Jeremy Brown's Quiet Exit

Jeremy Brown, Athletics's 1st round pick in '01 and the famed large-frame catcher in Moneyball has announced his retirement. Although, his retirement reason isn't clear (Brown stated "personal reasons" as the cause), one has to wonder what happened to this Moneyball stud.

Just two seasons ago, Kurt Suzuki, who will likely to be Oakland's opening day catcher was listed #2 catcher prospect behind Brown. Something must have changed Athletics's liking and plan with their two catcher prospects. Brown has always shown his ability to get on base, although, his power isn't great. His defense has been vieweed somewhat below-average. His good OBP should have earned him a spot on the roster, if not in Oakland's daily lineup. After Athletics traded Jason Kendall in '07, Suzuki gradually took over the starting catcher job (he was already on the active 25-man roster), while Brown stayed in AAA. It seemed like Oakland had decided to go with Suzuki long before theyactually traded away Kendall (who was going to be a free agent at end of '07). Suzuki has always been a decent defensive catcher in the minors and is regarded as more all-around player (can hit for average and has some pop).

It's just sad to see the 2nd Moneyball draftee retired before playing in the Majors full-time (Steve Stanley retired in early '06). It made GM Billy Beane look really bad. These supposedly "undervalued" players appear to struggle being only slightly above-average ballplayers in the minors and have trouble making it to the bigs. Three out of the seven 1st rounders of Oakland have made it (Swisher, Blanton, & Teahen). They have not made the kind of impact on the team like other picks, Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, Barry Zito, and Eric Chavez have.

Oakland is in full-rebuilding mode. Their best prospects are the ones (Carlos Gonzalez & Gio Gonzalez) they just traded Dan Harren (who was traded to A's for Mulder) & Swisher for. It's just tougher competition now as a small-budget team with smarter GMs in the league and bigger spending budgets by wealthy teams.

Oakland's draft strategy review by Bucs Dugout

GM Beane's draft strategy review, years after Moneyball. A very thorough and insightful piece.