In the early 1980's the Baltimore Orioles managed to field competitive teams and even win a World Series with what one sportscaster at the time referred to as a "two-to-tango" offense. The "two" that he was referring to was the formidable offensive pairing of Eddie Murray and Cal Ripken, Jr. that, when matched with the magnificent pitching of those teams was enough to keep them in the hunt and even push them over the top. That is why the addition of an offensive companion to Matt Holliday is so vital to the A's.

Though I have loudly booed Jason Giambi in the years since he signed his bloated Yankees contract, I have to admit to being a bit of a sentimental guy and, despite my better instincts, find myself secretly hoping to see news of his return to the A's. However, my logical mind tells me that Adam Dunn would be a much, much superior choice. I am also aware that the last thing that these latter-year Athletics have been about is sentimentality and I am trying to correct my thinking and am really praying that Billy Beane is really, secretly close to signing Dunn instead of Giambi. In any case, a second piece of the offensive puzzle, along with many potential suprrises sprinkled through the A's lineup could really give us hope for next year.

However, unlike those Orioles teams, the A's don't have a proven and tested pitching staff, which makes me nervous. Once again, there is a ton of potential there, but at this time that is all it is. To use a tired metaphor, baseball is an arms race and while a second piece of the offensive puzzle will probably solve things, it won't matter if the A's pitching staff doesn't mature in a hurry. If it doesn't then all of this winter hand-wringing over the merits of the Holliday deal or Giambi vs. Dunn will be for naught.