What can we realistically expect out of 2009? Playoff berth, wild card race, divisional competitiveness? Might the A’s be the surprise team of 2009?

To accomplish any of those goals the A’s will first have to fight the injury bug that has riddled the team for the past few years, setting team records for times DL used. This is one huge obstacle. The team was in the thick of things up until the all-star break last year when Huston Street couldn’t find an out. Personally I’m glad he’s gone. He’s no closer, and he’s been adequately replaced.

Aside from the many trades that followed the break, the other reason the A’s lost their competitiveness was because of injuries and lack of experience. They basically had an unfair handicap for the remainder of the season.

What are some of your expectations and concerns for the upcoming season?

Who will be this years Brad Ziegler, offensivley? Who gets the call up and sticks?

Let’s forget about today’s home opener shall we.

The A’s leaving nine on base leaves an acrid 2008-like taste in my mouth, anyone else? Chavez wasn’t even in the lineup (add two to three more). At least we saw Matt Holiday and promising prospect Aaron Cunningham drive in runs and the important pitchers mostly doing their jobs.

The A’s took the loss Friday eight to five to the Brewers in their spring home opener.

The goods: Dana Eveland going two innings without surrendering a hit.

The surprise: Jerome Williams going two giving up only one hit.

And the bad: A’s hitters with men on base (obviously).

If a trend is emerging early out of camp, it’s the Oakland starters. They’re doing an impressive job early on, while the relievers in many cases are not. Obviously most relievers showcased so far are long shots to make the club so fear not worry warts, it’s just spring training. After all If we look at last years spring training record, and how the A’s finished in the 2008 regular season, we might want to see them lose more often. Well at least until I get down there.

All sarcasm put to the side, Chavez’ health will probably determine the fate of the offense. If Chavez proves healthy, we could conceivably looking at four 25 plus homer seasons in the starting lineup. Holliday, Giambi, Cust, Chavez, and Crosby could make it five, but don’t take my word on the last guy.

The lineup to my likes ( baring any trades):

1.Ryan Sweeney

2.Mark Ellis (if healthy)

3.Jack Cust

4.Matt Holliday

5.Jason Giambi (AKA “the bouncer)

6.Erik Chavez (if healthy)

7.Bobby Crosby

8.Travis Buck

9.Kurt Suzuki
Now it’s possible the A’s acquire Orlando Cabrera and Aaron Cunningham wins the starting spot over Buck so keep that in consideration. This lineup if healthy will score runs no doubht, but is it better than the Angels? I say yes. tell me what you think.

As both bay area teams took the loss to their division rivals Thursday, the A’s to the Halos, Giants to the Dodgers, rest assure it’s not the end of the world, even Tiger can’t win ‘em all.

On another note.

I cant seem to wonder why the A’s are giving Ben Copeland (acquired in 2008 Rule 5 Draft) any at bats. We already have Rajai Davis! To have more than one recycled Giant outfielder (not hating Giants fans) is borderline insanity, especially when they have Aaron Cunningham waiting in the wings. I know it might seem biased to base my reasoning on the fact that he was once a Giant, but common. The last known successful ex-Giant was who…thinking…and some more…Jeff Kent and his ex team mate Pedro Feliz. honesty that’s about it in the last 10 to 15 years.

Back to today’s game

Jack Cust got back to doing what he does best, hit home runs, meanwhile Sean Gallagher had a promising outing. He started the game and went two innings, giving up 3 hits, a walk, and two strikeouts. I must say, if this guy can perform like many baseball experts have predicted, it would provide a much needed boost for the young and unproven rotation.

The question of the day. What will Gallagher’s numbers be like come the all-star break? I think he is the biggest question mark of the rotation and I wouldn’t be surprised to see some correlation between the A’s success and Gallagher’s.

As the first day of official spring ball wrapped up, Josh Outman has the edge for the final spot in the rotation. Today’s starter Outman (as I reported earlier) went two strong innings allowing a hit while fellow fifth spot competitor Gio Gonzalez didn’t fare as well, giving up an earned run on two hits with a strike out.

Crosby began his quest today, (remember the whole vendetta thing?) to change the minds of his doubters, by hitting a home run in his first at bat. Crosby finished the day with one hit in two at bats with a strikeout.

Travis Buck hit a two-run homer and dark horse candidate Vin Mazzaro held the Bre-Crew scoreless in an inning of relief. Does anyone think Mazzaro has a shot at winning the fifth spot out of camp?

The game ended in a tie, three after ten innings.

The fifth starting positional battle is underway with left Josh Outman leading the way. 2 scorless innings

Gio Gonzalez is next as planned.

Bobby Crosby starts things off nicely with his first hit a big fly.

After  inning two, it is A’s 1 Brewers 0

Hello baseball fans

I am here to introduce myself as a new Blogger to Athleticshomeplate.com. My name is Kevin and I will be a voice here for the upcoming 2009 season; however I will begin with spring training. A little something about myself: (Skip it if you’d like) I first began writing about baseball through message boards like most, but became infatuated and then infuriated with baseball writers who cover your local team, yet have favorable ties to the opposition. So now I will begin and thanks for visiting my blog.

The first official scrimmage begins Wednesday, February 25th, in Phoenix at Maryvale Baseball Park. For those of you who are attending, drop a line here to inform me about any worthwhile moments or experiences.

To more relevant news: SS Oakland Athletics

The most compelling story of the off season (and spring for that matter) for me is Bobby Crosby’s status as the starting short stop for the A’s. The pitching rotation is all but set with the fifth starter likely to go to Gio Gonzalez or will it be the other Gonzalez, Edgar? The non-roster invitee looked impressive in a sample intrasquad game today, who knows? I digress.

Crosby and the Short-Stop position gets my attention. Word’s out that Crosby has a vendetta!

Crosby-who has yet to fullfil his potential- is hard at work, attempting to put to good use the former “Bash Brother” Mark MCgwire’s  batting instruction.  From what I’ve seen in the media reports, naysayers-especially GM Billy Bean- have lost all faith in the former ROY. This alone has sparked Crosby and so far, he’s shown a significant change in his stance, swing, and approach. From camp, many are saying he looks good. For Crosby though, is this what has hampered his success, his swing, or has it been his frequent pine riding on the disabled list? I guess we’ll know sooner rather than later, or A’s fans wont have to worry if Orlando Cabrera agrees to a lesser contract, one or the other.

I’d like to here why anyone would appose a swap of Cabrera for Crosby. Say Cabrera agrees to a $4MM and the A’s pass Crosby’s service’s to another team, and cover half of his salary around $2.5MM. Sure the home runs might not be there but the average and OBP will. What is there to dislike?

Since this is my first post here, I assume there should be some feedback???

Well chomp on that for a while and I’ll be back for more.

The Oakland Athletics have shipped outfielder Matt Murton to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for a middle infielder prospect named Corey Wimberly. Wimberly was recently ranked the 26th best prospect in the Rockies minor league organization. He hit 291/.370/.345 in Double A for the Rockies.

Matt Murton who came to the A’s in the Rich Harden deal with the Chicago Cubs was sent over to the Rockies. I would assume he would get more playing time with the Rockies and might actually put up a little bit of power hitting at Coors Field for half a season. We wish Matt the best!