Obviously, this season is lost, and any trades made this year most likely will not directly benefit the 2010 team (unless, of course, Beane picks up Escobar from the Braves).  With that in mind, let's look to next year, which, hopefully, will be what this year was not: a true rebuilding year, with a slight dash of hope for contention.

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Here are some other options if signing Giambi and/or signing Furcal fall through.  They are much less risky and possibly a better use of resources.

#1.  If we "lose out" on Rafael Furcal, trade Bobby Crosby for Miguel Tejada.  

1 yr - 7 million

PROS:

We pay 7 million dollars for an OPS bump of .050-.075 and better defense (Miguel was rated as a +7).  We get rid of Bobby Crosby.

CONS:

Tejada might slip more in the AL.  Crosby might hit better.  We might pay an extra $7 million for better defense/attitude.  This leaves a hole at SS for the foreseeable future.

Ed Wade might not do it to try and save face.

#2.  Sign Eric Hinske (if he can still play any 3rd base)

3 yrs - 10million

I had trouble locating any  stats for Hinske at third base (around 2005-2006).  If he can play it reasonably well, he might be a good backup for Chavez and Barton, adding some pop to our lineup and off the bench.

PROS: Cheap pop.  Plays many positions.  Could have a career year left in him.

CONS: Could play a horrible 3b.  Baisley could play equally well and be much cheaper.

#3.  If we do not sign Giambi (2 yrs - 15 million) - trade Santiago Casilla for Ryan Shealy.

PROS:  Shealy has potential and plays great defense at first base.

CONS:  Possibly a 4A player.  With Barton, Baisley, and possibly Hinske, 1B could be crowded.

After trading for Jacobs and trading away Rivera, this should be a good fit for the Royals.

After doing research for these proposals (including fangraphs.com 2009 projections from James and Marcel) I'm torn on Giambi/Randy Johnson.  Out of the two, I would sign Johnson first, as we need another front of the line starter for 2009 if we want to compete.  We do also need another "sure thing" in terms of batting production, and I think Giambi will provide this, but I am afraid of his movement from Yankee Stadium, although this may be counterbalanced by less pressure in Oakland.  Overall, both of them will be worth the contracts, but with a small market team, you cannot always pay fair price in the free agent market.

Either way, it is very likely we are unable to sign Furcal and Johnson.  What moves can we make to compete in 2009 if we lose out on big name free agents?