Tarp Talk: An Oakland A's Podcast

Episode 19 – Marriage Counseling

Dave_Spencer — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 23:47:58 +0000

After a break the Tarp Talk Gang is back. It’s another intimate show and it is a hour of just us. Straight, no chaser.

We talk about the good and bad of the first half. Wiers, Wishinsky, and Torres get into a spirited discussion. That is followed up by second half predictions, small bit on trade options, Fuendependence, and the DTOTW. As always, we hope you enjoy.

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Episode 18 – We Can Vote!

Dave_Spencer — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 19:26:08 +0000

The Gang is back for another episode of Tarp Talk. This week we are joined by our good friend Jason “I am not even going to try to spell his name.” We talk about Kurt Suzuki, Chris Carter, Bob Geren and other things Athletics related. After that we get into a discussion about television shows and how the British do it right. After that, it gets a litte wacky. Which Tarp Talker is which Beatle? Is Vin Scully over-rated? Which MLP pony is Wiers? And other general fun.

We close out the with the DTOTW as always and say hello. As always, we hope you enjoy.

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Time : 77:17

Episode 17 – Quick and Dirty

Dave_Spencer — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 19:47:36 +0000

Sorry, this is coming to you a few days late, but we make up for it by bringing you two shows this week! This is just, as the title suggests, a quick, intimate show.

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Episode 16 – It Was Special For Him, Too

Dave_Spencer — Thu, 31 May 2012 21:54:16 +0000

Tarp Talk is back for another week. It’s an intimate show, no guest, just the four of us talking about various things that happened over the last couple of weeks.

We start out by talking about who else? Not not Jai Miller, but Josh Reddick. Is this season for real or is he just getting lucky? Next we talk about the possible roster crunch coming up with both ManRam and Cespedes soon to hit the lineup? Who get’s optioned? DFA’d to oblivion? And we give Wiers a couple of minutes to rant about The Bunt in the last game of the Twins – A’s series.

We finish up with the DTOTW and say goodbye. Stay tuned after the show for a pretty good, in my opinion, 20+ minute discussion between Wiers and Wishinsky (I have no feeling about such subject and Alan was kidnapped by robots) about WPA and leverage index.

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Episode 15 – Josh Reddick’s Hair Is An Old Bay Sausage

Dave_Spencer — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:47:00 +0000

The Tarp Talk gang is back for another week of Oakland A’s baseball talk! We start off by tackling Jarrod Parker and what we like and don’t like. Also, what have you thought of him. The conversation moves on to injuries (this is an Oakland A’s podcast, of course) and how they affect the team. We talk about the surprises that Reddick / Gomes / Inge have been so far and how awesome Reddick’s hair is and how good Gomes has been. We finish up talking about how we wish to see Seth Smith get more playing time and what’s going to happen when ManRam comes back.

We are joined this week by Kyle Boddy ( @drivelinebases ) to talk about the more technical side of baseball. What’s good/bad about Tyson Ross? Is Sonny Gray just Rich Harden 2.0? Will the Indians actually win the Central this year?

We, as always, close out with the DTOTW and say our goodbyes. Enjoy!

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The articles that Kyle references:
Fastball Velo

Curve vs. Slider

RIP Wiers, Part Two

Dave_Spencer — Tue, 08 May 2012 02:49:44 +0000

We bring you an intimate show. No guests and no Wiers. Yes this is a couple of weeks behind as the A’s did get Inge (Wishinsky scooped us all), Donaldson was sent down (we all agreed), and we no longer have three Aussies (I haz a sad). But we still talk about what ails FDLS and praise the arm of Reddick and how much Cespedes has already improved. You also get to hear what kind of excitement David Wright can bring to the team. Enjoy!

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Episode 13 – Roads? Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads!

Dave_Spencer — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:40:36 +0000

The Tarp Talk gang is back with their weekly show. This week they are joined by the Prospect Czar and host of the Up and In Podcast, Kevin Goldstein (@Kevin_Goldstein) of Baseball Prospectus.

Before the guys talk with Kevin, they get into a recap of the Japan series. What they liked and didn’t like. Who they thought the last three cuts to the roster would be (kudos to Alan for calling it before it actually happened), who they thought would breakout this year and who they thought was over hyped.

