It’s peculiar the way timing works. Moneyball the movie is finally coming out in theaters next month, eight years after the book was released and five years since the A’s were any good. The movie’s premise is completely outdated and the mystique of Billy Beane’s A’s has worn off. Maybe the rest of baseball has caught on to Oakland’s secrets. Maybe the constrictions of a limited payroll are too difficult to overcome. Whatever the reason, Oakland is a sub-par ballclub and Billy Beane may be ready for another challenge.
On Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Beane might consider an offer to take the Cubs GM job. The A’s want to move into a new stadium but the process has stalled, making a potential sale of the club a possibility.
Additionally, current team owner Lew Wolff says he will not stand in Beane’s way if he wants to pursue another job. He understands that Beane might be interested in a new challenge and a bigger market. Whether it’s Chicago, Los Angeles, or elsewhere, the appeal of managing a larger payroll may be enough to convince Beane to finally leave Oakland.
