Over the past 10 months, Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane has traded away just six players and received 16 players in return. The talent that he has acquired is simply extraordinary.

A’s trade:
OF Nick Swisher
P Dan Haren
P Rich Harden
P Joe Blanton
P Connor Robertson
P Chad Gaudin

A’s receive:
P Gio Gonzalez
P Fautino De Los Santos
P Brett Anderson
P Greg Smith
P Sean Gallagher
P Dana Eveland
P Josh Outman
C Josh Donaldson
1B Chris Carter
2B Adrian Cardenas
OF Ryan Sweeney
OF Carlos Gonzalez
OF Aaron Cunningham
OF Matt Murton
OF/2B Eric Patterson
OF Matt Spencer

…and that was just by trade.

Earlier this season, Beane signed 16-year old stud pitching prospect Michael Inoa to a minor-league contract. He is considered to be the top prospect in his country, if not of all of Latin America.

Beane also selected second baseman Jemile Weeks in the first-round of the 2008 MLB first-year player draft. The switch-hitting brother of Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks was the highest rated player of the 2006 recruiting class.

What a job by Beane in rebuilding his team with young players and prospects.