by Amaury Pi Gonzalez

OAKLAND–The 2014 Winter Meetings concluded in San Diego, the Oakland Athletics were one of the busiest teams as far as trading players; but that is no big surprise when you have Billy Beane as your General Manager.
The Media and fans will have time to digest basically a new team that the A’s will have this next season, and of course, things will start to take shape come Spring Training next February. Josh Donaldson, Jeff Samardzija, Brandon Moss, Luke Gregerson are some of the most notable that were traded.

New Athletics in 2015 are: Billy Butler talented power hitter from the American League Champion Kansas City Royals, who got a 3-year $30 million contract from the A’s, also third baseman Matt Lawrie(came from Toronto for Josh Donalson),and first baseman Ike Davis, who came from the Pirates in exchange for international signing bonus money.
The Pirates also received the A’s first bonus slot, No. 27 overall, with $501,900 and the Pirates also sent their third bonus slot, No.86 overall at $232,000 to the Athletics.

While the A’s were ‘wheeling and dealing’ the San Francisco Giants who make a huge bid to get Jon Lester, were really one of the most silent teams during the meetings. One General Manager said, “one of the best trades I ever made, was the one I never made”. So maybe for the champion Giants it was a good thing. On the other hand there is a little secret that they need help in the starting rotation, also at third base, sans Pablo Sandoval, and another right handed hitter would not be a bad idea.

Their number one starter is Madison Bumgarner, inked for Opening Day 2015. Then Matt Cain, who should be ready for Spring Training after elbow surgery in early August, to remove bone chips from his right arm. He only started 15 games this past season won 2 lost 7 with a 4.18 earned run average pitching just 90 innings. Ryan Vogelsong who is today a Free Agent, and 37 years old, finished with 8-13 and 4.00 in 32 games he started.

Tim Hudson who will be 40 years old next season, finished 9-13 with 3.57 earned run average starting 31 games. Tim Lincecum won 12 lost 9 with a 4.74 in a total of 26 games he started plus 7 in relief. Nobody really knows what Lincecum is going to do, maybe a guy like Nostradamus, the reputed French seer might have an answer, but he died in 1566.

Venezuelan-born Yusmerio Petit continued his good work for Bruce Bochy, with a 5-5 record and 3.69, he started 12 games and came out of the bullpen in another 27 games. Petit pitched 117 innings. Petit is steady, he gets the ball (when given to him)and usually knows what to do with it. Also veteran righthander Jake Peavy who is a free agent, he has been courted by the Chicago Cubs and other teams, but he still can sign with Giants.

Free Agent starters like Mike(I want a $200 million contract)Scherzer is available, also lefty Cole Hammels and righty James Shields. I do not believe Giants will go after Scherzer, not because what he is asking(they can afford it)but because he wants to be a #1 in a rotation wherever he goes, and the only place he could be a #2 would be behind Felix Hernández in Seattle or Clayton Kershaw with the Dodgers.

So Hamels might still be a possibility for the Giants, he is one of the best left handed pitchers in the game, but the Phillies are looking for a lot of young talent in return, and Giants might not have what the Phillies need.

So that leaves James Shields, and I believe he is the best shot for the Giants. The Giants still need somebody at third base, as of today(if season opened today)Joaquin Arias is their third baseman, unless Buster Posey takes over at the hot corner by April, and that is a long shot today.

Chase Headley is the third baseman still available, he who played most of his career with the Padres played 2014 for the Yankees and made $10 million dollars in salary this season, but will be a Free Agent in 2015.As I write this article, the Yankees are still talking to him in negotiations to keep him. I do not think Alex Rodríguez is coming back to the Yankees, although Yankee manager Joe Girardi recently said the reports are A-Rod is looking good an training in the off season.

Although the Winter Meetings concluded this week in San Diego, teams still will be making trades, and it will be interesting to know what the Bay Area teams still be able to do. I do not know what more the Oakland Athletics will do, but never be surprised by Billy Beane. As far as for the Giants…

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice for Oakland A’s baseball and does News and Commentary each week for http://www.sportsradioservice.com