2009 Preview: Oakland Athletics

by Erik Hahmann on Feb 4, 2009 2:00 PM EST

Team Name: Oakland Athletics

2008 W-L Record: 75-86

Place in division: 3rd

2009 Projected Lineup
Player	Pos.
Kurt Suzuki	C
Daric Barton/Jason Giambi	1B
Mark Ellis	2B
Bobby Crosby	SS
Eric Chavez/Jack Hannahan	3B
Matt Holliday	LF
Ryan Sweeney	CF
Jack Cust/Travis Buck	RF
Jason Giambi/Jack Cust	DH

Key Bench Players
Player	Pos.
Jack Hannahan	IF
Travis Buck	OF
Cliff Pennington	IF

2009 Projected Rotation
Player	Pos.
Justin Duchscherer	SP1
Sean Gallagher	SP2
Dallas Braden	SP3
Gio Gonzalez	SP4
Dana Eveland	SP5

Key Relievers
Player	Pos.
Brad Zielger	Closer
Joey Devine	Setup
Santiago Casilla	Setup
Jerry Blevins	Specialist

2009 Outlook Paragraph:

The 2008 A's were the worst offensive team in the American League last season, and it wasn't really even close. They finished last in runs scored, tied for last in OBP and last in SLG. Interestingly enough they were fourth in the league in walks which would make you wonder how they finished last in OBP. Then you see that they lead the league in strikeouts and things make a bit more sense. The A's addressed the issue of offense with the additions of Matt Holliday and Jason Giambi. Holliday should have a slight drop off from his numbers at Coors Field, but nothing too drastic. While adding Giambi was a good move, it still forces him or Cust into the field every day, and that's always quality entertainment. Conversely, the A's pitching staff wasn't bad in 2008, finishing 6^th in FIP. The bullpen will again be strength of this team, with Brad Ziegler taking over the closing duties from Huston Street and Joey Devine and Santiago Casilla setting him up. The starting rotation still has its problems. Justin Duchscherer probably isn't going to be able to sustain his success of 2008 when he had a .240 BABiP, and Gio Gonzalez is going to take some lumps in the rotation. The A's should be far improved offensively in 2009, and the pitching should be decent enough to get them by some days, but I don't see them beating out Anaheim, or Texas for that matter, in the division.

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Comments

The A's are two moves away from running away with the West.

1. Sign Orlando Cabrera
2. Sign Ben Sheets

I know both will cost picks, but on one year deals, the A’s would probably get a pick right back for each next year. Also, if they don’t resign Matt Holliday, they will get two picks for him. Other wise the additions of Holliday, Giambi to the offense and Springer, Wuertz to the pen make for a solid offseason.

by Tommy Rancel on Feb 4, 2009 2:13 PM EST reply actions