Everyone at AN seems to have a favorite player to hate. The A's seem to have a large number of players that could be Designated For Assignment, or outright dumped without much downside. They are all blocking players that are in the teams future from playing time.

The candidates: Bobby Crosby, Jack Hannihan, Rajai Davis, Nomar Garciaparra, Eric Chavez, Jason Giambi, Russ Springer, Santiago Casilla.

Bobby Crosby- FA at end of year, not in A's plans for future. Un-tradeable. .599 OPS. Blocking weak group of AAA middle infeilders from playing time. Upside: plays three positions

Jack Hannihan- has options and is currently in AAA. Un-tradeable.  .581 OPS. Blocking 3b from AA from playing time. Upside: good D.

Rajai Davis- four more years of team control. .643 OPS. MIght be tradeable? Blocking other outfeilders from playing time. Upside: speed as PR or late inning replacement D. Upside OPS of .743 in 07.

Nomar Garciaparra- FA and probably retired at end of year. .670 OPS.  un-tradable. Not in teams future. Upside: .792 OPS in 08.

Eric Chavez- still owed 15 million for 2010+option 2011.  Not in teams future. Upside: we don't do anything and he retires saving us money. 

Jason Giambi- .707 OPS. team will probably not pick up option next year, he may retire.  Might be tradeable to someone if we picked up salary.  Blocking playing time from Barton who we need to see what we have. Upside: OPS .876 in 08. Teacher to the young ones.

Russ Springer- 5.16 ERA. has had some good months. has some trade value with his recent sub 2.32 ERA's the last few years. Not in teams future. Probably going to retire (Oakland: were players go to die) Upside: teacher to the young ones.

Santiago Casilla- 6.52 ERA. and seems to have completly fallen apart.  Has had some good not great years for the A's dominante at times. Could use some AAA time if he had more options. 3 more years of team control if he pulls it together. Should have some trade value with.  Upside: we sit on him and hope he can figure things out next year.