One is the A’s recently drafted a shortstop (though they may move him to third base) in Addison Russell. While he is still a few years away from possibly making it to the big leagues it may not make too much sense to invest in a young shortstop that may cost extra because of their age. The opposite hand to that is sometimes prospects never match up to their expectations. That is a balancing act that Beane will have to deal with.

The second is the A’s have internal options at all of their positions except shortstop. Therefore it would seem Beane’s main concern this week will be to find a shortstop. There aren’t many free agent shortstops on the market this offseason (Stephen Drew seems to be the only potential fit) therefore the most likely scenario to fill the need at the six position is via trade.

There are multiple teams with shortstops that could be available for the right price. The first team I will be looking at is the Miami Marlins. The Marlins have already made their big splash (no pun intended) in a blockbuster trade with the Toronto Blue Jays. They acquired shortstop Yunel Escobar as well as top shortstop prospect Adeiny Hechavarria. With Hechavarria being ready for the major leagues, Escobar has become expendable for the Marlins.

The Marlins are in the process of a rebuild albeit a quick one to hopefully regain their fan base (again which they seem to have lost after trading away almost their entire roster). They are looking for affordable young pitching to build around. This is where the A’s and Marlins meet as natural trade partners.

The A’s have potential trade chips within the realm of starting pitching in Dan Straily, A.J. Griffin, Tommy Milone, Brad Peacock, and Michael Ynoa. Peacock and Ynoa would be risky considering their 2011 seasons respectively (Peacock was inconsistent and Ynoa was injured for most of the season). Straily is another long shot because he just came into his own this past season after developing his changeup. That leaves Griffin and Milone as likeliest to be traded.

Determining Escobar’s value will be interesting regardless of where he ends up. His production is above average which at a position that is as bare as shortstop player wise means his price raises exponentially. However, Escobar has had multiples issues regarding his attitude and work ethic. It was widely reported that he was a “cancer” in the Blue Jays clubhouse and he was suspended and fined for having a gay slur on his eye black during a game toward the end of last season. The flip side to that is the A’s clubhouse is strongly united and may be able to change his ways. We’ll just have to wait and see.

**UPDATE** MLB.com’s Jane Lee reported that Billy Beane and the Marlins have been in discussions for Escobar.

Is It Oakland's Turn Yet? The A's Really Need a New Stadium (Photo Credit: Ray Chavez/AP)

Those Miami Marlins are making quite the splash so far this offseason. They’ve secured a brand-new venue and have locked up free agents Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle. Things are looking good in Miami right about now.

Things in Oakland, however, remain ever so dim. The Athletics, a team coming off yet another sub-par season, are stuck in the aging, crumbling, and confining O.co Coliseum. The team’s lack of a new venue is making it extremely difficult for Billy Beane & Co. to prepare for the franchise’s future.

MLB and Commissioner Bud Selig have spent the last three years or so analyzing the A’s stadium issues. The A’s still, however, have yet to hear the thoughts of the league or Mr. Selig. Both parties have yet to deal their recommendations for the A’s bid for a new stadium in San Jose, a territory that the San Francisco Giants contend is within the team’s territorial rights.

While the Marlins are finally opening up their wallets and making some serious noise in the free agent market, Oakland remains strapped for cash without much wiggle room financially. Beane, essentially, is being forced to make do with what he’s got, which isn’t much, by the way.  (more…)