My sleeper team this season .... A's

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Most think by trading away 2 CY quality pitchers in their prime, the A's have no chance at a playoff spot. I disagree and think they will compete for the division crown with the Angels.

I like the top 4 of the rotation. I expect Zito and Harden to challenge for the CY. Haren and Blanton have been solid this spring. The 5th spot is still up for grabs with Meyer, Saarloos, and Etherton battling it out.

The A's have a bullpen stocked with power arms in Dotel, Street, and Cruz. And then you throw in Calero, Duchscherer, Rincon, Yabu, and Bradford (once he comes back from his injury) to make it one of the best pens in baseball.

The OF position is stacked with Kotsay, Byrnes, and Swisher starting. You have Thomas and Kielty coming off the bench.

The infield is rock solid with Hatteberg, Ellis/Ginter, Crosby, and Chavez. Durazo is a really under-rated hitter.

Adding the veteran Kendall was a big addition to help out the young arms.

The A's have a legit chance of having their starters 1-9 have an OBP above .350.

More importantly the A's have a lot of depth in the farm system so they can add to their club before the trade deadline.

I wonder if their new owner is going to bump up the payroll next season. I would like to see what Beane could do with a 75-90 mil payroll.

[dieselboy]

Re: My sleeper team this season .... A's

Well, knowing your luck at predicting things, they will finish last in the West.

[dieselboy]

Re: My sleeper team this season .... A's

Well, knowing your luck at predicting things, they will finish last in the West.

[skitch]

Re: My sleeper team this season .... A's

Well, knowing your luck at predicting things, they will finish last in the West.

So true. However, I can actually see the logic in your post..

[skitch]

Re: My sleeper team this season .... A's

Well, knowing your luck at predicting things, they will finish last in the West.

So true. However, I can actually see the logic in your post..

[p2xgamers]

Re: My sleeper team this season .... A's

to make it one of the best pens in baseball.

Yeah I can think of a lot of bullpens better than the A's. I agree that the outfield is pretty good and so is the infield but I wouldn't call it stacked. Manny, Damon and Nixon in the outfield...now that is stacked.

[p2xgamers]

Re: My sleeper team this season .... A's

to make it one of the best pens in baseball.

Yeah I can think of a lot of bullpens better than the A's. I agree that the outfield is pretty good and so is the infield but I wouldn't call it stacked. Manny, Damon and Nixon in the outfield...now that is stacked.

[Karlos05]

Re: My sleeper team this season .... A's

I like the A's too. They have the people to contend I don't think this is the year. I think next year they'll be a team to be reckoned with.

Also Kendall. He's exactly what Beane wants in a hitter as he's patient, and gets on base but I don't think he'll do as well with the young pitchers as you seem to think. There were always rumors/grumblings that the Pirate pitchers (except Josh Fogg) didn't like some of the things he did and the way he called the game. I don't know if he'll be able to help all the young arms out in Oakland.

[Karlos05]

Re: My sleeper team this season .... A's

I like the A's too. They have the people to contend I don't think this is the year. I think next year they'll be a team to be reckoned with.

Also Kendall. He's exactly what Beane wants in a hitter as he's patient, and gets on base but I don't think he'll do as well with the young pitchers as you seem to think. There were always rumors/grumblings that the Pirate pitchers (except Josh Fogg) didn't like some of the things he did and the way he called the game. I don't know if he'll be able to help all the young arms out in Oakland.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: My sleeper team this season .... A's

My sleeper team is the Pittsburgh Pirates.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: My sleeper team this season .... A's

My sleeper team is the Pittsburgh Pirates.

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: My sleeper team this season .... A's

I like the A's too. They have the people to contend I don't think this is the year. I think next year they'll be a team to be reckoned with.

Also Kendall. He's exactly what Beane wants in a hitter as he's patient, and gets on base but I don't think he'll do as well with the young pitchers as you seem to think. There were always rumors/grumblings that the Pirate pitchers (except Josh Fogg) didn't like some of the things he did and the way he called the game. I don't know if he'll be able to help all the young arms out in Oakland.

I don't get the chance to see too many Pirate games but I know Zito and the rest of the A's staff have praised Kendall this Spring. They view him as a calming influence for the young pitching staff.

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: My sleeper team this season .... A's

I like the A's too. They have the people to contend I don't think this is the year. I think next year they'll be a team to be reckoned with.

Also Kendall. He's exactly what Beane wants in a hitter as he's patient, and gets on base but I don't think he'll do as well with the young pitchers as you seem to think. There were always rumors/grumblings that the Pirate pitchers (except Josh Fogg) didn't like some of the things he did and the way he called the game. I don't know if he'll be able to help all the young arms out in Oakland.

I don't get the chance to see too many Pirate games but I know Zito and the rest of the A's staff have praised Kendall this Spring. They view him as a calming influence for the young pitching staff.

[cooldude]

Re: My sleeper team this season .... A's

If they're considered a sleeper team... Mine is the Padres.

[cooldude]

Re: My sleeper team this season .... A's

If they're considered a sleeper team... Mine is the Padres.