The leap from small market to big market team, that is.  I've noticed a lot of criticism on this site for giving up a first round pick for Loaiza, saying this is not what a small market team should do.  Billy definately knows this: a World Series can make any team a big market team.  People will come see a World Champion A's team.  Dolla dolla.  Maybe BB sees his chance to get the team to the WS and he's doing it without having to spend much extra money.  We have several young guys that have the potential for breakout seasons and the addition of Loaiza and a bat for Zito could be enough to get us there.  In order to stop having to be a small market team, you need to start valuing immediate results a little more and potential a little less.  Our minor league system is still loaded with talent, but nobody is gonna go see a team play because they have a stacked farm system.  I don't mind giving up a first rounder, It'd probably be a few years before he could produce at a major league level, and then if we keep being a small market team, we'd probably trade him away when he hits a peak for more draft picks.