Manny Ramirez to Oakland: Why Billy Beane and the Athletics Are Still Rebuilding

It's been a confusing offseason for the Oakland Athletics.

First, it looked like they were going through an extreme fire sale as they traded Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez and Andrew Bailey for prospects.

Then, it took a crazy turn last week when the Athletics signed Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes and Manny Ramirez.

So it would be easy to question just which the direction the Athletics are taking. Don't worry, baseball fans. You shouldn't be fooled.

While on the surface it looks like the A's are filling the holes on what they expect to be a surprising team in the American League West, the reality is that general manager Billy Beane is looking to replenish a weak farm system.

What Cespedes and Ramirez represent are assets that will hopefully bring in young talent when their value is at their fullest.

For example, even though Ramirez has to serve a 50-game suspension stemming from last year's disaster with the Tampa Bay Rays, if he starts raking like the Los Angeles Dodgers version of Man-Ram, the A's will have won the lottery.

If the A's are completely out of contention (which I believe they will be), they could dangle Ramirez in front of a team who needs one more bat to make a deep run into the playoffs.

Think it won't happen because of Manny's baggage? Think again. Remember that teams have tried this twice, as the Los Angeles Dodgers rode it to a National League West division championship in 2008. Then, the Chicago White Sox tried it and Ramirez looked old and sluggish.

The point is that two teams have taken chances on him at the trade deadline, and another one will do so again if Ramirez is producing.

That brings us to the signing of Cespedes. Are the A's preparing him as a future superstar? Maybe. But remember the A's play Moneyball.

If Cespedes rakes in the Majors, he will be due for a huge payday. In all likelihood, that will be a payday the Athletics are not willing to pay.

If Cespedes lives up to his potential, it could bring in a gold mine of talent during an offseason trade, and suddenly the Athletics would have several cornerstones to build a competitive team in a couple of seasons...and they'll all be cheap.

It may take a couple of seasons, but Moneyball will return to Oakland, even with the new acquisitions.