USA Today broke the news that Santana has been dealt for four prospects to the Mets--Carlos Gomez, Phil Humber, Deolis Guerra, and Kevin Mulvey. Not included in the deal is Mets number one prospect Fernando Martinez.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseb...

This sure makes the Haren deal look solid. But it also raises a couple of questions. Will Beane still try to trade Blanton, or wait until he can get more for him?

So I was married 3 weeks ago, and Saturday my wife and I sent out the last of our 300+ Thank You cards before the postage rate went up (we had already purchased the stamps). My favorite Thank You card went to my older sister who gave us our gift this last Friday.

The gift? $300 in A's gift cards to buy tickets. Last year I had a 22 game package but due to the financial constraints of being newly married and moving out of Mom and Dad's I only bought tickets to Opening Day and then the 5-game "Sweetheart Package" that came out around Valentine's Day. So my question, AN, is how should I use the gift cards? Quality, quantity, or a healthy mix.

Looking at my pocket schedule, I like:

Minnesota, June 2 (Fireworks-our first date was A's Twins last June 2)
St Louis 6/15 or 6/16
Toronto July 3 (Fireworks)
Baltimore, July 21 Bobblehead
Detroit, August 31
Texas, Sep 14 (my b-day)

Anyone know of any ticket packages smaller than the 22-game?

Any recommendations on games to go to? I'm not going to see Boston, they make me throw up in my mouth. And I already have tickets to Giants, Texas, and Seattle in the summer.

Interesting article in several papers today that Barry Zito is changing his windup. And not just a little bit according to the article. Actually, there are several, here's one.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/16710334.htm

It says he is trying to add more lower body to the windup to add more velocity on his fastball and changeup.

I'm personally glad we got we what we did from him. I can see the media jumping all over his first 5 inning 5 earned run outing as being due to the changed windup, and not to the fact that he's never started off hot.

I think this could help Zito to become an even better pitcher, but I also think it's a little gutsy, and maybe crazy, for him to take this chance. I guess he already cashed in. But this move can't be kind to his body. So he must be doing it to become an even better pitcher.

Old school windup? I wonder if he'll have a little Dontrelle in him now. (Let's hope he can find a urinal though while he's driving).

What do you think?

Buster Olney on ESPN says Frank has been offered a 2 year deal worth $6 million, up to $8 with incentives. It's on the baseball page of espn.com. I can't seem to link to it now.

Can we really get him for that price? If so, I love the deal. AN, what thinkest ye?

PS. I'll see you all in 14 hours and 5 minutes.

Why on earth is Friday's A's game against Minnesota at 4PM Eastern...or 1 oclock here!! There are only two games that day. The A's and Twins and New York Detroit. NY Detroit is scheduled for 5PM Pacific. Why can't we play after?

I have four tickets, and I was planning on picking them up from will call after my CPA exam Friday morning at 10. Now I'll be lucky to make it to the game. Is there any other way to get tickets from Will Call besides between 10 and 4 Monday through Friday when most of the world works?

Not sure if it's worthy of a diary, but I am super happy to read this about Jay Payton posted in tomorrow's San Jose Mercury News.

The team apparently won't be losing its hottest hitter, either, as X-rays on the right hand of Jay Payton -- hit flush with a fastball Wednesday -- were negative.

For the rest of the article, click here:
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/baseball/mlb/oakland_athletics/15195411.htm

So Payton looks to be okay, now if his hitting can just become contagious as later in the article they point out just how bad some of these guys have been lately.

But that still doesn't solve the problem of Bobby Crosby (.229, one homer since May 31), Nick Swisher (.200, six homers over the same stretch) or Mark Ellis (.216 overall).

Well good news for Jay, and let's get hot in time for a solid post season run!

So I asked Buster Olney the following question...
Scott (Orinda, CA): Rich Harden -- any word the A's will get him back this season?

and he gave me the following answer...
 Buster Olney: (2:46 PM ET ) Scott: Talked to Billy Beane the other day and he said Harden is slowly making progress; likened his injury to a sprained ankle, except it's in his elbow.

So my questions to you AN are:

-1- What is slow progress?

-2- (When) or Do you think Harden will be back this season?

-3- Will he be effective?

-4- What do we need from Harden (do we need Harden at all?) to make a post-season run?

So Nick Swisher isn't on this year's All-Star Ballott, despite the 10 Home Runs, 24 RBIs and an average of .321. This is likely due to his not having a set position. He has played 7 at 1B, and 15 in the OF, while Dan Johnson has played 17 at 1B, but Payton has also played 15 in the OF, but also opening day.

Bottom line is, Nick Swisher, to date, deserves to be an All-Star. Since the ballots are already out, we need to group together as Athletics Nation and write him in as an All-Star. I propose OF for a few reasons. One, I've already written him in 25 times. Two, there are three OF positions, and there is no way a write-in would beat David Ortiz at 1B. Third, we should at least make some noise for Swisher. I'd love to see a write-in high up in the voting. The more noise we make early, the better. So get on mlb.com, and max out your votes.

Of course, Chavvy with his start deserves to win 3B also, so he has been included in all of my votes so far. We gotta get Swisher and Chavvy in the All-Star game!

Has anybody tried to post tickets on the A's Replay page. I'm a Season Ticket Holder and I have been able to upload my tickets, but I haven't been able to post a pair that I need to sell.

I followed the instructions but I don't have the option to select the replay button after selecting my tickets. Can anybody help here?

Where did this http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=4398 come from? Poor guy. Apparently the Boston Herald said Juan Gone didn't report to Red Sox camp and instead joined the A's. Now I'm reading he may try out for the Rockies?
I'm afraid we don't have room, Juan, but thanks for the consideration. (I'm still a little weirded out that his player profile on ESPN.com says Oakland A's.