It isn’t the same thing.

The whole Lord Sandy tag so creative, just waiting for the “I know you are but what I am I chant to start next”. Wah wah.

Talk about complaining for the sake of complaining…………..

The A’s situation can be compared to that of the Mets.

Both have similar “money ball” type general managers in Beane and Alderson. Neither is in the best shape financially.

With the trading of Gonzalez, MLB Network showed other starters that Beane traded away for prospects over the past few seasons. Can’t recall the names but they make up an extremely impressive rotation and all are still below 30 years of age. Who knows how much better Oakland could have been had they both sought after good players and retained these starters instead of doing neither due to financial considerations like the Mets have been doing since last winter (albeit with more expensive contracts).

MLB Network cites Oakland is in a re-building mode as well. Problem is that Oakland has not been competitive since that great 2006 team was swept by Detroit in the 2006 ALCS. Ever since Barry Zito and Frank Thomas left them via free agency, Oakland only reached the .500 mark once. 2006 was also the last (actually only) great season for the Mets, who remained competitive for two more years while blowing big leads and then finishing below .500 from then on.

The financially strapped A’s have thus began re-building when they replaced star players Zito and Thomas with an over-the-hill Mike Piazza and Allan Embree. The prospects they just obtained will not reach fruition for several seasons to come. The same holds true for those Sandy has plans for as well. Taking into account the past and the patience of waiting to see what the future brings, that means a minimum seven year drought for Oakland. Who knows how long it will take for us.

The one difference between the two clubs is that Oakland is in a small market with less revenue to generate. But it still begs the question of when does “money ball” and “building for the future” becomes spin for “salary dumping” and how much in the long-term do such moves effect the viability of putting a team on the field.

At least there might be a light at the end of the tunnel for the A’s if MLB approves its request to move to San Jose which could generate bigger sources of revenue to re-invest in the team. Unfortunately for us, it’s going to be a real cold several seasons of winter if the Wilpons refuse to sell the team unless MLB can do something to force such a move (i.e., their inability to pay back the $25 million loan, etc.).

BTW – Happy for Beltran.

That said, getting all bent out of shape over Jason Marquis and Jon Rauch – I just don’t see the rationale. Marquis doesn’t make us better, and Rauch is a needed 8th inning guy who may or may not get the job done as well as we’d like, but provides some back end stability and experience we need.

If Mets were to add a starter, it should be for someone who adds tangible value, like someone who throws hard, not a replica of ho-hum we already have.

Just comment on the other posts and comments and stay away from those who want nothing to do with you.