Billy Beane’s Greatest Work

Feb 18, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane speaks to the media during MLB media day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Swing a trade sending away a fan-favorite and all-star for prospects, and sign a middle-of-order bat with unknown expectations. Yep, sounds like a Billy Beane offseason.

If you are one of those people still trying to comprehend Beane’s motives, don’t think too hard. We’ve seen this before. Twice, actually. Only this time, I think we’re about to see Billy’s greatest work yet.

On December 9, 2011 Beane sent all-star Trevor Cahill, Craig Breslow, and cash to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Ryan Cook, Collin Cowgill, and Jarrod Parker. Then exactly two weeks later on December 23, he traded all-star Gio Gonzalez and Robert Gilliam to the Washington Nationals for A.J. Cole, Brad Peacock, Tommy Milone, and Derek Norris.

On December 28 Beane made one more move. Trading rookie of the year and two-time all-star closer Andrew Bailey and outfielder Ryan Sweeney to the Boston Red Sox for prospects Miles Head and Raul Alcantara and outfielder Josh Reddick.

It appeared obvious he was preparing for a complete rebuild.

But then a strange thing happened. Beane dipped into the Cuban player pool and signed unknown, but hyped outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to a four-year contract on February 13, 2012.

We all know the rest of the story. The players Beane traded away mostly went on to disappoint, while the players he received restored team. There was a 20-win turn-around, two division titles were won, and the team went to the playoffs the next three years.

-Different year, same Billy-

It’s now 2014 and the song remains the same. Our star has been traded, one more deal is looming, and the free agent with unknown expectations has been signed.

What is next?

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With a restocked farm system and two more major-league ready arms in the same mold as Parker and Milone the A’s are still poised to compete in 2015.

The next move will be key for Beane and the Athletics.

-What Lies Ahead-

Three solid prospects exist in the A’s farm system currently: Renato Nunez, Matt Olson, and Daniel Robertson. All poised for a major league debut in 2016 or later, they are the future of the organization. Include Franklin Barreto and speedster Billy Burns and you’re looking at three to five quality major league players beginning their careers in a year or two.

If Beane trades Jeff Samardzija like we all expect it will either be for a collection of prospects and major-league ready youngsters, or for a veteran hitter.

The Red Sox and Chicago White Sox appear interested and have the prospects needed to land the Shark, while the Atlanta Braves have dangled Justin Upton and Evan Gattis.

The added prospects will only add to the future core of Olson, Robertson, and Nunez, or a player of Upton’s caliber could keep the A’s a World Series contender in 2015.

The A’s are one of three teams to have not won less than 74 games every season that Beane has been general manager. The other two are the big spender New York Yankees and the well-ran St. Louis Cardinals.

If you think Beane has lost his mind, or is destroying the team, think again. His moves now could shape the landscape of the franchise for the future.

-The End Game-

The goal for the current owners of the Athletics has always been spend as little as possible and make as little as possible. They have never hidden their motives. Which is why a new stadium is imperative to the long-term success of the A’s, not a long-term contract with a star player.

I believe everything Beane is doing this winter is aimed at getting young talent together for when the stadium issue is resolved. Then he will have the resources he needs to lock up his stars to big contracts.

By trading Donaldson now Beane will save nearly $40 million later. That is money he’ll be able to put towards Sonny Gray, or Olson, or Robertson.

Just be patient. Because the time is coming when the A’s won’t be the budget-minded, thrift-store shoppers they are now. Right now, Billy Beane is just preparing.