 |
 |
|
|
2010 OAKLAND ATHLETICS PREVIEW
Moneyball has taken a bit of a hit in the East Bay lately as the A’s put together a last place finish in the AL West with a 75-87 record. The Athletics have put together three consecutive seasons with 75 or 76 wins and have not made the playoffs since 2006.
 |
DFN Sports sites feature Oakland Athletics apparel & merchandise online. |
This was an offseason of change for the Athletics as they acquired starter Ben Sheets and outfielder Coco Crisp in free agency and 3 rd Baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff from the Padres. The biggest change is that injury-prone star Eric Chavez could be relegated to a backup role for the first time in his career. Can the new additions finally allow the A’s to win more than 76 games?
STARTING PITCHING
The acquisition of Sheets is a double-edged sword. On one hand, he has had some serious injury issues, having missed the entire 2009 season and 42 starts in the four years before that. However, it is understandable that the A’s wanted to take a chance on Sheets as he has a career 3.72 ERA is considered one of the most talented pitchers in baseball. Pitching in a renowned pitcher’s park, it should be a great marriage.
The theme of injury runs heavily in the proven starters atop the A’s rotation. Former ace Justin Duchscherer posted a 2.54 ERA in 2008 but he missed all of 2009 while recovering from elbow surgery. If Duchscherer is healthy then he will surely be a part of the rotation but unfortunately his health isn’t a given.
The rest of the rotation is full of extremely interesting candidates, as there will be six other men looking to fill out the final three spots. Lefty Dallas Braden (8-9, 3.89 ERA, 22 Starts) missed the last two months of 2009 due to a foot rash but clearly showed the ability to function as a solid major league starter. Meanwhile, 22 year old Trevor Cahill (10-13, 4.63 ERA, 32 Stats, 178 IP) had a strong rookie season and will counted on to improve in his sophomore campaign. Fellow 22 year old Brett Anderson (11-11, 4.06 ERA, 30 Starts, 175 IP) was also strong in his rookie campaign and like Cahill he has a very bright future.
The other three candidates are probably going to have to have big Spring Training results to earn a rotation spot. 24 year old Vin Mazzaro (4-9, 5.32 ERA in 17 Starts) had a tough stretch run in 2009 and will compete with fireballer Gio Gonzalez (7-11, 24 Starts, 132 IP) and Josh Outman (4-1, 3.48 ERA in 12 Starts), who was impressive before having surgery before the All-Star break in 2009. This rotation is extremely talented but every starter is either recovering from major injury or doesn’t have a lot of experience and that’s not a good formula to put together a great rotation.
BULLPEN
The A’s were so desperate for a closer in 2009 that rookie Andrew Bailey took over the spot after Joey Devine went down with a season ending injury and posted 26 Saves in 68 Games while posting a 1.84 ERA. Those numbers simply aren’t a fluke and it seems highly likely that Bailey will continue to dominate in the ninth inning.
The rest of the bullpen is pretty solid as well, led by setup man Brad Ziegler (3.07 ERA in 69 Games), who is the first option to close if Bailey falters. Other solid options include Michael Wuertz (6-1, 2.63 ERA in 74 Games), former closer Joey Devine (0.59 ERA in 42 Games in 2008), Craig Breslow (8-7, 3.36 ERA in 77 Games) and Jerry Blevins (4.84 ERA in 20 Games). With so much depth, the A’s should be quite solid in the bullpen in 2010.
INFIELD
3rd Baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff (.256, 18 HR, 88 RBI, .203 OBP) is a huge addition for the A’s as he put up strong power numbers in one of the largest parks in all of baseball. He should have a big season for the Athletics. He’ll play next to young shortstop Cliff Pennington (.279, 4 HR, 21 RBI, .342 OBP) who played well in the last 60 games of the year. His double play partner will be 2nd Baseman Mark Ellis (.263, 10 HR, 61 RBI, 10 SB, .305 OBP), who has good power numbers when he’s healthy. Catcher Kurt Suzuki (.274, 15 HR, 88 RBI, .313 OBP) is one of the most productive in all of baseball and will be counted on to have a big season.
The real position of intrigue is at first base, where prospect Daric Barton (.269, 3 HR, 24 RBI, .372 OBP in 54 Games) and longtime star Eric Chavez will compete for the starting job. The issue here is that Chavez has only played 31 games in the past two seasons and Barton is still trying to recapture the magic bat he displayed down the stretch in 2007. One of the two has to put together a solid season, right? If there is some production at first, the Athletics will have a productive infield.
OUTFIELD
The A’s appear to have a decent starting outfield in place with the new acquisition of Crisp, who hits for good average while playing strong defense. Leftfielder Rajai Davis (.305, 3 HR, 48 RBI, .360 OBP) has the ability to provide a solid run-scoring presence atop the lineup as well and should be a valuable contributor this season. Finally, rightfielder Ryan Sweeney (.293, 6 HR, 53 RBI, .348 OBP) rounds out an outfield that is heavy on average and light on power and run production.
The only proven source of power on the entire team is DH Jack Cust (.240, 25 HR, 70 RBI, 88 R, .356 OBP), whose low average is offset by his prodigious power and the A’s are going to have manufacture a lot of runs in 2010.
Pro Baseball Fans and our partner sites feature Oakland Athletics jerseys & hats and Athletics Fathead wall murals online. |
OUTLOOK
The A’s have some serious concerns in their starting rotation this year. Both Sheets and Duchscherer are proven big time starters but neither has had much luck with injuries in recent years. Meanwhile the back end of the rotation is very young and will rely heavily on young but inexperienced talent. Furthermore, the lineup has very little power and the A’s will have to manufacture a ton of runs in 2009 to become competitive. It would sound repetitive to Oakland fans, but the Athletics look like a team that is going to finish with about 75 wins for the 4 th consecutive season and unfortunately that means that another last place finish in the AL West is in their future.
By Matt Baxendell
MLBcenter.com Staff Writer
Your team not getting enough respect? Complain to Matt Baxendell at matt.baxendell@gmail.com or follow all the MLB previews on Twitter.
> View all of the 2010 MLB team previews from MLB Center
Advertisement