Oakland Athletics 2010 Preview, Predictions & Odds

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Oakland Athletics 2009 MLB Record: 75-87
Oakland Athletics 2009 MLB Home Record: 40-41
Oakland Athletics 2009 MLB Away Record: 35-46

Oakland Athletics 2010 Betting

Oakland Athletics Odds to Win the American League: 28/1
Oakland Athletics Odds to Win the World Series: 55/1

Oakland Athletics 2010 Preview & Prediction

Four years ago, the A’s reached the American League Championship Series with a blend of veterans and youngsters, and they appeared to be a ream of relevance for years to come. What has transpired since then, however, is three straight losing seasons. Even worse, their loyal fan base has become disinterested with the product, and there’s constant talk of moving to nearby Fremont (on hold, again). The A’s drew barely 1.4 million customers, who endured a club that was offensive, and we’re nor talking about the scoring variety. (The A’s hit an AL-worst 135 home runs.) The A’s clearly are going younger. Gone are veterans Jason Giambi, Matt Holliday, Nomar Garciaparra, Bobby Crosby and Orlando Cabrera. The A’s signed center fielder Coco Crisp to a free agent deal in December, it’s not out of the question to foresee coveted prospects Michael Taylor (acquired from Toronto) and Chris Carrer in the lineup ar some point in the 2010 season. The Ns tried to bring in veteran players last season but all were busts, and the club must return to cultivating its youth. The talent is undeniable, but for at least another year, the fan base will have to endure more growing pains. A last place finish looks possible.

Oakland Athletics Manager: Bob Geren (3 Seasons) Record: 226 – 259

Oakland Athletics 2010 Projected Batting Order: CF Coco Crisp (S), RF Ryan Sweeney (L), C Kurt Suzuki (R), DH Jack Cust (L), 3B Eric Chavez (L), 1B Daric Barton (L), LF Rajai Davis (R), 2B Mark Ellis (R), SS Cliff Pennington (S)

Oakland Athletics 2010 Projected Rotation: RH Justin Duchscherer, LH Dallas Braden, LH Brett Anderson, RH Trevor Cahill, RH Vin Mazzaro

Oakland Athletics 2010 Projected Closer: RH Andrew Bailey

2010 Oakland Athletics Rotation:

The A’s want to give their precocious rotation a chance to grow, which is why re-signing Justin Duchscherer seemed to be a curious move. Duchscherer missed last season with elbow problems and a bout with clinical depression. However, the year before he was 10-8 with a 2.54 ERA and made the All-Star team. Dallas Braden, Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill are locks for spots in the rotation, with Yin Mazzaro and Gio Gonzalez battling for the final two spots. Josh Ourman would be in the mix, bur he is recovering from Tommy John surgery and won’t return until after the All-Star break. Braden bounced back and forth between the rotation and bullpen in 2008 and wasn’t even a candidate for the rotation entering spring training. He ended up earning the Opening Night starting assignment and became the spiritual leader of the staff. Anderson and Cahill, who turn 22 before the season, have huge upsides. Anderson was 11-11 with a 4.06 ERA bur was 6-4 with a 3.48 ERA after the All-Star break. Cahill has one of the best sinkers on the staff bur can’t afford a repeat of the 27 homers he allowed the year before.

2009-2010 Oakland Athletics Bullpen:

Considering the team traded closer Huston Street, the bullpen had a terrific year with an AL-best 3.54 ERA. The group is led by AL Rookie of the Year Andrew Bailey, who was a struggling starter ar Double-A Midland the year before. Bailey finished with 26 saves and a 1.84 ERA. The pen should be even better with the return of Joey Devine, the projected closer in 2009 who missed the season with Tommy John surgery. Michael Wuerrz (2.63 ERA) was not expected to contribute much but established himself as one of the premier setup men in the game. Brad Ziegler had an off year (3.07 ERA) when compared to his ’08 season, when he began his career with an AL-record 39 consecutive scoreless innings. The A’s were hopeful last year that Jerry Blevins would be the lefty specialist coming out of spring training, but he struggled and spent much of the season in the minor leagues. Brad Kilby picked up the slack in the wake of Blevins’ off year, allowing one earned run in 11 appearances.

