by The GM on November 27 at 1:07PM
After my last post on the Oakland Athletics off season plans, I read a couple interesting blogs from Buster Olney. They are ESPN insider, so you have to pay to read them, but I will copy and past a small portion of each, that way you can see what he was saying. AGAIN, THIS IS WHAT BUSTER OLNEY WROTE...I WANT TO GIVE HIM THE CREDIT FOR IT...that should do for crediting my source I think."You could back up your organization's truck and offer two Grade A prospects and a couple of Grade B prospects and call the Minnesota Twins about Johan Santana. And if you arrange a conditional deal with the Twins, you could then have the opportunity to try to convince Santana to waive his no-trade clause. That would cost you merely the largest salary for any pitcher in the history of baseball: six years, $150 million, on top of the $13.25 million he is owed for next season. Or you could back up the organization's truck and offer three or four prospects for Oakland's Dan Haren. No strings attached, no no-trade clause. And here's the really good news: You would have to pay Haren just $4 million for 2008, $5.5 million for 2009, and he has a $6.75 million option for 2010."
He then goes on to say:
"Oakland executives began meeting this week to discuss what they will ask in trade for Haren, and if they decide to trade him -- a sign that the Athletics are committed to a long-term rebuilding effort -- well, it would make sense for them to trade Joe Blanton and closer Huston Street, as well."
A few thoughts on this. 1) Why do the A's need to "rebuild?" They brought in several younger players last season that proved they could play effectively. In another of Olney's posts, he states that Blanton and Haren could fetch as many as 7 or 8 prospects. That is nice if they are all ready to play this season. 2) The players mentioned for trade are still cheap and young. Stick with them. Haren has three more years before he gets to be out of Oakland's price range. If they wait two years to trade him, they will still be able to get prospects for him. Wait is what I say. Patience is the key to virtue! 3) Don't trade any of these guys to the Yankees please. I don't think I could stand seeing one of my guys in the pinstripes and possibly winning a World Series.
Now, on with the questions that were asked after my last post:
As of now, is Eric Chavez the highest paid player on the team? What of the A's farm system... are there any promising prospects, esp. pitchers?
Chavez is set to make 11 million this season and is the highest paid. Next is Mark Kotsay at 8 million. The talent level in the minors is a little thin right now. Daric Barton is/was the last immediate impact prospect that Oakland had waiting. But, Oakland is one of the best teams at developing their positional talent. As far as pitching goes, Billy Beane has been accused of destroying younger pitchers arms. Brad Halsey had some beef with Beane about how the minor league pitchers were treated. I've not heard much more than that one claim, but who really knows unless you witness it first hand or get some good factual evidence.
Where does 79 million rank in terms of team payroll last year? (I'm assuming the Yankees and the Red Sox are #1 and #2 in spending).
Oakland was ranked 16th in payroll last season. New York and Boston were 1 and 2. The Phillies were at 14, so they are similar in the spending department.
And of the 53 percent of the revenue spent on player salaries, where does that rank in relation to other teams? (I have nothing to compare it to, but I'm guessing it's a little low).
Again, Oakland is ranked 16th in this category, tied with the Phillies. Oakland is usually around the middle of the pack in spending and in payroll. However, if they go and trade away Haren, Blanton, and Street, then the payroll will be lower, and the percent of revenue spent on players salaries will be lower, while maximizing profits. You can check out the full list here...you'll have to scroll down a little.
And when will the A's new stadium be open? Has there been an increase in season ticket holders with a new stadium on the way?
As far as season tickets go, the figures have not been released yet, but the main reasons for the move are 1) To have their own park. 2) Get out of a poor area that is run down, which keeps people from coming into the ballpark. 3) Tap into the large Asian population that is in the area.
The plan is to move to Fremont, California, which is about 20 miles south of Oakland. Tentatively, the ownership group hopes for an opening of 2011, but the development bid approval has not happened yet, so who knows when that is going to start.
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