By Jason Wojciechowski on February 15, 2012 at 11:55 PM
It's time for a Jane Lee mailbag!
First question is whether we can expect Yoenis Cespedes to be in the majors soon. Jane answers this one correctly because it's impossible to get it wrong: the guy the A's are paying $6.5 million to, who they only have control of for four years, who is already 26, and who the most conservative reports I've read say he'd need 300 PAs in the minors? Yeah, we'll see him soon.
Second question is what the opening day lineup will be. Somehow, Jane answers this in a paragraph when I couldn't even answer it in 1200 words. She's thinking batting order, though, which is silly. I'm more interested in who the DH is (Seth Smith, she figures) than who hits eighth (Josh Reddick). Lee declines to take a stand on the first-base battle. (If I had to guess, I'd say Brandon Allen unless he's traded because of his option status.)
Third question is from someone who clearly doesn't read Susan Slusser, because it asks whether the A's are done making moves. Jane Lee says "Manny Manny Manny Manny Koji Koji Gonzalez." (Do it to the tune of that Kreayshawn song. I dare you.) I'm kind of rooting for the A's to get Koji Uehara, assuming it doesn't cost them anything real, because I love pitchers who don't walk anyone. I hope he finishes all of Brandon McCarthy's games.
Fourth question is cute, and a great use of a mailbag: Brandon Allen and Jonny Gomes both wear #31, Gomes is the veteran, and Allen was on the A's first, so who has to pay who for the number? Lee says it's Gomes who will have to pay up, though she and I both remember him talking about "the veteran card" at FanFest, so maybe nobody will be paying any amount for anything.
Fifth and final question is about spring training start times. I'm bored.