The flurry of trades has certainly taken the wind out of the A's sail for another playoff spot this year. Of course, the trade deadline is still a few days away, and everyone keeps waiting for the other shoe to drop.  This reminded me of 1999.  That was the beginning of the A's run. Hudson's first year.  Giambi in his prime. We still had Stairs and, er, Jaha. Gil Heredia was the staff Ace.  But Miggy was showing some pop and Chavez was following close behind.  The shocker that year for me was the trade of Billy Taylor to the Mets for some oft-injured ex-prospect Jason something, a last name I still can't spell. I was disappointed that year, not understanding why we just gave up on the race after so many years of misery in the mid 90's.  Yes, I have resigned to the fact that Street may be gone.

I'm a born pessimist, and I feel that the team this year is not good enough to win the pennant. I actually like the trades 2007-2008--it sounds like we have pretty much pilfered two or three farm systems' best prospects. Yes prospects are just that. Compare to 1999, I don't know if I see a Giambi or Tejada that can both lead and produce.  I just don't know if I can expect another quick turn around, and see another run like the A's had in the early 0's.  What do people's think?

P.S. It's bittersweet to see Harden pitch in my new home town, striking 10 and still get a ND.