Well, I guess everyone wants to know how I knew about the trade before it happened.

Sometimes you just know.

Let's move on.

I'll break down the trade briefly in a moment.

First, you NEED to find out what the Winter Meetings are really like. Ken Arnesan at Will Carroll Presents breaks it down with Flash animation.



It's done.

Tim Hudson has been traded to the Atlanta Braves for Charles Thomas, Juan Cruz and Dan Meyer.

This is a rare occasion when I submit to A's fans to let it out; cry a bit and even maybe whimper.

I won't hold it against you.

This is truly and end to a chapter in the A's organization. But, not an end to an era, rather the beginning of a great legacy.

Strengthen your resolve and let your misgivings be put aside. This was a bit of Picasso by Billy Beane. From inception to acquisition. Beane got a left-handed starter who is ready to be a part of the rotation in the 5th spot in Dan Meyers. He got a decent right-handed reliever in Juan Cruz a day after trading Justin (Case) Lehr. And Beane got an outfielder who can be battling for the 24th or 25th spot on the roster as a 4th outfielder, pinch-hitter or pinch-runner in Charles Thomas.

Beane added depth and did so by shedding $6 Million plus in the process. He also made the A's younger; Cruz will be 27 years old in 2005, Thomas 26 years old and Meyer will be 24 years old. Those three players combined will make around $1 Million in 2005.

Allow yourself another moment to collect yourself...

This was a good deal, even if Hudson was not going to be a free agent after 2005.

Don't start blaming the acquisition of Jason Kendall as a means to target your frustration. Kendall's salary had nothing to do with trading Tim Hudson.

And, a serious question needs to be posed to A's fans right now. I don't think many understand the situation and it needs to be addressed.
BILLY BEANE IS MAKING THE OAKALND ATHLETICS BETTER FOR 2006 and 2007 and BEYONDThe A's GM is not really concerned with making the team better for the first pitch of Opening Day 2005. That time has passed. The team is in a refocusing mode, I do not want to use the phrase REBUILDING. The A's are truly refocusing on 2006 and beyond, no longer 2005.

QUESTION: Are the A's giving up on 2005?

ANSWER: Absolutely not. The A's are still favorites in the American League along with Boston, New York and Anaheim. Don't let the flashy free agent signings fool you. Dollar bills don't play baseball, players do.

If the A's can be a .500 club into July, you know Beane can make a move at the trading deadline to ready the club for the stretch drive. Have no allusions to the situation.

However, you need to recognize that change is constant. There is never a set line-up, rotation or roster for any team in sports. These are simply the realties of modern sports.

To put it bluntly to BayArea fans - hey, even Joe Montana, Tim Brown, Marcus Allen and Jerry Rice played for other teams and you never thought THAT would happen. Will Clark, Mark McGwire, Dave Stewart, and probably some guys that play basketball, too.



Let's take a look at what the A's got in return for Tim Hudson:

DAN MEYER

	Left-Handed Pitcher	Born: July 3rd, 1981
	James Madison University	Woodbury, NJ
	Drafted 1st Round 2002 Draft	(34th overall selection)
	Height: 6'3"	Weight: 210

Year	Team	Lg.	Age	Org	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	H9	W9	K9	Whip
2002	James Madison	NCAA	21		NCAA	9	2	3.15	17	14	97	93	41	34	5	25	90	8.6	2.3	8.4	1.22
2002	Danville	App	21	Atl	Rookie	3	3	2.74	13	13	65.2	47	22	20	4	18	77	6.4	2.5	10.6	0.99
2003	Myrtle Beach	Car	22	Atl	A	3	6	2.87	13	13	78.1	69	29	25	7	17	63	7.9	2	7.2	1.1
2003	Rome	SAL	22	Atl	A	4	4	2.87	15	15	81.2	76	35	26	6	15	95	8.4	1.7	10.5	1.11
2004	Greenville	Sou	23	Atl	AA	6	3	2.22	14	13	65	50	17	16	1	12	86	6.9	1.7	11.9	0.95
2004	Richmond	IL	23	Atl	AAA	3	3	2.79	12	11	61.1	62	23	19	6	25	60	9.1	3.7	8.8	1.42
2004	Braves	NL	23	Atl	MLB	0	0	0	2	0	2	2	0	0	0	1	1	9	4.5	4.5	1.5

If you need to see what Dan Meyer looked like in 2000 while at SMU, click here. Since that time Dan has added at least twenty pounds.

As far as the particulars, last year BASEBALL AMERICA had Dan Meyer listed as the Braves 5th best prospect. After a quick email to some guy at Baseball America, it was confirmed that Meyer would easily be in the Top 5 in the A's system this year. Considering that Joe Blanton is the A's 3rd best prospect according to BASEBALL AMERICA, Meyer is talented...and ready.

Last season Meyer's change-up was considered his weakness, while his resolve and his demeanor on the mound were considered strengths. Meyer's minor league totals are impressive and his usage does not suggest that he has been overworked. Meyer enters the A's organization a step in front of Jason Winsor and right behind Joe Blanton. That's not bad company.

