sacramento. I know the father of a player who's 29 and is basically a 4A player, got traded and with a golden opportunity this year, the new team brings in a top prospect late, he's removed from the 40 man and sent to triple a. I mean certainly you give the top prospect the job if you're the GM, but a lot of 4A gets are squeezed out like this year after year. I went to high school with a top pitching prospect spent the 3 seasons at Fresno St. Was drafted in the first round, but only got a cup of tea with a couple of teams, then he was dealt through 3 or 4 organizations, bumped off the 40 man, he got tired of the politics and sought greener pastures outside of the country, mexican league and finally he spent a couple seasons in the Japan League as a closer made guarnateed money and now he's home. These 4A players get invites to MLB ST, but that money isn't guaranteed, they're better off playing in Japan, put some money in the bank.

[street_thug]

You know that's a fact. Linden has been crapped on his whole career. The dude is a scrapper but for what ever reason he's been labeled as a "4A" player. Too good for AAA but not good enough for the show. Sure wish the A's would give him a stab.

I agree, but I have to say, I also like Rajai Davis and am glad the A's picked him up. Not sure how he fits in with us long term but I like him on the team.

[street_thug]

Politics, these 4A players are always squeezed out. They attend college, get a degree, but when young studs come through the pipeline or an old vet gets a minor league deal, these 4A players get bumped and basically become stars in Sacramento. I know the father of a player who's 29 and is basically a 4A player, got traded and with a golden opportunity this year, the new team brings in a top prospect late, he's removed from the 40 man and sent to triple a. I mean certainly you give the top prospect the job if you're the GM, but a lot of 4A gets are squeezed out like this year after year. I went to high school with a top pitching prospect spent the 3 seasons at Fresno St. Was drafted in the first round, but only got a cup of tea with a couple of teams, then he was dealt through 3 or 4 organizations, bumped off the 40 man, he got tired of the politics and sought greener pastures outside of the country, mexican league and finally he spent a couple seasons in the Japan League as a closer made guarnateed money and now he's home. These 4A players get invites to MLB ST, but that money isn't guaranteed, they're better off playing in Japan, put some money in the bank.

Outside of Linden, most young players or 4A players would love to get traded to or drafted by the A's, since this is the only team I know of who seems to always give the young, unproven, untested player a shot at making the sqaud.

[anna]

You know that's a fact. Linden has been crapped on his whole career. The dude is a scrapper but for what ever reason he's been labeled as a "4A" player. Too good for AAA but not good enough for the show. Sure wish the A's would give him a stab.

I think you're absolutely right about Linden being at best very disappointed!
He suddenly disappeared out of the Rivercats line up and hasn't played in the last 3 games!

http://www.rivercats.com/team/boxscores/index.html?autoload=schedule&team_id=105

[street_thug]

BTW, Anyone know why the Gnats got rid of him? I'm beginning to like him more and more everytime I see him play.

[mlazar]

BTW, Anyone know why the Gnats got rid of him? I'm beginning to like him more and more everytime I see him play.

not sure if you're talking about Linden or Davis.... either way, the only reason I can think of is that they are too young for GM Brian Sabean ..the Giants normal mistake.....he has to be the worst GM in the game ..