2009 Record: 75-87
Key Additions: Ben Sheets (pitcher), Jake Fox (infield), Kevin Kouzmanoff (third base), Adam Rosales (utility)
Key Losses: Adam Kennedy (infield), Bobby Crosby (utility), Scott Hairston (outfield), Nomar Garciaparra (infield), Jeff Gray (pitcher)
Batting:
1. Rajai Davis LF
2. Coco Crisp CF
3. Kurt Suzuki C
4. Jack Cust DH
5. Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B
6. Ryan Sweeney RF
7. Mark Ellis 2B
8. Daric Barton 1B
9. Cliff Pennington SS
Meet the anti-Rangers. They have a ton of pitching, but most of their hitters are lucky to be in the MLB. Kouzmanoff is a decent pickup, but it is not nearly enough to carry this sorry lineup. Coco is all washed up, Cust strikes out too much, I like Barton, but he has proved anything. So, who is going to carry this lineup? Kurt Suzuki? Yea, I think the A's are going to struggle to score runs.
Pitching:
1. Ben Sheets
2. Justin Duchscherer
3. Dallas Braden
4. Brett Anderson
5. Trevor Cahill
Dallas Braden overachieved last year, but other then that I really like this pitching staff. We know Duchscherer won't make it through a full year, but they have plenty of arms in the minors that are looking to break out (Gio Gonzalez). I am still not sure what they are going to get from Sheets, but my guess is by the end of the year he won't be on this team anyways. Anderson, and Cahill aces in the making, too bad they won't get the run support to really make a name for themselves.
Overall:
If Sheets is awesome then this pitching staff could be one of the better in the AL, but their hitting is so bad that I really can't see them going far. They improve their record from last year, but it's not enough to make the playoffs.
2010 Record: 80-82
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