Oakland A's 2005 (ASB)

[3rdAnswer]

[b]2004 World Series Champions!!!!!!!!



The A's are coming off of a 4-1 series victory over the Houston Astros in the 2004 MLB Campaign. The Series MVP was Eric Byrnes who hit 6 Post Season Homeruns, and kept his team in the hunt for a World Series.

[3rdAnswer]

Whats New For 2005

Last season, the A's were an excellent club because of their strong pitching and defense. The story may not be the same for the upcoming season however. Lots of new prospects were welcomed to have major roles in next year's season, but the team still looks strong. Vernon Wells came in the middle of last season in a trade for Bobby Kielty, and was one of the better players, to say the least. Wells finished 4th in batting average in the AL and 3rd in doubles. Eric Byrnes had a break-out season, winning the World Series MVP with timely hitting and astounding defense. He finished the prior campaign 1st in doubles, breaking the record with 68 doubles and 8th in the AL in batting average, along with 28 Homers. The end result was a big fat contract over 3 years that the A's were happy to afford. Eric Chavez started out on fire, at one point having 15 more homeruns than any other player in the league. His progress slowed down while he was on top as a Triple Crown threat. He suffered a sprained ankle, which was the reason for the decline in offensive production, but he still had a wonderful post-season. The Pitching staff put in wonderful work, as Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito were all in the top 10 in Wins, Top 5 in Complete Games, and Mulder lead the league with a 2.19 ERA.

However, with a new season comes a new team. The biggest off-season move that was made was Barry Zito sent to Texas for 1st Baseman Mark Teixiera.

Here's A List of Additions:
Mark Teixeira 1B (trade)
Marlon Anderson UT
Todd Hundley C
Benji Gil (UT)
Jaret Wright (MR)
Amaury Telemaco (MR)

Here's A List of Subtractions:
Marco Scutaro IF(FA)
Scott Hatteberg C/1B(retire)
Eric Karros 1B(FA, PIT)
Barry Zito SP (trade to TEX)

[3rdAnswer]

Whats New For 2005

Last season, the A's were an excellent club because of their strong pitching and defense. The story may not be the same for the upcoming season however. Lots of new prospects were welcomed to have major roles in next year's season, but the team still looks strong. Vernon Wells came in the middle of last season in a trade for Bobby Kielty, and was one of the better players, to say the least. Wells finished 4th in batting average in the AL and 3rd in doubles. Eric Byrnes had a break-out season, winning the World Series MVP with timely hitting and astounding defense. He finished the prior campaign 1st in doubles, breaking the record with 68 doubles and 8th in the AL in batting average, along with 28 Homers. The end result was a big fat contract over 3 years that the A's were happy to afford. Eric Chavez started out on fire, at one point having 15 more homeruns than any other player in the league. His progress slowed down while he was on top as a Triple Crown threat. He suffered a sprained ankle, which was the reason for the decline in offensive production, but he still had a wonderful post-season. The Pitching staff put in wonderful work, as Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito were all in the top 10 in Wins, Top 5 in Complete Games, and Mulder lead the league with a 2.19 ERA.

However, with a new season comes a new team. The biggest off-season move that was made was Barry Zito sent to Texas for 1st Baseman Mark Teixiera.

Here's A List of Additions:
Mark Teixeira 1B (trade)
Marlon Anderson UT
Todd Hundley C
Benji Gil (UT)
Jaret Wright (MR)
Amaury Telemaco (MR)

Here's A List of Subtractions:
Marco Scutaro IF(FA)
Scott Hatteberg C/1B(retire)
Eric Karros 1B(FA, PIT)
Barry Zito SP (trade to TEX)

[3rdAnswer]

Whats New For 2005

Last season, the A's were an excellent club because of their strong pitching and defense. The story may not be the same for the upcoming season however. Lots of new prospects were welcomed to have major roles in next year's season, but the team still looks strong. Vernon Wells came in the middle of last season in a trade for Bobby Kielty, and was one of the better players, to say the least. Wells finished 4th in batting average in the AL and 3rd in doubles. Eric Byrnes had a break-out season, winning the World Series MVP with timely hitting and astounding defense. He finished the prior campaign 1st in doubles, breaking the record with 68 doubles and 8th in the AL in batting average, along with 28 Homers. The end result was a big fat contract over 3 years that the A's were happy to afford. Eric Chavez started out on fire, at one point having 15 more homeruns than any other player in the league. His progress slowed down while he was on top as a Triple Crown threat. He suffered a sprained ankle, which was the reason for the decline in offensive production, but he still had a wonderful post-season. The Pitching staff put in wonderful work, as Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito were all in the top 10 in Wins, Top 5 in Complete Games, and Mulder lead the league with a 2.19 ERA.

