Billy Beane's Latest Trade Proves His Genius Is All But Gone

Billy Beane is done.

After his latest trade that sent Orlando Cabrera to the Minnesota Twins, it seems that he has lost it. He's so enamored with finding prospects that he has done nothing to help the young A's grow.

What did the A's get in return from the Twins? A low-level prospect who's batting .233 since being promoted from the Rookie Leagues and cash from the Twins.

Could the A's have gotten more for Cabrera? Absolutely.

The question is: What the heck was Beane thinking with the trade?

This trade has absolutely no benefit for the A's—Beane practically gave Cabrera away. He dealt a proven shortstop at the major league level for a prospect that won't even be around for the next three to four years.

To make matters worse, the player they traded for is Tyler Ladendorf. Ladendorf is projected to be a second basemen, which is a position the A's have a strength in, especially if Adam Kennedy is resigned.

In the minors, the A's have Jemile Weeks. He may get a shot to make the club next year, or he will at least be in Sacramento by that time.

The trade of Matt Holliday to the St. Lous Cardinals was a headscratcher as well. The A's traded for Brett Wallace, who's projected to be a power-hitting third basemen, but he's not really known for his defense.

The problem there is that the A's need a defender at the hot corner, as Oakland was used to that when Eric Chavez was patrolling third base. But he could possibly come back again next year, and if he can remain healthy, it's a huge plus for the A's.

So instead of getting a solid third base prospect, Beane traded for a one-dimensional player. In fact, the A's got so much less talent than what was rumored, because Ryan Ludwick was rumored to be coming to Oakland.

Okland's outfield isn't packed with prospects, either, so the A's have not benefited from either trade as much as A's fans would think.

Even with Wallace, the A's already had two players who are known for big bats and are rated higher than Wallace in Chris Carter and Tommy Everidge. Everidge who was just called up after Daric Barton was injured.

Beane's efforts on the last two trades has been absolutely pathetic. He would have been better off keeping Cabrera and Holliday and getting the higher draft picks.

It's time for A's fans to realize that Beane's genius which seemed so great in the early part of this decade is all but gone.