With the Oakland offense waking up over the past couple games in Motown, it seems that the Athletics' troubles at the plate have at least stemmed for the time being. However, with the plague of inconsistency looming over the patchwork lineup like a locust rain at the end of the world, it is possible that (moderate to little) help is on the way.
As of yesterday, the Arizona Diamondbacks designated slugger Jason Kubel for assignment. Rumors are swirling that the A's are considering making a waiver claim for the former middle-of-the-lineup rocket launcher. In the wake of Josh Reddick's wrist injury, signing Kubel would give the A's needed leeway, most likely keeping Brandon Moss at first and shoving Kubel into the Bob Melvin wheel o' outfielders. Keeping Moss stationary as he haunts every right-handed pitcher's dreams in the A.L. playoff race would be ideal, but the A's would be placing a giant black hole in their bottom third, along with sacrificing defensive ability.
This move only makes sense if the A's see something in Kubel's swing that is at least relatively fixable. Let's take a look at the numbers:
Career Averages (over a projected 162 game schedule)
.265/.330/.456 23 HR 92 RBI 55 BB 126 K
2013 Numbers (89 games played)
.220/.288/ .324 5 HR 32 RBI 24 BB 82 K
Seeing as this is Jason Kubel's age-31 season, it is likely that even if Kubel starts to find his way again, he will never return to the heights he achieved in Arizona and Minnesota. Furthermore, a guy who is getting on base just under 29 percent of the time, and has an over 3 to 1 strikeout-to-walk ratio smacks of the sluggers that Billy Pitt...I mean Brad Beane...errr....Billy Beane has railed against signing over the majority of the dual Moneyball eras.
The name is interesting, but it is more for what he has done than rather than what he can do.
Other notes:
*Kendrys Morales has been claimed off waivers by a mystery team. With a .281/.338/.446 line, along with good pop, he would be the ideal claim for the A's to make. He fits the Green and Gold's play-anywhere-at-any-time-mold, as he can play in the outfield or at first. Let's hope the A's are the lucky suitors behind curtain number one.
*Bartolo Colon's ageless doppelganger is back in the rotation, taking over Parker's spot for Thursday. Colon/Scherzer as a marquee pitching matchup in 2013? Remember my thoughts about the locusts?
That is all for today, folks. Game 3 in Motown at 7:08 EST tonight.
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