Comments on: Pirates, Athletics considering a Josh Willingham trade

By: joerevs300

joerevs300 — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 23:29:57 +0000

The fact we are even talking about the Pirates as BUYERS for the first time in 18 years makes this Pirates fan a very happy camper.

Even if this doesn’t last (which is likely), it shows we are closer to turning the corner than I thought.

By: parlorboss

parlorboss — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 19:09:05 +0000

To clarify, the “he” in the parenthetical refers to Willingham, not Diaz.

By: parlorboss

parlorboss — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 19:07:13 +0000

I think most Pirates fans would like to see Presley in RF when Tabata comes back (or maybe the other way around), so ideally Willingham would be another bench bat that can hit left-handed pitching. He doesn’t really fit the RF platoon with Diaz as well as Jones (because Diaz also hits lefties well, although he is not terrible against righties), but that said, I think he’s definitely an upgrade over Jones in terms of on-base percentage and power. With Breslow, a left-handed reliever, thrown in, I do that deal if I am Neil Huntington. If the A’s are also asking for prospects–anything more than a throw-in lower tier guy–I probably don’t do it because the upgrade really isn’t that significant.

By: clydeserra

clydeserra — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 19:04:03 +0000

right, Jones doesn’t make any sense.

By: spudchukar

spudchukar — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:58:43 +0000

Lateral move for Oakland that saves cash. Perhaps for reinvestment later. Pirates need a righty outfielder, so it makes sense in that respect, but it is hard to see how this move puts them over the top unless Breslow has some kind of second half. Frustration for A’s fans as they acquire one more offensive disappointment.

By: APBA Guy

APBA Guy — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:53:36 +0000

I have my doubts about this trade, not because I would retain either Willingham or Breslow, but Garrett Jones doesn’t fit the A’s needs. He’s 30, a career .776 OPS, no upside, but he is cheap: only $ 455k compared to $ 7.4M for Breslow and Willingham. Breslow’s 30 so he could rebound. Willingham is 32 with a career OPS of .833. Mostly in the NL. But this year he’s at .755 in Oakland’s big ballpark. So, Pirates fans, is he an upgrade?