Billy Beane addressed both his own future with the A's and the club's future in Oakland today. There has been speculation that Beane could leave the A's for another job, possibly with the Cubs, but Beane said "I plan on being here" in 2012.
In regards to the team's quest to have a new stadium built in San Jose, Beane said he expects a final decision to come soon. Though Beane admitted that he has heard similar promises about a resolution to the stadium issue over the last two and a half years, he stated that "this time I'm going to believe it," which would indicate why he's publicly stating his confidence in a forthcoming decision.
Beane confirmed today that the A's were holding off on decisions about their 2012 payroll until the stadium issue was settled. We heard about this last week, with the expectation being that if the team's move to San Jose is approved, the Athletics would look to cut payroll and enter an "all-out rebuilding mode."
John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle was the first to tweet Beane's comment about staying with the A's, while Susan Slusser of the Chronicle had the information about the San Jose stadium (Slusser's tweets are linked).
“We heard about this last week, with the expectation being that if the team’s move to San Jose is approved, the Athletics would look to cut payroll and enter an “all-out rebuilding mode.”
Come on Billy Beane; come get Jesus Montero before someone else does..We’ll take Gio Gonzalez. You know, he’s gonna start costing some $$ soon.
He might actually listen, though I hope not. Interested in Cahill?
Cahill is an attractive option sure, but the A’s have more control on him and he still should slot into their future plans. Gio Gonzalez, however does not if Beane starts cleaning house. Dude; Montero is no joke and I think it’s been proven. Point being, Cahill would cost more than Gio and I have no idea what. Cahill was a wreck this year and I have no idea why.
And based on Montero’s display this last month his value has skyrocketed and the day’s of Montero, Betances, Banuelos, and Nova for anyone are long gone.
It’s more like Montero and that’s it these days and even that’s a stretch. I’ve read every single thing published on him in the last two months and despite comments made by a few haters out there, this kid is absolutely 100% going to be the next Miguel Cabrera or Manny Ramierz. He almost kind of has that same attitude and tone..
Yikes after reading what I just wrote, I think I just convinced myself the Yankee’s probably shouldn’t trade Montero, at all.
Great, an alcoholic and a wife beater!
Joking aside, I’d love to have Montero in an A’s uniform. I think Gio is worth more than just Montero though. Gio is a proven commodity. Montero is close , but he’s more a “can’t miss” prospect.
Also, can Montero play catcher still, or is a 1b?
Montero can hit for sure, but isn’t he basically a DH?
so were/is manny and cabrera. it would be hard for him to be worse than they were/are defensively, but it will also be way harder than century thinks for him to be as good as them offensively
Debatable still, but with the A’s they could use him at 1st. This is why I could see some discussion btw the GM’s in the offseason. Sadly, as great as it would be to have Montero stay with the Yanks he ultimately just doesn’t fit. First is covered for 5 more years. Arod is basically a full time DH at this point (which I have no issue with) and they have Martin who will be back next year, Romine is also the real deal and based on what I’ve seen going to be a very good catcher. Cervelli should be fine come spring and then you have Sanchez perhaps in 2013 or more likely 2014. Anyway I draw it up he just doesn’t seem to fit. And yes, you are correct as stated below; Gio is worth more to the Yankees than Montero and same could be said for any top young arm that could be made available. I fully expect Montero to be traded this offseason for a top of the line young pitcher and A’s and Yanks match up very well.
The A’s 1B mix for next year already looks like: Barton, Allen, Carter, Kila….I think they are set at 1B and don’t match up well with the Yanks, but what would I know, I only follow them closely 🙂
Talent aside, Gio is worth more to the Yankees than Montero. The Yankees can just go buy a good hitter to replace him, there aren’t many Gio’s floating around on on the FA market for cheap.
I hope Beane targets Logan Morrison and Denard Span in the offseason, no one expects them to compete but they do have enough talented pitchers to make some noise. A couple savvy trades can put them back in business. For those questioning Cahill’s year: he was 23 years old, give him a break he’s still learning.
Keep dreaming.
Does anyone else think it’s crap that the A’s won’t be spending any money until the stadium is resolved, but they’ve practically said that they will bring Matsui back?
Agreed, there’s absolutely no reason for them to get Matsui when they have ready-now internal options in Chris Carter, Michael Taylor, Kila K etc…I’m sure any of those guys over a full year could have a 690 OPS with 12 HR’s like Matsui did. Such an obvious dash for MLB’s money.
I mean cmon, a 37 year old DH-only player with a 696 OPS? That player does not deserve a job in MLB.
This. If they’re keeping one of the impending FAs, it should be Willingham/Crisp.
Good players + not too expensive + class acts.
No, it’s not crap. Matsui can be had cheap, he brings significant Japanese media coverage and attention, and he’s obviously on the decline and more of a temporary solution than Willingham or Crisp
I really do not understand the logic of “If we get a new stadium approved, we are rebuilding and if we don’t, then we are spending to put a product on the field that people would want to see.” If majority owner John Fisher, one of only the 8 billionaire owners in MLB, who can certainly afford to sign Pujols to a 10 year deal, and then the new stadium is approved, why not do that to try and win now, and also later when the new park opens?
I’m sick of reading that the A’s have no money, Fisher owns 80% of the team, Wolff owns 10% and they are both incredibly wealthy, this situation makes zero sense. Fisher has enough money to building a flying stadium over Oakland, why doesn’t he just funnel some of his billions into a completely private stadium in Oakland wherever he wants to?
Because baseball is a business. Projected revenues have to be high enough to match expenditures. MLB frowns on teams being run as cash-flow-negative hobbies for their owners.
I don’t understand how the A’s signing Pujols and winning games because of that would mean “cash flow negative”. The A’s constantly get called “low budget” and everyone says “they have no money” yet they are owned by a billionaire and turn a profit every year. If they had a better product on the field, they would win more games and make a profit that way, you have to spend money to make money, remember?
Are they keeping the “Oakland” Name? or are they going to switch to San Jose?
I hope they keep the “Oakland” name.
E.G. Tampa Bay Rays (with a stadium in St. Petersburg).
St. Petersburg is in the Tampa Bay region. If they were the Tampa Rays, this comment would make more sense.
I agree, keeping the Oakland if they move to San Jose would be pretty weird. Oakland is almost an hour away and San Jose is a more well known city at this point than Oakland. Plus, the San Jose A’s kinda does roll of the tongue nicely.
I assume I am going get a lot of negative comments from A’s fans, but I just want to say I have been a lifelong A’s fan.
I’d rather have it San Jose A’s than Portland A’s or Vegas A’s. Ideally they could use “Oakland A’s of San Jose” or my fave the “California A’s”.
I agree with the sentiment that we definitely want to keep the A’s in California, but I cannot get behind an “Oakland A’s of San Jose” name.
Keep the A’s in Oakland….and keep the name “OAKLAND” with the A’s!