Billy Beane did not replace Tim Hudson for 2005. He did, however, find a major league ready left-handed starter - a resource the A's were lacking. Meyer immediately becomes the answer to the question; "what if the A's trade Mulder or Zito or let them leave as free agents?".

JUAN CRUZ

	Right-Handed Pitcher	Born: October 15, 1978
	No College	Bonao Dominican Republic
	Signed as a Free Agent	By the Cubs (1997)
	Height: 6'2"	Weight: 165

Year	Team	Lg.	Age	Org	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	H9	W9	K9	whip
1998	Az Cubs	Az	17	Chc	Rook	2	4	6.1	12	6	41.1	61	48	28		14	36	13.3	3.1	7.8	1.81
Year	Team	Lg.	Age	Org	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	H9	W9	K9	whip
1999	Eugene	Nwest	18	Chc	A	5	6	5.94	15	15	80.1	97	59	53		33	65	10.9	3.7	7.3	1.62
Year	Team	Lg.	Age	Org	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	H9	W9	K9	whip
2000	Lansing	Midw	19	Chc	A	5	5	3.28	17	17	96	75	50	35		60	106	7	5.6	9.9	1.41
Year	Team	Lg.	Age	Org	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	H9	W9	K9	whip
2000	Daytona	FSL	19	Chc	A	3	0	3.25	8	7	44.1	30	22	16		18	54	6.1	3.7	11	1.08
Year	Team	Lg.	Age	Org	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	H9	W9	K9	whip
2001	W Tenn	Sou	20	Chc	AA	9	6	4.01	23	23	121.1	107	56	54		60	137	7.9	4.5	10.2	1.38
Year	Team	Lg.	Age	Org	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	H9	W9	K9	whip
2001	Cubs	NL	20	Chc	MLB	3	1	3.22	8	8	44.2	40	16	16	4	17	39	8.1	3.4	7.9	1.28
Year	Team	Lg.	Age	Org	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	H9	W9	K9	whip
2002	Cubs	NL	21	Chc	MLB	3	11	3.98	45	9	97.1	84	56	43	11	59	81	7.8	5.5	7.5	1.47
Year	Team	Lg.	Age	Org	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	H9	W9	K9	whip
2003	Iowa	PCL	22	Chc	AAA	4	1	1.95	9	9	50.2	37	12	11	1	11	47	6.6	2	8.4	0.95
Year	Team	Lg.	Age	Org	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	H9	W9	K9	whip
2003	Cubs	NL	22	Chc	MLB	2	7	6.05	25	6	61	66	44	41	7	28	65	9.7	4.1	9.6	1.54
Year	Team	Lg.	Age	Org	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	H9	W9	K9	whip
2004	Braves	NL	23	Atl	MLB	6	2	2.75	50	0	72	59	24	22	7	30	70	7.4	3.8	8.8	1.24

Cruz is a former starter that excelled when put in the bullpen for good in 2004. Cruz has been mentioned as a candidate for a starting spot; sort of like David Duke is a candidate for the presidency. Cruz can be most effective as a multi-inning pitcher. Cruz could eat up a lot of innings between the 6th and 8th during games. Cruz should be given the nickname 'Bridge' as he'll span the gap from the starters to Huston Street. Billy Beane removed a possible weakness in the bullpen in Justin (Case) Lehr and improved it with Cruz - further adding stability.

Cruz can throw hard and hopefully once he realizes his job is to not walk people as a reliever he can let his sinker do his dirty work for him. With the defense Billy has put together, Cruz just needs to let batters get themselves out and blow it past them when necessary.

CHARLES THOMAS

	Outfielder	Born: December 26, 1978
	Western Carolina	Fairfield, CA
	Drafted by Braves 19th Rnd	580th pick Overall
	Height: 6'0"	Weight: 190
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left

Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
2000	WestCar Univ	NCAA	21		NCAA	.349	.437	.419	.856	51	215	44	75	14
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										1	1	31	19	26
Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
2000	Jamestown	NYPL	21	Atl	A	.303	.451	---	---	68	264	39	80	20
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										8	1	25	19	58
Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
2001	Macon	SAL	22	Atl	A	.250	.402	---	---	108	408	59	102	19
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										5	11	59	32	87
Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
2002	Greenville	Sou	23	Atl	AA	.231	.293	.322	.615	71	229	40	53	8
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										0	2	18	28	43
Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
2003	Vero Beach	FSL	24	La	A	.237	.328	.359	.687	108	338	53	80	19
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										0	4	37	61	84
Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
2003	Myrtle Beach	Caro	24	Atl	A	.242	.319	.357	.676	66	207	30	50	8
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										1	2	15	29	54
Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
2004	Richmond	IL	25	Atl	AAA	.358	.535	.416	.951	61	215	31	77	18
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										4	4	32	16	40
Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
2004	Braves	NL	25	Atl	MLB	.288	.445	.368	.813	83	236	35	68	8
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										4	7	31	21	45

Charles Thomas is the most interesting acquisition by Billy Beane in some time. Thomas has almost no power and does not hit many doubles, either. He is mostly a singles hitter, but the SOB can hit. In Oakland's system, he'd most likely be asked to walk a little more. If he can, he might be a decent leadoff hitter.

