Mychael Urban interviewed Barry Zito, Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder about their Oakland (or lack thereof) future over on the A's official site.
The article catches up with the boys and their offseason hobbies, Hudson hanging out with family and watching college football, Mulder playing some golf and Zito is, what else, surfing and playing music.
All three express a desire to want to stay together in Oakland:
"That's the ideal," Hudson said.
"I'd love to see that," Mulder said. "That'd be awesome."
"One more shot at it with all of us and Rich would be great," Zito said. "I've had a lot of fun in Oakland, and I love all the players in our clubhouse. I don't really want to see it end."
But they also all seemed resigned to the reality of playing for a team with a budget. Zito puts in perspective better than anyone.
"It's a business. We all know that."
And Hudson takes a no-so-subtle dig at Schott and company which could impact Billy's thinking about trading Huddy.
"As far as getting traded, though, all I can say is I'm just gonna prepare this offseason like I always do, and that's to be the best pitcher I can be for whatever team I'm gonna be playing for.
"I hope that team is Oakland. I really do."
Hudson says it right there. I know that winning championships costs money. Ahem, Steve, Timmy's talking to you.
So, as I said before, trading one of the Big Three is not ideal, but it's an idea that many of us green and gold supporters have to get used to.
They seemed to have accepted it. We should too.