Isn’t this the same Lowell Cohn who wrote a few columns claiming that Sabean was a much better GM than Billy Beane?

I thought the Gnat’s announcers were Homers, than I saw this guy. Can’t read anything he writes now…

The subtext is that Billy Beane feels now, that with regard to Holliday in particular, but also the other veterans on the club, is that he’s in a position of strength. If he holds on to Holliday, he helps the confidence of his young pitchers and gets two solid draft picks for next year (not to mention and unsaid, the fact that more victories mean more butts in the seats). If someone makes him an offer he can’t refuse, of course, Holliday is gone. But this is very different from the Milton Bradley story or the Rich Harden story. Blanton netted Outman and Cardenas, which looks like a good trade at this point.

As ever Billy gives you confidence he’s thought it all through. The only exception and it’s an exception every time is his persistent and absurd sense of surprise that, hey, Chavvy’s not doing a great job for us at third base this year because of injuries. Why did AN expect that but Billy didn’t? Just in case you’re wondering, Billy: Chavvy won’t be a good producer next year, either.