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by Doug Thews.
Original Post: A's Deal Starters for OF Help
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The Oakland A's are dealing some of their best players (and some junk) in order to get healthy in the outfield. In a surprise move, starting pitcher Ted Lilly (one of the great performers in this year's ALDS) was shipped to Toronoto for OF Bobby Kielty (he of the Shannon Stewart trade that let Minnesota get Stewart instead of Oakland). Kielty should get the nod over Eric Byrnes (he of the "I forgot to touch the plate" club).
In another surprise move, the A's shipped their starting catcher Ramon Hernandez along with whining outfielder Terrence Long (thank God!) to the Padres for CF Mark Kotsay. Kotsay will immediately get the job over departed Chris Singleton. Terrence Long will not be missed (he of the "let me take a called 3rd strike for the last out of the series").
These moves also look like the end for Jose Guillen (one of the only consistent hitters in the playoff - even playing WITH a broken bone in his hand). That is, unless Jermaine Dye is next, in which case we'd see a brand new outfield of Kielty (RT), Kostsay (CF), and Guillen (LF). This might not be a bad idea ...
However, the moves do not come without a price. The A's have lost their premier pitching handler and caller - something that cannot be underestimated. Hernandez has always been known as a great handler of the "Big 3". Who will step in his place? How will the staff react? AND, how will the A's react to the loss of Lilly, who in the playoffs, finally seemed primed for his breakout season?
Of course, the biggest loss might be of the A's pitching coach Rick Peterson, who left for the Mets job (to be with Art Howe). How will the "Big 3" react to that?
Next up on the plate ... Miguel Tejada. Can the A's make an offer good enough to keep him interested in staying (with the home town discount, of course)?
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