So far, it has been relatively ho-hum for the Oakland A's in spring training. In many ways, that is already an improvement over how last year started.And even though it is very early, the first week is enough time to allow a few things to surface. Of those early observations, here are the five that stand out for me. Jemile WeeksFirst and foremost, Jemile Weeks looks much more like the player from 2011 who provided excitement and buzz for the A's. After last year's struggles with too many pop-ups and strikeouts, Weeks has leveled his swing and so far gotten back ...
With 10 infielders on the 40-man roster, the Oakland Athletics certainly have options around the horn. But which combination is the best? First base seems clear: Brandon Moss starts, and Daric Barton will compete for a spot on the 25-man roster. Second base is a wide-open competition predominately between Jemile Weeks and Scott Sizemore. Though Jed Lowrie could very well earn the spot, too. Furthermore, Lowrie, a natural shortstop, could bump Hiroyuki Nakajima to second base. At this point, Nakajima is slated to be the everyday shortstop. Then there's third base. Josh Donaldson has a hold on the position dating back to the end ...
With spring training in full swing, there is a chance for fans to not only see the returning, new and expected members of a major league roster, but also to get a look at their team's best prospects.Most of these players are pretty well known by die-hard and regular fans. However, there are also players who have to make an impact that fans simply don't know that much about. Many are non-roster invites, but there are some minor league players who were not as heralded but have played themselves into prospect status.In the case of the Oakland A's, there's the ...
While the Oakland A's had a successful season by all means in 2012, the infield is bound to be a lot better in 2013. The A's went out and got Hiroyuki Nakajima and Jed Lowrie, and they will return formerly injured Scott Sizemore in 2013. Brandon Moss hit .291 in 2012, and Donaldson hit .284 in his last 225 at-bats (for the regular season). Sizemore doesn't have too much on his resume, but he is a talented player who may start at second base.Lowrie has some pop, as he homered in 4.71 of his at-bats in 2012. He is a good ...
While the Oakland Athletics didn’t have any legitimate stars last year, they managed to strike some magic, win the AL West and come within one win of the ALCS. However, this year the A’s won’t need a supply of magic to bring out the big-boy bats and pound opposing pitchers.Last year, the A’s ranked 14th in the MLB in offense, with 195 home runs and 713 runs. While the A’s hit just .238 as a team, they were able to hit a lot of home runs and avoid letting their strikeout woes bury them. At least until Game 5 of the ...
While the Oakland Athletics didn’t have any legitimate stars last year, they managed to strike some magic, win the AL West and come within one win of the ALCS. However, this year the A’s won’t need a supply of magic to bring out the big-boy bats and pound opposing pitchers.Last year, the A’s ranked 14th in the MLB in offense, with 195 home runs and 713 runs. While the A’s hit just .238 as a team, they were able to hit a lot of home runs and avoid letting their strikeout woes bury them. At least until Game 5 of ...
Ever since the news first came out that Grant Balfour would have surgery that would deactivate him for four to six weeks, it has been all good news for Balfour and his rehab.First, he was back on his feet and walking around the A's clubhouse within 24 hours of going under the knife. Then the news came out that just five days after his surgery that he was trowing at the A's spring training complex in Arizona with the rest of the pitchers as if it were business as usual.When the timetable was first reported to be four to six weeks, ...
Ever since the news first came out that Grant Balfour would have surgery that would deactivate him for four to six weeks, it has been all good news for Balfour and his rehab.First, he was back on his feet and walking around the A's clubhouse within 24 hours of going under the knife. Then the news came out that just five days after his surgery that he was trowing at the A's spring training complex in Arizona with the rest of the pitchers as if it were business as usual.When the timetable was first reported to be four to six weeks, ...
The 2012 Oakland Athletics were the biggest surprise in Major League Baseball, shocking experts everywhere by winning the American League West title on the last game of the regular season. Heading in to 2013, optimism abounds for a team that returns almost completely intact and added a few key pieces to try and take another step towards the team's fifth World Series championship since moving to Oakland in 1968. It is amazing how a year has changed the prospects of a team many thought would lose upwards of 100 games in the spring of 2012. Now, with young talent like potential MVP ...
The 2012 Oakland Athletics were the biggest surprise in Major League Baseball, shocking experts everywhere by winning the American League West title on the last game of the regular season. Heading in to 2013, optimism abounds for a team that returns almost completely intact and added a few key pieces to try and take another step towards the team's fifth World Series championship since moving to Oakland in 1968. It is amazing how a year has changed the prospects of a team many thought would lose upwards of 100 games in the spring of 2012. Now, with young talent like potential MVP ...