"A few thoughts on Manny Ramirez joining the A's as we await his 50-game suspension:

-- Ramirez follows in a long line of past-their-prime hitters whom general manager Billy Beane acquired on the cheap, a "Moneyball" tactic in which high value is sought at low risk. In order: Rickey Henderson, Kevin Mitchell, Tony Phillips, Tim Raines, John Jaha, Ron Gant, David Justice, Gant, Eric Karros, Frank Thomas, Mike Piazza, Mike Sweeney, Thomas, Jason Giambi, Nomar Garciaparra and Hideki Matsui.

-- The best bang-for-your-penny guys were Jaha in 1999 (.276, 35 homers, 111 RBIs) and Thomas in 2006 (.270, 39 homers, 114 RBIs)."