The Bronx Bombers won the season series versus the A’s 9-1. The A’s played the Yankees ten times in 2010 and beat them once. ONCE! And that one game, of course, was the famous “Get off my mound” game in April.

In a year when we’ve watched the standings a little and thought, at times, that the A’s could actually contend, what happened with the Yankees this year sent a clear message – the A’s aren’t even in the same league. Even our usually dependable pitching was mahandled by New York.

The A’s front office should be looking at the season series with the Yankees when figuring out how to improve this team for 2011, because you’ve got to be able to hang with the big boys if you plan on even sniffing the postseason.

Despite the fact that this move is a result of Daric Barton being pulled from yesterday’s game with injury, I am thrilled about this move. Let’s see what Carter can do at this level. It’s better than having Adam Rosales or Landon Powell play first in Barton’s absence, and, after Barton comes back, it’s better than continuing to run one of the Matts out there in the outfield every day.

After winning two out of three against Texas over the weekend, the A’s are 7 1/2 games back in the division. With still a month and a half to play, they’ve got an outside shot. Oh sure, it’s a Ricky-Vaughn-before-he-got-glasses outside shot, but it’s still a shot.

Here’s to making me notice the rest of the season. Go A’s!

Ryan Sweeney landed on the DL and is out for the year. Ben Sheets landed on the DL and is probably out for the year. Kurt Suzuki signed a multi-year deal. Dallas Braden finally won since his perfect game. Jack Cust remembered how to hit home runs. The A’s have won their last four series and are over .500 and one game behind the Angels for second place.

I am kind of in wake-me-up-when-something-happens mode. I’ve been more interested in watching Mad Men on DVD most nights rather than A’s games. It happens every year (or every year since 2007) around this time. I just don’t feel like the A’s are playing for anything anymore.

Yesterday the Angels traded for Dan Haren. Earlier this month, the Rangers traded for Cliff Lee. The A’s likely will do nothing and will keep running Gabe Gross and Matt Watson/Carson out there and winning a few, and losing a few. There is not much fun in that from a fan’s perspective.

Sure, if the A’s make a trade, I’ll become interested and watch a few games. Same if they bring up Chris Carter and/or Michael Taylor. And even more so if they start winning a lot and start making the AL West a three-team race.

They have a chance to do the latter with a few wins in Texas this week. Come on A’s, make me notice you.

Go A’s!

1. Ben Sheets traded. I know he won’t bring much, but there isn’t much reason for the A’s to hang onto him anymore. If the A’s have to pay the rest of his 2010 salary to bring back a prospect with just a little bit of upside, I hope they do it.

2. Mark Ellis not traded. Adam Rosales is not a second baseman. He’s not a shortstop or a third baseman either. He’s a utility man, best served on bench duty. Mark Ellis is our longest-tenured A not on the DL and I’d hate to see him leave for a marginal return.

3. Rajai Davis playing more and Ryan Sweeney playing less. Sweeney is about as consistent as they come. You know what you’re going to get with him. But what does he really bring to the table? Consistency and a lot of singles? That doesn’t win a lot of ballgames. Davis might not hit .290 like Sweeney but he is dynamic on the basepaths. He gets in the pitcher’s head, which can only help the guys batting when he’s on base. No pitchers worry about Sweeney and his bad knees.

4. Chris Carter and Michael Taylor staying down in AAA until September. Neither have been pounding the door of the major leagues. Really, neither have even touched the door. There  is no reason to rush them up when they’re not dominating AAA.

5. Eric Chavez back at the end of the season and playing third base in the final game. It would be a nice sendoff for the only guy we have remaining from the early-aughts run.

6. The A’s taking the AL West. Oh, I know, it’s a big stretch. But I would like to see it.

Go A’s!

I mean, we all saw how horrible this team was on that stretch through San Francisco, Chicago, and St. Louis, and then at home versus the NL-Central-leading Reds. Sure, they went on a 7-2 run against the doormats of baseball – Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Cleveland – but we all knew what it was. The A’s were just taking advantage of a light schedule – as well they should – and picking up some easy wins.

But now it’s back to business against real baseball teams, and the A’s just can’t compete. Four runs scored over a three-game series is not going to cut it, even with the A’s good pitching. At it doesn’t get easier (OK, maybe a tad easier but not Pittsburgh easy) with the Angels coming to town for the weekend. Luckily they’ll miss Joe Saunders this time around. He’s thrown two complete games against the A’s this season, despite not being able to beat anyone else.

At best the A’s could go into the All Star Break one game under .500.

Go A’s…