Fanfest for MLB baseball teams is a way for to give back to the fans and reintroduce the team before heading off to spring training. In the past that has been just what it was for me, a chance to get to meet the players, get a few autographs, and listen to interviews with the players and staff. In the past few years I’ve attended four fanfest gatherings, three Oakland Athletics and one San Francisco Giants. For the most part I went into those events just excited to see the players and get my baseball fix before the season began, but this year at the A’s fanfest I had something more to be excited about as I attended an event called blogfest.
Blogfest is an event within fanfest where bloggers who sign up ahead of time are given a special credential to sit in on what I compare to a small press conference. I didn’t know much about it when I signed up other than what I read about from people I follow on twitter who attended the event last season. So when I got the email that outlined the event I was excited.
The second person to come out for this event was none other than the man who turned this team around, Manager Bob Melvin. Unlike Forst, Melvin’s questions were about the current team and how it is shaping up heading into spring training. He was asked a number of questions about the team, and it started out with the position he played in his career, catcher.
He said he is very comfortable with Stephen Vogt behind the plate. Vogt started every game of the postseason because of the matchups, and even got a game winning hit. He fit in very quickly with the team. “We have a lot of confidence in him,” he said.
Vogt isn’t the only person of interest that wore a mask for this team in 2012, the health of John Jaso after issues with concussions is a big concern, and the manager covered what the plan for him will be in spring training. They expect for Jaso to catch and then to see how it goes. He likes to rotate that DH spot, so Jaso is an option, but he doesn’t want to get locked in on one DH. “We have to see how he comes through spring training. He’s been cleared to catch in spring we’ll see if he’s over all those issues and we’ll monitor him very closely,” he said. The feel is that they’ll carry three catchers, but two catchers in the lineup at one time is a possibility even if they only carry two to start the season. He has the luxury of having Donaldson who can catch but, he said “I don’t want him behind the plate.”
He said the biggest thing the team did this offseason was to increase the depth. With that depth they can potentially use Alberto Jose Callaspo at first against left handers. He said each team since he’s been with the A’s has had versatility and it has gotten better each year, and this year is the best so far.
They don’t think what other teams do change how they feel about themselves. “It’s more important how we feel about ourselves,” he said. They have to live up to their own expectations. They don’t care about the expectations of the other teams in the West. They felt like there was a target on their back last year, and it should feel like it more this year, but they’re not too worried about that. “We relish the fact that we still could be an underdog,” he said. They played that role very well in the past and it’s something they’re use to.
When asked about the outfield depth he said that both Sam Fuld and Craig Gentry are great pickups for the team. They both increase the team’s speed and defense, and give them matchups on both sides of the plate. “Gentry’s a guy we’ve had our eye on for a while,” he said. “Number one, just getting him in our uniform means he’s not beating us.” Genty has been tough on the A’s in the past.
Melvin likes that Gentry can play all three positions and has a great track record against lefties. Gentry may not get many starts, but could be the biggest impact player in any game whether it is pinch hitting, pinch running, or coming in as a defensive replacement, he said.
He was asked about how he decides when the best time to pinch hit is, and he said pinch hitting is about how leveraged the situation is. He would like to maximize the situation if the team is one ahead, behind, or even. The key to properly using role players is to maximize their potential when the time is right.
He said he has learned from the losses of the last two seasons. The team has learned to take the confidence from making the playoffs over to the next season. They aren’t scared to be in that same situation again because of the confidence they’ve built from consecutive playoff appearances.
Nick Punto is another depth move that Melvin enjoyed. He said Punto is to be determined on where he will be played. In this situation, “His versatility may be working against him,” he said. He will get his share of starts to keep him fresh, but at this point there is nothing specific they plan on doing with him.
He prefers managing the A’s over the teams he has managed in the past. “I grew here in the Bay Area, so there is some specific consequence for me, and a pride factor,” he said. They’ve had as good a group of guys here through the last two years, and how he gets along with the front office, ownership, and fans are a big key for why he enjoys being an Oakland A.
He said the key to spring training will be figuring out the offensive rotation and they’ll play the matchups on a day to day basis once the season starts. If a player has a history against a pitcher or a team it will get him playing time and maybe him into getting a start that day. They’re going to maximize the role player’s potential any way they can.
The final question of the day was asked as newly acquired Jim Johnson entered the room. He was asked if they will use Sean Doolittle and Johnson more as co-closers based on matchups like they have done around the diamond. He said simply, no. They like having a closer and having everyone in the bullpen know their specific role. As he left he made sure to let us know that he didn’t just say that for Johnson’s benefit.