Despite one of the lowest payrolls in MLB, the Oakland A's have won the AL West the past two years. It's the second time Beane has won the award, given by Baseball America Magazine.
On Monday, Beane acquired relief pitcher Luke Gregerson from the San Diego Padres, who is very good, and sent outfielder Seth Smith to the Padres. Smith has been valuable as a utility outfielder, but he became expendable when the A's picked up speedy Craig Gentry from the Texas Rangers for prospect Michael Choice.
