Let me remind you that in the past two weeks, the A’s haven’ t traded a single hitter. Sure, they’ve traded away three pitchers, but all the position players that were on those “contending” Oakland A’s of April and May 2008 are still in green and gold.

OK, so some of them are on the DL. But it’s not like the DL wasn’t full of Chavezes and Sweeneys (both varieties) and others in the early part of the season. This is vastly the same team – offensively – that was winning those games.

Do I sound a little cranky and defensive here? Maybe I am a bit tired of responding to other A’s fans who insist that Billy Beane’s trades of Rich Harden, Chad Gaudin, and Joe Blanton were bad moves because this team was contending. Yeah, with this inept offense.

The horror that is the A’s offense – if we can even call it that – was on full display this weekend against the Yankees. The A’s best player right now is Ryan Sweeney. Sure, I like his frequent,  yet powerless, multi-hit games and his cannon in right field. But do you think ayone is afraid of him?

And oh, Jack Cust – a hat trick on Friday, a golden sombrero on Saturday, and a big whiff in his pinch-hit at bat on Sunday. I know his all-or-nothing routine isn’t news to anyone around here, but it’s beyond old to me now.

Jack Hannahan! Donnie Murphy! Matt Murton! Oh yeah, I’m sure the Rays are afraid of us coming to town this week. Look out, here come the big boys!

Maybe I’ll be in a better mood after the Monday workday is over, especially if the A’s win one tonight. Prove me wrong this week, A’s!!