Spring training site
Phoenix, Ariz.
2008 record
75-86, third in AL West (24.5 games behind Angels)
New faces
LF Matt Holliday (trade, Rockies); 1B-DH Jason Giambi (free agent, Yankees); RHP Russ Springer (free agent, Cardinals); RHP Chris Schroder (free agent, Nationals); RHP Michael Wuertz (trade, Cubs); IF Yun-Chi Chen (free agent, Mariners); OF Ben Copeland (Rule 5, Giants); RHP Edgar Gonzalez (free agent, Diamondbacks)
Biggest offseason acquisition
Holliday finished second in the NL MVP voting in 2007 and is entering the prime of his career. He might take a small step back in a new league, but with a career batting average of .319 and a 162-game average of 30 homers and 112 RBI a season, I wouldn't expect a Vinny Castilla-sized drop-off from Holliday after leaving the friendly confines of Coors Field.
Gone but not forgotten
RHP Huston Street (trade, to Rockies); LHP Alan Embree (trade, to Rockies); OF Matt Murton (trade, to Rockies); LHP Greg Smith (trade, to Rockies); OF Carlos Gonzalez (trade, to Rockies); LHP Dan Meyer (waivers, to Marlines); RHP Andrew Brown (free agent); OF Richie Robnett (trade, to Cubs)
Spring training battles
They're figuring out some roles in the everyday lineup. Giambi will likely be a designated hitter on most days, with Daric Barton (a disappointing .226 as a rookie last season) getting more playing time at first base. Jack Cust and Travis Buck will compete for playing time in the outfield. And the A's will hope that veteran third baseman Eric Chavez (shoulder surgery) will be healthy at the opener. At least one spot in the rotation is up for grabs as well.
Projected lineup
- CF Ryan Sweeney
- 2B Mark Ellis
- LF Matt Holliday
- DH Jason Giambi
- 3B Eric Chavez
- RF Jack Cust
- 1B Daric Barton
- C Kurt Suzuki
- SS Bobby Crosby
Projected starting rotation
- RHP Justin Duchscherer
- LHP Dana Eveland
- RHP Sean Gallagher
- LHP Dallas Braden
- LHP Gio Gonzalez
Projected bullpen
- RHP Joey Devine (closer)
- RHP Brad Ziegler
- RHP Russ Springer
- LHP Jerry Blevins
- RHP Michael Wuertz
- RHP Santiago Casilla
- LHP Josh Outman
Biggest strength
Holliday is by far this team's best player, and he'll solidify the lineup to a certain extent. The starting rotation is about as anonymous as it possibly could be, but potentially OK, with some nice arms in waiting in the minors as well. The bullpen should be decent as well.
Glaring weakness
Bobby Crosby is probably the worst everyday shortstop in the AL, and symptomatic of the rest of the team. Strictly on a talent basis, the small-market A's will have a hard time hanging around in the AL West against the Angels. The return of Giambi is interesting, but he's obviously not the same player he was in his first time around in Oakland. If Ellis returns to form after a shoulder injury and a lot of other things fall into place, they could be a second-place team, around the .500 mark.