2010 Oakland Athletics Middle Infield:

Second baseman Mark Ellis is back again, a good thing for the A’s. Ellis hit .340 with 22 RBI’s in August and finished with double-digit home run totals for the fifth straight season. If Ellis avoids an injury he’ll mark his sixth straight Opening Day start, tying him with Dick Green for the most by a second baseman in Oakland history. Ellis has led the major leagues in fielding for second basemen in two of the past four seasons but hasn’t won a Gold Glove. His .989 fielding percentage is fourth-best in major league history for a second baseman with more than 650 games played. Ellis will have a new full-time double play partner. Cabrera was traded to Minnesota at mid season, and gone is long-time shortstop Crosby, who never matched his American League Rookie of the Year numbers of 2004. Crosby signed with Pittsburgh during the off season. Cliff Pennington, the team’s top pick in the 2005 draft, replaced Cabrera and hit .279 whi1e contributing solid defense.

2010 Oakland Athletics Corners:

The A’s would like to think Eric Chavez can stay healthy and be a fIxture at the position, but that’s a huge question. Chavez played in only eight games and underwent back surgery. His numbers have dropped each year since signing a six-year contract before the 2004 season. Chavez will need to remain healthy this season for the A’s to become playoff contenders again. If he’s hurt, the alternative could be Jake Fox, who has not played a full year in the big leagues. Last season with the Cubs he played six positions and hit 11 homers, plus 17 at Triple-A Iowa. Until further notice, Daric Barton is the full time fIrst baseman. He has yet to live up to his immense hype and hit just .269 with three homers last season. Carter is undoubtedly the team’s future at the position.

2010 Oakland Athletics Outfield:

With Taylor waiting in the wings, the A’s signed Crisp to play center field, bumping Rajai Davis to left fIeld. Crisp is unquestionably one of the best defensive players at his position but hit just .228 in 49 games with Kansas City before undergoing surgery in June to repair rotator cuff and labrum problems in both shoulders. Right field will be manned by Ryan Sweeney, who improved from the season before with a .319 batting average after the All-Star break. He hit .293 overall. Davis, a castoff by the cross-Bay San Francisco Giants, hit .305 with a team-high 41 stolen bases. It’s not a stretch to see Taylor in the outfIeld in the second half. The A’s had to part with highly regarded third base prospect Brett Wallace, but the 6′ 6″, 250-pound Taylor could someday be a superstar.

2010 Oakland Athletics Catching:

Kurt Suzuki has blossomed into one of the team’s bright spots after hitting 15 homers and driving in 88 runs in ’09. He has led AL catchers in starts the past two seasons and has started 324 of the A’s 393 games since Jason Kendall was traded in July 2007. Suzuki has become adept at handling the young A’s pitchers, but his arm continues to be an issue. He threw out only 27 of 81 attempted base stealers last season. When Suzuki needs a rare day off, Landon Powell will be his replacement.

2010 Oakland Athletics Bench:

The A’s resigned Jack Cust to a one year deal in January, and he figures to get the majority of his at-bats as the designated hitter. Taylor could begin the year as the fourth outfielder but will have a chance to play his way into the lineup at some point. The bench has some moving parts, including newcomers Eric Patterson and Aaron Miles. Other possibilities are Scott Hairston and Travis Buck.

Oakland Athletics 2010 Season Predictions

We predict that the Oakland Athletics will finish 4th in the AL West Division .

Oakland Athletics 5-Year Win Trend

2009: 4th AL West 75
2008: 3rd AL West 75
2007: 3rd AL West 76
2006: 1st AL West 93
2005: 2nd AL West 88

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