interesting article on the direction of both bay area teams...what do you think fair analysis? seems to miss mention of certain players on both sides.

the argument that giants have an easier path due to the weak division, a's have the huge roadblock of angels

giants: no schierholtz, villalona,velez, bowker,romo etc or prospects like noonan, crawford, gillespie

mentions the core of burriss/pablo/lewis, pitching depth, posey/alderson/bummy on the way

A's: no devine, buck, ziegler, suzuki, etc or prospects like cahill, anderson

mentions sweeney, gonzalez, smith

what both teams have depth for use and  future trades. giants could acclerate the process by trading cain/sanchez or spending money. A's could trade street  or prospects

http://www.contracostatimes.com/athletics/ci_10641450?nclick_check=1

Fast-forward six months, and things aren't nearly so bleak. The Giants uncovered a perennial Cy Young candidate (Tim Lincecum), finally found a successor to closer Robb Nen (Brian

 Wilson), discovered a hitting machine to solve their first-base woes (Pablo Sandoval) and transformed themselves from a club that was old and tired to one that is young and energetic.

As a result, they'll enter '09 with Lincecum and Matt Cain giving them a 1-2 punch atop the rotation that many teams would envy. The presence of Sandoval, left fielder Fred Lewis and shortstop Emmanuel Burriss gives them potential pieces to the future puzzle that weren't in place at this time a year ago. And Wilson's presence in the ninth means Sabean has one less area of repair regarding his bullpen.

Oh, and don't forget the coming attractions — catcher Buster Posey and pitchers Madison Bumgarner and Tim Alderson.

Does that mean the Giants are a timely move away from being in the mix? Hard to say, but it helps that they reside in the National League West, a division that has been won with no more than 88 wins in three of the past four seasons.

final tally: 11 giants prospect made their league top 20's ( likely 12 of course with posey)

PCL #13 - Nate Schierholtz

Eastern #19 Pablo Sandoval

Cal League:

6 - Tim Alderson

7 - Pablo Sandoval

Sally League:

1. Madison Bumgarner, lhp, Augusta (Giants)
6. Angel Villalona, 1b, Augusta (Giants)
9. Nick Noonan, 2b, Augusta (Giants)

NWL:

5. Conor Gillaspie, 3b, Salem-Keizer (Giants)

AZL:

4. Ehire Adrianza, ss, Giants

9. Jose Casilla, rhp, Giants

17. Kyle Nicholson, rhp, Giants

20. Wendell Fairley, of, Giants

BA PCL top 20

1 - Colby Rasmus
2 - Chade Headley
3 - Max Scherzer
4 - Brandon Wood
5 - Carlos Gonzalez
6 - Jeff Clement
7 - Ian Stewart
8 - Gio Gonzalez
9 - Andy LaRoche
10 - Wladimir Balentien
11 - Sean Rodriguez
12 - Chris Perez
13 - Nate Schierholtz
14 - Bryan Anderson
15 - Franklin Morales
16 - Jaime Garcia
17 - Mitchell Boggs
18 - Carlos Rosa
19 - Nick Adenhart
20 - Greg Reynolds

BA Eastern League Top 20

1 - Matt Wieters
2 - Chris Tillman
3 - Travis Snider
4 - Lars Anderson
5 - Jordan Zimmermann
6 - Carlos Carrasco
7 - Fernando Martinez
8 - J.P. Arincibia
9 - Daniel Bard
10 - Austin Jackson
11 - David Huff
12 - Jose Tabata
13 - Daniel Murphy
14 - Lou Marson
15 - Michael Bowden
16 - Wes Hodges
17 - Brett Cecil
18 - Jonathan Niese
19 - Pablo Sandoval
20 - Greg Golson

BA California League Top 20

1 - Trevor Cahill

2 - Carlos Santana

3 - Lars Anderson

4 - Brett Anderson

5 - Jhoulys Chacin

6 - Tim Alderson

7 - Pablo Sandoval

8 - Josh Reddick

9 - Henry Rodriguez

10 - Cedric Hunter

11 - Julio Borbon

12 - Jordan Walden

13 - Greg Halman

14 - Chris Carter

15 - Carlos Triunfel

16 - Sean Doolittle

17 - Peter Bourjos

18 - Sean O'Sullivan

19 - Josh Donaldson

20 - Kellen Kulbacki

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/league-top-20-prospects/2008/266919.html

