Staying away from trade talk
I’ve been asked about the possibility of being traded and whether I’m aware of whatever talk is going on out there about me, but I really try to avoid it.
I don’t really read the internet or newspapers, because that’s one of those things you can’t really control, so it doesn’t do any good to try to figure out what’s going on. I just try to stay in my little box, come to the field, try to play well, go home and spend time with my family.
As you know, the Rockies were in town recently, and it was good to see a lot of my former teammates. It’s been long enough since I’ve been out of Colorado, so it wasn’t really that weird — probably because we played them at Spring Training — and it was good to spend some time with them.
They’re playing really well, and it’s fun to watch them play, but obviously I’d have rather we won all three games than lost all three.
What they’ve been doing is obviously impressive, and it does remind me a little bit of the run we went on in Colorado a couple years ago. Back then it was to get to the playoffs and during the playoffs, and they still have their work cut out for them to make it into the playoffs this year, but just to win like that against the competition we face here in the Major Leagues, day in and day out, it’s impressive.
To win that many games in a short period of time, you have to have different guys coming through every night, and that’s what we had going back then.
I really do think this A’s team could do something like that, because we have a plenty of talent here. But obviously we can’t dig ourselves too big of a hole. In 2007 we just kind of hung around and hung around, then we started playing well in the second half, and then at the end we couldn’t be beat. We have to stay within reaching distance if we want to do something like that here.
I hope it does happen here, too, because it’s fun going to the ballpark expecting to win, and you never know how it’s going to happen. I think that’s a big part of what makes it do fun. It’s different guys in different situations, just finding ways to win, You can’t rely on one or two guys for a 30-game stretch, so when something like that happens, you know everybody on the team has played a role in it and feels a big part of it.
Obviously we don’t know anything about the All-Star teams right now, but I know we finish the first half in Tampa Bay, which isn’t necessarily the greatest place to be when the break starts if you live on the West Coast. I don’t have any real plans yet, but we might go down to Monterey and take the boys to the aquarium down there. We’ll probably stay in the area and just hang out around here and try to rest a little bit. Just be low-key and try to get ready for the second half.
–Matt
Matt's Blog 
Hey Matt, I couldn’t help but notice that this entry was posted at 1:44 pm on July 1st, which means that you must have been typing between innings of the finale with the Tigers (I know, it’s Eastern time, but it was a funny image to think about: you on your laptop in the dugout typing your blog).
I think the reality of this year is that you will be traded, though I would hate to see you go. The A’s philosophy, unfortunately, seems to be one that doesn’t have winning as its central goal or motive. I don’t understand it, and I’ve just about given up on trying to understand it.
I think if you want to do the A’s faithful a favor, you should push for a trade to the Giants. I’ve been proposing a hypothetical trade to any Giants’ fan I’ve met in the last week: Matt Holliday for Pablo Sandoval and Nate Schierholtz (spelling?). I think you’re the centerpiece that Brian Sabean is looking for and we–with the departure of Chavez–need some consistency at the corners.
I just hope that if we have to lose you we get something substantial in return. We A’s fans are all too used to losing superstars for unproven prospects.
How about we trade Carlos Gonzalez and Greg Smith back for you?? Then you can be back in the streak again 🙂 It was great to be able to watch you this weekend. Too bad you might not be headed to St. Louis for the All-Star game…but I’m sure you’d rather not be on the team. Hope to hear from you soon!!
Miss you out in Colorado!!
Hey Matt,
I would hate to see you go, but if you do get traded, I hope it’s to St. Louis. I think it would be great to see you bat behind or in front of Pujols. The two of you would tear the National League apart. I’m looking forward to seeing you carve up the Indians pitching this weekend.
I hope for your sake you do get traded. You deserve to be on a contender and you could contribute a ton. Oakland looks like they aren’t going anywhere, so I would be really surprised to see you stay with them. Anyways, keep up the good work buddy.
http://milehighball.mlblogs.com/
I would hate to see you going Matt 😦
RobertJ
http://superbaseball.blinkweb.com/
matt whats good you are a great player you are just what the cards need and they are just what u need. yu and poljous would be perfect together you and him would be 40 hr guys for many years i just hope if they give you that chance to go there that you wont make the bigest mistake of your career thanks and good luck.
Matt, the Monterey Bay Aquarium isn’t as cool as it used to be. Take the boys to the San Francisco Aquarium or to the San Diego Zoo instead. It will be way more fun for them anyways, Monterey is a boring grown-up town.
Even though you got traded to a crappy team this year its good to see you staying positive. It would be even better to see you and some of the other vets spark a fire in the team. I don’t see you guys winning and I don’t see you guys having fun either! Yea it sucks to lose, but its just a game and the best thing about baseball is that its a long season and you get to come back out on the field the next day and play a whole new game. Maybe if you guys start having fun you will start winning. Its all about positivity. Good luck and enjoy the break!
hey matt,
i don’t know if ya read this but if you do i just want you to know i feel sorry for ya cuz i know what its like to go from a great team to one that kinda sucks and it definitely is harder when you get used to winning and you end up on a team that loses nearly every game. we sure hope you’ll stay with the team next year cuz we should be better but if you don’t i understand and i hope you get yourself on a good team. also you might wanna think about taking your kids to the gold country, i grew up there and there’s some pretty neat places.
DO NOT SIGN WITH THE CARDINALS!!!
DAVID
Hey Matt,
Keep up the positive attitude, it must be difficult under the circumstances. It’s unfortunate what Beane has done to the A’s. Hang in there and keep making the best of the situation, I’m sure something better is coming your way.
Would love to see you back in the purple pinstripes.
Hi, Matt,
I enjoy your blog posts a great deal. I hope you don’t get traded before the deadline, but I may not get my wish. I have enjoyed watching you play from my seats in the second row just off 3rd base.
I am curious. It seems to me that it is harder to go from the National League to the American league than vice versa. Many more breaking pitches in the AL, to name one possible reason. Jason Kendal was a good example. What is your take on this? Do you agree?
Keep up the good work and we will enjoy having you for as long as we can. Bee (A’s season ticket holder)
Dear Matt,
I have a question for you: I am a young ballplayer who constantly struggles with fear of being hit by the pitch. It’s really affecting me as a hitter, and I was wondering if you had any wisdom to share with me on how to conquer this. Drop me an email if you have time: Sammio43@AIM.com.
Thanks Matt!
Sam from PA
I completely forgot about this…Matt- how about you come be a Mariner?! Let me tell you why: 1. we’re still in this race 2. seattle is a gorgeous city and lots of fun for the boys 3. we need a left fielder with heart like you 4. i’d look like a genius for suggesting the idea. ok? think about it.
I’m glad you are an MLB Blogger. It’s really interesting to read about the major-leaguers perspectives on things. 🙂 I am really trying to not listen to trade-talk either, because I keep hearing stuff about my favorite players possibly being traded..& it’s scary cause I dont want them to be traded. & I wanna know..do you ever get nervous playing? I have been practicing for softball all Summer, because I’m going to try out for the team next year, but I’m kind of nervous I guess. If you dont have time to respond that’s fine, I was just wondering. http://tribechick.mlblogs.com/
-TC