Bily Beane Is Always Keen to a Bargain for The Oakland Athletics

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Billy Beane, Oakland Athletics general manager, relishes the challenge that his team faces in the effort to field a competitive '25' each campaign. An owner that rarely involves himself in interfacing or distributing a liberal budget certainly adds to that challenge.

Adding Coco Crisp and Kevin "Jacuzzi" Kouzmanoff to a starting eight certainly bolster a lineup that has been subject to anemia over the past many seasons.

The pitching staff is young, savvy, and on the verge of stardom. Justin Duchescher is back and healthy. The Athletics added Ben Sheets to the top of their rotation in the hopes that he will stay healthy and mentor the good young arms that make up the other three rotation spots.

Relievers start with closer Andrew Bailey and set-up man Michael Wuertz. Both these finishers were nails this past season.

In football, the MVP is the quarterback. In the baseball arena that accolade is awarded to the GM.

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