1. Madison Bumgarner, lhp, Augusta (Giants)
2. Jason Heyward, of, Rome (Braves)
3. Mike Stanton, of, Greensboro (Marlins)
4. Jhoulys Chacin, rhp, Asheville (Rockies)
5. Matt Dominguez, 3b, Greensboro (Marlins)
6. Angel Villalona, 1b, Augusta (Giants)
7. Jesus Montero, c, Charleston (Yankees)
8. Austin Romine, c, Charleston (Yankees)
9. Nick Noonan, 2b, Augusta (Giants)
10. Freddie Freeman, 1b, Rome (Braves)
11. Michael Burgess, of, Hagerstown (Nationals)
12. Che-Hsuan Lin, of, Greenville (Red Sox)
13. Cole Rohrbough, lhp, Rome (Braves)
14. Jeff Locke, lhp, Rome (Braves)
15. Michael Taylor, of, Lakewood (Phillies)
16. Alex Cobb, rhp, Columbus (Rays)
17. Darin Holcomb, 3b, Asheville (Rockies)
18. Caleb Gindl, of, West Virginia (Brewers)
19. Ryan Kalish, of, Greenville (Red Sox)
20. Cody Johnson, of, Rome (Braves)

BA NWL top 20

1. Josh Vitters, 3b, Boise (Cubs)
2. Martin Perez, lhp, Spokane (Rangers)
3. Christian Friedrich, lhp, Tri-City (Rockies)
4. Neil Ramirez, rhp, Spokane (Rangers)
5. Conor Gillaspie, 3b, Salem-Keizer (Giants)
6. Wilfredo Boscan, rhp, Spokane (Rangers)
7. James Darnell, 3b, Eugene (Padres)
8. Tim Murphy, lhp, Spokane (Rangers)
9. Jharmidy DeJesus, 3b, Everett (Mariners)
10. Charlie Blackmon, of, Tri-City (Rockies)
11. Blake Tekotte, of, Eugene (Padres)
12. Ryan Flaherty, ss, Boise (Cubs)
13. Dennis Raben, of, Everett (Mariners)
14. Simon Castro, rhp, Eugene (Padres)
15. Tyson Gillies, of, Everett (Mariners)
16. Matt West, 3b, Spokane (Rangers)
17. Jason Christian, ss, Vancouver (Athletics)
18. Dusty Coleman, ss, Vancouver (Athletics)
19. Cole Figueroa, 2b/ss, Eugene (Padres)
20. Collin Cowgill, of, Yakima (Diamondbacks)

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/league-top-20-prospects/2008/266887.html

BA AZL Top 20

1. Mike Montgomery, lhp, Royals

2. Jaff Decker, of, Padres

3. Jharmidy DeJesus, 3b, Mariners

4. Ehire Adrianza, ss, Giants

5. Manuarys Correa, rhp, Angels

6. Rashun Dixon, of, Athletics

7. Jake Odorizzi, rhp, Brewers

8. Tyler Sample, rhp, Royals

9. Jose Casilla, rhp, Giants

10. Yowill Espinal, ss/2b, Royals

11. Joe Wieland, rhp, Rangers

12. Tyler Chatwood, rhp, Angels

13. Jose Bonilla, c, Royals

14. Starlin Castro, ss/2b, Cubs

15. Seth Lintz, rhp, Brewers

16. Junior Lake, ss, Cubs

17. Kyle Nicholson, rhp, Giants

18. Clark Murphy, 1b, Rangers

19. Terrell Alliman, of/3b, Angels

20. Wendell Fairley, of, Giants

wow this league is loaded with talent.

