Oakland A's : Sign Esteban Loiaza (SP) to 3 year deal
Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 2:41 pm
So, what do folks think about the Esteban Loiaza pick-up by the A's?
He won 21 games in 2003 and started the All-Star game for the American League. He had a 3.77 ERA for the Washington Nationals last year, going 12-10. He struck out 173 in 217 innings pitched last year. He is 34 so he will provide the A's with a much-needed veteran presence on the staff.
The conventional wisdom in the media is that this means Barry Zito (SP, age 27) will be traded by A's GM Billy Beane, because the A's now have 7 starting pitchers. Zito is still contracted by the A's for 2006, though not beyond '06.
The A's still desperately need a right-handed power hitter to give Eric Chavez (3B) protection in the lineup. Some names floated so far include: Frank Thomas, Reggie Sanders, Mike Piazza, Rondell White... All would be risks and have serious drawbacks such as being older, injury-prone, and their careers are all in decline in terms of raw productivity.
I say we go for another Tiger: one of Chavez' best friends ----> Outfielder Craig Monroe (20 HRs last year and hit .277). He's be more within the A's spending range, the A's have a history of trading pitching to the Tigers (Bonderman, for example)... I'm not sure of Monroe's contract status however.
He won 21 games in 2003 and started the All-Star game for the American League. He had a 3.77 ERA for the Washington Nationals last year, going 12-10. He struck out 173 in 217 innings pitched last year. He is 34 so he will provide the A's with a much-needed veteran presence on the staff.
The conventional wisdom in the media is that this means Barry Zito (SP, age 27) will be traded by A's GM Billy Beane, because the A's now have 7 starting pitchers. Zito is still contracted by the A's for 2006, though not beyond '06.
The A's still desperately need a right-handed power hitter to give Eric Chavez (3B) protection in the lineup. Some names floated so far include: Frank Thomas, Reggie Sanders, Mike Piazza, Rondell White... All would be risks and have serious drawbacks such as being older, injury-prone, and their careers are all in decline in terms of raw productivity.
I say we go for another Tiger: one of Chavez' best friends ----> Outfielder Craig Monroe (20 HRs last year and hit .277). He's be more within the A's spending range, the A's have a history of trading pitching to the Tigers (Bonderman, for example)... I'm not sure of Monroe's contract status however.