San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
The best of Beane’s ‘Moneyball’ era
Innovative GM’s pickups built several A’s playoff teams — and led to a best-seller and film
The power prospect without a position. The trade throw-in who becomes an All-Star. The hobbled Hall of Famer with one splendid season left in the tank. The overlooked veteran who contributes to an unlikely record-setting win streak.
Since becoming the A’s general manager in 1998, Billy Beane has displayed an ability to uncover undervalued assets through advanced metrics, working with a limited payroll. He took advantage of market inefficiencies — the skill sets (multi-position defenders), strategy (deep 40-man rosters) and statistics (on-base percentage) overlooked by many GMs. This philosophy inspired “Moneyball,” the best-selling book by Michael Lewis and Academy Awardnominated movie starring Brad Pitt as Beane.
“He made it cool to bring science into player evaluation,” Lewis told The Chronicle in 2017. “Billy burst out of baseball the way people in baseball really just don’t.”
With the A’s celebrating on Sunday the 20th anniversary of the 20-game winning streak (the longest in American League history at the time) highlighted in “Moneyball,” The Chronicle looks at the players who best define Beane’s philosophy. Here is our All-Moneyball team.
Catcher: Stephen Vogt
A journeyman pushing 28 years old, he was hitless in 25 career MLB at-bats when Oakland acquired him from the Rays in 2013. Vogt left in 2017 as a twotime All-Star whose versatility allowed manager Bob Melvin to plug holes at first base and left field. Vogt hit a walkoff single in Game 2 of the 2013 ALDS against the Tigers. The A’s brought him back on a one-year deal this season.
First base: Scott Hatteberg
His conversion to first base after being signed to replace outgoing AllStar Jason Giambi was a focus in the film “Moneyball.” “You want me to take
Scott Hatteberg’s pinch-hit home run beat the Kansas City Royals for the A’s 20th consecutive win in 2002.
Giambi’s spot at first base? What about the fans?” Hatteberg’s character asks in the film, to which infield coach Ron Washington retorts, “Yeah, maybe I can teach one of them.” Hatteberg helped replace Giambi in the aggregate (players who collectively fill the void of a more accomplished player), posting a .355 on-base percentage in three seasons with Oakland, highlighted by his walkoff home run for Oakland’s 20th consecutive win in 2002.
Second base: Jed Lowrie
Beane liked the infielder so much he traded for him twice, before the 2013 and 2016 seasons, and acquired the 38-yearold a third time as a free agent in 2021 before releasing him this summer. Lowrie was a doubles machine (45 in 2013; 49 in 2017) whose plate discipline and switch-hitting made him an ideal No. 2 batter. In a near toss-up with Mark Ellis, Lowrie gets the nod for his All-Star appearance (2018).
Shortstop: Marcus Semien
Many questioned trading for Semien during a 2015 salary dump. Seven years later, many wonder why Oakland didn’t keep the shortstop in free agency. Welcome to “Moneyball.” Oakland stuck with Semien at shortstop despite an MLB-high 35 errors in 2015. Four years later, he was a Gold Glove finalist and finished third in MVP voting. Semien highlighted Beane’s fleecing of the White Sox. Oakland sent pitcher Jeff Samardzija to Chicago for Semien, Chris Bassitt (Oakland’s top starting pitcher in 2020) and catcher Josh Phegley. Samardzija went 11-13 with a 4.96 ERA in his one season with the White Sox.
Third base: Josh Donaldson
Donaldson, like Semien, embodies the full “Moneyball” experience. The catcher-turned-third baseman was the unexpected gem of a 2008 trade that sent Rich Harden to the Cubs. After toiling in the minors for the better part of four seasons, Donaldson was instrumental in Oakland’s return to the postseason in 2012. He finished in the top 10 of American League MVP voting the next two seasons. Then Beane blew up the team after a 2014 wild-card game loss to Kansas City and in a trade that bewildered many, sent Donaldson to Toronto for Franklin Barreto, Kendall Graveman, Brett Lawrie and Sean Nolin. Donaldson won MVP the next season, while Beane’s acquisitions never broke through with the A’s.
Left field: Yoenis Céspedes
Beane shocked baseball in 2012 when the usually frugal organization signed the outfielder to a $36 million, four-year contract, the biggest at the time for a Cuban defector. Céspedes became a fan favorite, with his raw power at the plate and amazing outfield plays. After a series of laser throws nabbed Angels baserunners, Céspedes’ popularity was at an all-time high during Oakland’s torrid 2014 start. And then it was over as Beane shipped Céspedes to Boston for Jon Lester and Jonny Gomes at the trade deadline. Hoping to replace Céspedes’ bat with a left-field platoon, Oakland’s plan backfired. The A’s offense was never the same, Lester allowed six runs in a wild-card loss, and Beane went into rebuild mode.
Center field: Ramón Laureano
Five-tool players are usually acquired with a high draft pick, big contract, or by trading away plenty of talent. For Beane to get Laureano after the 2017 season, the price was pitcher Brandon Bailey. Laureano was coming off a subpar Double-A season and Houston was stacked in the outfield. Beane struck. Laureano was in the majors by August 2018 and immediately showed off his spectacular throwing arm. When healthy, Laureano’s power, speed and arm strength make him one of MLB’s most explosive athletes.
Right field: Nick Swisher
A first-round pick (16th overall) in 2002, the Ohio State product possessed many “Moneyball” trademarks: a keen eye, great power, and versatility in the field. Beane was so high on Swisher, Lewis wrote, that he avoided scouting Swisher in person to not “show his hand.” Swisher delivered a .361 on-base percentage in four seasons with Oakland before being traded to the White Sox in a deal that landed starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez and outfielder Ryan Sweeney.
Designated hitter: Frank Thomas
Oakland has wagered several times it could squeeze that last bit of pop from an aging power hitter, often to limited success (see: Nomar Garciaparra, Mike Piazza). In the Big Hurt, however, Beane was rewarded with 39 home runs and 114 RBIs in 2006 from the 38-year-old future Hall of Famer. Thomas finished fourth in MVP voting and led Oakland to its only trip to the American League Championship Series under Beane.