However, with a new season comes a new team. The biggest off-season move that was made was Barry Zito sent to Texas for 1st Baseman Mark Teixiera.

Here's A List of Additions:
Mark Teixeira 1B (trade)
Marlon Anderson UT
Todd Hundley C
Benji Gil (UT)
Jaret Wright (MR)
Amaury Telemaco (MR)

Here's A List of Subtractions:
Marco Scutaro IF(FA)
Scott Hatteberg C/1B(retire)
Eric Karros 1B(FA, PIT)
Barry Zito SP (trade to TEX)

[3rdAnswer]

Spring Training Lineups!

Projected Lineup

1. Eric Byrnes OF - Coming off of an amazing season to say the least, as the World Series MVP. Will stay at the 1 spot until someone else can get on base and he can knock them in. .322 avg, 22 HR, 67 RBI

2. Harry McFeely SS/2B - The A's newest prospect, they are very excited about him. He's an absolute gem in the field, and will make a great infield teaming with last year's prospect Bobby Crosby. Predicted to hit no more than .260 and not very many homeruns, but he's a great bunter.

3. Vernon Wells RF - [i]Came in halfway through the season in a trade for Bobby Kielty. Now having a full season with the A's to play, Wells is expected to put up huge offensive numbers[b] .326, 30 HR, 90 RBI

4. Eric Chavez 3B - [i]Led the league in HR's last season (47) and was second in Batting. Probably won't play as well as he did last season, but anything short of it will be good enough, especially with the offense surrounding him. [b].331, 47 HR, 124 RBI

5. Mark Teixeira 1B - [i]Had a disappointing season last year with Texas, but came over in a trade to the optimistic A's looking to turn things around. Hits in the 5-hole only because he's a switch hitter, could move later on. .234, 15 HR, 54 RBI

6. Erubiel Durazo DH - [i]Was a big part of last years success, played about as well as Chavez. Started out hot, but never came back to hit like he began. Seeing his last days in Oakland is the word around town.[b] .276, 37 HR, 88 RBI

7. Adam Melhuse C - Filling in for the retired Scott Hatteberg. Has to play well due to the signing of backup Todd Hundley. Helps his stock as a switch hitter .269, 9 HR, 29 RBI

8. Mark Kotsay CF Second season in Oakland, will get more playing time since Jermaine Dye was kicked out of the door because of a sub-par regular season. .211, 4HR, 15 RBI

9. Bobby Crosby SS - Didn't play much last year because of 2 injuries: A Torn Meniscus and then a Broken Jaw. When he returned, he entered the game on the song, "Through The Wire" by Kanye West. Absolutely amazing in the field, but will improve offensively. .301, 4 HR, 13 RBI

[3rdAnswer]

Spring Training Lineups!

Projected Lineup

1. Eric Byrnes OF - Coming off of an amazing season to say the least, as the World Series MVP. Will stay at the 1 spot until someone else can get on base and he can knock them in. .322 avg, 22 HR, 67 RBI

2. Harry McFeely SS/2B - The A's newest prospect, they are very excited about him. He's an absolute gem in the field, and will make a great infield teaming with last year's prospect Bobby Crosby. Predicted to hit no more than .260 and not very many homeruns, but he's a great bunter.

