I don’t really like the addition of any of the big-time offensive options (I’m a huge Dunn fan, but I don’t want him in the field and he’s not enough of an upgrade on Cust to be worth the money), so may as well make the starting pitching stronger.

He’s gonna let some things play out and see who goes where, and if he’s available in a couple weeks, I think he will make a pitch to Abreu. He’s always liked the guy, almost raded for him before.
I worry about his decline with age, but again, he is surprisingly consistent, I mean his stats are usually about the same, you can expect .290-.380-.480 year in year out

Ben Sheets #2
Other #3

I should say regarding Sheets that it all depends on what he would cost. If someone’s still willing to give him many years despite his injury history—which is a distinct possibility—he comes off my list. I’m interested if it’s a one-year deal for him to try and cash in big the following year.

None of the offensive options seem worth it to me.

Tee hee.

What the A’s most lack, post Harden-Blanton, is a legitimate #1-#2 starter to drop Gallagher to #3, Eveland to #4 and so on. Even Randy Johnson doesn’t accomplish this. Given the A’s payroll flexibility, signing Sheets doesn’t seem impossible – just maybe improbable in that someone may throw big money around despite the health risks.

1. Johnson
2. Abreu
3. Sheets

I’m MORE concerned about the young staff….having Johnson pitch in the 2-3-4 slot helps alleviate some of the pressure…..granted so does run support which is why I like the Abreu idea……Abreu-Holliday-Cust would be a nice runs trio…….Sheets is my wild card…..helps where Randy would….might cost more $$$$…..I guess at this point we should find out who there agents are?

with the other being Rocco Baldelli. I think he could be had on a 2/yr deal cheap and has the potential to be an all star type player.

Giambi and then Sheets. If Abreu were to somehow land in our laps as well…..then that would just frosting on the cake.

to acquire a SS. That would be the only way that would even remotely make sense for the ball club. Having extra bats in this lineup would not be the worse thing that ever happened……eh?

Sign Brad Penny, Freddy Garcia, and Mark Mulder (to a minor league deal) and let them fill out the 2-3 starter spots. Then Sign Giambi to man 1b and solidify the lineup. Demote Barton and Gio Gonzalez and let them get some seasoning.

that means there is one less team interested in one for the guys we have been discussing going after, and perhaps another.

From mlb.com….
“No other clubs are known to be seriously courting Pettitte, and the Yankees have backed away from their earlier interest in options like Derek Lowe and Ben Sheets, believing that Pettitte will eventually be in the fold.”