If there is anything we, as A's fans, over the years have learned, how you build a Major League Baseball roster is not the same for the Oakland Athletics and Billy Beane as it is for any other organization in the Big’s. The past few seasons as an example, the A’s have shown a knack for imaginative pursuits of players; from dealing International Player Exceptions (see Ike Davis) for MLB ready talent to snatching up the discards from contending teams (welcome Danny Valencia & Felix Doubront) to shifting players from one position, like say a first baseman to a very different position, let’s say relief pitcher (hello Sean Doolittle), to fill a need. That all said, the A’s need some players for next season and here are some suggestions.

First, the finding of Danny Valencia was "pure gold" and the only thing better is the fact that (knock on wood) Brett Lawrie has remained healthy for the first time in his short career. The A's primary off season needs are at first base and second base, so finding a trade partner willing to deal is important. The Miami Marlins have a huge hole at third base and if it means dealing a couple players to fill that need and make them a better contender in the tough NL East, it would behoove them to talk trade with the Athletics.

This season, first baseman Justin Bour’s arrival for the Marlins proved two things; one he can hit MLB right handed pitching, but two he’s probably not a significant enough every day threat behind Giancarlo Stanton to protect him. In my opinion, if the A’s like him enough and so desire him, it is my belief the Marlins would deal. Also, last off season the LA Dodgers in need of pitching flipped a few players including second baseman Dee Gordon to Miami to lengthen their bullpen but after one season and the emergence of infielder Derek Dietrich, it would seem as though the Marlins could be sellers for Gordon in hopes of shoring up bigger gaps. Dietrich appears like a more than adequate replacement at second base and a player who could bat atop their order. This is where the A’s offer the solution to some of troubles: third baseman Brett Lawrie, outfielder Craig Gentry, and first/ third baseman Max Muncy to Miami for 1B Justin Bour and 2B Dee Gordon. The A's could use a left handed first sacker to platoon with Mark Cahna and Dee would be a huge upgrade defensively at second and side nicely into the leadoff spot in the batting order allowing outfielder Billy Burns to bat in the #2 spot. Why do that? We've seen Billy swat the ball around the infield and the havoc he can create and while he has some pop in his bat, imagine him batting behind another speedster threatening to bunt, chopping balls around the diamond, blooping hits down the line... talk about a dynamic duo. Gordon & Burns back to back! Oh for the love of thievery.

Next we need to fix that horrible bullpen; if nothing else the A's had plenty of hard throwing righties, the problem is though they're all basically the same thing. No change of pace, no mixture of angles or speeds, no switch from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock. Bring in a veteran presence and by that I mean free agents Brad Ziegler or Darren O'Day. Ziegler, the former A's closer, comes at you with his wild side arm action. He's been around the block a time or two, but is still a durable reliever who alone could settle several positions. O'Day has seen his better days but he's also a blur when he drops down throws it side arm. I'll take either one of these guys in a set-up role. With that the bullpen needs a hard slider pitcher (shhhhhh.... sorta like Ryan Cook used to be) or a guy who lives off a sick curve ball like Tom "Flash" Gordon used to hurl. Ryan Dull could be this guy. It'd be nice to give him the final weeks of the season pitching the 7th and 8th inning as a try out. If not, let's start looking at Joba Chamberlain or Neftali Feliz and their stuff.

In the following course of action, I must admit, as much as I like Josh Reddick, he has just one year left with the A's meaning that since they don't resign players going into their free agent years, he's a serious trade candidate and he knows it. The Chicago Cubs have blossomed into a contender faster than most had expected and with that comes "needs" not "wants". Certainly when they inked Jorge Soler to a modest contract looking for a long term investment they thought he would break-out right about the time the roster came into fruition. Fortunately for them, their fruit is ripe right now and they are ready to contend even if the Cuban right fielder has growing pains in him. Cubs Manager Joe Maddon has made the most of his players, but the lack of a consistent number three batter and veteran pennant chaser sure would make his job a lot simpler. Chicago may I present to you Josh Reddick. He can hit, hit for average, he’s got some pop, he’s been on several playoff bound teams, he has a cannon for an arm, and would make one hell of an impression in your club house. To sweeten the pot and improve the deal, the A’s should send along relievers Dan Otero and Fernando Abad, and outfielder Sam Fuld. In completing the trade, the Cubs ship outfielder Chris Coghlan to the A’s and a player to be named later (not Billy McKinney) probably someone like Quintin Berry. Soler becomes the A's everyday right fielder and Coghlan platoons in left before departing for free agency in 2017. Ahhhh... Bob Melvin is in platoon heaven already.

Now that a few of the bugs have been zapped, it's time the A's make a move to vanquish one of Billy Beane's greatest blunders; the signing of Billy Butler. The old cliche used to be, "the Butler did it." Well in Country Breakfast's case, the Butler DID NOT and he still has 2 years and nearly 24 million owed to him. Just prior to the trade deadline, the Texas Rangers proved any decent right handed bat could be traded when they acquired a much older and worse player in sub .200 batting average Mike Napoli from the Red Sox. If the same is true, the A's should be dialing Texas GM Jon Daniels’ number and offering him Billy Butler's services at any cost including giving Daniels Warriors' tickets, a dinner party at Bimini Twits, or even seats at the SF Opera. If there is anything the Athletics should ask for in return, it ought to be to do a favor for the Rangers and take a head ache off their hands in fair exchange by accepting oft injured Jurickson Profar.

Finally, the A's need to shuffle some players around into roles that will better suit them. Coco Crisp is an Oakland Athletic next season whether we like it or not. Earning over 11 million and injury prone about as frail as the closure of a cereal box... Coco will still play some left field and DH at best. He'll probably bat 8th or 9th regularly, maybe bat atop the order once in a while to spell Burns or Gordon, but so what. I think most A’s fans would prefer to see Coco DHing rather than Billy Butler grounding into 20something plus double plays a year. Then there's Sean Doolittle. I like him as a closer but I don't love him being the everyday ninth inning guy. Use him in the 8th to set up another pitcher and I think we really have something. I realize this is more of Bob Melvin’s decision than the Front Office’s but in this scenario let’s just keep rolling. And with that here is my most crazy/ insane suggestion but wait for it... name Jesse Chavez the closer. I know to some this implication may seem ludicrous but think about it for a moment. He has three solid pitches and generally gets into trouble when he tries to save himself for later. Jesse can get both lefties and righties out plus, he has all the make-up and guts in the world to be a legit ninth inning fireman. Chavez can strike you out when he needs it and allows the ball to be put in play while not being overly dependent on either ground ball outs or fly ball outs.

Come to think of it, all those suggestions sound down right A's-ish if there is such a thing. Trading for Major League ready players with affordable contracts, dealing players before they reach free agency, and moving parts that don't fit right in the A's mold.