1. Mike Moustakas, 3b/ss, Burlington (Royals)
2. Neftali Feliz, rhp, Clinton (Rangers)
3. Jarrod Parker, rhp, South Bend (Diamondbacks)
4. Ben Revere, of, Beloit (Twins)
5. Brett Wallace, 3b, Quad Cities (Cardinals)
6. Engel Beltre, of, Clinton (Rangers)
7. Andrew Lambo, of, Great Lakes (Dodgers)
8. Philippe Aumont, rhp, Wisconsin (Mariners)
9. Derek Holland, lhp, Clinton (Rangers)
10. Neftali Soto, 3b, Dayton (Reds)
11. Danny Duffy, lhp, Burlington (Royals)
12. Craig Italiano, rhp, Kane County (Athletics)
13. Jordan Walden, rhp, Cedar Rapids (Angels)
14. Justin Jackson, ss, Lansing (Blue Jays)
15. Pete Kozma, ss, Quad Cities (Cardinals)
16. Corey Brown, of, Kane County (Athletics)
17. Juan Ramirez, rhp, Wisconsin (Mariners)
18. Danny Gutierrez, rhp, Burlington (Royals)
19. Kevin Ahrens, 3b, Lansing (Blue Jays)
20. Trevor Reckling, lhp, Cedar Rapids (Angels)

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/league-top-20-prospects/2008/266900.html

1. Josh Vitters, 3b, Boise (Cubs)
2. Martin Perez, lhp, Spokane (Rangers)
3. Christian Friedrich, lhp, Tri-City (Rockies)
4. Neil Ramirez, rhp, Spokane (Rangers)
5. Conor Gillaspie, 3b, Salem-Keizer (Giants)
6. Wilfredo Boscan, rhp, Spokane (Rangers)
7. James Darnell, 3b, Eugene (Padres)
8. Tim Murphy, lhp, Spokane (Rangers)
9. Jharmidy DeJesus, 3b, Everett (Mariners)
10. Charlie Blackmon, of, Tri-City (Rockies)
11. Blake Tekotte, of, Eugene (Padres)
12. Ryan Flaherty, ss, Boise (Cubs)
13. Dennis Raben, of, Everett (Mariners)
14. Simon Castro, rhp, Eugene (Padres)
15. Tyson Gillies, of, Everett (Mariners)
16. Matt West, 3b, Spokane (Rangers)
17. Jason Christian, ss, Vancouver (Athletics)
18. Dusty Coleman, ss, Vancouver (Athletics)
19. Cole Figueroa, 2b/ss, Eugene (Padres)
20. Collin Cowgill, of, Yakima (Diamondbacks)

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/league-top-20-prospects/2008/266887.html

looks like a good possibility, probably very likely. that good will gesture of the territorial right given  from A's to Giants in the early 90's  looks to be their downfall 15+ yrs later Thanks Haas Family

(09-19) 21:33 PDT -- A's owner Lewis Wolff stood fast Friday to his desire to move the team to Fremont and threatened leaving California altogether if the proposal doesn't work.
Oakland Athletics



Wolff, speaking to the team's booster club at Francesco's in Oakland, said an agreement regarding new TV and radio contracts could be announced in the next couple of months. Then he opened the floor for questions, which focused mainly on the proposed move and the makeup of the roster.

The booster club ranged from unbridled supporters to an angry mob, and Wolff used anecdotes and humor, mixed with direct statements to deal with each end of the spectrum. Here's an abridged look at the 30-minute question-and-answer period:

Q: When do you plan to move the team to Fremont?

A: 2012 would be our target. Dealing in California is not simple, so you may be boosting us for longer than you think.

Q: What will transit options be in Fremont?

A: Instead of just saying, 'If you don't have a BART station, you can't survive,' we're trying to figure out if we can. If we can, we will. If we can't, we won't. Of course, then we wouldn't be in California any more.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/19/SPUP131A5N.DTL

wow it would be not far fetched if oakland's only team by the end of the decade will be the warriors. bring on SAC or Vegas!! maybe wolff's frat brother selig will get his contraction wish eventually. or the unthinkable, they end this territorial rights BS and  allow them to get something done in the south bay. SJ 3rd largest city in California, 10th largest in US. they have no major sports teams in the late spring/summer. putting the A's there is good for mlb overall. but this territorial rights BS is based off something 10-15+ yrs ago that A's let giants originally have so they wouldnt move off to Tampa Bay. a good will gesture has turned into a ridiculous situation where A's are getting bent over and may be their downfall

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/19/SPUP131A5N.DTL

A's owner Lewis Wolff stood fast Friday to his desire to move the team to Fremont and threatened leaving California altogether if the proposal doesn't work.

