could be the worst move Billy could make, since even if disastrous it involves only one year and less money than you’d pay any of the other FAs we’re discussing. But as of this writing, it has 7% of the vote. (Then again, just before the recent election about 7% of the country was still “undecided,” suggesting that just a little more advertising was needed or maybe the campaigning needed to start just a touch earlier?)

Also, who is Pat and why is he always standing?

He’s hit exactly 40 HR in each of the last four years. He’s only 29. If the A’s future has Barton in it, I don’t see where he goes unless you want to put him or Cust in RF. Can Holliday play a competent RF?

He’s about as cheap as a 40+ HR slugger can be. And him, Cust and Holliday in the middle of the lineup would do some serious damage, even if he doesn’t like to play baseball.

I don’t like the idea of signing Furcal, and if it’s avoidable, I don’t think free agency is the best place to find pitchers

Teixeira – 28 years old, and very good defensively.
Dunn – 29 years old, and poor defensively.
Ramirez – 36 years old, and awful defensively.

Granted, Ramirez is also the best hitter of the three (155 career OPS+, versus 134 for Teixeira and 130 for Dunn) but I just don’t see the others as being in the same category of risk. If you’re ever going to commit a ton of money to a free-agent slugger – and I don’t think the A’s will do that right now – Teixeira is about as good a bet as you’re going to find. (Incidentally, Holliday would also not be a bad choice.)

It’s also amusing that with all the hate for Crosby, even his biggest critics can’t seem to agree on what to do instead. There just isn’t much out there at shortstop.

I think signing Giambi would be fairly stupid and almost entirely counterproductive. Unless he’s willing to come in on a Mike Sweeney-type deal, it’s a waste of money that could be spent elsewhere (Furcal, Unit, free cheeseburgers for the fans).

9 months ago there’s no way the Crosby option is in the lead. Thank you AN, for finally joining me on the side of Light and Goodness.

“Pay too much money for a defensive liability who is about to fall off a cliff offensively and would block one of our more promising prospects (Giambi)”

That’s what I’d vote for

for practically anyone other than Arod.

Don’t Trade M-Rod!

{And I’ll take the all you can eat taco bar as well….}

than Petit, Pennington and Hannahan. The worst thing they could do is get Chavez healthy by spring, sign Furcal/Cabrera/Izturis and think they’ve solved the problem. I’d like to see them bring in Branyan or Hinske to send Hannahan to AAA as Plan C, and also bring in Lillibridge AND Hu as Plan B and Plan C in addition to signing a veteran SS.