Nice article summarizing the 2011/2012 off-season

[Providence A's]

https://thebeanball.wordpress.com/20...etics-winning/

This is not an A's site (it's beanball, not beaneball). It outlines the success of the off-season FA signings and trades. I like this one:

Josh Reddick: Plucking Reddick from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Andrew Bailey and Ryan Sweeney was not only Beane’s best off-season move, but also perhaps the best trade any General Manager made during the off-season. The 25 year-old Reddick seemed like he had the tools to become a solid power hitter in 2011 (.280/.327/.457 with 7 HR in 278 PA’s), but as a full-fledged starting outfielder for the A’s in 2012, Reddick has truly taken off. In 563 PA’s, the left-handed hitter has posted a .256/.322/.491 line with 28 HR, 75 RBI, 72 R, and 10 SB. Even though Reddick’s BB% doesn’t quite fit the usual A’s mold, it’s hard not to like his power, the fact he hits righties (.258/.334/.491) and lefties (.254/.299/.492) evenly, and his very cheap/controllable contract. As exciting as Reddick is and will be, it’s very possible that Miles Head, a third base prospect who was also thrown into the deal, could be the even bigger steal of this trade (.333/.391/.577 line with 23 HR, 84 RBI, 82 R, and 3 SB in 528 PA’s between Advanced-A and Double-A). This trade could get even more lopsided in the coming years.

[Kingdom]

One might say that trade put them miles head of the red sox. Hyuk.

[Kingdom]

Cahill trade not bad at all. Parker and Cook.