Q: When do you plan to move the team to Fremont?

A: 2012 would be our target. Dealing in California is not simple, so you may be boosting us for longer than you think.

Q: What will transit options be in Fremont?

A: Instead of just saying, 'If you don't have a BART station, you can't survive,' we're trying to figure out if we can. If we can, we will. If we can't, we won't. Of course, then we wouldn't be in California any more.

Q: Did you make a sincere effort to stay in Oakland?

A: I wish I had a lie-detector test. I spent two years making a sincere effort to stay in Oakland, but it was not as simple as I thought it might be. ... When a lot of you sue me for leaving, I think I can win the case because I tried.

If the A's decide to trade Huston Street this offseason, might they give a shot to Joey Devine?  Yes, I realize Brad Ziegler might have been one of the best stories of 08 but Devine has your typical closer stuff and It sure looks to me like he could do the job. He came into the 08 season with a label as a bust. Braves fans just remember him as a rookie giving up playoff hr's, cant get lefties out, and injury issues, etc. Well, he's fixed those issue and has been  a nice surprise.  The only thing that takes the luster off his great season has been missed a couple months due to injury, othewise has been dominant

weird story...are they referring to former or current players. if she like reyes/rios, that would leave maybe rivera, aybar, vlad, santana, etc on the current team. any guesses??

But he's not the first baseball player lucky enough to earn ink-status on Erica's body — apparently she had "Gary" tattooed "on the inside of her lip" after her tryst with Angels' outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. In fact they were so close that he inspired her internet name, the source said. Although she's no longer seeing Matthews, Erica does take the time out to acknowledge the alleged HGH-abuser's on-field accomplishments.(Via Bentley's blog: Wednesday, April 23, 2008: "Gary Matthews JR Hit his 100th Career Home Run". )

The source says Erica's run through a couple of the Angels players and then moved on to Toronto's Alex Rios for a little while. She can't remember where Erica met Jose, but just that they've been seeing each other for some time. When I asked the source if the publicity from this Reyes affair would discourage Erica from going after any more baseball players, she sighed and said "She'll probably just move on to basketball."

http://deadspin.com/5052220/getting-to-know-jose-r%20eyes-alleged-road-beef

He came into the season as sort of a disappointing prospect who stalled a bit at the AAA level the past 2 seasons. Although may have been rushed and was young for those levels at 21/22. He was basically a throw in w/ the Swisher deal and buried down the depth chart. Fast forward, to almost the end of the season and he's managed to remain at the mlb level, while more highly regarded OF prospects like Buck/Gonzalez are in AAA right now for the pcl championship.

Sweeney has remained around that .290 range mos the season, but the power hasnt come yet. but the hr's he has hit have gone far...2nd deck in toronto and half way up the bleachers in detroit. So at 6'4" yuu would think that more power is on its way. plus he shown the ability to play all 3 OF positions. So is he still viewed as a 4th OF type or maybe more? I've read comparisons from kotsay to ethier? where would you rank him compared to a david murphy, ellsbury, spahn or brandon moss...other rookie OF's. Your thought's on ryan sweeney?

Batting Statistics

Josh Donaldson has had 2 different seasons wrapped into one. He came into the 2008 season ranked just outside the top5 prospects in the cubs system, a 3 star rating by BP. He had a horrible 1st half in the MWL and was sent to the A's as part of the Harden deal. He didnt deserve a promotion but was sent to the offensive minded cal league. for the last 2 months + everything clicked and he showed that power/obp combo from the catcher position that is coveted. his solid play has continued into the postseason and at this moment is facing off against buster posey, in the cal league playoffs.

In a recent chat keith law mentioned he liked donaldson the best among the position prospects A's have traded for. higher than a cardenas, cunningham, carter, etc. And went on to say he'd put donaldson in his 09 top 50 overall due to his positional value. Is law overating DOnaldson over a couple hot months or is his thoughts fair? Donaldson will head to the AFL, surprisingly listed as an infielder so its possible they might try him out at his college position of 3b. 09 will be his age 23 season. Maybe he has a rise through the majors similar to a chris iannetta? any thought on donaldson's upside, maybe a future position change, where he fits in with suzuki, etc?

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Josh%20Donaldson&pos=C&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=518626