2011 Oakland Athletics Season Preview and Predictions

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The Oakland Athletics haven't been a lot a factor in the AL West the final few seasons, but are coming of a 81-81 season where they finished second the division behind Texas. It was the first time in four seasons the A's didn't finish below .500. Oakland's pitching staff finished with an MLB-most beneficial three.47 ERA, but the offense was one of the worst in all of baseball, and kept this team from the making the playoffs. The Athletics are hoping some good off-season additions will support the offense bounce back and have the A's contending for the division title. Here is a closer appear at the A's beginning beginning lineup and starting rotation for the 2011 season, plus our MLB predictions on where they will finish the year in the AL West.

Beginning Lineup

For Oakland to seriously get take off offensively this year, they will need center fielder Coco Crisp to get a way to remain on the field. Crisp has totaled just 124 games over the final two seasons. In only 75 games last season, Crisp hit .279 with eight house runs and 32 stolen bases. Oakland went out and added suitable fielder David DeJesus from the Royals, and he could actually make a distinction if he too can maintain from acquiring hurt. DeJuses was hitting .318 just before his season was ended with a thumb injury in 2010. Left Fielder Josh Willingham comes over from the Nationals and is projected to hit third in the lineup. Willingham hit just .268 last year, but his .389 OBP and .848 OPS have us thinking he could genuinely help this team score some runs. The Athletics are taking a gamble on DH Hideki Matsui, with the believed he can give them some considerably required energy. Matsui hit .274 with 21 dwelling runs and 84 RBIs last year with the Angels. Oakland is depending on catcher Kurt Suzuki to honestly be a force offensively this season, soon after hitting just .242 with a .303 OBP in 2010. 1st baseman Daric Barton hit .273 with 10 residence runs and 57 RBIs, simply his very best year in the majors. What certainly has us liking Barton is the 110 walks he totaled. Third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff led the Athletics with just 16 dwelling runs final year, but hit just .247 with a .283 OBP. Challenging to expect a lot extra than an typical property run total in 2011. A guy to watch out for is veteran Mark Ellis, who put together a solid 2010 season with a .291 average and .358 OBP. Do not be surprised if he puts comparable or superior numbers this season. Cliff Pennington did a respectable job in his very first full season as the beginning shortstop, but has to improve on his .250 average.

Starting Rotation

Whilst the Athletics seem to have improved their offense, if they are going to take over the AL West this year, it will be simply because of their beginning rotation. It all starts with 22-year-old Trevor Cahill, who went 18-8 with a two.97 ERA in 2010. If the offense improves, Cahill could effortlessly win 20 games this season. Gio Gonzalez actually got it going in 2010, after going just 6-7 with a 5.75 ERA in 2009, he went 15-9 with a three.23 ERA. Dallas Braden might be the most recognizable starter in the starting rotation thanks to the ideal game he threw final season, but he went just 11-14 with a three.50 ERA. A lot of that has to do with terrible run support, which has us thinking he should certainly put up a significantly greater win total in 2011. Brett Anderson is a further young arm the A's are actually excited about. Anderson went 7-6 with a 2.80 ERA in just 19 begins, but did miss some time mainly because of elbow troubles. The final spot in the rotation figures to belong to Brandon McCarthy, who went 7-four with a four.62 ERA in 17 begins.

2011 Projections: 3rd Place Al West

If The A's can get a jump offensively from their new pieces and a couple of breakout seasons from their young stars, Oakland will with out question contend in the West. They pitching staff is particularly underrated, and could even strengthen off their strong 2010 season. While we did not pick the A's to win the division, they are a sleeper worth watching out for.