First, I would like to say I really enjoy everyone's ideas. We all know the current state of affairs isn't working. While I like the idea of getting a Zimmerman, I am opposed to giving up the farm to get him. Anybody like a Holliday who would also require a bounty isn't worth the short term few extra wins IMO. So all the moves I suggest have a eye on the rebuild that is built towards 2011.Nothing drastic to deplete the farm or change the plans just add a few bats.

So here are the moves and reasons behind them again working within the framework of players "expected" to be part of that future "core".

1. Trade Huston Street & Travis Buck to St. Louis for Ryan Ludwick. Why would St. Louis do this? There best prospect is ready to take an OF job and the bullpen needs help at the back end. Huston is cheaper than signing Fuentes/K-Rod and Buck replaces Ludwick in LF w Rasmus manning CF and Ankiel the RF. This is a lot to give up but it gives the A's a RH hitting OF w power who has 5 years left before FA. Plus it saves the A's roughly 5 million.

2. Trade Vince Mazzaro and Matt Murton to SD for Kevin Kouzmanoff. Why would SD do this? SD clears 3rd base for top prospect while gaining a solid young starter along with OF depth. A's get a middle of the pack 3rd baseman who will be around when they start getting competitive and provides DECENT power from the right side. A good 6th hole type. I like Mazzaro but the pitching and OF depth won't hurt the A's long term.

3. Sign Rafael Furcal to a 3 year 40 million dollar free agent deal. Structured at 10/13/17. Why this helps the A's? They have no "legit" shortstop prospects in the upper minors and IF healthy Furcal gives the A's not only a legit leadoff guy but a fantastic defensive shortstop allowing the young guys to be brought along slowly. Hopefully he is healthy, but it is a 40 million dollar gamble.

4. Sign John Patterson to a minimal contract with incentives and HOPE his forearm is back to form after a couple years off. Buy Low / High Reward type. If he is back to form he could be a top of the rotation guy. If not plug in one of the many #5(or should I say #7 types) on the roster and move on.

Some will ask what about Crosby? Well he is my 1 year stopgap at 2nd base until Adrian Cardenas is ready to hold down the fort in 2010. Crosby can't be moved with his salary so let him know 2nd base will help his "value" for FA. He don't like it, tough shit, he is being paid 5.25 million. I see Cardenas as the long term answer as a gap to gap hitter with a solid average and decent defensive skills. He is NOT a shortstop defensively or 3rd baseman where he will lack the power needed.

I send Cunningham or Gonzalez back to AAA to hone their swings as they are part of the  future and don't need to be rushed when the A's aren't looking to make the playoffs in 2009. Getting regular AB's will only help long term.

I believe these moves make the A's a move entertaining team offensively and still provide the young arms a decent defensive team to aide their development allowing the younger "core"guys move time to season themselves in a low pressure situation.

Here is the Roster after the moves w/ projected salaries:

SS - Rafael Furcal -10 Million (true lead off the A's have lacked since Rickey)

C- Kurt Suzuki - 400K (takes pitches allowing Furcal to get in scoring position)

LF - Jack Cust - 3 Million (not my ideal #3 hitter, hopefully Chavy can retake)

RF - Ryan Ludwick - 400K (RH power bat A's lack)

DH - Eric Chavez - 11 Million (please be able to hit since you can't field anymore)

3rd - Kevin Kouzmanoff - 400K (like I said #6 hitter w pop)

CF - Gonzalez/Cunningham - 400K (low pressure spot)

2nd - Bobby Crosby - 5.25 Million (162 games till FA)

1st - Daric Barton - 400K (see #7 hitters)

Bench - Ryan Sweeney - 400K (a true 4th OF until power arrives)

Bench - Raj Davis - 400K (earned his spot, and is a great DEF replacement w blazing speed)

Bench - Rob Bowen - 650K (Powell can't be counted on to stay healthy, although since he only plays 20 games maybe bring him up and save 200K)

Bench - Eric Patterson - 400K (another guy can play a lot of positions, w speed)

Bench - Jack Hanahan -400K (Puke, I know but can play plenty of positions and won't be counted on HOPEFULLY)

The Pitchers:

SP: The Duke - 3 Million (Hope for a repeat of 2008)

SP: Sean Gallagher - 400K (Hope for Haren like strides between 1st and 2nd years)

SP: John Patterson - 500K (plus incentives based on games started) (?????)

SP: Greg Smith/Dana Eveland/Dallas Braden - 400K (ST will win the job, keeping spot till warm till Anderson or Cahill take over for long term)

SP: Gio Gonzalez - 400K (bring him along slowly and expect speed bumps but has stuff to be part of rotation in 2011)

Pen: Braden/Eveland/Smith - 400K (nothing exciting here except eating innings)

Pen: Andrew Brown - 400K (power arm for 5th -6th inning)

Pen: Jerry Blevins - 400K (getting groomed by grandpa for his role in 2010)

Pen: Santiago Casilla - 400K (power arm for 6-7th inning)

Pen: Alan Embree - 3 Million (Grandpa helps the kids through long season)

Pen: Ziggy - 400K (can do it all in any situation)

Closer: Joey Devine - 400K (takes over as closer w Ziggy mixed in depending on situations)

As you can tell this ISN't a world series team in the making but IF the prospects continue their growth and the younger guys continue to improve there is no reason to believe the A's can't compete with the largest payroll teams in 2011 for a ring. Yes - for the next couple years we may be looking up at the Angels but shouldn't be fighting for a top 5 pick either with improved offense.

These moves could realistically happen this offseason and the payroll is also low enough the A's can continue spending on the international scene and over slotting bonuses in the draft  to continue having a top minor league system to give them the parts needed to make a move later on when they are truly competing for a CHAMPIONSHIP.

So those are my hopes for 2009 since tonights game was an utter disgust.

Thoughts????? I am sure people will rip it apart but the farm is intact and the power is sprinkled the line up.