Batting Order: A very balanced lineup, the A's will have speed and walk frequently. Signing Scott Rolen in free agency was a key pick-up, as he gives Jason Giambi protection with his fearsome power bat. This is an order that will presumably be shaken up several times before it settles into a set lineup, as there is a lot of potential for flexibility here. Don't be surprised to see Randy Velarde and Ray Lankford (another great signing) find their ways into the 1 and 2 slots. The key will be Giambi, as an MVP caliber season could put Oakland in playoff contention.
Rotation: As expected from Oakland, good pitching abounds. Parker is an extremely valuable ace, especially at such an affordable price for a tier 2 starter. He's supported by three tier 3s, giving them depth. Tim Hudson will need to perform admirably for the season to go well for Oakland, as his control 3 is concerning.
Bullpen: Although they only have three guys, the A's bullpen looks pretty stellar. Balfour and Blevins are studs, but the real treat is Norberto. An IP2 guy with C5, on at 17 stuff? I'll take that! If these guys can stay fresh all year, Oakland should have no problem protecting leads.
Overall: The A's are a true wild card team and analysts are sure to be divided on their fortunes this year. While they lack pop across the board, their hitters should contribute high OBPs and score enough runs for this solid pitching staff to make into victories. Definitely not as eye-catching as Texas or Los Angeles, but the A's have playoff potential.
No comments:
Post a Comment