The thing that stunned most within the baseball world about the Oakland Athletics' incredible 2012 season was the fact they did it with relative no-namers.Well, it's time to start learning their names, because according to general manager Billy Beane, he's keeping the team intact for another run in 2013. The San Francisco Giants won the World Series on the backs of nationally-known talent such as NL MVP Buster Posey, Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum. The Detroit Tigers got there with big names like AL MVP Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander. Before the season started, the most familiar face in Oakland ...
The Oakland A's have some work to do in the MLB offseason if they are to remain a playoff contender in the American League.In 2012, the A's surprised the baseball world, and likely many of their own fans, by winning the AL West and qualifying for the postseason. Once again, the cash-strapped A's had success with the now famed "Moneyball" approach.While they do have a young and talented core, based on some of the players that they will lose this offseason, several areas need to be addressed for them to have any chance at repeating as division champions.Some of the most ...
The highlight reel for the Oakland Athletics' 2012 season rivals the likes of recent years in the East Bay. Between the 15 walk-off wins and the comeback victory over the Texas Rangers to solidify the AL West crown, Oakland fans have much to reflect on. Bartolo Colon was on the losing end of the 2012 Athletics' storybook year, though. His 50-game suspension for the illegal use of testosterone brought the RHP's season to an abrupt end. The A's recently announced their $3 million, one-year deal with the veteran pitcher for the 2013 season, though honoring the five remaining games that Colon is ...
While the mega-deal between the Toronto Blue Jays and Florida Marlins is not yet official, one thing is: Florida Marlin fans are pissed. Check that: South Florida taxpayers are pissed.Having fallen victim to the age old "build-us-a-new-stadium-or-we're-relocating scam" courtesy of owner Jeff Loria and commissioner Bud Selig, Miami-Dade county and City of Miami residents will be paying off their $508 million share of the $634 million ballpark for the next 40 years, with interest that brings the total burden to around $2.4 billion.The A's ownership group headed by Lew Wolff ought to remember these dizzying numbers— 'cause they can be ...
It's November and baseball has been done for more than two weeks, but it's never too early to recount the magic the Oakland A's had in 2012. From start to finish, this team continued to leave many flabbergasted. From the no-name talent to a league-leading home run total in the second half, no one outside of Athletics fans thought a postseason berth and AL West crown were possible. Ultimately it came to an end in Game 5 of the ALDS. But along the way, there was plenty of fun, plenty of memories and excitement, copious jaw-dropping, unbelievable moments and an ...
With the Major League Baseball offseason in full swing, the A's continue to have a noteworthy epilogue to their 2012 season. Tuesday's news of Bob Melvin's deserved choice for Manager of the Year is likely the last vestige of the season that saw Oakland return to prominence in baseball as an elite team.But now, it is officially time to look towards 2013 season. The first order of business is looking at the pending free agents the A's may lose or keep. It is a short list, but it is a definite list for a team that depended on the sum ...
According to multiple reports,
Bob Melvin certainly wasn't the only manager worthy of winning the American League Manager of the Year award. But as the voters decided, there wasn't a more deserving candidate than the Oakland Athletics' skipper.MLB.com had the official announcement via Twitter:
BREAKING: @athletics skipper Bob Melvin wins @officialbbwaa AL Manager of the Year Award. twitter.com/MLB/status/268…— MLB (@MLB) November 13, 2012
Most pundits likely projected the Athletics to finish as a distant third in the AL West behind the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Instead, all the A's did was finish 94-68, win the division and come a game away from advancing ...
The Oakland Athletics surprised everyone when they posted the second-best record in the American League and made the playoffs in 2012. Oakland has a very young team and could be playoff contenders for years to come. However, if they want to be legitimate contenders for the World Series, there are some players the A’s could trade to improve their roster. The A’s have a very talented outfield. Cuban outfielder Yoenis Céspedes signed a 4-year deal at the beginning of 2012. Coco Crisp is entering his 12th season at the age of 33. They also have Gold Glove-winning right fielder Josh ...
Per Oakland A's GM Billy Beane's tenacity to make trades, the A's farm system is stacked with talent that should see major league time within the next year or two.
The A's have five players in MLB.com's Top 100 prospects to watch (posted before the 2012 season).
Beyond those men, there's another 10-15 quality prospects developing in the minor leagues. Some will inevitably make it, some won't and others will get traded before ever seeing time in Oakland.
Because the A's made it to Game 5 of the 2012 ALDS, the team will likely stay intact for the 2013 season. That being said, ...