I like to write longer, more thoughtful pieces, but I had a few thoughts in my head that don't really relate. That means it's time for a Blogger Special (AKA bullet article).
- I was right about The Big Hurt...still waiting on Alan Embree (according to the SF Chronicle).
- The Braves are rumored to be in on the Rafael Furcal sweepstakes because they might trade away Yunel Escobar. I don't want to make a habit of pulling out trade ideas from nowhere, but shouldn't the A's consider just trading for Escobar? He's younger and cheaper and doesn't have the same health questions. I'd guess it'd take giving up Justin Duchscherer, but it may be worth it (especially if the A's can re-sign Matt Holliday)
- Apparently, it's unlikely that anyone will sign Furcal until the winter meetings. I doubt this is the reason, but I'd want to see a few big name free agents sign to see if current economic conditions have any effect at all on player salaries. They most likely won't, but it doesn't appear that anyone is jumping to the front of the line to sign Furcal; the A's might as well wait.
- A better reason to wait until later to sign Furcal is implications of the Rule 5 draft. Adding Furcal before the draft would put the A's' 40-man roster at exactly 40, meaning they wouldn't have flexibility for the Rule 5 draft. Baseball Analysts has a good rundown on the players available.
- Rickey Henderson is going to be on the Hall of Fame ballot in 2009. Good for him, but I was still kinda hoping he'd get to play in the big leagues.
