Bradley R. Weissenberger wrote:Anyway, whether or not it's a salary dump or a decision not to resign a player, which, in essence, is a salary dump, recent A's history is filled with players who arrived in or left Oakland due to these circumstances: Jermaine Dye (similar to Frank Thomas, Larry Walker), Johnny Damon (Pete Rose, Rickey Henderson), Jason Giambi (Hack Wilson), Miguel Tejada (Cal Ripken Jr.).
Which of those players were given new 6-year contracts by the Athletics before being dumped?
Answer: None.
Jermaine Dye is the only player on that list who was given a contract extension, and his was for 3 years.
Eric Chavez was given a 6-year contract at the beginning of this year. In essence, Billy Beane did for Chavez what he wouldn't do for those other star players. Eric Chavez is the chosen one.
The Athletics have a big, big investment in Eric Chavez. A big part of Billy Beane's reputation is riding on this decision. To dump Chavez would send a message that Beane's ego can't tolerate.
For the Athletics to turn their collective backs on this investment after two months of crapola from Chavez would really be mind-blowing. Especially when you have inevitable salary dumps coming up from other sources (in guys like Dotel).
Now let us sit back and see how Billy Beane will blow our minds in 2005.
Yes, let's do that!