THIS I DO NOT BELIEVE

SKY: So you're stuck with a store full of nothing. Do I give you a fair rundown?


SISTER SARAH: I wouldn't know. I've never had a rundown.

ED NOTE: I am paraphrazing as much as I can the article on ESPN.com by Rob Neyer. It is ridiculous that a corporation like Disney has a page full of ads, including alcohol ads on their college pages, and annoying pop-ups and still tries to pry money away from you to read decent baseball writing. Joe Morgan and Phil Rogers are free, though.



Rob Neyer's article today on ESPN.com starts with an email from a reader who questions the Esteban Loaiza deal; 3 years $21 Million. The reader suggests that Loaiza is essentially a league average pitcher and when above league average for two seasons, was only slightly better. The only silver lining the reader can find is that Loaiza is an innings eater.

Neyer questions whether Loaiza is a true innings eater and posts a nice table of stats that show Loaiza has only pitched over 200 innings twice in the last five seasons (he has averaged 193 innings the last five years) and his ERA is actually just 3.2 percent better than league average over the last five seasons.

Rob goes off a bit on the whole theory of an 'innings eater' and finally makes two assertions:

• Salaries go up about 10 percent per season.




• MLB is awash in cash right now.

Rob then compares the free agent market to last year when pitchers like Russ Ortiz and Eric Milton set the bar for gauging pitchers in the market. Then, Rob comes back to the A's and the issue of trading Barry Zito.

Rob recommends trading Zito as he is likely to be expensive, Rob projects at least $10 Million a year in his next contract, and the A's will not be able to afford him.

Rob then suggests the A's next move might be to trade Zito for another Danny Haren and a bat and possibly more if a sucker will take "Fairy Dust Saarloos". Rob points out Saarloos' K rate and implies that Saarloos was lucky in 2005 and counting on luck again in 2006 is not a safe bet.

Rob summarizes his article by going North and questioning why J.P. Ricciardi would spend oodles of money on a closer, implying that there are plenty of arms in the organization that can be developed cheaply as a closer.

Basically, that's it. Rob suggests trading Zito, but only if the A's get something substantial in return. Not that the A's are going to trade Zito, just a logical sense it would be a smart move. A's fans should know by now that no player is off limits and anyone can be discussed in a possible trade, as long as there is a feasible offer or discussion of an offer taking place.

Now, let's sidetrack a bit and wonder whom the A's might want in return for Zito. I'd nail it down to a handful of players in the mix and teams that have room to maneuver. Do I think the A's will actually trade Zito for these players? No, but I'd be okay with the return if it comes to pass.

• REDS: Adam Dunn, Homer Baily or David Shafer

Dunn was discussed last year with the Reds for about 12 seconds until the Reds demanded Rich Harden and Zito were in any talks that took place. No question Beane would love a monster OBP like Dunn. Dunn is not happy in Cincinnati and you could think that Dunn's numbers would improve in a positive environment.


• PHILADELPHIA: Pat Burrell or Chase Utley, Scott Mathieson

Burrell strikes out too (160) much but he still produces. He walked 99 times last year and hit 32 HR. Utley would be a nice addition and nice trade bait to someone like the Yankees. Utley scored 93 runs in only 147 games and hit 28 homeruns.


• PIRATES: Zach Duke or Jason Bay, Paul Maholm or Tom Gorzelanny

It doesn't hurt to ask, does it? The Pirates have some pretty good pitching prospects and trading an older Zito for a younger Zito in Maholm or Gorzelanny. Bay is a bit older than you would like, but he gets on base and has power.


• METS: Cash,

The Mets don't have much to speak of in their organization as far as hitters. They already have Freddie Bynum and don't need another. Especially a player who can't control the strike zone and has no idea when it comes to baserunning. They Mets do have good pitching prospects and Omar Minya is willing to throw money at passing cars if he thought he could get the Yankees off the front of the sports page. Imagine what landing Zito would do for Minya's off season already.


• MARLINS: Miguel Cabrera, Yusmeiro Petit, Josh Willingham

Now, if Beane offered Zito and Nick Swisher to snare Cabrera, it would be legendary. Florida is in such upheaval right now, they could make another move to salvage the push for season ticket buyers.


• ASTROS: Lance Berkman, Hunter Pence

The Astros don't scream pitching right now, but for the A's Berkman could be the corner outfielder and switch hitter Nick Swisher never will. If Roger Clemens decides not to come back, the Astros will need a draw. Zito wouldn't be bad.

See? Isn't this fun? Just talking doesn't hurt.