The deal has been sealed, pending physicals. The Oakland Athletics will acquire Colorado Rockies slugger Matt Holliday for closer Huston Street, southpaw starter Greg Smith, and the young MLB sophomore outfielder Carlos Gonzalez.
Holliday will add some much needed power to the Oakland lineup as he is a career .319 hitter and is nearing 500 RBI in his sixth year in the bigs. Many fans are questioning Billy Beane's decision as usual, stating that the Athletics gave up too much for Holliday who's contract will be up at the end of the year becoming a free agent, and pricier than the A's will be able to afford.
Joey Divine will be most likely to fill the open closer spot in Street's departure. Devine finished with a 0.59 ERA in 42 appearances last year.
Next on the list for the A's is a lead-off man. Word is they are showing serious interest in Rafael Furcal. The A's have money to spend, and Beane knows Holliday alone will not ensure more numbers in the win column.
Furcal would add speed and on-base-percentage (where Oakland sat in dead last in the American League last year) to a lineup that has been sluggish since Ricky Henderson wore the green and gold. If this deal is executed, it could mean young shortstop Bobby Crosby could be dealt.
First baseman/DH Jason Giambi and 3B Casey Blake are also on the radar for a Oakland team that has money to spend this offseason. The Billy Beane roller coaster has begun.
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