Regular Season Record: 88-74
Second in the AL West- 7.0 games back of Los Angeles Angels
Home Park: McAfee Coliseum
New Faces:
Esteban
Loaiza (SP) – Free Agency
Matt Roney (RP) – Free Agency
Milton Bradley (OF) –Trade with LA Dodgers
Antonio Perez (3B) – Trade with LA Dodgers
Chad Gaudin (P) – Trade with Blue Jays
Frank Thomas (DH) – Free Agency
Randy Keisler (RP) – Minor League Contract
Raul Casanova (C ) – Minor League Contract
Looking for Greener Pastures Elsewhere:
Alberto
Castillo (C ) – Free Agency
Octavio Dotel (RP) – Free Agency
Erubiel Durazo (DH) – Free Agency
Scott Hatteberg (1B) – Free Agency
Ricardo Rincon (RP) – Free Agency
Keiichi Yabu (RP) – Declined Contract Option
Andre Ethier (Minor League OF) – Trade with LA Dodgers
John Baker (C ) – Designated for Assignment
The Skinny: In all honesty, it’s hard to believe that the A’s didn’t make the playoffs in 2006. They ranked 6th in the AL in Runs Scored, their pitching staff ranked 4th in the AL in ERA, and they ranked 1st in the whole Major Leagues in team defensive efficiency. But, they didn’t rest on this “Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda” philosophy; they went out and got better. The A’s got one of the greatest hitters of our time in Frank Thomas, a very potent young outfielder in Milton Bradley, and innings eater Esteban Loiaza. These additions though, aren’t even the main reason the A’s should improve in 2006, that would be the number of young players they have that are due to at least stay productive if not get better. Most notably Bobby Crosby, Nick Swisher, Dan Johnson, Dan Haren, Joe Blanton, and Rich Harden.
Strengths: The A’s biggest strengths are very clearly youth, and depth. Every player in the A’s starting infield is under 29 years old. The A’s bench includes Bobby Kielty, Marco Scutaro, Antonio Perez, Jay Payton, and Adam Melhuse; all of whom could be starters elsewhere. But, this depth and youth isn’t their only strength. Their offense, after ranking sixth in the AL in runs scored as mentioned earlier, is sure to only get better with Bradley and Thomas now in the mix. This, combined with the A’s maturing youngsters, means Oakland is sure to have a top-five offense in 2006. And, even though I hate to say it, the A’s Starting pitching which ranked 3rd in the AL last season in ERA, and bullpen, which ranked 4th are also strengths. They haven’t lost any very valuable pieces to either of these units, and like the offense they are full of young guys. That’s right, the A’s strength is their entire team.
Weaknesses: While I have mentioned youth as one of the A’s strengths, It will also be mentioned as a weakness because some of these youngsters may get “figured out” in 2006. It wouldn’t be surprising to see players like Joe Blanton, Huston Street, and Mark Ellis have a drop off in 2006. These drop-offs wouldn’t be the result of these players not being good, but just they way things work out as they probably all had seasons in 2005 that were too good to repeat in 2006.
Potential Lineup:
1.
Jason Kendall
2. Mark Kotsay
3. Frank Thomas
4. Eric Chavez
5. Milton Bradley
6. Bobby Crosby
7. Jay Payton
8. Nick Swisher
9. Mark Ellis
Keys To Success: The A’s just have to play like they did last season and every thing should fall into place. In 2005 they doomed themselves with a horrible start to the season, and it cost them in the end. Their pitching is too good, their defense is too good, and their offense too good to finish 7 games backs of the division lead again in 2006.
Prediction:
The A’s will win the AL West in 2006. Many analysts thought
they were better than the Angels last season, and they will prove
this in 2006. They are already clearly better than division counterparts
Seattle and Texas. They won’t blow the Angels away though,
so it looks to be another tight race this year in the West, with
the A’s coming out on top this season though.
