[The Elephant Walk is my somewhat regular column on Oakland Athletics baseball. Results, performances, transactions or other thoughts I might have about the A’s]

My faith in Billy Beane is being challenged… really being challenged. This season I’ve not been on board for all of his trades and have been disappointed that he was not able to move other guys like Piazza and Dan Johnson.

So with that in mind, I have no idea what to think about the A’s salary dump that took place today; Esteban Loaiza was claimed off waivers by the Dodgers but there will be no transaction. Loaiza, and his salary, are now property of the Los Angeles Dodgers with absolutely nothing, not even cash, returning to Oakland.

Don’t get me wrong; I wasn’t exactly thrilled about paying Loaiza $7 million in 2008… but really without him, and no real sense about how much the A’s can rely on Rich Harden, the A’s are left with two… count ‘em… two solid starters for ‘08: Dan Haren and Joe Blanton.

I’m scared Billy… please show us the light sooner than later… because I know hope pray you’ve got some good insight about how this is going to resolve itself in 2008.

• Dodgers claim Loaiza off waivers from A’s (Fox Sports)