You know Billy Beane wants to go for it.



Beane, the executive vice-president of the Oakland Athletics, always takes a shot when his team stands a chance of making the playoffs. If the A’s continue to surge and Beane holds or sells before the July 31 non-waiver deadline, the decision almost certainly will not reflect his wishes, but the preference of an ownership unwilling to add salary.



The A’s began the season with a $65.9 million payroll, the lowest in the majors. Along with the Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays, they are the subject of a grievance the players’ union filed to Major League Baseball in February, contending that they are not spending revenue-sharing money in the manner intended by the collective-bargaining agreement.



Few expected the Athletics (52-41) to contend under such circumstances, and their odds of reaching the postseason remain long — they trail the Seattle Mariners by six games in the race...