Inside Access with Jason LaCanfora and Ken Weinman
Martin Gallegos: It's difficult for me to see the A's moving Mason Miller
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Martin Gallegos covers the A's for MLB.com and he joins us now on Martin. Thank you so much for joining us. It's interesting looking at the roster like there. There are a lot of names that I think the lay baseball fan isn't familiar with starting with tonight's starter. I am not familiar with Hogan Harris's work. Yeah, you know, a lot of young guys first off. Thanks for having me. Yes, sir. A lot of young guys on this team and you know, they're in a rebuilding phase right now and right now a lot of guys that you'll see on the field. These are guys who have been coming up through their organization up through their system. And now they're up here in the major trying to kind of figure out their what their own way up here, trying to establish themselves as major leaguers and you know, like any young team, they've gone through their ups and downs. Obviously more downs than ups this year based on the record that they have, but there is some optimism about the guys that they do have here, but obviously in terms of wins and losses standpoint, I mean, it's been a tough last three years and they're trying to kind of get to the finish line of this rebuild and then try to get back into, you know, at some point, you know, more more successful baseball here. Martin can alluded to it. This is going to be the Orioles final trip to the Coliseum because Oakland's going to start playing games in Sacramento before the full move to Vegas. How has it been like covering this team this season knowing that they're going to be on the move? Yeah, it's been a little weird. You know, I don't think it really, you know, obviously when the announcement came out that it was official, they'd be moving to Sacramento next year. It was kind of something that, you know, kind of throws you off a little bit, but then as the season goes on, you kind of focus on the everyday, the grind of the baseball season and just kind of taking it day by day. But I think, especially as it gets to the second half and that last month, the season and definitely that last series of the season and the Coliseum, it's going to be, I think, emotional for a lot of people, you know, it's just, it's kind of hard to believe that there's not going to be, you know, any more baseball in that stadium. I mean, for whatever, however many years, you know, over 50 years I've been playing there and, you know, the City of Oakland's always had the A's there and a lot of memories, a lot of great teams that have come through there and to think that, you know, it's over next year. I think, you know, a lot of people, I think the players and coaches just kind of take it day by day, but I think, you know, as it gets closer to the end, it's going to be tough for a lot of people because seeing this organization, I mean, a lot of these coaches, I know the players change a lot, but the coaches have been here a long time. The people in the front office have been here a long time. So, you know, there's a lot of people with all this place, you know, near and dear to their heart. So I think it's been weird just kind of thinking about, you know, this is going to be the end and it's kind of, you don't really know, you know, what to expect. With the move happening next year's Sacramento, Mark Kotsay, their manager, could you expect them just kind of wiping the slate clean when they move? I don't think so. I think, you know, obviously the wins and losses haven't been great, but I think Kotsay, you talked to anybody in the front office, A's general manager, David Forrest, and they really have high praise for how he's kind of handled the whole situation. I mean, he was a delta tough hand to begin with. I mean, once he took over, they really just tore down the whole roster and gave them that first season. I mean, it was just a lot of guys who were, you know, non-roster invites to spring training or guys who were, you know, DFA'd and trying to kind of figure it out, how they were going to restructure that roster in such a short amount of time. So I think they've focused less on the wins and losses and more on development of young players. And now there's a few, there's more than a few young players who are now up in the big leagues, kind of developing and Kotsay's done a good job. I think of leading the young guys. I think he's a good manager for a young team just because he hasn't, it's not too far removed from playing the game and he gets these guys to play hard every day and they all love playing for him. So we're talking to him on the horizon. We, Martine, you're there on here for a little bit. Oh, sorry. You were cutting in and out a little bit there. We're talking to Martin Gallegos. It's inside access here on the fan. You mentioned a rebuilding team. You're sitting there. They could be a seller at the deadline. Do you think they will be big sellers at the deadline? Could you see Mason Miller getting traded at the deadline? Yeah, that's the main name that everybody brings up to me. It's very difficult to see them trade Miller. I think it'd have to take, obviously, a huge package. A lot of prospects in that deal because, I mean, he is a rookie. He's still in their control for a while. I don't think they're necessarily looking to move them, but I think if they get really floored by another team, I think the conversation is there and I think they definitely would consider it. But, you know, they've got other guys on the team. Like Brett Rooker's having a great year. He's possibly another all star for a second year in a row. And I think he'd be an attractive guy to a lot of other teams. Miguel Anduhar's having a really good year. They've got a couple of relievers who might be of interest to other teams. So you're definitely going to see them make some moves, but obviously Miller would be the big, you know, name in that. And I'm not sure if they're really at that point yet that they'd trade them, but it's definitely an interesting possibility. And I'm sure there's, I mean, there's no shortage of teams that are looking for a flamethrower enclosure like him. Well, Mason Miller, he got his feet wet with the A's at the end of last season. But, I mean, did you ever envision this out of him? I mean, he was dominant. I mean, he came up as a starter and we saw him that first day. He was just pumping 101, 102. I mean, he was doing what he was doing now as a, as a, as a reliever, as a starter. The one thing we had always heard is, you know, there's, you know, a lot of injury concerns with him and obviously he had an injury last year with his elbow that caused him to miss almost four months, I believe. Luckily, it wasn't Tommy John, like they originally thought it might be. And he was able to come back to the end of the year. But I think the one thing with him is, is I think everyone knows he has this potential to be a dominant pitcher. It's just keeping him healthy is kind of the concern. Even through this year, when they're really cautious with his workload, they try not to give him too much at a time, you know, back to back or very rare unless they really need him on a day. They try to give him as much rest as they can. So, you know, to develop into such a dominant closer and stretch short amount of time, I mean, it's up for any young, young pitcher to handle the ninth inning. And he's done a pretty flaw. So he's had a couple of hiccups here and there, but every single time he, you know, loads of say we're going to have a great outing seems a bounce back with her dominant outing. So I think the potential is showing through, but I mean, to a transition this quickly and everybody by a little bit of a surprise. Martina, I want to ask you, I know he's hurt right now, but about Dara Hernai. He's a guy that you guys got in the cold urban trade. What have you thought of him in the time you've seen him? Where does he project to you? Yeah, I think, you know, the age, love him, you know, he's a really good hitter. And I think over the past year or so, he really developed on the defensive side where they totally comfortable out of the shortstop. I think when they first acquired him, they were kind of struggling to kind of figure out where he might play. They were thinking about third base, second base shortstop. Didn't really feel like a legitimate option for him. But, you know, he really improved with the defense a lot. But I think third base is still an option for him as well. But I mean, he hit his way onto the team at a spring training, made this team and he was, you know, going to be probably their everyday third baseman. I got an injury and then now he's kind of rehabbing right now. But once he comes back, I think he's a part of this team's future. I think they're really excited about him. They really think like he could be a really good hitting shortstop. Just anywhere on the infield. I think the bat is one of the excites. Trying to figure out what to eat for dinner yet again. With no sides and bullion as you're not so secret ingredient, you can skip the drive through and do dinner at home. 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