Then Kevin comes on and the fun starts. We get a run down of some of the things he saw at Papago while the A’s were in Japan, including a story about how he was almost run over by the biggest Korean he’s ever seen. He talks about Cespedes and why he thought the contract was “brilliant.” After that it’s on to Sean Doolittle, Graham Godfrey and Tyson Ross, Michael Ynoa, and even a little video game talk.

As always, we thank you for listening!

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Time : 1:22:25

Questions/Comments/Concerns/Reasonably Phrased Complaints? We have an email for that! tarptalkpodcast (at) gmail (com)

Episode 12 – The Seats Are Made For Dolls

Dave_Spencer — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 03:57:13 +0000

It’s been a while, yes, but the Tarp Talk gang is back. A little late but the guys talk about possible winners of the closer spot (now Balfour, phew) , and what the rest of the roster should look like, and how small the plane seats are for Wishinsky.

We, actually I Spencer, apologize for this getting to you guys so late. I’ve had to deal with some family stuff, which as I hope you will understand, took some precedence over this. We have in no way abandoned this. We all love doing this very much. Stay tuned as the season gets under way, we have some very unique and fun things planned. As well as some kick ass guests for you guys. All designed to bring you the A’s in a way that will not only entertain, but inform you. Again, my apologies, and I, and we, look forward to sharing this season with you. Go A’s!

(Who’s staying up all night for the game? Raise your hand! /raises both hands)

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Time: 49:05

Introduction
Who Should the Closer Be? Brian Fuentes or Grant Balfour?
Who Should man Third Base? Josh Donaldson, Eric Sogard or Adam Rosales?
Thoughts on Yoenis Cespedes
Outfield Jam: Who’s in? Who’s out?
Who Should man First Base? Brandon Allen, Daric Barton or Kila Ka’aihue?
Final Bullpen Spots? Andrew Carignan? Jordan Norberto?
Any spring surprises?
Airline Reviews
Dumb Tweet of the Week

Episode 11 – R.I.P. Wiers

Dave_Spencer — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:12:34 +0000

Finally! After two weeks and countless problems with technology (even a power outage!) the Tarp Talk gang is back with Episode 11 (or 11A, but in reality 13 … hence the problems?). Of course we have to talk about Scott Sizemore and the possible replacements and the storylines we are following during Spring Training. This week we are joined by Dan Szymborski of Baseball Think Factory ( @DSzymborski ). Dan comes on and talks about the ZiPS projections for the Athletics this season. Who he sees as a possible over/under achievers. He also lends his opinion on what that thing is in Miami. After that we do the DTOTW and say our goodbyes.

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Time: 49:08

Introduction
Sizemore is injured. What now?
Adam Rosales or Eric Sogard – who is the better third baseman?
What key spring training story lines are we all following?
Does Yoenis Cespedes start right away?
Dan Szymborski talks A’s and ZiPS
Dumb Tweet of the Week
Future writing plans for the Tarp Talk Crew

Links
How will Mariners replace injured center field Franklin Gutierrez ? by Geoff Baker
The ZiPS Projections for the Oakland A’s

Episode 10 – Does He Know About Microclimates?

Dave_Spencer — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:12:19 +0000

The gang is back! After a week off where there was no real news Tarp Talk returns this week. Of course we had to talk about the Yoenis Cespedes signing. What does this do for the outfield depth chart? Is another trade imminent? What kind of player is he going to be? And of course, we also had to talk about Coco Crisp, and we probably talked about him way too much. And there is a little Manny Ramirez talk in there as well. After that it’s the Dumb Tweet of The Week, as always, and a preview of what to expect from each of us in the upcoming week.

If you wish to send us a question or just want to say hello, the podcast can be found on Twitter (@TarpTalk) and via e-mail tarptalkpodcast@gmail.com. As always thank you for listening.

Direct Download Time: 46:29

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Introduction
A’s sign Yoenis Cespedes
What is the outfield set up with the addition of Cespedes?
Can we flip and outfielder to get something of value?
What is Crisp’s value – both on the field and on the trade market?
Do we want Manny on the A’s?
How much of a role will options play in roster decisions?
Dumb Tweet of the Week
Future writing plans for the Tarp Talk crew

Links
A’s ‘Likely’ to Sign Manny Ramirez by Grant Brisbee