Oakland Athletics
http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/257/1/Oakland-Athletics.html
Phil Mattingly
By Phil Mattingly
Published on 03/23/2006
The A's haven't made the postseason since 2003, but Phil Mattingly thinks 2006 could be the year they return to the promised land.
The literary world’s favorite general manager looks as if he has done it again, albeit with a new strategy. This season’s Oakland A’s will stick closely to Billy Beane’s Moneyball blueprint (young, cheap players with high on-base percentage and run production than huge power numbers), but three somewhat unorthodox free agent pickups have the A’s looking towards the AL West title.
While 88 wins was an impressive feat for a team with five rookies playing major roles, the A’s missed the playoffs for the second straight season after having made the postseason each year from 2000-2003. Looking to bolster a lineup with a serious power deficiency, Beane went after two much-maligned sluggers over the winter: Kenny Williams’ arch nemesis Frank Thomas, and infamous malcontent Milton Bradley. While Thomas’ career is certainly on the decline, his 12 home runs in only 34 games last season lend credibility to his claim that his power remains intact. Still considered to have one of the best eyes in the game, Thomas should fit right in to Beane’s philosophy.
Bradley represents an age-old conundrum in the game of baseball. He is a player with boundless talent, but with a reputation of having a head on his shoulders fit for a second grader. Though Bradley missed 85 games last season for the Dodgers due to a knee injury, he hit 13 home runs and hit at a .290 clip in his limited appearances. A solid defensive player, if Bradley remains healthy (and happy) he will be an enormous asset to the club this season.
Just as with new acquisitions Thomas and Bradley, the returning A’s had some serious injury troubles last season. Shortstop Bobby Crosby, third baseman Eric Chavez, catcher Jason Kendall, and centerfielder Mark Kotsay all suffered serious injuries last season. For the A’s to have any chance at an October run, all of the aforementioned players must remain healthy.
Crosby and Chavez anchor the left side of a potent Oakland infield. After rib stress fractures kept Crosby on the disabled list for the early part of the season, he never really found his 2004 Rookie of the Year form. Chavez battled back from a horrific early season slump to mash 27 home runs and bolster his reputation as one of the finest defensive third baseman in the league. Rounding out the infield will be reliable second baseman Mark Ellis (.316 in 2005) and up-and-comer Dan Johnson at first base. Though Johnson did not receive his major league call-up until nearly two months into the season, he still dropped 15 long balls and hit .275 last season.
Nick Swisher will join Kotsay and Bradley in the spacious outfield at McAfee Coliseum. Kotsay battled through his injuries and had another productive season in centerfield. The former College World Series MVP settled into the A’s leadoff spot and posted a .280 average and 15 home runs, all the while flashing a spectacular glove in center. Another one of Oakland’s key prospects, Swisher led all rookies last season in RBI with 74 and tied for the rookie lead in home runs with 21. Despite a relatively meager .238 batting average, Swisher’s ability to hit from both sides of the plate and nearly anywhere in the lineup will be a major advantage for the A’s.
Light-hitting catcher Jason Kendall rounds out the 2006 Oakland lineup. And by light hitting, I mean 0 home runs for the entire 2005 season light. While handling opposing pitching might not be Kendall’s strong suit, his ability to handle his own staff is renowned and certainly important as Oakland continues to send young pitchers to the hill.
The Oakland bench is strong, as Ronald McDonald look-alike Bobby Kielty and Jay Payton will add depth to the outfield and the designated hitter spot. Both players have started a considerable amount of games in their careers and will be major assets late in the season as the A’s try to hang on in what will be a tough AL West race.
The bread and butter for the Oakland A’s in their current run of success has always been the men on the mound. Last season marked a major shift however, as the Big Three of Barry Zito, Tim Hudson, and Mark Mulder, turned into the Big One and the Young Guns. Zito, with his knee-buckling deuce, served as the only veteran on the staff last season, and it’s possible he might not even be on the team come season’s end. He’s in his walk year and the notoriously tight-fisted A’s might be inclined to deal him now rather than let him get away for no compensation.
