It will be interesting to see if Oakland can have sustained success in their latest attempt to rebuild.
They certainly had a nice year on 2006, but some of that success was the wise gamble of signing Frank Thomas. They did have a good core of farm products to help them.
I have to partially discount the A's success in the Tejada/Giambi era due to all the steroids.I don't know if Oakland condoned/encouraged that or not.
I always wonder, because Beane once made the quote about how after he met Dyskra, that he knew he didn't have "what it takes" to be a MLB player.
Since Dykstra has been tied to steriods, I wonder if that's what he meant.
Regardless, the A's had a pretty significant roid advantage in their glory years, whether Beane knew it or not.
IMO, Beane has made some very questionable moves of late. I can only imagine the venom Walt would get now if the Reds had traded for Holliday and given up comparable talent (Huston Street and Greg Smith and outfield prospect Carlos González). He would be roasted, and deservably so, IMO.
The A's are closer to contending than the Reds, but it's a puzzling move.