Surprise! A’s finally end the Yoenis Cespedes derby with $36 million deal for Cuban star

9 million a year, even for the low payroll A's, won't really hamstring the team.

so, I think A's payroll last year was about $65 million. If his $9 million takes it to $74,000,,,,then he's about 12 percent of their total payroll. That seems significant to me.

How are you supposed to flip the contract of a guy that can't play?

You're being brain washed bro. Even if the A's move, Lew Wolff has repeatedly stated that they will continue to play moneyball. Wolff supporters need to get it through their heads, he is not doing what is best for the team, but best for his real estate interests. He want's to build permanent income around the stadium. He will probably sell the team after they build condo's and a mall next to wherever the new stadium is built.

What? No, he's said they will start spending more money once they get a new stadium built. He looks at the A's like he would stock on Wall Street. Why invest money into the team (stock), when he won't make enough to cover the costs? I wish he would spend more money, but it's just the way it is right now. With a new stadium, it would generate more revenue, especially if they build condos or a mall, or whatever by the stadium.

It's actually Seth Smith, Coco and Cespedes that should start (maybe Reddick in right and Smith DH's). Taylor and Cowgill are more 4th OF types right now. They also have the DH spot open for now and even if they sign Manny, it will be open for the first 50 games.

I doubt Smith gets regular playing time. But Coco is probably dealt at the trade deadline to a contender.

Yes, the only possible downside i see is before this the A's had Coco in CF, Reddick in RF and a platoon of Smith vs RHPs and Gomes vs LHPs in LF. Reddick sounded like he was/is under the impression he's going to play somewhere every day pretty much.

What concerns me (i like the move tho) is that those guys will resent this move, mope, and the team vibe will be hurt.

The way i see it now, Cespedes should be in RF, Reddick in LF with Coco of course in CF, with Smith and Gomes backing up. However, that right there makes Smith unhappy, if you play Smith, Reddick is unhappy.

I hope it works out and no feeling are too hurt by the time the usual injuries happen anyway.

Typical dumb fan who doesn't grasp the bigger, realistic picture.

Yet another dumb fan who blames the victim.

Listen, as if this shouldn't be well known by now, MLB is the only sport with a vastly unbalanced spending system. The A's, as you know, have no revenue from a new stadium, they're the last team with an old one. They are in limbo waiting (for 3 years now) for word on if they can move to San Jose or not.

They play in the same league, the AL, as the two perennial big spenders, and in the same division as two new huge spenders, the Angels and Rangers.

Also, think about all the players they've "let go" as you say, as if it was ever fully their choice. Mulder flamed out right after they traded him, Zito, well...i could go on.

Meanwhile, take a look at Cahill and you'll find he's not all that, at all, and going to a hitters park (albeit in the weak NL.) Gio is good, but he still has walk issues.

Meanwhile, the A's weren't doing anything soon with Pujols and everything both their division rivals are doing. And of course, they need to see about the ballpark issue, which if it does come thru for them, it won't be ready for a few years.

So, why not trade people when their value is high?

Sigh. Most sports fans are soooo short sighted and unaware of how complex the business side of things are. But what has always irked me in a particularly special way is how fans love to dump on, criticize the very teams with a huge built in DISadvantage for doing things DIRECTLY related to that built in disadvantage.

Yours, sir, is the worst kind of blaming the victim, well worst kind in the meaningless, really, world of sport.

Baiscally the A's started over with pitching. Don't forget they still have Anderson coming back and he was just as good if not better than cahill and gio. He just needs to stay healthy... don't be suprised if some of the pitching prospects are flipped for bats though. They have a vision and its pretty much hinging on the ball park situation. If they get it , they will be able to keep players and spend 70 million more than they have this season

He's coming off Tommy John surgery. They never said he was an instant major leaguer.