Could The A's Make Another Splash in The Offseason?

Last year in baseball's offseason the Oakland A's made a huge splash in acquiring Matt Holliday from the Colorado Rockies. The A's may be in the process of making another splash as well in the 2010 season.

Matt Holliday's contract will be erased, so that's at least $13.5 million, Bobby Crosby's $5.3 million, Jason Giambi's $4 million, Russ Springer's contract at $3.3 million, and Nomar Garciaparra at $1 million should all be off the books for the A's.

What does that mean? The A's have 26.1 million dollars that can be spread around to free agents next year.

One man the A's should be actively pursuing and should give a multi year deal to is Bobby Abreu. He is still getting it done for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and he's only making $5 million this year.

The A's made a huge mistake in not signing him last year and instead giving the contract to Giambi and Garciaparra. Look at the production this year between Garciaparra and Giambi and tell me that you'd take both those players over Abreu.

Another way to help solidify the team is by trade. Although, no team really came close to trading for Adrian Gonzalez the A's with that kind of money as well as the farm system that has a plethora of starters could be an interesting partnership for the A's.

A trade of players like Gio Gonzalez, Daric Barton, Tommy Everidge, Chris Carter, Eric Patterson, Ryan Sweeney, Dana Eveland, Henry Rodriguez, Jemile Weeks, and Adrian Cardenas. 

Note I'm not saying that all of those players are going to be going to the Padres. I'm just showing examples of the talent the A's could offer to the Padres. I'm sure the Padres asking price for Gonzalez is steep, but the A's could match it.

Also, the A's could definitely make a run at signing Gonzalez long term. Currently, Gonzalez is making $3.125 million for the Padres and he has a team option at $5.5 million for the 2011 season.

Which, for the A's is great news because in 2011 that's when Eric Chavez's contract comes off the A's record books as well. Chavez's contract is at $11.5 million.

So, the A's definitely have some money to spend. What better way to put together a first basemen that is a proven major league hitter and will pay immediate dividents to the A's putrid offense.

Sure, it hindsight if the A's have to give up Carter who is their top slugging prospect who's currently in double A ball it will be worth it for the A's because Gonzalez has yet to hit his prime years in the major leagues and with a prospect you never know how they are going to pan out.

Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but if the A's can add the likes of Abreu and Gonzalez to their lineup, it immediately becomes much better at scoring runs and that means their young pitching staff who's making great strides this year, could possibly get the A's back into the playoff hunt for the 2010 season.