Episode 12 – The Seats Are Made For Dolls

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

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?

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

Episode 7 – If Jamie Moyer Is Still Pitching In 2015…

The Tarp Talk gang is back with Episode 7. The Athletics had a busy week on the trade front, free agent signing front, and the avoiding arbitration front. The gang talks about the Guillermo Moscoso and Josh Outman for Seth Smith trade and why most of them don’t like it. We also touch on the Bartolo Colon signing and how it will affect the starting rotation. We talk about the one-year deals the A’s gave Brandon McCarthy and Joey Devine to avoid arbitration and the much talked about Yankees – Mariners trade. As always we finish with the Dumb Tweet of The Week and say goodbye.

If you wish to follow the podcast on Twitter it can be found at @TarpTalk. If you have questions they can be sent to tarptalkpodcast(at)gmail(dot)com. The hosts can be found on Twitter at @cuppingmaster (Alan), @davidwiers (self-explanatory), @oakfaninva (Spencer) and @tvprcretireplan (Wishinsky).

As always, we hope you enjoy listening.

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Time: 52:18

• Introduction
• Moscoso and Outman are shipped to the Mile High City
• Smith Comes Back to Sea-Level
• Win-win? Win for Oakland? Win for Colorado? Or the ever rare Lose-lose?
• Does Kurt Suzuki become a better player with less time behind the plate?
• A’s sign Bartolo Colon
• Is the Colon signing or a potential signing of Oswalt a bigger risk?
• McCarthy and Devine avoid arbitration
• The Yankees and M’s make a deal
• Win-win? Win for Seattle? Win for New York? Or the ever rare Lose-lose?
• Dumb Tweet of the Week

Links
John Sickel’s Ratings of the Mariners’ Prospects
Pedro Martinez on Karim Garcia 

Episode 4 – All I Want For Christmas Is Runs

The Tarp Talk gang is back for Episode 4. We originally were going to put together what we thought was going to be the best lineup for the A’s, but then realized that we all had the same thing. So instead we talked about trades. With Gio Gonzalez being the prized possession of most teams now that Yu Darvish is presumably off the table we talk about what we would like to get back for Gio. Seeing as the two big teams in the hunt for him are seemingly the Nationals and the Blue Jays, we keep our suggestions to those two teams. After that we talk about the possibility of a Andrew Bailey to the Red Sox trade and who we would like to get back in that trade as well. Before the break we do a very early pre-season prognostication as to what record we see the team finishing. We come back, as always, and finish with the Dumb Tweet of The Week, and David Wishinsky wins this week.

If you listen/download us on iTunes we ask that you rate and review us. If you are on Twitter you can follow the Offical Tarp Talk Twitter account, @TarpTalk. Our hosts @DavidWiers (self-explanatory), @cuppingmaster (Alan Torres), @tvprcretireplan (David Wishinsky), and @oakfaninva (David Spencer).

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 Time: 56:22

• Introduction
• Who do we want back from the Toronto Blue Jays or Washington Nationals for Gio Gonzalez?
• Go over the myriad of options available between those two teams.
• Who do we want back from the Boston Red Sox for Andrew Bailey?
• Are Will Middlebrooks and Jose Iglesias guys we even like?
• What will the A’s 2012 record be?
• Dumb Tweet of the Week

Episode 3 – “What’s the Park Factor there in Kalamazoo?”

We’re back with Episode 3! It was a busy week for the Athletics post-Winter Meetings. The day after the Winter Meetings ended saw the A’s trade Craig Breslow and Trevor Cahill to the Diamondbacks for Collin Cowgill, Ryan Cook, and Jarrod Parker. Also during the week the A’s tendered contracts to Adam Rosales, Daric Barton, Landon Powell, and Dallas Braden. All agreed to one-year contracts avoiding arbitration. We talk about the trades and contracts and get into why we do or do not like them. We, as always, close out with the Dumb Tweet of the Week.

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Time: 43:13

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• Introduction
• Josh Willingham is a Twin
• Four A’s tendered contracts: Barton, Braden, Powell, Rosales. Good/bad?
• Is Landon Powell worth a roster spot? How good is he?
• Showing some Dallas Braden love
• The Trevor Cahill for Jarrod Parker deal. Winners/losers?
• Was Cahill any good? Could he be any better?
• Collin Cowgill: Is he for real? Is he our starting CF in 2012?
• Fautino De Los Santos or Tyson Ross as a closer?
• Dumb Tweet of the Week

As always, thank you for listening. If you download us from iTunes, we ask that you rate and review us. You can follow the podcast on Twitter @TarpTalk. Thanks for listening!

Episode 1 – In True Baseball Blogger Fashion

Welcome to the first episode, Opening Day for us if you will, of the Tarp Talk Podcast. This week we introduce ourselves and the podcast, talk about David DeJesus‘ signing with Chicago and the A’s OF situation. We also will talk Gio Gonzalez and Josh Willingham – who is gone first? – and Jai Miller and his strikeout rate and potential place on the 2012 Oakland A’s roster.

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Time: 40:47

This Episode:

• Introduction
• David DeJesus is a Cub
• What does the A’s outfield look like in 2012?
• Is Jai Miller a part of the 2012 A’s?
• Who goes next, Gio Gonzalez or Josh Willingham?
• What is a good return for Gio Gonzalez?
• Dumb Tweet of the Week

Thank you for listening. Hope you enjoy and look forward to next week!