Especially with all you've just been saying here.

I don't believe the playoffs are completely a crapshoot, but look - the Cardinals got hot at the right time and won the World Series with an 82-80 record. The Rockies heated up and made it to the World Series last year. The Mariners won 116 games a few years ago and didn't even make it to the World Series. Better A's teams (with MVPs and Cy Young winners) lost in the ALDS while the one in 2006 advanced. IT HAPPENS.

With a new ballpark, I think some of the things they do now will change. They're not going to give anyone a Zito-esque contract, and they shouldn't. That's not something they're capable of doing, but they should be able to be more competitive in payroll with more revenue. At the same time, we know what Beane's method is - get the most of what he can while a player is more affordable and trade him for more talent at the right time, then repeat the process.

I suggest you go over to Athletics Nation and read all four parts of the just-posted interview with Lew Wolff. Whether you agree with it or not, whether Lowell Cohn agrees with it or not, you guys have a responsibility to be aware of it.

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