A's Ready to Make Headlines in 2011

Last year, the A’s finished the season in second place in the A.L. West with an 81-81 record.  The success of this young club was predicated on the rotation.  The rotation included All-Star Trevor Cahill, Dallas Braden, Brett Anderson, Gio Gonzalez, and Vin Mazzaro.  These Oakland starters combined to win 57 games with an ERA of 3.70.  Their success included a perfect game by Dallas Braden in May against the Rays. 

This year, the rotation will look the same with the exception of Mazzaro.  He was traded to Kansas City in the offseason.  The A’s have acquired a few pitchers who will battle for the final spot of the rotation; they are: Rich Harden, Brandon McCarthy, and Guillermo Moscoso.  Moscoso, acquired from the Rangers in the offseason, got the start against the Mariners last Monday.  Moscoso did a decent job pitching three innings allowing two runs, one earned, on two hits and two strikeouts. 

On the hitting side of the ball, the A’s were missing the big bat in the lineup in 2010.  The team ranked 13^th in the American League with 109 home runs and 11^th with 619 RBI.  This offseason, the A’s acquired outfielders David DeJesus from Kansas City and Josh Willingham from Washington.  The other bat that the A’s acquired this offseason was designated hitter Hideki Matsui, who spent last season with the Angels.  All three bats figure to be a tremendous help for in-house guys like catcher Kurt Suzuki and Kevin Kouzmanoff. 

While I was at last Monday’s game between the Mariners and the A’s, there were two A’s prospects that stood out to me.  The A’s first round draft pick in 2009, shortstop Grant Green got the start at shortstop for them.  He went 1 for 4 with a single in the game.  In 131 games last year in Double-A, Green hit .318 with 20 home runs and 87 RBI.  The other prospect that stood out to me was pitcher Yadel Marti.  Marti, from Cuba, played with Veracruz in the Mexican League last year.  In eight starts, Marti finished 2-2 with an ERA of 4.19 in 43 innings.  In last Monday’s game against the Mariners, Marti came in the game as a reliever. He pitched two shutout innings allowing just one hit and struck out two batters.  Marti probably won’t make the 25-man roster out of spring training, but he’s definitely making it a tough decision for management.  In seven innings this spring, Marti has only allowed two hits and has recorded seven strikeouts.

The A’s also improved their bullpen.  The organization added Brian Fuentes and Grant Balfour.  Both relievers have the ability to close out games but will likely be used as setup men for close Andrew Bailey.  Bailey, who was diagnosed with a strained forearm just a few days ago, should reach the 40-save plateau this season.

The AL West isn’t necessarily a walk in the park, but the A’s ballclub has the advantage over the Los Angeles Angels and perhaps even the Texas Rangers.  With their pitching considered one of the best in baseball, the A’s new-look offense will hopefully help out these pitchers lead the way into October for the first time since 2006.