From the Oakland A's advertising supplement in today's West County Times:

"A Versatile Outfield

The addition of Charles Thomas from Atlanta, coupled with the presence of rookie Nick Swisher, gives the A's a versatile outfield.  Mark Kotsay returns in center, and even though Bobby Kielty is coming off a down year, he figures in the mix, too.  The most likely configuration is Swisher in right, Kotsay in center and Byrnes in left, but there are no guarantees."

Then yada yada five paragraphs about the anointed young prince of the outfield and then one more about Thomas.

Hey, A's marketing.  Byrnes has a first name--Eric.  Try using it.  Byrnes had a career year in 2004; try mentioning that.

And hey, A's marketing.  Were none of you at fan fest?  Did you not hear Eric Byrnes get the loudest applause on his introduction?  Did you not notice that he got the most questions?  When Byrnes teased Kotsay about his having to stand in for Mark in the autograph session and Mark replied that judging from Eric's reception at his introduction, the fans would rather have had more Byrnes, Kotsay was spot on.  

A's marketing, you have an established star in the outfield.  His name is Eric Byrnes.  No matter what the know-it-alls on this board will say, the truth is that he has a more passionate fan base then any of the other outfielders.  You hope that Swisher will be there some day, but little Nicky still has a long way to go before he draws the fans in.  Eric Byrnes is already there.  Why play up the Thomas-is like-Byrnes angle, when you have the original in the outfield?  Billy Beane gets cornered by fans all asking him NOT to trade Eric.  Hell, my whole family wears the orange and black, and they know who Byrnes is.

Yet, how many commercials will Byrnes be in?  In how many adds will he be featured?  When is A's marketing going to get a clue.  When you disrespect Eric Byrnes this way, you're disrespecting the fans.

The Oakland Athletics agreed to one-year contracts with right-handers Chad Bradford and Tim Harikkala, and second baseman Mark Ellis on Monday.

The A's also tendered contracts for 2005 to designated hitter Erubiel Durazo, outfielders Eric Byrnes and Bobby Kielty, and right-handed pitchers Octavio Dotel and Juan Cruz - all of whom are eligible for salary arbitration.