2009 MLB Preview - Oakland Athletics

Oakland Athletics
Manager: Bob Geren (3rd season)
2008 Record: 75-86 (3rd AL West)


Added: 1B Jason Giambi (OAK), IF Nomar Garciaparra (LAD), SS Orlando Cabrera (CHW), OF Matt Holliday (OAK)
Lost: 3B Donnie Murphy (BAL), OF Carlos Gonzalez (COL), SP Greg Smith (COL), RP Huston Street (COL), RP Alan Embree (COL)

Projected Lineup (2008 Stats)
1. CF Ryan Sweeney (.286, 53 R, 5 HR, 45 RBI) 2. SS Orlando Cabrera (.281, 93 R, 8 HR, 57 RBI, 19 SB) 3. LF Matt Holliday (.321, 107 R, 25 HR, 88 RBI, 28 SB) 4. DH Jack Cust (.231, 77 R, 33 HR, 77 RBI) 5. 1B Jason Giambi (.247, 68 R, 32 HR, 96 RBI) 6. 3B Eric Chavez (.247, 10 R, 2 HR, 14 RBI) 7. C Kurt Suzuki (.279, 54 R, 7 HR, 42 RBI) 8. 2B Mark Ellis (.233, 55 R, 12 HR, 41 RBI) 9. RF Travis Buck (.226, 16 R, 7 HR, 25 RBI)

Projected Starting Rotation (2008 Stats)
1. Dallas Braden (5-4, 4.14 ERA, 41 K) 2. Dana Eveland (9-9, 4.34 ERA, 118 K) 3. Brett Anderson (Rookie) 4. Trevor Cahill (Rookie) 5. Josh Outman (1-2, 4.56 ERA, 19 K)

Bench
IF Daric Barton, IF Bobby Crosby, OF Rajai Davis, IF/OF Nomar Garciaparra

Bullpen (2008 Stats for Closer only)
Bard Zeigler (3 11, 59.2 IP, 47 H, 30 K, 1.06 ERA), Joey Devine, Jerry Blevins, Santiago Casilla, Russ Springer

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Fantasy Studs: OF Matt Holliday
Fantasy Sleepers: SP Trevor Cahill

Men In The Minors: 2B Adrian Cardenas, OF Aaron Cunningham, SP Michael Iona, SP James Simmons

Home Ballpark: McAfee Coliseum (Grade 1/10)

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Team Outlook: It's been a long time since the A's have really been a threat to make the playoffs. This team doesn't look like it's going to reverse the trend. Let's start with the lineup. Holliday and Cabrera are great pick-ups and should make a huge impact. Chavez and Giambi could also be helpful but they need to stay healthy. Suzuki is a very good hitting catcher and the team has great depth as well. The pitching though is what will make or break this team. You know it's not good news when your Opening Day starter is Braden, who own just 5 games. 2 of the pitchers in the rotation are 21 years old and rookies. Everything about that rotation screams trouble. Thing is, if these newbies pitch well, then this offense could bail them out on some nights. Not sure if this team is in contending mode or rebuilging mode. Either way, that rotation will make for a fun lineup.

Next Preview: Philadelphia Phillies