Beane has told everyone who calls that he will not trade Barry Zito during the season, as he believes that with Rich Harden, Dan Haren, Joe Blanton and Kirk Saarloos and Huston Street at the end, the A's could have a big second half.

 

Beane will trade Mark Kotsay to the Cubs or the Yankees in the right deal if a contract extension doesn't get done with Kotsay; Nick Swisher could play center field, Daric Barton (batting .470 since May 1 in the Class A California League at age 19) has convinced the A's people he can play the outfield, this year's No. 1 pick Cliff Pennington, a shortstop, is going to come fast and Andre Ethier could be in the Oakland outfield by midseason 2006. Two prime prospects might give Oakland another five-year run, especially if left-handed pitcher Dan Meyer's shoulder comes around.

 

"Sometimes people don't believe me when I tell them I'm not trading Zito," says Beane.

 

? Detroit has invested heavily in Pudge Rodriguez, Ordonez and Troy Percival. When they went to trade Ugueth Urbina, some around the game questioned why they didn't take Florida's offer of two top minor league pitchers. Answer: Placido Polanco helps them win now.

 

? Florida tried hard to acquire Brian Fuentes from Colorado, but he is the Rockies' only semblance of someone who can close games and is not going anywhere right now. Right now, all is quiet on the Preston Wilson front. Washington also said no on a trade in which it would have had to deal Ryan Church.

 

Source: www.espn.go.com

 

 

 

 

Intresting since everyone thinks that Zito will be traded??? and Fuentes would have been nice.

I don't know if Zito won't be traded, but we need to add a starter from somewhere.

I've said this before... Marlins won't get Zito if Olsen stays in the rotation.