ATHLETICS CORRESPONDENT REPORT: 9/30/02

LATEST TEAM INFO
"PLAY BALL!" is certainly the latest team info for fans of all teams. Coming off a 15th straight win makes Oakland as happy as anyone to hear of an agreement. The winning streak is now longest in Oakland history surpassing the 1988 mark of 14. It would have been disastrous for Oakland fans to see the season come to an end in that fashion. Now, the A's are set to take off in a series with the A.L East leading Minnesota Twins.

WHOS HOT:
Cory Lidle: Nobody is any hotter. Cory has not surrendered an earned run in his last 5 starts spanning 38 innings, and if not for one earned run would still be chasing Orel Hershiser's record.
Barry Zito: 9-2 in his last 11 starts while allowing only 15 earned runs in that time. Zito is hitting on all cylinders.
Billy Koch: Now saved 35 games while only blowing 3 since April 8th.
Miguel Tejada: Already 28 homers and 110 RBI's with a month still to play.
Just about anybody else wearing an A's Uniform

WHOS NOT:
Aaron Harang Once again down to AAA in a seemingly neverending cycle.
Ted Lilly: No immediate plans for a return
Any hitters having to face Oakland's lights out pitching

LOCAL PERSPECTIVE:
It is early to be talking about it and am must admit I am relying on sources I just heard, but the new agreement looks to favor the mid market teams the most. Steinbrenner fretted over sharing revenue; if the revenue is not put back into the respective team. This way teams that benefited from the luxury tax would be forced to spend money on their teams instead of putting it into their pocket, and then crying poor mouth. Imagine Billy Bean with a little deeper pockets and you can see why this is exciting. Small market teams are proving that they can win and will be as dangerous as anyone when able to add a couple key free agents, or hold on to their young stars.

QUICK VIEW: ADD/AQUIRE
Cory Lidle: I cant imagine he would be available
Jermaine Dye: Has started to play well and would not demand too much in return.
Billy Koch: Season numbers dont do him justice. He has been lights out in save opportunities.

DROPS:
Ted Lilly: Will not be effective fantasy player this year.
Aaron Harang: Currently not in the bigs.

RUMOR MILL
Former first round pick Jeremy Bonderman is rumored to be the player to be named later from the Lily trade. This would be a dissapointment if it is so.