NewsInbox: Can Bailey win Rookie of the Year?
Beat reporter Mychael Urban answers questions from fans
By Mychael Urban / MLB.com
10/12/09 6:30 PM EST
I'm sure you talk to other writers; do you think there's a chance Andrew Bailey has a shot at Rookie of the Year?-- Henry J., Concord, Calif.
I do, and I've been a little bit surprised at how many writers have said they'll give him their support. As I've noted before, it's difficult for a pitcher to beat out a position player, but Bailey's numbers are so good relative to his role that they're harder to dismiss than I suspected they might be among voters.
I'm a little surprised at how much support Elvis Andrus seems to have, given his fairly pedestrian numbers, but Bobby Crosby's stats -- home runs excluded -- weren't exceptional when he won it in 2004 either. Shortstop is a premium position, though, and that obviously counts for something.
I'd say Bailey has at least a 50-50 shot.
Will Chris Carter be with the big league team next season?
-- Francis T., Burlingame, Calif.
Yes. But I can't say for sure that it'll be on Opening Day. There's so much time between now and then, and who knows what general manager Billy Beane has up his sleeve? The constitution of the roster as camp opens will have so much to do with that answer.
Is he a first baseman? Is he an outfielder? Is he a DH candidate? Will Jack Cust be back? All of those questions need to be answered before yours gets answered.
I have no doubt, though, that he'll be in Oakland at some point in 2010. He's a power hitter, proven at every level save one, and the A's simply don't have enough power to leave Carter on the farm all that long.
The good news: he's playing winter ball in Mexico, where they throw a ton of breaking balls, and that's where scouts tell me his weaknesses are. That experience will only expedite the transition from prospect to big leaguer.
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What do you think of the job that Cliff Pennington did this year?
-- Kenneth L., Campbell, Calif.
I love what Pennington did. He proved to be a very good defensive player, albeit one with some work to do in terms of footwork, and he's an enthusiastic student of the game.
I love his speed and aggressiveness, too. Those are things that aren't coachable. Speed isn't coachable at all, and being aggressive is more of a mindset than a skill. It's tough to get someone who plays it safe to not play it safe, and Pennington goes for broke.
He's not a finished product by any means. He needs better pitch recognition, particularly with off-speed stuff, and he needs to continue to try to slow the game down. But he's a better player than I thought he would be at this point, and the A's are very happy with his progress. So happy, in fact, that I wouldn't be surprised to see him enter camp atop the depth chart.
If Joey Devine is healthy next spring -- 100 percent healthy -- who closes for the 2010 A's?
-- Rich S., Carmel, Calif.
Andrew Bailey. No way he loses that role without losing it, if you know what I mean. He's been so good at it, he'll have to fail at it a number of times before the A's even think of making a change.
That said, Beane has long envisioned having a bullpen in which roles aren't roles. He loves the idea of the 1980s Whitey Herzog Cardinals, who just had a bunch of really good relievers who could do anything. The great thing is that Bailey has virtually no ego, and neither does Devine. They truly are team-first guys, and they'll co-exist nicely no matter what they're doing or how they're being used.
I hope you do more Inboxes this offseason. I love getting the beat guy's true, unfiltered take of the team. But what else can we expect this offseason? Why should I continue to come back [to oaklandathletics.com] during the offseason?
-- James C., Marin, Calif.
I have the cell phone number of every member of the team, so I'll be in constant contact with the guys and will be using that access to give you A's information to which other media outlets won't or can't dedicate the time or space during the offseason.
In the short term, starting Wednesday we'll be launching a four-part analysis series called "Making the Grade," through which I'll evaluate the 2009 performances of various units of the team. It'll start with pitching, followed by the offense on Friday. Next Monday, we'll have another Inbox, and on Wednesday and Friday, respectively, we'll break down the defense and coaching.
Then there's the breaking news aspect and special features and blogs. I can't promise something new every single day, but I can promise close to that. Stay right here. We'll keep you more than informed and, hopefully, entertained throughout the months without games.
And if you have a story idea, bring it. I'm always open to suggestions. The story I did with hitting coach Jim Skaalen recently came at the suggestion of a reader, and I troll fan sites regularly for ideas. Keep them coming. Thanks.
Mychael Urban is a national writer for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
