Member » Dave Kaval can look out his office window and immediately

OAKLAND http://www.marinersfanproshop.com/authentic-edgar-martinez-jersey , Calif. (AP) — envision a new privately funded ballpark he plans to get built, and it now feels like much more of a reality — with renderings and a real plan, not to mention the city’s support.The Oakland Athletics have found a waterfront location for their ballpark, with picturesque views toward San Francisco, the Bay Bridge and Port of Oakland. Plans were announced Wednesday, with the goal to open in 2023. There is no announced price at this stage, and Kaval didn’t want to even share an estimate. A California Environmental Quality Act assessment will begin immediately.Kaval, the enthusiastic, high-energy team president who oversaw a successful new stadium for Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes, had hoped to finalize a site by the end of the year, and he said the team settled on the Howard Terminal site near Jack London Square after meeting with 500 members of the community and nearly 80 organizations. He plans to host an open house Thursday for community members and fans to learn more.“We did a tremendous amount of community engagement where we listened to people in West Oakland, in East Oakland and I think what we found is this project is bigger than baseball,” Kaval said. “It’s not just a ballpark it’s something that could have a lasting impact in a positive way on our community here in Oakland to ensure the A’s are here for another 50 or 100 years or really basically forever.”The ballpark site is about 6 miles from the Coliseum and there is no mass transit. The A’s and city said they plan to build a gondola that would go from the waterfront area of ballpark over Interstate 880 to downtown.The team’s new downtown offices will have a view of the project, including right from Kaval’s large corner window.The club, coming off its first playoff berth since 2014, had to switch gears after a proposed plan at Laney College fell through last December . The board of the Peralta Community College District said it had directed the chancellor to discontinue talks about a possible ballpark near Laney College, one of three original sites considered including Howard Terminal.In addition, the A’s intend to redevelop the site around the aging, rundown Oakland Coliseum they have long shared with the NFL’S Oakland Raiders, who plan their own move to Las Vegas. The Golden State Warriors will begin playing in San Francisco at new Chase Center next year.“The significant thing is the A’s are positioning themselves as Oakland’s team. With both the Raiders leaving and the Warriors leaving, the A’s are Oakland’s team,” county supervisor Nate Miley said.A project at the current Coliseum site would begin after the A’s are in their new ballpark, Kaval said, with a hope of making significant progress by 2024.The first step in the A’s acquiring the Coliseum land — either a purchase or lease agreement — will be the City of Oakland buying it from Alameda County, Mayor Libby Schaaf said.“This is a really gorgeous starting line,” Schaaf said of finding the right spot at last.While the baseball operations side can begin to foresee the benefits such as a higher payroll and ability to attract top free agents Marcell Ozuna Jersey , that is still years away.“It’s great, and the renderings make it seem real and also hearing Dave every single day on the phone working at it, it seems very real,” general manager David Forst said. “It doesn’t mean a whole lot for baseball until it’s there but we can certainly start looking at it in terms of baseball planning. … I’ve been here a long time. We’ve talked about a lot of iterations of ballparks and places and this is the place we want to be.”Kaval called the A’s will build a “bold, iconic ballpark” and the “design will allow us to blur the boundaries of a traditional ballpark and integrate into the surrounding neighborhood.”“We are excited about the A’s plans at Howard Terminal, not just for the club but for their fans, who deserve a first-class venue to support one of the most competitive franchises in Major League Baseball,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “The organization has been consistent in their desire to thrive in the city of Oakland and we are glad that those plans are moving forward toward the opening of a new ballpark in 2023.”The Rays are the other team working on a ballpark plan. Tampa Bay has until Dec. 31 under its agreement with St. Petersburg to explore sites throughout the area.Oakland’s project includes a 120-day action plan with five steps: expanded community and stakeholder engagement, an environmental impact report for Howard Terminal, an agreement with the Port of Oakland, the framework for the Coliseum redevelopment with the city and county and an economic and community benefits package.