With spring training now underway in the desert, the competitions for spots on the Oakland Athletics' roster will begin to heat up.As well as competition for roster spots, there are also prospects who have been invited to big league camp this year.When these prospects get that invitation they begin to envision themselves playing for the team at the major league level, but most of these prospects will likely be in the minors to start the season.A look now at some players who have a lot of hype, but will likely find themselves in the minors once the Cactus League is finished. Begin ...
With spring training now underway in the desert, the competitions for spots on the Oakland Athletics' roster will begin to heat up.As well as competition for roster spots, there are also prospects who have been invited to big league camp this year.When these prospects get that invitation they begin to envision themselves playing for the team at the major league level, but most of these prospects will likely be in the minors to start the season.A look now at some players who have a lot of hype, but will likely find themselves in the minors once the Cactus League is finished. Begin ...
The Oakland Athletics won't have some ho-hum spring training in 2013. Nay, this year begins with plenty of action and excitement in the form of players earning roster spots and position battles. Why shouldn't enthusiasm carry over from last year? During the offseason, the A's swapped Cliff Pennington for Chris Young, let several free-agent veterans walk, signed Hiroyuki Nakajima and traded for Jed Lowrie. The incoming faces are slated to serve as depth, but on any other club could very well start. Beyond the much-talked about platooning, there's plenty to look for in A's camp. A few young guys will ...
The Oakland Athletics won't have some ho-hum spring training in 2013. Nay, this year begins with plenty of action and excitement in the form of players earning roster spots and position battles. Why shouldn't enthusiasm carry over from last year? During the offseason, the A's swapped Cliff Pennington for Chris Young, let several free-agent veterans walk, signed Hiroyuki Nakajima and traded for Jed Lowrie. The incoming faces are slated to serve as depth, but on any other club could very well start. Beyond the much-talked about platooning, there's plenty to look for in A's camp. A few young guys will ...
Going into the 2012 season it was thought that the Oakland A's pitching staff would take a hard hit with the trades of Trevor Cahill to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Andrew Bailey to the Boston Red Sox and Gio Gonzalez to the Washington Nationals. However as the 2012 season ran on and pitchers went down with injuries or suspensions, the A's showed that they had a deep pool of pitching talent in the organization.The A's pitching staff has undergone more changes this year with Brandon McCarthy departing via free agency and trades involving pitching prospects A.J. Cole and Brad Peacock among others.Going into ...
Going into the 2012 season, it was thought that the Oakland A's pitching staff would take a hard hit with the trades of Trevor Cahill to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Andrew Bailey to the Boston Red Sox and Gio Gonzalez to the Washington Nationals. However, as the 2012 season ran on and pitchers went down with injuries or suspensions, the A's showed that they had a deep pool of pitching talent in the organization.The A's pitching staff has undergone more changes this year, with Brandon McCarthy departing via free agency and trades involving pitching prospects A.J. Cole and Brad Peacock, among others.Going into ...
This series will evaluate one team per day, starting on Jan. 23 and ending on Feb. 22 (the first game of spring training). It is based on last season's performance, the offseason changes since then and the author's outlook for the team in 2013. Please keep in mind that rosters can, and will, change before Opening Day. We started in the American League East, worked across to the National League, tackled the Central divisions, and now jump to the AL West, going in alphabetical order. Next up, the Oakland A's. 2012 finish: 94-68 (1st place, AL West -- lost 3-2 to Detroit Tigers ...
This series will evaluate one team per day, starting on Jan. 23 and ending on Feb. 22 (the first game of spring training). It is based on last season's performance, the offseason changes since then and the author's outlook for the team in 2013. Please keep in mind that rosters can, and will, change before Opening Day. We started in the American League East, worked across to the National League, tackled the Central divisions, and now jump to the AL West, going in alphabetical order. Next up, the Oakland A's. 2012 finish: 94-68 (1st place, AL West -- lost 3-2 to Detroit Tigers ...
The hopes of the Oakland A’s to start off the 2013 season strong took a hit with the announcement that closer Grant Balfour will miss four to six weeks because of arthroscopic knee surgery. Balfour’s surgery, resulting from a torn meniscus, was announced to the public in a statement, according to MLB.com’s Jane Lee. The 35-year-old right-hander was a revelation as Oakland’s closer last season; the first time he assumed that role during his nine-year major league career. He appeared in a career-high 75 games and went 3-2 with a 2.53 ERA and 24 saves, while allowing just 41 hits ...
The hopes of the Oakland A’s to start off the 2013 season strong took a hit with the announcement that closer Grant Balfour will miss four to six weeks because of arthroscopic knee surgery. Balfour’s surgery, resulting from a torn meniscus, was announced to the public in a statement, according to MLB.com’s Jane Lee. The 35-year-old right-hander was a revelation as Oakland’s closer last season; the first time he assumed that role during his nine-year major league career. He appeared in a career-high 75 games and went 3-2 with a 2.53 ERA and 24 saves, while allowing just 41 hits ...