Oakland A’s 2010 preview
Article By smcneal.tsn on 19th March, 2010
Once again, the A's will have the smallest payroll and the biggest young arms in the American League. This offseason, Oakland added veteran Ben Sheets to the rotation and gave up on oft-injured Eric Chavez returning as its starting third baseman. There is depth in the rotation and the outfield, and more talented young players are on the way. The bottom line should be familiar, however: a fourth-place finish in the AL West.
Led by Rajai Davis, the A's plan to run more this year. Three questions
1. Where will the offense come from?
Not from the home run. After having success with small ball in the second half last season, the A's—led by Rajai Davis—will be running from the start of 2010. "We don't have a ton of power," manager Bob Geren said. "We'll pay a lot of attention to the little things—moving a runner over, getting a run in with less than two outs." Geren said Oakland got used to competing in low-scoring games last year. "We have to learn how to win those close games," he said.
Oakland also hopes two of its new starters—Coco Crisp in center and Kevin Kouzmanoff at third—will give the club a lift in the speed and power departments, respectively. Neither, however, is an offensive force. Crisp has a career .331 on-base percentage, and Kouzmanoff has only 59 homers over the past three seasons (though Petco Park was his home park).
2. How deep is the rotation?
If Justin Duchscherer is healthy, the A's will have enough starters to field two four-man rotations. Sheets and Duchscherer are the only 30-somethings in the group. The rest come from all corners of the country but have a couple of things in common: "Youth and talent," Geren said. Brett Anderson, 22, is the lone lock among them after making 30 starts with a 4.06 ERA last season as a rookie.
Dallas Braden, 26, will make the rotation as long as he is recovered from a seas...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
Led by Rajai Davis, the A's plan to run more this year. Three questions
1. Where will the offense come from?
Not from the home run. After having success with small ball in the second half last season, the A's—led by Rajai Davis—will be running from the start of 2010. "We don't have a ton of power," manager Bob Geren said. "We'll pay a lot of attention to the little things—moving a runner over, getting a run in with less than two outs." Geren said Oakland got used to competing in low-scoring games last year. "We have to learn how to win those close games," he said.
Oakland also hopes two of its new starters—Coco Crisp in center and Kevin Kouzmanoff at third—will give the club a lift in the speed and power departments, respectively. Neither, however, is an offensive force. Crisp has a career .331 on-base percentage, and Kouzmanoff has only 59 homers over the past three seasons (though Petco Park was his home park).
2. How deep is the rotation?
If Justin Duchscherer is healthy, the A's will have enough starters to field two four-man rotations. Sheets and Duchscherer are the only 30-somethings in the group. The rest come from all corners of the country but have a couple of things in common: "Youth and talent," Geren said. Brett Anderson, 22, is the lone lock among them after making 30 starts with a 4.06 ERA last season as a rookie.
Dallas Braden, 26, will make the rotation as long as he is recovered from a seas...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
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