A new season of A's mailbag
By Kent Schacht / MLB.com
"A's mailbag" gives fans of the AL West champions a chance to ask MLB.com A's reporter Kent Schacht any questions they have about their favorite team. To ask Kent a question, contact him at kent.schacht@mlb.com. Here is the first installment of the regular season.
I was wondering if there was anyway you can find out, or tell me how to find out what was written underneath Barry Zito's hat when he was pitching on April 2. I've read that he writes inspirational thoughts, but I would like to know exactly what had under there. Whatever it was, it seemed to work. -- Elisa
Zito said he had "85 percent effort" written under the brim his hat for that first game. "It's to remind myself to not overthrow," he said. Zito said he has been writing things on the underside of his hat for years, and the words are usually reminders or inspiration. He said he usually ends up filling the brim area before getting a new hat.
Do you see the A's trading Adam Piatt in the near future? It seems that he has just not been able to live up to the expectations in Oakland. If you do see a trade, to what team and what would the A's get in return. -- Russell Schwartz
It's not fair to say that Piatt hasn't lived up to expectations, especially since he's only played in 151 big-league games over the last three seasons. Unfortunately, he isn't likely to get a ton of at-bats in his present role as a bench player for the A's. He's trying to make himself more versatile by working at first base with coach Ron Washington. As a former minor league player of the year, he does have value and was mentioned in several talked-about deals around last year's trading deadline, so I wouldn't be shocked if Billy Beane got the right offer for Piatt.
I would like to know what happened to Olmedo Saenz .Did they drop him or what? -- George
Last October, the A's bought out Saenz's contract for $50,000 instead of exercising a $1.2 million option for the 2003 season, but the club later signed him to a minor league deal. He is currently at the club's minor league complex in Phoenix at extended Spring Training rehabilitating the ruptured Achilles' tendon he suffered during Game 1 of the ALDS last fall. If he's healthy, since the A's have so few lefties coming off their bench, it's not out of the realm of possibility that Saenz could return to the big-league club sometime this season.
Would any of the A's players give up last year's 20-game win streak for a World Series title? -- Lisa
There isn't a player in the Oakland clubhouse that wouldn't trade The Streak for a ring.
I am so excited to see the A's stealing bases and having sacrifice bunts. Do you think the A's will continue to play more "small ball" this season, and if so, do you think this will give the A's a better chance to advance to the World Series? -- Matt Taylor
A's manager Ken Macha and the players said throughout Spring Training that under his watch, they were putting more emphasis on baserunning, but few believed it would be true until the first week of the season. The players like it, and it's worked so far, so I think they'll keep doing it occasionally. But keep in mind the A's only had 20 sacrifice bunts and only stole 46 bases last year, so doing either of those things even one more time a week is a significant increase. Going first-to-third, something not in the stats but not done too often last year, has also been more prevalent and has been a difference-maker in the club's first few games.
I really have a problem with those who call the shots regarding the A's lineup. Eric Byrnes proved his abilities with a great spring here in Scottsdale, batting .395 with a slugging average of .721 shortly before they wrapped things up here. Macha even was quoted as saying that "Byrnesie deserved to start the opening game after working so hard through the spring session." I have nothing against Singleton, but he only batted 18 times during spring ball! I realize they are paying a lot more for his services, but give me a break! Byrnes has been a star at every level he has played, and he proved this spring that if he is playing regularly he performs well. I think the A's need a wake up call, Kent! -- Dr. Len Vinci
The A's love Byrnes' hustle and work ethic -- he's on the field working on things early with the coaches just about every day. But Byrnes is still learning to play in the outfield and has only had 142 Major League at-bats while Singleton is a solid defensive player with four years of big-league experience. Byrnes will get a shot somewhere, someday, but right now Singleton, who is also a career .278 hitter, is too good of a defensive player to sit him for Byrnes.
Kent Schacht is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Click here for original article