Right off the bat

by theblackpearl on Jul 20, 2008 1:06 PM PDT

While all the bay area media is wondering what Beane is doing, and why would fans remain interested in the A's team, there is one man in the Bay Area media who gets it. Although Marty Lurie, does the show preceeding the A's pregame show, I am not sure if he is actually a paid Athletic employee. If he is, then he is towing the company line, but either way, he has the most level headed opinion, in his article in the Oakland Tribune, today.

The front office has a plan. An entirely new team is being crafted in Oakland. The plan is an all-out youth movement. There is little reason to believe more seasoned players will be sought until the young players establish exactly who they are. Why trade for a center fielder if Gonzalez will be a star middle outfielder in three years? Why bring in a new catcher if Kurt Suzuki will make the grade in the next two years. Why trade for more starting pitching if Eveland, Smith and Gallagher will be the new big three?

When will this new team achieve the consistency necessary to become a winning ballclub?

Good question.

If and when this core group becomes legitimate major leaguers, the A's must be ready to add the veteran players to lead the way. These young players will take the fans on a roller coaster ride each day until they gain the necessary experience it takes to be a winning team.

Get ready! Oakland's all-out youth movement brings great hope for the future, but it will also bring many sleepless nights for all those who follow the fortunes of this club, unless some impact veteran players are brought in simultaneously to ease the transition to a roster dominated by first- and second-year players.

http://www.insidebayarea.com/sports/ci_9935191

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Nice Find

Loved reading this. I enjoyed reading it because I believe this is the best way for the current A’s to be building. Acquire and draft as much talent as you can. Develop the talent at the big league level, and if/when the young nucleus starts clicking, then bring in the big fish to lead the way.
All great things take sacrifice. Sacrifice wins now for a sustained run at the World Series in a few years. Count me in

My religion is A'slamic.

by WhoNeedsReligionWhenYaGotBaseball on Jul 20, 2008 1:57 PM PDT reply actions

I suppose but I still don't see how

the team is developing towards a world series by playing Hannahan, Murphy and such.

I would argue that the other teams will be just as strong in 2011 or so. We had/have a chance in 2008. The team was only a few games out of the wild card not that long ago. I think the team can and should trade a few young pitchers for some strong young hitters (especially someone who can play 3b/ss). Surely, the team would be improved now and in the future if they could trade for a young SS/3b and get him in the line-up over Hannahan/Murphy.

Likewise, I don’t see Matt Murton as a guy who will be playing on the W.S. squad. Hopefully, we can package him with a young pitcher for a good hitting 3b/ss

by Yellowhorse on Jul 20, 2008 11:41 PM PDT up reply actions

I love Marty Lurie

I always try and catch his show when I can actually get reception here in San Jose on 1550. He is always talking all things baseball and he is very intelligent and very knowledgeable about the game.

Thanks for the article!

by mrod on Jul 20, 2008 2:11 PM PDT reply actions

Marty Lurie is not an Oakland Athletics employee

He is an independent radio producer. He lines up all his advertisers and pays for the radio time. I am a big fan of his shows, especially when he gets to argue with Shooty Babbitt. He’s also extremely nice in person.

by OaklandSi on Jul 20, 2008 2:15 PM PDT reply actions

I like Marty Lurie, but Shooty Babbitt annoys the crap out of me.

by mikev on Jul 20, 2008 10:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I find Shooty's good for constipation too.

"All managers are losers, they are the most expendable pieces of furniture on the face of the Earth."- Ted Williams

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 21, 2008 1:02 AM PDT up reply actions

and another thing...

when he talks or people talk about him, it sounds like he was in the big leagues for a while and did a few things. Yet, BR tells us something else entirely.

All I want to hear from Shooty Babitt about his baseball experience is if he had his cup of coffee with one lump of sugar or two.

"All managers are losers, they are the most expendable pieces of furniture on the face of the Earth."- Ted Williams

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 21, 2008 1:05 AM PDT up reply actions

I enjoy when they argue

by OaklandSi on Jul 21, 2008 6:21 AM PDT up reply actions

Hmmm, youth movement....sounds like a good idea

signed, Management, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

"the A's need more quality preembreetive pitching" ~monkeyball

by OptimistPrime on Jul 20, 2008 4:31 PM PDT reply actions

Im glad that Beane is doing this now

Those of us who remember the mid to late 1990’s, know exactly what can happen when you don’t have a plan to build towards the future. This new era reminds me of 1999, and we all know how those teams turned out. I am so ready for another 2001, and I can’t wait to these new prospects become the superstars of the early 2010’s. The only difference is this time we have a different ownership, and the very real possibility of keeping this dynasty that we are seeing built right before our eyes. Like its been said before, In Billy we trust…..

"I Will Not Relent, I Am Driven"... Clutch
Bring Back The Bash!!!

by Shippee33 on Jul 20, 2008 4:52 PM PDT reply actions