Billy Beane’s Free RideRandy Shawbyline‚ Jul. 10‚ 2008In light of this week’s trade of two strong Oakland A’s starting pitchers for four unpromising prospects, it is again time to ask: why does Oakland A’s General Manager and part-owner Billy Beane avoid accountability for the team’s fortunes? Fans have been all over San Francisco Giants general manager Brian Sabean for his team’s decline, despite his having less control over player decisions than does Beane. And the Florida Marlins, Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox and other teams have all reached or won the World Series in recent years with payrolls comparable to that of the A’s. Is Beane still insulated from criticism by his praise in Michael Lewis’ bestselling Moneyball, which showed Beane outfoxing other general managers in his pursuit of bargain talent? Or, more likely, does the Bay Area prefer a guy who appears to think “outside the box,” even if this does not bring a World Series to Oakland? |