I am not waiving a white flag for 2006, but the reality is that Oakland does have a league-worst offense.  Some of the current players are not long-term solutions.  Therefore, I think BB needs to start dealing some players that currently have a higher value than they may have in the future.  In the spirit of "Buy Low - Sell High", these are the position players that I believe have some real trade value right now.

Payton
Scutaro
Melhuse

I believe Macha gives far too many PAs to certain less-deserving players.  For example, Payton has received twice as many PAs as Kielty this year but hasn't been nearly as productive. Trade Payton now while he's hot.  Besides, what do we do with Payton when Bradley returns?

Scutaro is a nice defensive player but so what?  Ellis, although having a terrible year, is superior both offensively and defensively.  When Ellis needs a day off, play Perez.  When Crosby needs a day off, sub Ellis at short.  If either go down to injury, call up Rouse.  I'm sure there are teams that covet Scutaro's glove and flexibility.

I belive Melhuse should play a lot more than he does.  That said, I don't think he's going to get a chance in Oakland and he'll probably never put up "great" numbers.  I think he would be an extremely valuable component to a NL team - backup catcher and left handed pinch hitter.  Since Macha isn't going to use him anyway, why not trade him and bring up Jeremy Brown?

BB - please trade these components and get some future talent - our offense can't get any worse!

at least according to the good folks at Diamond Mind Baseball.  

Here is the link to their 2005 projected standings:

http://www.diamond-mind.com/articles/proj2005.htm

Diamond Mind's Monte Carlo simulations predict that our beloved Athletics will finish one game ahead of the Angels with a record of 85-77.  These guys actually have a very good track record with a few notable exceptions.

Their analysis of the Mariners is pretty interesting as well - time will tell how their pitching peforms.  And it's about time that something actually sees and points out the flaws in the Angels lineup.