A’s all ears? Who’s not?

It’s become big news this week that A’s general manager Billy Beane, which whom I spoke Thursday night, is going to be all ears this offseason when it comes to discussing trades.

That’s big news? Not really. As Beane has often told me, “If you’re not listening, you’re not doing your job.”

Look, there isn’t a GM in the game — in all of professional sports, really — that isn’t all ears at all times.  Beane, in particular, is open to hearing whatever proposal one of his colleagues might want to throw out, even if it’s ridiculous at the time.

In fact, it’s an important and wise method by which Beane and his brethren gather information. Over the course of any given trade discussion, even if it doesn’t immediately lead to a deal, GMs can find out which players might be available in future deals.

For example, here’s a conversation that might take place in January …

GM No. 1: I’m looking to move Player A and I’d like to offer him to you in return for Player B.

GM No. 2: Hmmmm. Well, we like Player A, but Player B is more than we’re willing to give up. How about Players C and D? Player D’s ripping it up at Triple-A.

GM No. 1: Oh well. I figured it was worth a shot. Thanks for your time, buddy. Talk to you later.

Now fast-forward a few months, right before the start of the season …

GM No. 1: Hey buddy, tough spring for you guys, huh? Can’t believe Player B’s ankle is broken. And Player C needs Tommy John? Brutal. How you holding up?

GM No. 2: I’ve been better. Ownership’s basically giving up on the season and wants me to cut payroll. They’re talking about cleaning house.

GM No. 1: Wow. That sucks. Well, maybe I can help you out. Gimme Player D and I’ll get you some cash.

That’s a bare-bones version of how it often works, so when you hear that Beane is listening to offers, it’s no reason to flip out. It could very well be nothing more than a smartly publicized fact-finding mission.

If it’s not?

Well, there have been reports that second baseman Jemile Weeks is the only “untouchable” on the Oakland roster; everyone else can be had in the right deal.

The A’s are essentially being held hostage by MLB’s blue-ribbon panel on their stadium situation, so they need to go young (again) in hopes that whatever collection of young talent they assemble is ready to compete at a high level by the time a move is actually made.

How young is young, though?

Weeks is 24.

Trevor Cahill, a 2010 AL All-Star who’d figure to draw considerable interest on the trade market, is 23.

Gio Gonzalez, a 2011 AL All-Star, is all of 26.

True, you want to sell high when you have some talent that might fetch a fat haul. But until there’s an actual stadium deal, the A’s need to be careful not to further alienate a fan base that’s been feeling all but ignored for years.

Keep Weeks, by all means. He belongs on the list of untouchables. But so do Cahill and Gonzalez, at the very least.