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SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - The A’s annual clearance sale is on.
Yes, now through the July 31 trading deadline, general manager Billy Beane the “Guillotine” will lop off almost any highly paid veteran. But remember this is the final week of the A’s “Slash for the Cash” promotion, so don’t miss special deals on free agents-to-be Huston Street and Mark Ellis.
No reasonable offers refused. Just ask the Chicago Cubs, who are likely to be laughing all the way to the playoffs thanks to their recent acquisition of Rich Harden from Oakland’s grooming ground for high-priced stars they rarely keep.
All Harden has done in his first two starts in the National League is give up one run in 12¹/³ innings with 20 strikeouts.
Giants GM Brian Sabean doesn’t wield quite as sharp a blade, but he too is trimming dollars and age from the roster.
So, see ’em while you can. This could be the final homestand for veterans Omar Vizquel, Rich Aurilia and/or Jack Taschner.
Unfortunately, none of these players will get you much in return. If the Giants really want to be bold they’d find new homes for 34-year-olds Bengie Molina and Randy Winn. They not only have real value on the open market, but both will also be well past their prime by the time the Giants’ promising crop of prospects come of age.
However, don’t look for that to happen because while the A’s take the total tear-down approach to rebuilding, saving their money to build a new ballpark, the Giants remodel slowly because they can’t afford to get so bad that nobody shows up at their beautiful waterfront home. Not with their huge debt service at AT&T Park. But, bottom line for both: It’s going to get worse before it gets better.
¤Cheeseheads must be curdling in their whey. After rejecting an offer to be a backup in Green Bay, Brett Favre reportedly used a Packers-issued cell phone to make repeated calls to Vikings head coach Brad Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell lobbying for a trade to play in Minnesota. The Pack is shopping their once-legendary leader, but no way they will deal him to a division rival. Favre has every right to change his mind about retiring, but he has no right to expect the Packers to act as though he never left.
¤ Speaking of going, going, gone ... How do you think Barry Bonds is celebrating his 44th birthday today?
Rich Walcoff is the sports director at KGO Radio (810 AM) and can be heard weekdays between 5-9 a.m. on the “KGO Morning News.” He can also be reached at richwalcoff@abc-sf.com.
Comments from Examiner Readers
11:48 AM MST on Wed., Aug. 13, 2008 re: "Dickey: Bonds towers above naysayers"
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9:48 AM MST on Fri., Jul. 11, 2008
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Examiner Reader said:
interesting and stimulating article... I am not sure about the idea Selig doen not want Bonds in baseball...
1 agree | 1 disagree
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examiner reader said:
Bonds is as bogus as Ben Johnson, yet you rant on about him. Besides being pathetic in your unrequited admiration for him you have lost any and all objectivity about him. Barry Bonds, prior to the Mark Mcquire, Sammy Sosa era, was the ultimate five tool player. 6ft 1 inch tall 185 pounds he was without a doubt a first ballot Hall of Famer. Suddenly (in his early thirty's) he grows to 6-2 and 250 pounds. the fact is that you choose to ignore these facts by saying "he never failed a drug test" astounds me. We know that his trainer probably had a reason to stay in jail but i have absolutely no idea what yours is?
2 agree | 1 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It's time to move on... bring back the Bulldog! Orel would be a great GM, his ties to LA and the Dodgers runs deep. He's played, coached, worked in the front office of the Texas Rangers... So what are they waiting for. Time to rid the Dodgers of all the people Ned brought to LA, Stan Conte, can pack his bags too! quick before he throws another GM and owner under the bus to save his own skin!!!
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Examiner Reader said:
Frantz = Jim Rome wannabe
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Examiner Reader said:
what the giants need to do is to get her heads out there butt and get some solid bats.
2 agree | 1 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Hey Frantz: Barry Bonds isn't responsible for the hi price of gas or 4000+ soldiers killed in Iraq. In comparison, Barry's a saint.
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Examiner Reader said:
Hmmm...the media. Gotta love these hypocrites. Love to judge other people but think the media are a godsent to the masses.BB was an all-star long before the Bash Brothers started using steroids. Don't believe what the media tells you.
2 agree | 1 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
What do you know about Barry Bonds? It was the media that killed the former Princess Diana. People like you.
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examiner reader said:
what a collection of mutts! the giants are the county pound of baseball!
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Examiner Reader said:
giants are a complete mess.. they dont know how to bring up young tallent and foster it into confident everyday players.. the organization for years has been built on established players.. it is kind of like a person who switches professions and has no clue have to work in the new arena.. the giants. baring a small miricle are in for years of a tough learning curve in terms of bringing up tallent.. but it is sooner better than latter.. hopefully the area of overpriced soso free agents is coming to an end
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Sam in Reno said:
As you point out, the truth will be told if Bowker (who leads the team in HR's) sits against left handers. If he has to play Aurilia put him at third and sit down that slug Castillo. Castillo is a bad fielder and mediocre hitter. There is a reason he was cut by Florida and Pitsburgh.I have never seen so many errors and doubles hit past this guy at third.
3 agree | 2 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
You have no idea what this man has really accomplished until you pick up a bat and play at a level above little league...how about you just write about the game and leave the personal vendetta's out of it...
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John P Slevin said:
Finally, a writer who admits that coverage of Bonds is based on personality disputes he's had with writers. Sports writers who assail Bonds are far from reaching the level of excellence in their profession that Bonds has reached in his profession. They are supposed to be writing about baseball...not settling scores.
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Alameda said:
Jealous...I know your jealous...cause you have no skills...and Barry has set records...you WISH your little words could have the same power as a SPLAH HOMER...JealousI now your jealous
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Examiner Reader said:
Great observations and pretty basic. I think you'll find that most of us Fans agree with you.
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Examiner Reader said:
This team is old as hell and Bochy and Sabean LOVE IT! Forget about evaluating the rookies, let go after thw NL West title while we're 12 games under .500. We're 7 games backs out of first but in reality we are 2 games out of being in LAST PLACE in the West. HELLO!!!! We're freaking closer to last place than we are to first.
7 agree | 5 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
they play the old guys because the other guys suck and wont get any better
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Examiner Reader said:
Glenn, do you feel guilty about accepting a paycheck?
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Examiner Reader said:
Come back Barry! All is forgiven.
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Lloyd Christmas said:
Personally I think they gave vizquel and other veterans more playing time in order to try and get some value for them on the trade market. Vizquel is worth more with a swing than with out.
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