2007 Oakland A's Thread!!!

Boris · #1 03-29-2007, 02:11 AM

WOOT!!

For some reason everyone is picking the Angels for the AL West this year. Eff'em. Their line-up still sucks. Of course the A's line-up kinda sucks too. Piazza should do OK but he's no Frank Thomas*. A's will need more production out of everyone else in the line-up this year (cough, cough, Chavez, cough, cough). The number 5 starter is also an issue. I always thought Saarloos was a great bottom of the rotation guy and I think the A's will miss him. Joe Blanton is also kind of an issue when he's not pitching against the Mariners. Will be interesting to see what kind of year he has. I'm also looking forward to watching Duchscherer pitch. He is amazing when he's dialed in. But whatever happens, Eric Chavez and Mike Piazza make a really cute couple.

*I made this statement without looking at any recent career stats or park adjusted stats for Petco. The statement was based soley on Thomas' monster year in 2006. Sabre guys feel free to rip me a new one.

AllinDan · #2 03-29-2007, 03:34 AM

Sup Boris. Looking forward to the season, and seeing what Crosby/Swisher/Harden are capable of

TheRover · #3 03-29-2007, 02:25 PM

please be healthy Harden.

you are right about Piazza, but I'm not sure he will even be OK for a DH.

sweetwater · #4 03-29-2007, 02:56 PM

We really need Bradley and Crosby to stay healthy.. if MB can stay healthy I think he could have a huge year.

New001 · #5 03-29-2007, 02:57 PM

[ QUOTE ]
please be healthy Harden.

[/ QUOTE ]

kolotoure · #6 03-29-2007, 03:07 PM

lol @ harden ever staying healthy for a full season

BigSoonerFan · #7 03-29-2007, 03:15 PM

As an Oakland fan, all I can say is 'God, help us!'.

DesertCat · #8 03-29-2007, 03:36 PM

Last year Oakland was a very good team that deal with a lot of injuries. This year, they've lost a bit, but if they can avoid the injury bug should still be competitive. Here's last year's team.

Player PA 2006 OPS+ Career OPS+
Kendall 626 89 104
Johnson 331 85 100
Ellis 500 85 98
Chavez 576 106 118
Crosby 398 68 88
Swisher 672 126 113
Kotsay 558 89 100
Bradley 405 115 106

That's a lot of bad years in the starting lineup. Kendall might just be done. Bradley might have slightly over achieved. But Swisher is entering his prime, last year wasn't likely a fluke. You have to think they can get more out of Johnson, Ellis, Chavez, Crosby and Kotsay.

Which brings us to the DH, Thomas. His OPS+ was 141. He is being replaced by Piazza, who comes off a 120 OPS+. Remember that Piazza played in maybe the worst hitters park in the majors while playing catcher, while Thomas played in the AL, that combined to make Thomas's edge over Piazza look greater than it really was. If Piazza has another 120 OPS+ he's probably one of the better DH's in the league.

Overall I think the offense can easily be better than last year, if they are healthy. But that's a lot of ifs.

I have no clue on pitching, but if Harden pitches a full year I'll bet that more than makes up for losing Zito.

If they have injuries like last year, they'll probably finish at .500.

nolanfan34 · #9 03-29-2007, 04:16 PM

Boris, last year you said Bobby Crosby sucks and I didn't listen. Please tell me which A's will suck this year so I know who to avoid in my draft!

I look forward to being at Safeco on Opening Day, watching the M's whip up on the A's.

Boris · #10 03-29-2007, 04:25 PM

Nolan - The A's don't have anyone this year who I feel is way over-hyped like Crosby was. If anything, I think players like Chavez, Ellis and Crosby might be a bit undervalued in the mock drafts because of recent suckiness. Definitely stay away from Dan Johnson. I think Swisher is going to be a beast but he's not exactly a secret anymore. Kotsay is on the downhill part of his career.