The punditocracy nearly gasped itself into a coma last year when Billy Beane broke up the A's rotation. He traded Mark Mulder to the Cardinals, sent Tim Hudson packing to Atlanta, and all he got back was a bunch of prospects.
The punditocracy usually gets in a good gasping fit no matter what Beane does. Beane's been on their hit list since
Moneyball came out, and these moves gave the pundits hope that they could finally have the last laugh on Beane. After all, you can't just trade away your best two starters and expect a bunch of nobodies to pick up the slack.
As usual, Beane had the last laugh. The rotation didn't fall apart, and the rest of the pitching staff didn't implode. Instead, it posted the fourth-best ERA and second-best BAA in the league.
But as good as the pitching was, the offense was just as ho-hum. And that lack of support resulted in a second-place finish for the A's.
1. What has Beane done to kick the offense up a notch?
For starters, Beane's made a couple high-risk, high-reward moves.
A few weeks before Christmas, he pulled the trigger on controversial Dodgers OF Milton Bradley. Bradley's strengths and weaknesses are well known. If he can keep his nose clean, he will be a welcome addition to the lineup.
More recently, Beane signed Frank Thomas to a contract chock full o' incentive clauses. If Thomas is able to run, he will be a key contributor this year. Even in his limited action last year, Thomas showed that he can still hit (.590 SLG in 105 AB). And judging from the swipes he took last week, he's motivated to stick it to his former team.
But motivation won't help keep Thomas off the DL. About the only guy to spend more time in the trainer's room the last three years is Juan Gonzalez. If you're in Vegas, I'd take the "under" for Thomas in the Games Played category.
2. Anyone other new guys A's Fan can look forward to?
Uhhh...not really. At least from the offensive side of things. But Thomas isn't the only player who needs to stay healthy this year.
Let's start with the middle infield combo. Mark Ellis made a solid comeback from a lost 2004 season (good enough to earn an extension). Bobby Crosby was hurt almost half the year, and it was no coincidence that the A's played better after he came back. Keeping these guys healthy all year would go a long way to solving the offense's ills.
First baseman Dan Johnson and outfielder Nick Swisher were also banged up last year. Both these guys got their share of rookie hype, and both took their share of heat because they weren't the second comings of Reggie Jackson. Look for some improvement from both of them.
The additions of Thomas and Bradley, and the health of Johnson and Swisher, could lead to a bit of a logjam in the A's lineup. There could be as many as seven players vying for time in four positions.
This is not necessarily a bad thing. Given Beane's MO, we can expect one or two of these guys packaged in a June deal to fill a mid-season need.
3. What about the rest of the team?
It still looks good. All five members of the rotation are back (Barry Zito, Rich Harden, Danny Haren, Joe Blanton, and Kirk Saarloos). They're joined by Esteban Loaiza, another free agent pick up.
In the bullpen, Houston Street showed he was more than adequate in replacing Octavio Dotel. The set up crew (headed by Justin Duchscherer and Kiko Calero) are also more than adequate.
Last, but not least, is Eric Chavez. With the departures of Giambi, Tejada, et al, this is pretty much his team. He just turned 28, and should be in the prime of his career. Look for another All-Star year from Chavez.
As you may have guessed, I like the A's chances this year. With a little luck last year, they may have faced the White Sox in the ALCS.
While I won't make any predictions about luck, I can say with some confidence that they'll be in contention come September. And if Bradley and Thomas are everything Beane hopes they are, the A's might get that World Series title they've been waiting for since 1989.
