Barton is clearly our most high profile prospect, as he was the "meat and potatoes" of the Mulder trade as well as one of the best "pure" hitters in the minor leagues. Herrera is a great five-tool talent, plain and simple. And despite the fact that he got suspended for steroids last year, he is still very young, which in the eyes of BA and other scout-based publications, means that he can still "refine" for a year or two before he hits the majors.

I see a lot of "live" young arms in this prospect list which is good for the future of this club.

Of course, as a major league A's fan, I sorely regretted losing Huddy last year, and am concerned that the "supposed" jewel of that trade, Dan Meyer, has slipped all the way out of the top 20 prospects of this entire organization.

Meyer was VERY injured last year and I think he'll bounce back this year and be a very solid major league starter come 2007. And for all those people who think he'll becomes Mulder or Zito incarnate, I say take a step back...Harden will be better than Hudson, Zito and Mulder (if he stays healthy). Haren was just as good as the guy he was traded for (Mulder) and he is several years younger and cheaper than Mulder is, Loaiza will be a nick above league average for the next two years, Blanton is a battler with a good but improving pitch reportoire with great command and with that Meyer will not have to be an ace to earn his wage.

If dan Meyer can become a solid 4th or 5th starter (not necessarily an ace), this rotation is set until the start of 2009.