3. Vernon Wells RF - [i]Came in halfway through the season in a trade for Bobby Kielty. Now having a full season with the A's to play, Wells is expected to put up huge offensive numbers[b] .326, 30 HR, 90 RBI

4. Eric Chavez 3B - [i]Led the league in HR's last season (47) and was second in Batting. Probably won't play as well as he did last season, but anything short of it will be good enough, especially with the offense surrounding him. [b].331, 47 HR, 124 RBI

5. Mark Teixeira 1B - [i]Had a disappointing season last year with Texas, but came over in a trade to the optimistic A's looking to turn things around. Hits in the 5-hole only because he's a switch hitter, could move later on. .234, 15 HR, 54 RBI

6. Erubiel Durazo DH - [i]Was a big part of last years success, played about as well as Chavez. Started out hot, but never came back to hit like he began. Seeing his last days in Oakland is the word around town.[b] .276, 37 HR, 88 RBI

7. Adam Melhuse C - Filling in for the retired Scott Hatteberg. Has to play well due to the signing of backup Todd Hundley. Helps his stock as a switch hitter .269, 9 HR, 29 RBI

8. Mark Kotsay CF Second season in Oakland, will get more playing time since Jermaine Dye was kicked out of the door because of a sub-par regular season. .211, 4HR, 15 RBI

9. Bobby Crosby SS - Didn't play much last year because of 2 injuries: A Torn Meniscus and then a Broken Jaw. When he returned, he entered the game on the song, "Through The Wire" by Kanye West. Absolutely amazing in the field, but will improve offensively. .301, 4 HR, 13 RBI

[3rdAnswer]

Spring Training Lineups!

Projected Lineup

1. Eric Byrnes OF - Coming off of an amazing season to say the least, as the World Series MVP. Will stay at the 1 spot until someone else can get on base and he can knock them in. .322 avg, 22 HR, 67 RBI

2. Harry McFeely SS/2B - The A's newest prospect, they are very excited about him. He's an absolute gem in the field, and will make a great infield teaming with last year's prospect Bobby Crosby. Predicted to hit no more than .260 and not very many homeruns, but he's a great bunter.

3. Vernon Wells RF - [i]Came in halfway through the season in a trade for Bobby Kielty. Now having a full season with the A's to play, Wells is expected to put up huge offensive numbers[b] .326, 30 HR, 90 RBI

4. Eric Chavez 3B - [i]Led the league in HR's last season (47) and was second in Batting. Probably won't play as well as he did last season, but anything short of it will be good enough, especially with the offense surrounding him. [b].331, 47 HR, 124 RBI

5. Mark Teixeira 1B - [i]Had a disappointing season last year with Texas, but came over in a trade to the optimistic A's looking to turn things around. Hits in the 5-hole only because he's a switch hitter, could move later on. .234, 15 HR, 54 RBI

6. Erubiel Durazo DH - [i]Was a big part of last years success, played about as well as Chavez. Started out hot, but never came back to hit like he began. Seeing his last days in Oakland is the word around town.[b] .276, 37 HR, 88 RBI

7. Adam Melhuse C - Filling in for the retired Scott Hatteberg. Has to play well due to the signing of backup Todd Hundley. Helps his stock as a switch hitter .269, 9 HR, 29 RBI

8. Mark Kotsay CF Second season in Oakland, will get more playing time since Jermaine Dye was kicked out of the door because of a sub-par regular season. .211, 4HR, 15 RBI

9. Bobby Crosby SS - Didn't play much last year because of 2 injuries: A Torn Meniscus and then a Broken Jaw. When he returned, he entered the game on the song, "Through The Wire" by Kanye West. Absolutely amazing in the field, but will improve offensively. .301, 4 HR, 13 RBI

[3rdAnswer]

Spring Training Lineups! (cont)

Tim Hudson RHP (15-11, 3.28 era, 10 CG)
Mark Redman LHP (13-4, 3.13 era)
Rich Harden RHP (12-10, 3.19 era)
Mark Mulder LHP (17-11, 2.54 era)
Steve Woodard RHP (0-3, 4 saves, 2.29)

[3rdAnswer]

Spring Training Lineups! (cont)

Tim Hudson RHP (15-11, 3.28 era, 10 CG)
Mark Redman LHP (13-4, 3.13 era)
Rich Harden RHP (12-10, 3.19 era)
Mark Mulder LHP (17-11, 2.54 era)
Steve Woodard RHP (0-3, 4 saves, 2.29)

[3rdAnswer]

Spring Training Lineups! (cont)

Tim Hudson RHP (15-11, 3.28 era, 10 CG)
Mark Redman LHP (13-4, 3.13 era)
Rich Harden RHP (12-10, 3.19 era)
Mark Mulder LHP (17-11, 2.54 era)
Steve Woodard RHP (0-3, 4 saves, 2.29)