Updated: Dec 21, 2004, 1:05 PM

Vote: Billy Beane folds his three aces


Mark Mulder Playing on a level financial playing field, the Indianapolis Colts are on the verge of locking up Edgerrin James to go with new deals for Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison. On the diamond, Billy Beane can afford no such luxury for his stars.

Faced with the prospect of losing them to free agency, Oakland's GM broke up his trinity of Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito by trading Hudson to Atlanta and Mulder to St. Louis. Beane and the Athletics didn't walk away empty-handed, getting prospects like Dan Haren and Dan Meyer back in return, but the trades are clearly a blow to the team's immediate title hopes.

Did Beane do the best he could with the hand he was dealt? How will the A's fare in 2005? And which of the three pitchers will have the best career?
  • 1) Who will have the best season in 2005?
  • 2) Who has the best projected rotation in the NL Central?
  • 3) Did Billy Beane get the best possible return on Hudson and Mulder?
  • 4) What is your opinion of Beane's skill as a general manager?
  • 5) How will the Athletics fare without Hudson and Mulder?
  • 6) How would the A's have fared had they kept both Hudson and Mulder?
  • 7) Which young Oakland pitcher will have the best season in 2005?
  • 8) Of Joe Blanton, Rich Harden, Danny Haren and Dan Meyer, how many will make at least one all-star appearance during their career?
  • 9) Mark Mulder is 27 and has 81 career wins, averaging 16.2 wins in five seasons? How many wins will he finish his career with?
  • 10) Tim Hudson is 29 and has 92 career wins, averaging 15.3 wins in six seasons? How many wins will he finish his career with?
  • 11) Barry Zito is 26 and has 72 career wins, averaging 16 wins in four and a half seasons? How many wins will he finish his career with?

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