The A's have completed the first major trade involving a starting pitcher this off-season, sending right-hander Dan Haren to the Diamondbacks for a package of prospects, according to major-league sources. Class AAA outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and Class AA left-hander Brett Anderson are among the players the A's will receive in the deal, sources say. http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7565926?FSO2&ATT=MA
This is not a "dump" as you call it. They have a VERY tight budget until they move into their new ballpark in 2011. When you have the 700 pound guerilla known as the L.A. Angels spending like mad, Billy Beane had to do something. He could not spend with them. He could have chosen to spin his wheels with what he has and a VERY thin farm system (all the good young prospects are already in the "Bigs"), winning 80-85 games a year OR he could choose to do what he did in 1999. Get return for players when they have HIGH value, rebuild the minor league system and make a sustained run when the kids are ready. Do I like this trade? I'm indifferent to be honest. I knew Beane was looking towards the new stadium. He got some TOP notch prospects coming back for Danny. They got 4 of Arizona's top 10 prospects (including their #1 prospect, outfielder Carlos Gonzalez). I'm now convinced the A's are in full fledge rebuild mode. Teams like the A's and the Twins have to make moves like this, taking a step or two back so they can take 3 steps forward. Everyone called Beane an idiot for trading Mark Mulder, who was in his prime and coming off his best season. He got Haren, Colero and Daric Barton for Mulder and that trade was pure stealing by Beane....we could be saying the same thing in 3 years about this deal.
I'm surprised Oakland traded Haren, I'm sure you'll see Blanton and maybe Street going next (I'm sure he'd love to trade Chavez too). Looks like Beane is going to cut pay round load up on prospects and wait until the team moves so they can make some money. Billy Beane with a big payroll scares me.
The only thing I'm REALLY scared of is trading Huston Street. The guy is SO young, he could be there closer for the next 10 years. The story I read (from the A's beat writer) is that Beane is talking to Street about an extension. If he signs one he'll be there long term, if he balks he's gone. Blanton could be a goner. After (if) Bedard gets dealt and after Santana gets traded Beane will have every teams ear about Blanton. He could get a ton for him. He's coming up on his arbitration years and he has not signed an extension yet. Let the 90 loss seasons begin...but in 2-3 years? Look out. BTW, good to see you Fink...long time.
I'd be shocked if Blanton isn't traded by spring training. Beane knows what he's doing, if I were an A's fan I'd trust him. And yeah it does look like the A's are going to be bad for the next few years but you never know with the AL West (or baseball for that matter). But again like I said when the A's move, they'll have some money coming in and what Beane can do with a payroll is going to scare a lot of people around the league. Yeah unifiedtheory it's good to see you too, it has been awhile.
