$50 million? $100?

Spending money won't get the A's what they need-- young guys with superstar potential. Teams don't sell prospects of that quality unless it's for a quality player in return.

Look, the Giants have all kinds of money, and they're in the exact same position-- they're going to need to trade some of their young star pitchers in order to get enough prospects. What you're suggesting the A's do is exactly what the Giants have been doing for the last 5 years... and we've seen how well that's worked out.

that for me at least that the ill feeling is that a major rebuild this offseason is the wrong plan of action.  I can understand why BB might want to move Street and Blanton (due to their arby situation making them too expensive to keep) and even Ellis (since he is a FA after 2008) but in no way can I understand the logic of even pondering a move of Swisher or Danny.  We need some people still to set the bar and be leaders in their own way.  

I've written before a lengthy reasoning as to why this offseason it is foolish to move Danny but in the most basic of terms, he is a staff leader and a cheap ace and somebody, who along with Swisher, does help to sell seats.  Not to mention, Danny lives in the area year round and can be an important marketing/PR piece through the rebuild (if/when it is to occur).  I worry about the precedent BB sets by pondering (much less pulling the trigger) moving a willing staff leader who is coming off an all star starter year with Cy Young talk and one of the best AL ERAs.  Where is the incentive to want to take a leadership role and achieve if you are going to be shipped off ASAP?  And who is going to step up and be staff leader and teach the younger guys much like Zito did?  I think that is why Danny falls under the maybe category since even though in a rebuild everything could go, Danny seems to be the one logically BB should keep on the pitching side.  Now of course, I'm not discounting the fact that Danny does have trade value, but it will remain stable and we need what he brings outside of the stats more right now.  Danny and Swisher will still be of great help when we contend again if a rebuilding were to occur.      

I know if Danny was moved, for the 2007 he had, I'd be severely disappointed.  I don't think anyone here is going to make any drastic statements but I can understand why more casual fans would lose interest.  I have to agree with Santana, and I'm paraphrasing, when he said that if you keep looking to the future, you'll never get there.  The problem is prospects is that they might never get there.  We have a core to build from and I'd hate to see it be blown up just to result in us remaining in a continual cycle of losing.  (Which is of course a possibility).      

Bottom line is that although anyone can speculate I'm hoping that BB has enough sense to recognize how vital Danny and Swisher are to us and makes those two the untouchables they have earned.  If not, and if either are moved, I know for one I'll be extremely concerned.