“We have two projects that we’re proposing,” Kaval said. “They’re both important for the city and they allow us to really honor East Oakland and that part of the city.” Part 2 of the series looking at Non roster players invited to camp"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Diamondbacks Farm TeamsGameday ThreadsDiamondbacks NewsDiamondbacks Game ReportsFang FoodArizona Diamondbacks 2019 Non-Roster Invitees: Pitchers BNew,25commentsPart 2 of the series looking at Non roster players invited to campESTShareTweetShareShareArizona Diamondbacks 2019 Non-Roster Invitees: Pitchers BTaylor Widener has racked up impressive K ratesBrian McLeod/MiLB.comTAYLOR WIDENERTaylor Widener is the marquee player in today’s group of non roster invitees. The University of South Carolina Gamecock was drafted by the Yankees in the 12th round of the 2016 draft. He had nothing but success his first two years in the Yankee organization, posting low ERA and High K totals. Acquired by Mike Hazen in the 3 way trade with the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays that also brought in Steven Souza Jr, he has emerged as on of the top right handed pitching prospects in baseball, cracking most top 100 lists. No finesse pitcher, Widener features a mid 90’s fastball, a good slider, as well as a Changeup. The K rates, Hit & Homer rates, and K/BB ratio are all very impressive throughout his 3 years in the minors. He was also remarkably consistent last year, with his monthly era ranging between 2.51-3.05Look for Widener to start the year in Reno, but will be one of the first options the team may call upon if/when they need to call up a starting pitcher. He turned 24 in October, so no need to waste his bullets, IMHO.If you can’t get out to see him in Spring Training, there are plenty of videos of him on YoutubeKEVIN GINKELKevin Ginkel is a very interesting pitcher. He was drafted out of Southwestern College Miles Mikolas Jersey , Chula Vista CA but did not sign, not once but twice. First in 2014 in the 16th round by the Giants, and then in 2015, failing to improve his draft position, was taken by the Red Sox in the 26th round. The third time was a charm however as Arizona took him in the 22nd round of the 2016 draft. After a good start at Hillsboro in short season ball in 2016, (2.48 ERA 22/6 K/BB ratio) he was promoted to Kane County in the Midwest league in 2017. It didn’t go well, as after just 6 appearances he had a 14.85 ERA and was demoted back to Hillsboro. He did ok the rest of the year, and earned a promotion direct to Visalia in the Cal league in 2018. And he took off,, posting a 0.99 ERA and 40/3 K/BB ratio. Promoted to AA Jackson, he continued to dominate, winning Southern league pitcher of the month in August and posting 1.69 ERA and 60/9 K/BB rate . Earning a trip to the fall league he once again was dominant , 2.53 ERA, 17/2 K/BB. Michael also covered him in his prospect reviews , so you can read more about him there. Outside the video game k/bb rates, I had the following comment in my Fall League reviewHas a little bit of short arm action, and seems like a guy his size should be throwing a little harder. But he has an intimidating mound presence and likes to bully hitters inside with his fastball. TROY SCRIBNERTroy Scribner was originally signed by the Houston Astros in 2013 as an undrafted free agent , completing 4 years at Sacred Heart University. He excelled at the lower levels exhibiting good command, but struggled in the California (hitters) league. After 3 years in the Astros organization he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels for cash considerations.He made it to the majors in 2017, and while his 4.18 ERA in 23 innings didn’t see to bad, he allowed 7 HR in the process. The Angels ended up exposing him to waivers on April 3rd, and he was claimed by the Diamondbacks on April 6th. On May 12th he was called up to start his lone game in the majors last year. In 3 2/3 IP he walked 6 and gave up 4 hits, but somehow managed to only concede 2 runs in a 2-1 DBacks loss to the Nationals.Scribner throws a high 80’s fastball, and features a slider , curveball and changeup. He’s 27 years old, and will turn 28 in July. It’s impressive that he has hung in there this long http://www.stlouiscardinalsteamshop.com/authentic-marcell-ozuna-jersey , and the team must see something in him to give him the spring invite. He strikes out more batters than one would expect, considering his pedestrian fastball, but the HR problem seems to be persistent. (2018 44 Reno Innings, 10 HR, 44 K, 17 Walks). He’s a flyball pitcher, and will need to exhibit near perfect command to succeed in the majors. BRADEN SHIPLEYBraden Shipley is no stranger to Diamondback fans. Originally both a shortstop and pitcher his freshman year at University of Nevada, Reno, Shipley started pitching full time his sophomore year. After his Junior year his prospect status rose and the Diamondbacks took him with the 15th overall pick of the 1st round in the 2013 draft. Working is way through the system, he made his MLB debut on July 25th, 2016 and stayed in the rotation through the end of the season with mixed results. In 11 starts and 2 relief appearances, he threw 70 innings, with a 5.27 ERA. However he gave up 14 homers and 80 hits overall in the process. Failing to make the opening day roster in 2017, Shipley was recalled for a spot start on May 4th, and then immediately optioned back out to Reno. He got into 3 more games in June, and was with the team again in September. In all he was given just 25 innings of work in the majors and posted a 5.76 ERA. By the time 2018 rolled around Shipley was converted to a reliever, and posted a 5.81 ERA and 1.735 WHIP in Reno. After a few indifferent MLB outings in June, Shipley ended up losing his 40 man roster spot as he was exposed to waivers, which he cleared, and was outrighted to Reno in November of 2018.There is still some hope thatCraigBraden can establish himself as a reliever, as he gained a few MPH on his fastball working out of the pen, and was hitting mid 90’s last year.But it would seem like 2018 is probably his last shot with the Diamondbacks.