This year (2010), the A's used a four game winning streak to finish at an even 81-81. This improvement is no fluke; the raw talent that had been either struggling or waiting around in Triple A is really starting to ripen.
The pitching staff, whose oldest starter is Dallas Braden at 27, was an American League best. The defense was also stellar. The problem is the hitting, who finished last or near last in all of the significant statistical categories. It's obvious that the hitting is terrible when your leading home run hitter hits 16 of them (Kevin Kouzmanoff).
Billy Beane has spent the off-season improving this atrocious offense. Beane traded for David DeJesus and Josh Willingham and signed Hideki Matsui. Beane also signed Rich Harden and Brandon McCarthy, who along with Tyson Ross and Bobby Cramer will compete for the fifth starter spot. Here's a look at your (barring any more major moves) 2011 Oakland Athletics:
Pitching Staff
Starters
1. Dallas Braden
2010 Stats: 11-14, 3.50 ERA, 192.2 IP
Braden, the old man of of the rotation, was fairly durable and posted a strong 3.50 ERA. His 11-14 win-loss record is only so bad because of the hitting.
2. Brett Anderson
2010 Stats: 7-6, 2.80 ERA, 19 GS
Anderson missed a good chunk of his sophomore season, but don't expect him to become injury prone. After missing early stages of the season, he came back returned to his stellar self. His ERA speaks for itself.
3. Trevor Cahill
2010 Stats: 18-8, 2.97 ERA, 30 GS
Cahill started the season in the minors. After being called up, Cahill posted stellar numbers, albeit with a little luck; his batting average against with balls in play was an American League low. Look for his stats to fall a little, but not too much. 16-10 with a 3.25 ERA seems reasonable.
4. Gio Gonzalez
2010 Stats: 15-9, 3.23 ERA, 33 GS
Everyone knew Gonzalez had the "stuff", but he seemed to always lose games to his emotions. After getting his emotions under control, Gonzalez dropped his ERA from 5.75 to 3.23. Not many teams have the luxury of using a 15-9, 3.23 ERA as their fourth starter.
5.
a. Rich Harden: Harden is most likely to get the 5th starter spot. Look for his innings to be limited. When healthy he was stellar in Oakland but he never found his touch in Chicago or Texas. If he can regain his pre-trade-to-Chicago form he will give the A's five starters that can match up with any teams ace.
b. Josh Outman: Before getting hurt halfway through the 2009 season he had a sub 3.50 ERA. It looks as though him and Harden will fight for the fifth spot with the runner up earning a spot in the bullpen.
c. Brandon McCarthy: Over the last three years McCarthy has struggled for health, appearing in only 22 games. Because of the presence of Harden and Outman it looks as if he will either be held in Triple A as insurance or in the bullpen. Expect the former.
d. Tyson Ross: Ross was expected to start last season in the minors but ended up earning a spot in the majors as a reliever. The A's ultimately see him as a starter and he looks to be part of the future so I believe he will be sent to the minors because there would be no room on the Major League staff.
e. Bobby Cramer: I just listed Cramer here to be nice. I really don't think he has any chance of making the Major League roster and will either be sent to the minors as insurance or traded in return for a specialty player (speed player, late innings fielder, etc).
Up Next:
1. Bullpen
2. Starting 9
3. Bench
4. Up and Comers
By Arjun Parikh
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