Defensively is where Thomas excels. It's curious to know if the reason Thomas was playing left field was because Andruw Jones was in center. If Thomas can prove to be a centerfielder, Beane found a reason to part with Mark Kotsay and $5 Million plus a year. The A's have catchers and outfield prospects to beat the band. With Nick Swisher in rightfield for the next three or four seasons, Beane's only real task until 2007 is to tinker with the pitching staff and make sure he can fill left-field and center with adequate upgrades.

Thomas has stolen bases in the past, but like most of the recent A's pick ups, he sucks at it. The year he stole 30, he was also picked off 15 times. Thomas will be a defensive replacement and pinch runner - a good combo to have when you can hit.

If you are looking for a comparable former A's player - try Terrence Long without the lazy jerk factor attached. The Thomas acquisition almost certainly means the A's will non-tender Bobby Kielty or try to package him in a trade. Packaging Kilty and Scott Hatteberg for, just about anything at this point, makes a whole lot of sense.



Just hours before the A's sent Tim Hudson on his way, they acquired a cureall in Keith Ginter. Ginter can play second base and third base and has been know to trot into the outfield for an inning or three.

In reality, the A's solidified ther infield for the next two seasons rather cheaply and gave up an aged prospect and pitcher who topped out as a AAA closer in the process. Many were befuddled when the A's sent Nelson Cruz off to the Brewers. Cruz was ranked the 10th best prospect in the Oakland A's system. What many failed to notice is that Cruz is 25 years old. Think Mario Encarnacion before he got expensive.

Sure, Cruz has an upside, but so do a few dozen other players who aren't ready for the major leagues. The A's have Matt Watson, Bobby Kielty (maybe), Freddie Bynum, Andre Ethier, Steve Stanley (depending), Jason Perry, Matt Allegra, and Richie Robinett all in line waiting for outfield spots to open up in the next 24 hours to 18 months. Pitching is no longer a position from which the A's can deal from strength. Outfield and catching are.

Ginter battles Mark Ellis for the sarting 2nd base job. There really is no loser in this situation. Ginter provides offense and Ellis provides defense. Ginter can get 400 at-bats in 2005 by playing 3 different positions and Ellis can save the A's 30-40 runs by playing 125-130 games.

Gitner is likened to a younger and much cheaper Jeff Kent. Hopefully, he doesn't pick up a faux southern accent, grow a very suspicious mustache and wash his truck just prior to Spring Training.

The acquisition of Ginter means the A's can shop Mark Ellis around when he becomes healthy or Marco Scutaro. Scutaro is not as bad as his 2004 offensive numbers seem. The guy just wore down. He battled in the Venezualen League only to battle every day in Spring, then had to battle Father Time in Mark McLemore before succombing to fatigue. Sure enough, Skootch is back in the Venezualen League to defend his batting title and wearing down with each passing day.

Skootch could find himself in AAA and the RiverCats would have a solid player for another title run.

KEITH GINTER

	2B/3B	Born: May 5th, 1976
	Drafted by Astros 10th Rnd	302nd pick overall 1998
	Height: 5'10"	Weight: 195
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right

Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
1998	Auburn	NYPL	22	Hou	A	.315	.515	.	.	71	241	55	76	22
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										1	8	41	60	68
Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
1999	Kissimmee	FSL	23	Hou	A	.263	.428	.	.	103	376	66	99	15
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										4	13	46	61	90
Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
1999	Jackson	Tex	23	Hou	AA	.382	.500	.	.	9	34	9	13	1
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										0	1	6	4	6
Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
2000	Round Rock	Tex	24	Hou	AA	.333	.580	.	.	125	462	108	154	30
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										3	26	92	82	127
Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
2000	Houston Astros	NL	24	Hou	MLB	.250	.625	.300	.925	5	8	3	2	0
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										0	1	3	1	3
Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
2001	New Orleans	PCL	25	Hou	AAA	.269	.464	.	.	132	457	76	123	31
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										5	16	70	61	147
Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
2001	Houston Astros	NL	25	Hou	MLB	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										0	0	0	0	0
Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
2002	New Orleans	PCL	26	Hou	AAA	.264	.416	.362	.778	121	435	70	115	28
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										1	12	54	56	97
Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
2002	Houston Astros	NL	26	Hou	MLB	.200	.400	.500	.900	7	5	1	1	1
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										0	0	0	2	1
Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
2002	Milwaukee Brewers	NL	26	Mil	MLB	.237	.382	.363	.745	21	76	6	18	8
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										0	1	8	15	14
Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
2003	Milwaukee Brewers	NL	27	Mil	MLB	.257	.427	.352	.779	127	358	51	92	15
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										2	14	44	37	87
Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
2004	Indianapolis Indians	IL	28	Mil	AAA	.214	.571	.267	.838	4	14	3	3	2
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										0	1	3	1	4
Year	Team	Lg.	Ag	Org	Lvl	Avg	SLG	OBP	OPS	G	AB	R	H	2B
2004	Milwaukee Brewers	NL	28	Mil	MLB	.262	.479	.333	.812	113	386	47	101	23
										3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO
										2	19	60	37	100