Tag: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

Matt Chapman (26) and Matt Olson (28) look to be seriously shopped by the Oakland A’s this off season as the A’s are expected to be putting a lot of free agents up on the trade block (file photo Athletics Nation)

Oakland A’s Could have a Winter Sale

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–Some of the best Oakland A’s players could be on the move this winter. Two of the team’s All Stars this year, first baseman Matt Olson and starting pitcher Chris Bassitt head the list; they both can become free agents next year. Matt Chapman, the best defensive third baseman in the American League won his third Gold Glove in 2021. Aside from Olson, Bassitt, and Chapman there are other A’s players that could be traded. Should not be any surprise, under the A’s system players do not stay too long. A good friend of mine and A’s fan for decades, tells me “Hollywood marriages are usually longer than A’s players in Oakland”.

–Matt Olson’s 2021 season was his best since he started his career with the A’s in 2016; he ended with a .271 average, 39 home runs (sixth best in the league) for the first time Olson drove over 100 runs, with 111 RBI. His 111 RBI tied No.5 in the league with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a contender for the MVP trophy. His batting average, home runs, and runs batted it was all personal highs for Olson. The most consistent slugger of the A’s could bring some very good prospects to Oakland. The New York Yankees (always looking for sluggers) have shown interest. Olson is the perfect fit as a left-handed hitter for Yankee Stadium.

–Matt Chapman recently won the 2021 Gold Glove (his third) he has now won the award in 2018, 2019, and 2021. Was going for his third Golden Glove last year but his season was shortened by injuries. His High School friend Nolan Arenado (both went to El Toro High School in Southern Orange County) has won nine (9) consecutive Gold Gloves at third-base, eighth with Colorado, and one with St Louis. Brooks Robinson (Baltimore) aka “The Vacuum Cleaner” won 16 Gold Gloves, the most for any position player in history.

–Chris Bassitt was 12-4 with a 3.15 era in 27 games he started but missed a month and a half after he got hit by a 100MPH line drive in Chicago in mid-August. His best season since he joined the A’s in 2014.

–Frankie Montas, had his best season as he ended with a 13-9 and 3.37 ERA in 32 starts and established himself as a “top of the rotation” arm. Back in 2019, he was up to his best start in the majors with 9-2 and 2.63 ERA in 16 games he started but was suspended 80 games at the end of June because testing positive for PED use. He missed the rest of the season and did not return until 2020.

–Sean Manaea. The lefty had a productive season in the rotation with 11-10 and 3.91era in 32 starts, most for him in a season, as well as innings, pitched with 179 1/3 and 194 strikeouts, all personal highs.

Starting pitching is a big commodity this off-season. Needless to say, position players with the talent of Olson and Chapman are also very attractive on an everyday lineup. However, not much is happening in the trading/free-agent market and that might be the case for a while, the way it looks now. Fast approaching is December 2.

That is a very important day because if there is no new CBA contract by then, it is widely known that owners will be locking out players and all transactions will be frozen. I will have more of the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) later this week.

“Baseball people, and that includes me, are slow to change and accept new ideas. I remember that it took years to persuade them to put numbers on uniforms.” -Branch Rickey.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

The late Oakland A’s TV analyst Ray Fosse seen here taking a stroll on the Oakland Coliseum field will be honored by being inducted into the Oakland A’s Hall of Fame as announced Fri Nov 12, 2021 (Oroville Mercury-Register file photo)

Ray Fosse to be Inducted into the Oakland A’s Hall of Fame Way Overdue

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–I could have only wished the Oakland A’s would have inducted Ray Fosse into their Hall of Fame when he was alive. Today the Oakland A’s announced the popular catcher and broadcaster will be in the Hall of Fame.

The A’s Press Release today:

‘Two-time Major League All-Star catcher and Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Ray Fosse will be enshrined in Athletics history forever as a member of the Athletics Hall of Fame. Fosse joins four-time All-Star “Captain Sal” Bando, Gold Glovers Eric Chavez and Joe Rudi, Director of Player Development Keith Lieppman, and A’s Clubhouse Manager Steve Vucinich as members of the Class of 2022.’

Affable and always available to talk baseball Ray was one of those guys that I would always enjoyed picking his brain when it came to baseball knowledge. How to manage different pitchers during a game and all other aspects of the game we all love. A presence in the Press Box, I will always miss him. During the games at home we would talk about what happen in the previous game(s) or what to expect prior to the game at hand. I was privileged to have known him for years. He was strong of body and mind.

Ray Fosse was the catcher during the last two years of the A’s 1970’s dynasty, in 1973 and 1974. He caught some of the greatest luminaries in the history of the Oakland Athletics, guys like Jim “Catfish” Hunter, Vida Blue, Ken Holtzman, John “Blue Moon” Odom, and Rollie Fingers.

He always asked me about Latino players, their idiosyncrasies and superstitions, guys like Dagoberto Blanco (Campy) Campaneris, Manny Trillo, Gonzalo Márquez, who was a professional pinch hitter something that was seen as a key component of a team in the American League before the Designated Hitter rule was adopted in 1973.

Since I was a kid I was always fascinated by the work of a catcher. The only player that sees the whole field right in front of his eyes, and no wonder many catchers become managers. They’re basically acting managers, on the field. Ray Fosse was a real catcher. He played the position like it was intended to be played. Ray personified what a catcher is, strong, smart and in charge.

“A good catcher is the quarterback, the carburetor, the lead dog, the pulse taker, the traffic cop and sometimes a lot of unprintable things, but no team gets very far without one” -Miller Huggins.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s team president David Kaval standing at Mount Davis at the Oakland Coliseum is hoping that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors will eventually approve funding for a new ballpark at Howard Terminal Jack London Square in downtown Oakland (file photo from Alameda Magazine)

Alameda County Votes Yes on A’s in Oakland Letter of Intent

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–After five hours, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors came to a “Yes” vote this Tuesday, which allows the Athletics to keep working towards the final goal of building the Howard Terminal ballpark. However, this is a non-binding agreement that gives Alameda County the right to walk away if they do not come to a final agreement. There is work ahead and various studies before everything is finalized.

The A’s will continue to pursue their plan in Las Vegas as they have been doing now for a few months with a total of six trips. After the conclusion of the 2021 World Series, Oakland A’s team president Dave Kaval will release a list of the three or four final sites in the Las Vegas Valley.

There was support and opposition, most of the opposition came from the Port of Oakland which claims that their plans of expanding the basin could be in danger if the A’s build a ballpark. If there is a binding agreement it will have the County of Alameda and the City of Oakland for 45 years together benefiting from taxes under a governed public finance board.

Both the A’s and the City of Oakland are waiting for a finalized environmental impact study. Much other work needs to be done until there is a final agreement. For Mr.Kaval if the A’s stay in Oakland or move to Las Vegas, he says the following: “We’re supporting at the end of the day of getting the project done. We have already taken too long, at least in our mind. So, we’re just trying to find a feasible path”.

A few days ago the Commissioner of MLB Rob Manfred said he was not optimistic about the chances of the Oakland A’s to build a park in Oakland. It would be interesting what Mr.Manfred has to say now since he believes the time is running out on this project.

We can say it was a good night for the Oakland A’s and their fans, but nothing is official. The only thing we know is that the A’s have a Letter of Intent of keeping the Howard Terminal project still alive. Non-binding means: ‘having no legal or binding force’. There will be more to this story during the next few days and weeks.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s on Spanish 1010 KIQI Le Grande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com