A year more experienced and still full of potential, the remaining staff of Rich Harden, Joe Blanton, and Dan Haren will take the reins of the staff this season. Harden has by far the most potential a his fastball that consistently touches 97 mph and a vast array of breaking pitches that led him to a rotation-leading 2.53 ERA last season. Blanton fought through a winless first 10 decisions in 2005 to post 12 wins and a 3.53 ERA. Haren, a right-hander acquired in the Mark Mulder trade with the Cardinals, will look to finally match his 2004 playoff performance consistently in the regular season. Add free agent pickup Esteban Loaiza, who after two fairly mediocre seasons will look to regain his Cy Young-worth 2003 form, and the Oakland A’s have the best rotation in the American League. Things are looking up for Loaiza, as he picked up 11 of his 12 victories in 2005 after June 2nd.
There is little relief in store for opposing hitters when the starters hand the ball over to the Oakland bullpen, as reigning Rookie of the Year Huston Street and his devastating three-quarter delivery await to shut down any late-inning rallies. The University of Texas’ favorite son, Street converted all 18 of his save opportunities after the 2005 All-Star break and finished with the second best ERA in the league at 1.72.
The men responsible for getting the ball to Street in the ninth are no slouches either, as 2005 All-Star Justin Duchscherer looks to be fully recovered from his back problems and ready to return to the form that resulted in a 2.21 ERA last season. Jay Witasick and Kiko Calero are two more formidable righties coming out of the pen and Joe Kennedy and Ron Flores will serve as the A’s situational lefties.
While the two-time defending AL West champion Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have not lost a great deal, if Oakland can stay healthy and avoid sophomore slumps by its young stars, there is no reason the A’s can’t take home their first AL West title since 2003. It looks as if Beane’s now legendary approach of surrounding a few quality veterans with a group of cheap, young players will pay off again and send Oakland deep into October.
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The A's haven't made the postseason since 2003, but Phil Mattingly thinks 2006 could be the year they return to the promised land.
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The literary world’s favorite general manager looks as if he has done it again, albeit with a new strategy. This season’s Oakland A’s will stick closely to Billy Beane’s Moneyball blueprint (young, cheap players with high on-base percentage and run production than huge power numbers), but three somewhat unorthodox free agent pickups have the A’s looking towards the AL West title.
While 88 wins was an impressive feat for a team with five rookies playing major roles, the A’s missed the playoffs for the second straight season after having made the postseason each year from 2000-2003. Looking to bolster a lineup with a serious power deficiency, Beane went after two much-maligned sluggers over the winter: Kenny Williams’ arch nemesis Frank Thomas, and infamous malcontent Milton Bradley. While Thomas’ career is certainly on the decline, his 12 home runs in only 34 games last season lend credibility to his claim that his power remains intact. Still considered to have one of the best eyes in the game, Thomas should fit right in to Beane’s philosophy.
Bradley represents an age-old conundrum in the game of baseball. He is a player with boundless talent, but with a reputation of having a head on his shoulders fit for a second grader. Though Bradley missed 85 games last season for the Dodgers due to a knee injury, he hit 13 home runs and hit at a .290 clip in his limited appearances. A solid defensive player, if Bradley remains healthy (and happy) he will be an enormous asset to the club this season.
Just as with new acquisitions Thomas and Bradley, the returning A’s had some serious injury troubles last season. Shortstop Bobby Crosby, third baseman Eric Chavez, catcher Jason Kendall, and centerfielder Mark Kotsay all suffered serious injuries last season. For the A’s to have any chance at an October run, all of the aforementioned players must remain healthy.
