Will Billy Beane Unload his young talent for even younger talent? (Photo Credit: Ben Margot/AP)

Things are not looking to good in Oakland right now. The A’s are trying to gain approval to build a new stadium in San Jose, but MLB and Bud Selig are apparently far too busy right now to deliver a decision that’s been nearly three years in the making. While the team waits around for a decision, rumors have been circulating around Oakland that seem to suggest that GM Billy Beane would be willing to listen to offers for all of his players not named Jemile Weeks.

That means the A’s would be willing to deal young players like Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez, Kurt Suzuki, among others. Beane, who hasn’t been afraid to test the trade market in the past, could move some of his young players this offseason with the hopes of making the A’s even younger. The A’s are in a very tough spot right now, and Beane’s offseason approach will be crucial for the franchise’s future success.

Oakland started a massive rebuild in 2007 that led to the departures of Dan Haren and Nick Swisher, and the team could be on the verge of undergoing yet another massive overhaul. The A’s haven’t been relevant in years, though, so another rebuild shouldn’t surprise what little fans the team has left. … [visit site to read more]

Will Billy Beane Be Forced To Go Young…Again? - Swingin' A's - Swingin' A's - An Oakland Athletics Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Could the A's GM Billy Beane leave Oakland? (Photo Credit: Taylor Richards Glenn)

Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane recently stated during an end of season address to the media that he has no plans to leave Oakland. It has been long rumored that Beane, who was recently portrayed by Brad Pitt in the movie “Moneyball,” could begin pursuing other posts outside of Oakland.

Given the team’s recent stadium and payroll constraints, Beane could very well walk away from the job that helped establish him as one of the best GMs in the game.

The A’s, currently mired in a playoff drought, are facing a ton of questions regarding their future in the city of Oakland. Lew Wolff, who purchased the team back in 2005, has repeatedly stated that all stadium plans in Oakland have been “exhausted,” and that the team’s only real viable destination is in San Jose.

Unfortunately for Wolff and Beane, however, the San Francisco Giants claim that San Jose falls under their club’s territorial rights. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig appointed a special committee to help analyze all of Oakland’s viable stadium options. … [visit site to read more]

A’s GM Billy Beane Staying Put? - Swingin' A's - Swingin' A's - An Oakland Athletics Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

The A's hope for the best in 2011.

Heading into the 2010 season, many expected the newly revamped Seattle Mariners to clash with the Los Angeles Angels for the division crown. The Mariners, who added players like Chone Figgins, Milton Bradley, Casey Kotchman and Cliff Lee to their roster during the offseason, had hoped their aggressive offseason would lead to a division title in 2010. After all, the Angels lost players like John Lackey, Chone Figgins, and Vladimir Guerrero that offseason.

Many baseball experts, writers, and bloggers like myself, seemed certain that the Mariners would give the Angels a run for their money in 2010. I even went as far as ranking them as the No.5 team in baseball behind only No.1 New York Yankees, No.2 Philadelphia Phillies, No.3 Boston Red Sox, and No.4 St. Louis Cardinals.

Unfortunately, however, the Mariners were an immediate train-wreck.

The Mariners had all the tools for a pretty decent team heading into the 2010 season, but the team really never came together as GM Jack Zduriencik had envisioned they would. As a result, the Mariners eventually faded out of the picture and spent most of the season in the division cellar. The Angels, the powerhouse team in the West, also took a dip in the standings as well.

The Rangers (No.12 in my Early Rankings), and A’s (No.22), however, emerged as the two teams that would eventually compete for the division in 2010. Yes, the A’s would ultimately lose out on the division, but no one showed the Green-and-Gold any love early in the season. They played particularly well when you consider the amount of injuries they had, and the anemic offense they featured on the field.

… [visit site to read more]

Are The A’s Favorites To Win AL West In 2011? - Swingin' A's - Swingin' A's - An Oakland Athletics Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More