[Mr. Mojo]

Precisely. The Minnesota Twins won two WS in the 80's with a downright anemic payroll. It's about pitching, defense, character, and chemistry.

[Conservative til I die]

Oakland has the best young rotation in baseball. If they leave for free agency, than the A's need to have more young arms in the pike. Teams have to find their own strategy to attain success. Play to your strengths. For the Yankees, name value, money, and the chance to win make it prime for free agents. Oakland as a small market team need to play to its strengths, good scouting, good drafts, and good minor league development.