In one of Billy Beane’s classic three cornered trades, the A’s sent Carlos Pena, Franklyn German, and a player to be named later to the Tigers for Jeff Weaver. The A’s then shipped Weaver to the Yanks for lefty Ted Lilly and two minor leaguers.

Once the A’s load the barrel, they pull the trigger on trades. Somehow, this trade feels like just the prelude to two or more trades by the A’s.

Here’s what I think so far.It is painfully obvious to the Tiger fans that the Tigers aren’t going to be a competitive team for the foreseeable future.

Carlos Pena is a hardheaded young man who has not lived up to his potential in either the majors or AAA. Franklyn German, currently in AA, throws hard, but has no clue as to where the ball is going. The player to be named is probably on the A’s 25 man roster now and will be dispatched to Detroit as soon as the next trade is made.

He won’t be an impact player.

My guess is it will be Eric Byrnes or Adam Piatt.

Detroit didn’t get much in present value for one of the top righthanded starters in the game.

New York made out like a bandit. Weaver is young and healthy and gives the Yankees insurance in case injuries should befall David Wells, Andy Pettitte, El Duque or Roger Clemens.

With Raul Mondesi now in the outfield and Weaver in the rotation, the Yanks have addressed their two biggest needs.

Namely, a healthy starting pitcher and a power hitting outfielder.

The A’s would have been awfully strong keeping Weaver and going with a rotation of Mulder, Hudson, Zito, and Weaver for the balance of the season.

Was money the reason they let Weaver go?

Probably.

Now what did they get?

Lilly can start if necessary plus he gives the A’s an option if they need to make him their lefty in the pen.

If the A’s make it to the playoffs, they will use a three man rotation, Lilly becomes the long man or the lefty reliever. Also, Lilly has thrown a one hitter against Seattle this season, that doesn’t hurt if the A’s get into a seven game playoff series with the Mariners.

Having Lilly gives the A’s the option of moving either Aaron Harang or Cory Lidle to another team for a hitter.

I think Lidle should be careful before signing any long term leases in the Bay Area.

The A’s need a hitter, preferably a center fielder, Lidle is good trade bait since he appears to be pitching well again.

I still don’t understand why the A’s would allow Weaver to go to their stiffest competition, while ostensibly shoring up their own rotation with a pitcher who has really never made it in the big leagues.

You tell me what Billy Beane has up his sleeve next, because there must be something to justify letting Weaver go to NY.

If this is just the beginning of additional moves this month, it will be one heckuva July in the Bay Area.

We haven’t even heard from SF’s Brian Sabean yet and you know the Giants will not be outdone by the A’s if they can help it.

I can’t wait.

But for now, I would have kept Jeff Weaver in Oakland.