Oakland Athletics
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Oakland Athletics
dudes! Here's the Oakland A's thread.
I think we're going to suck this year. Wonder who's going to be the deadweight salary (Jermain Dye or Arthur Rhodes?)
The Giants look better than us. :banana:
I think we're going to suck this year. Wonder who's going to be the deadweight salary (Jermain Dye or Arthur Rhodes?)
The Giants look better than us. :banana:
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I think Giants will have trouble staying on top this year. Their starting rotation is the biggest question mark this year. haha
A's will be just as good without Miguel. Our big three will hold on their own while our offense should gel once season goes on. If everything goes well, we should be in the playoffs. :banana:
A's will be just as good without Miguel. Our big three will hold on their own while our offense should gel once season goes on. If everything goes well, we should be in the playoffs. :banana:
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Dye will have a 40 HR and 120 RBI year.... if he stays healthy.
OK, so I am optimistic. =)
Greg
ace@inreach.com
OK, so I am optimistic. =)
Greg
ace@inreach.com
The A's made some nice improvements over last year. CF and LF are better. 1B has improved with the addition of Karros (anything to get that lump of crap Hatteberg less time on the field is a +, although Koonce should be starting IMO). SPs are better with the addition of Redman and Harden for a whole year. RPs might be better, although a lot of that hinges on Rhodes.
Catcher is probably slightly worse, although imo Ramon played well above his ability last year. There is of course a dropoff at SS, although probably not all that much.
3B, 2B are of course the same, since the same guys are playing.
The season all comes down to Dye. I think he can put up bigger numbers than Tejada did last year, and if so the A's should have the AL West.
Catcher is probably slightly worse, although imo Ramon played well above his ability last year. There is of course a dropoff at SS, although probably not all that much.
3B, 2B are of course the same, since the same guys are playing.
The season all comes down to Dye. I think he can put up bigger numbers than Tejada did last year, and if so the A's should have the AL West.
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Originally posted by chri5
RPs might be better, although a lot of that hinges on Rhodes.
Catcher is probably slightly worse, although imo Ramon played well above his ability last year.
RPs might be better, although a lot of that hinges on Rhodes.
Catcher is probably slightly worse, although imo Ramon played well above his ability last year.
Hitting is a slight drop for the catching postion with Miller, but I think his experience in defence and handling pitchers will help lower opposing BA's and runs per game, and possibly even lower the team ERA even more this year.
The outfield is definatly improved. Sucks that Byrnes wont have more playing time though...
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Man, I had Eric Byrnes in my fantasy roto team last season and I was making a huge run because of that guy (with the addition of my other free agents I added too)!
Some sports writers are predicting Bobby Crosby to be ROY. Okay, just one that I read off one of the major fantasy sites.
Some sports writers are predicting Bobby Crosby to be ROY. Okay, just one that I read off one of the major fantasy sites.
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Originally posted by chri5
The A's made some nice improvements over last year. CF and LF are better. 1B has improved with the addition of Karros (anything to get that lump of crap Hatteberg less time on the field is a +, although Koonce should be starting IMO). SPs are better with the addition of Redman and Harden for a whole year. RPs might be better, although a lot of that hinges on Rhodes.
Catcher is probably slightly worse, although imo Ramon played well above his ability last year. There is of course a dropoff at SS, although probably not all that much.
3B, 2B are of course the same, since the same guys are playing.
The season all comes down to Dye. I think he can put up bigger numbers than Tejada did last year, and if so the A's should have the AL West.
The A's made some nice improvements over last year. CF and LF are better. 1B has improved with the addition of Karros (anything to get that lump of crap Hatteberg less time on the field is a +, although Koonce should be starting IMO). SPs are better with the addition of Redman and Harden for a whole year. RPs might be better, although a lot of that hinges on Rhodes.
Catcher is probably slightly worse, although imo Ramon played well above his ability last year. There is of course a dropoff at SS, although probably not all that much.
3B, 2B are of course the same, since the same guys are playing.
The season all comes down to Dye. I think he can put up bigger numbers than Tejada did last year, and if so the A's should have the AL West.
As much as Billy likes Hatteberg, another A's trademark is platoon players. The A's batting order is decided by the opponents pitcher. (righty or lefty) That way the A's can maximise thier batters efforts against the opposing pitchers ability. That is the only reason Karros played oppening day over Hatteberg. The A's field players to their opponent and who is swinging the hot bat. Hell if Byrnes keeps it up he might make some center field appearances soon...
Greg
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My take:
Pitching:
SP are going to be as good or better than last year. If Blanton comes up and Harden lives up to potential then it's the best staff in the majors by far.
Bullpen loses Foulke but picks up Hammond and Rhodes. That's a wash. Bradford is still the best setup guy in the business.
Offense:
They lost some hitting with Tejada and Ramon leaving
BUT
- Kielty and Kotsay are much better offensively (and defensively) than T. Long or Chris Singleton.
- Dye will probably return to something approaching his career average of about .275 with 25 dongs.
- Crosby's major league equivalents (minor league stats converted to major league level) are right there with Tejada's numbers.
So I think the offense may actually improve this year.
Bench:
Once Ellis and Menechino get back, they have a great bench.
Melheuse showed last year he is a very good hitter and reliable behind the play.
Billy McMillon and Byrnes give Macha a right handed or left handed pinch hitting option and neither one hurts the team defensively.
Karros clubs lefties and is the best defensive 1B we have had since McGwire.
McLemore can get on base, play 5 or 6 positions well, and run the bases well.
I can't remember the last time they had this many useful reserves who complement the starters.
So I think the team is just as good as far as pitching, and the same or better offensively. The bench is deeper, and the new guys have better fundamentals (defense and baserunning) than some of the guys who are gone.
They will again win 95 to 100 games and they will again be in the playoffs. Only luck and stupid mistakes will dictate how far they go.
PS As always Beane will make a trade deadline deal for somebody who will net the A's some draft picks. I'm thinking Jose Vidro this year.
Pitching:
SP are going to be as good or better than last year. If Blanton comes up and Harden lives up to potential then it's the best staff in the majors by far.
Bullpen loses Foulke but picks up Hammond and Rhodes. That's a wash. Bradford is still the best setup guy in the business.
Offense:
They lost some hitting with Tejada and Ramon leaving
BUT
- Kielty and Kotsay are much better offensively (and defensively) than T. Long or Chris Singleton.
- Dye will probably return to something approaching his career average of about .275 with 25 dongs.
- Crosby's major league equivalents (minor league stats converted to major league level) are right there with Tejada's numbers.
So I think the offense may actually improve this year.
Bench:
Once Ellis and Menechino get back, they have a great bench.
Melheuse showed last year he is a very good hitter and reliable behind the play.
Billy McMillon and Byrnes give Macha a right handed or left handed pinch hitting option and neither one hurts the team defensively.
Karros clubs lefties and is the best defensive 1B we have had since McGwire.
McLemore can get on base, play 5 or 6 positions well, and run the bases well.
I can't remember the last time they had this many useful reserves who complement the starters.
So I think the team is just as good as far as pitching, and the same or better offensively. The bench is deeper, and the new guys have better fundamentals (defense and baserunning) than some of the guys who are gone.
They will again win 95 to 100 games and they will again be in the playoffs. Only luck and stupid mistakes will dictate how far they go.
PS As always Beane will make a trade deadline deal for somebody who will net the A's some draft picks. I'm thinking Jose Vidro this year.