They had BB on the local radio talking bout the trade. My brother sent an email. He knows more bout the A's than I, which is crazy cause I've been a fan since 77, and him in 1999! Here is the email he sent me...:cheers:
But past that...the interview with BB was pretty informative about where the team stands and the plan he has/had for it. I know what you think about Beanne, but maybe just me listening to his assistant each week this year---Fourths or whatever his name is---explain their plan and reasoning for it---and so far their plan has been fitting piece by piece just as they planed for, yet it's still a work in progress.
They last year realized that they needed to re-load the roster with young talent which is cheap and has the potential to pay off in a few years. They did just that last year. Then all through the last part of last season, they were saying that with the future pitching situation set, they are looking for a big bat from the right side. Many callers to the post game show were mentioning Holliday as a perfect candidate, and also that there wasn't much in the free agent market after Texieriea and his high price tag.
Fast forward to today, and we get Holliday for 3 players somewhat on the cheap...Carlos would have been nice to see but the A's have way too many outfielders to begin with. Street...no explanation necessary, and Smith was one of like 7 potential future starters...expendable in so many words.
Now at least Cust has another big bat to support his 30 HR's yet 2 buck average, and add that if Sweeney improves in his second year...the young starters also improve as hoped for---bullpen is already set with Ziegler in the 8th and what's his name who throws 96 MPH in the 9th...and this trade looks like their is something to look for in the year ahead.
If this trade works out...Beane implied that since the payroll was so contained this last year (as planned) that they have enough money to throw around potentially for someone like Holliday if it makes sense (also planned but of course Holliday has Borus as an agent, so we're talking like 20 mil plus per year---but Beeane didn't count that as a deal breaker.)
And if the A's don't look to compete in 09 by July they can flip Holliday for a few players by the trade deadline for at least 2 players who compare to the ones they gave up. Not a bad trade off in other words.
My gut says that there are no more blockbuster trades for the A's in the months ahead, and that they'll instead look to see how these young guys pan out with a little senority from Holliday to help them along, but I'm still not counting out the second coming of Giambi. Now that would be interesting...Cust/Holliday/Giambi in the middle of the lineup. How long til April?