Crosby and Chavez anchor the left side of a potent Oakland infield. After rib stress fractures kept Crosby on the disabled list for the early part of the season, he never really found his 2004 Rookie of the Year form. Chavez battled back from a horrific early season slump to mash 27 home runs and bolster his reputation as one of the finest defensive third baseman in the league. Rounding out the infield will be reliable second baseman Mark Ellis (.316 in 2005) and up-and-comer Dan Johnson at first base. Though Johnson did not receive his major league call-up until nearly two months into the season, he still dropped 15 long balls and hit .275 last season.
Nick Swisher will join Kotsay and Bradley in the spacious outfield at McAfee Coliseum. Kotsay battled through his injuries and had another productive season in centerfield. The former College World Series MVP settled into the A’s leadoff spot and posted a .280 average and 15 home runs, all the while flashing a spectacular glove in center. Another one of Oakland’s key prospects, Swisher led all rookies last season in RBI with 74 and tied for the rookie lead in home runs with 21. Despite a relatively meager .238 batting average, Swisher’s ability to hit from both sides of the plate and nearly anywhere in the lineup will be a major advantage for the A’s.
Light-hitting catcher Jason Kendall rounds out the 2006 Oakland lineup. And by light hitting, I mean 0 home runs for the entire 2005 season light. While handling opposing pitching might not be Kendall’s strong suit, his ability to handle his own staff is renowned and certainly important as Oakland continues to send young pitchers to the hill.
The Oakland bench is strong, as Ronald McDonald look-alike Bobby Kielty and Jay Payton will add depth to the outfield and the designated hitter spot. Both players have started a considerable amount of games in their careers and will be major assets late in the season as the A’s try to hang on in what will be a tough AL West race.
The bread and butter for the Oakland A’s in their current run of success has always been the men on the mound. Last season marked a major shift however, as the Big Three of Barry Zito, Tim Hudson, and Mark Mulder, turned into the Big One and the Young Guns. Zito, with his knee-buckling deuce, served as the only veteran on the staff last season, and it’s possible he might not even be on the team come season’s end. He’s in his walk year and the notoriously tight-fisted A’s might be inclined to deal him now rather than let him get away for no compensation.
A year more experienced and still full of potential, the remaining staff of Rich Harden, Joe Blanton, and Dan Haren will take the reins of the staff this season. Harden has by far the most potential a his fastball that consistently touches 97 mph and a vast array of breaking pitches that led him to a rotation-leading 2.53 ERA last season. Blanton fought through a winless first 10 decisions in 2005 to post 12 wins and a 3.53 ERA. Haren, a right-hander acquired in the Mark Mulder trade with the Cardinals, will look to finally match his 2004 playoff performance consistently in the regular season. Add free agent pickup Esteban Loaiza, who after two fairly mediocre seasons will look to regain his Cy Young-worth 2003 form, and the Oakland A’s have the best rotation in the American League. Things are looking up for Loaiza, as he picked up 11 of his 12 victories in 2005 after June 2nd.
There is little relief in store for opposing hitters when the starters hand the ball over to the Oakland bullpen, as reigning Rookie of the Year Huston Street and his devastating three-quarter delivery await to shut down any late-inning rallies. The University of Texas’ favorite son, Street converted all 18 of his save opportunities after the 2005 All-Star break and finished with the second best ERA in the league at 1.72.
The men responsible for getting the ball to Street in the ninth are no slouches either, as 2005 All-Star Justin Duchscherer looks to be fully recovered from his back problems and ready to return to the form that resulted in a 2.21 ERA last season. Jay Witasick and Kiko Calero are two more formidable righties coming out of the pen and Joe Kennedy and Ron Flores will serve as the A’s situational lefties.
While the two-time defending AL West champion Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have not lost a great deal, if Oakland can stay healthy and avoid sophomore slumps by its young stars, there is no reason the A’s can’t take home their first AL West title since 2003. It looks as if Beane’s now legendary approach of surrounding a few quality veterans with a group of cheap, young players will pay off again and send Oakland deep into October.
Phil Mattingly can be reached at phil.mattingly@atomicsportsmedia.com