Yes, Holliday becomes a free agent after 2009.

Yes, the A's had to give up Huston Street, one of the game's more reliable closers.

However, the A's aren't going to miss Greg Smith (Gio Gonzalez will be a fixture in next year's Oakland rotation) and Carlos Gonzalez, as much as I like him, could be just as much a bust as a beast.

Also, closers, in this day and age, can be replaced.

The A's got their man: a power-hitting on-base machine.

its a good trade for both teams.

I think Gonzalez will develope into a nice hitter and Colorado's air sure will help him.

I wouldn't be surprised if he never plays a game as an Athletic. I can see Beane flipping him for more pieces.

Maybe, but don't forget that Beane covets these high on-base percentage guys....

Plus, Oakland had an inept lineup last season.

Actually Sluggo, I would be surprised if he makes it to spring training as an Athletic. Beane hasn't really opened his wallet in a few years and it seems rather silly to rent Holliday for a season knowing you can't beat the Angels.

I see the A's signing Holliday to a new deal of some type. Can't guess at the length or the terms, but I expect they will make a good effort and get it done. Will be interesting to see what happens when Beane and Boras sit at the same conference table. We might find out what happens when an irresistable force meets an immovable object.

If a deal can't be struck by June or July, Holliday will probably be the most valuable commodity on the trade market. I'm sure Billy Beane will be able to maximize that value with no difficulty.

Correctumundo, Cunningham.

:lol:

So they A's mortgaged their future for proven player, a star.
Imagine that?

Where is the onslaught of posters saying that the 75 game winning A's should be rebuilding, that one player cannot fill so many holes?

Well here's one poster from the onslaught.

I agree with the posters who suspect that Beane will flip Holliday for a bevy of young, low-cost players to ensure the franchise's future by rebuilding on the fly as he has done before.

I may be wrong but I don't see Beane paying Holliday big bucks unless he plans to move some of his more expensive help for young, low-cost players and he makes Holliday the cornerstone of his rebuilding.

Billy Beane is always a work in progress.

That's a great quote. In my opinion that's the best way to describe Billy Beane and the A's.

Milt, I think the point is the A's didn't mortgage their future.

If they'd given up Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez, and Adrian Cardenas for Holliday, they'd be mortgaging their future.

Street is okay, no Mariano Rivera or Jonathan Papelbon. Gonzalez may be Bobby Abreu II or he may be Ruben Rivera. Smith is a journeyman.

Beane made a great deal.

Like Career, Jack, and others have pointed out, if Holliday won't sign the extension, Beane can flip him for a nice package of elite young talent.

Dammit Hal. Did we just agree? This should be posted up somewhere for posterity.

Yeah, it should be.

:D

Add me to the Beane flip folder. He will be traded by the deadline unless the A's pull off a Tampa next year which is very unlikely.

Beane has been quoted as saying he is building a championship team and not just a contending team. Until he has the horses to say he's the best in the league he will continue to improve the club by moving the most profitable player.

And of course after he becomes the best he will still move em. Don't expect too many long term deals in Oakland, even the Chavez contract has hurt them.

The Rockies already did.

I think the Rockies flipped a prime standing rib roast for a pound of ground round and a couple of cans of hash..

That's about the size of it, Jack.

:lol:

Despite making me hungry, I think Jack hit it on the head.

And you can add me to the list of people who think Beane will flip him for more pieces.

We have a pantry full of hash, spam too. Since the consensus is they are the retarded Rockies, and Tulo is back and healthy, we could probably keep the can opener.

I don't think Street, Gonzalez, and Smith, is enough for Holliday either. The Rockheads did need a closer, and Gonzalez and Smith are promising, then again, I don't hold prospects in as high of regard as many. Especially here at "Prospects Be Us" central.
I am not so sure Beane will be "flipping" Holliday. He will have to do better than Street, Gonzalez, and Smith, and rather quickly. If he can't sign him to an extension and has to get out the spatula in July, it will be tough to do any better than what he gave up, if at all.

I say it is just as likely Beane gets a payroll increase and adds some quality players around Holliday next winter. It is also likely the Rockies shopped Holliday before taking what appears to be a fleecing.

He may be. That doesn't meaning he won't continue to get hammered like he did this year, and walk 6 per 9.

Spam and corned beef hash are the bomb...especially with two eggs over easy.

I'm hungry.

:lol: Ha! Don't over-think things Dan. That is nothing IHOP couldn't sling you in a few moments.
Of course you could go to Colorado and get Steak&Fresh eggs (o/e) and Toast with Itoldyaso jam.

and you can expect a whole side of beef coming Beanes' way if he flips him.