The Swingin’ A’s look like they’re in fine shape for the 2002 pennant race. What with locking up Jason Giambi, power hitting third baseman Eric Chavez, up and coming shortstop Orlando Cabrera and now perennial All-Star Nomar Garciaparra, it looks like we’ll be in the thick of things this season. Like this new signer Pink says in her sassy new song, let’s “Get The Party Started!”
Unless of course, the A’s are building for 2009, in which case the addition of the long-past-his-expiration-date Garciappara is wanting a bookend to go with left handed walk/strikeout/homerun hitting Jack Cust, makes little sense on a team already filled with first basemen/DH and injury prone third basemen.
We did the Piazza thing two years ago; he didn’t hit for power, he did break down, and he didn’t come cheap. This looks like a reprise of that tired act. Lew Wolf, A’s owner, does like him some soccer, so maybe this is a way to get a two-fer. Mrs. Garciaparra is former U.S. soccer stud Mia Hamm.
Loved yesterday’s move, to bring Orlanda Cabrera on board. Not so much today. Ah, but the week’s still young. Hey there’s an idea: Delmon Young? Too soon to tell.— Kibby Kleiman