The A’s fell to the Angels 0-3 on opening night in Anaheim California. Starter Dallas Braden, I would have to say, did his job, surrendering three runs on eight hits, while walking one and striking out three. It was the offense that failed to get anything started, mustering a whole three hits (two off opposing starter Joe Saunders) while striking out twice.

New-comer, Matt Holiday and Orlando Cabrera, each went one for four while Jason Giambi and surprise starter Nomar Garciaparra failed to get hits.

The story was Angels Starters Joe Saunders, going sixth and two-thirds, yielding two hits, walking two and striking out two.

The side story for me was Nomar starting at first.

Oakland manager shifted the lineup from what was expected to showcase Travis Buck in right but instead elected to have Garciaparra in the lineup, forcing Buck to the bench.

This move proved costly as Garciaparra botched a throw in the dirt from shortstop Cabrera that resulted in another run making the game 2-0 Angels.

Why would Geren force Buck to the bench and Cust to right field?

This to me is forcing the issue of having Garciaparra in the lineup, and results in spotty defense in right. The philosophy is put up runs and play good defense behind the un-proven pitching, right??

Also can anyone explain to me why Geren would elect to have Garciaparra playing first over Giambi? I know Giambi’s defense isn’t great but he’s a better defender at the corner than is Garciaparra.

The A’s offense will click, don’t worry but Geren must be careful on the lineups he’s putting in there, or it could lead to some heartbreaking games for the green-horn pitchers.

Let me know what you think of the opening day roster and the first game.

Go A’s!

Going into the season, most of us knew the A’s rotation would make or break the season, but how many projected out a four-man lefty rotation? This is either an extremely temporary situation or Billy Beane is showcasing some young talent for a proven veteran, at least I hope.

Believing in the 21-year-old’s (Cahill, Anderson) is already asking a lot, but four lefty’s, most without much experience is asking too much.

So that’s why I say Billy Bean is up to something, as he is every year.

The A’s have a ton of depth -even after Cahill and Anderson- in the pitching department so why not package one of the two and a couple of minor-leaguer’s with promise for a proven Big-league talent, say Jake Peavy? The A’s could afford to lose one of the two, if it meant receiving a player of Peavy’s caliber. The money I know would be an issue but the A’s will be off the hook next season for a considerable amount after Crosby, Cabrera, Holliday (most likely), and possibly more. This move would continue in the philosophy of Billy Beane of building for the future while staying competitive, as it will also (other than the money) provide the young pitchers, a stable ace to provide leadership. This move would not inhibit their future too much and it would provide a much needed lift in the pitching department for this year’s pennant race.

So is a move such as this, farfetched or is it something that needs to be done? From an A’s fan point of view I can’t see the young pitching withstand the length and adversity in which a Major League season brings.

The West will come down to pitching as it always has, and right now, with all the pitching injuries, the division is up for grabs.

After seeing the A’s and their possible opening-day roster, it looks like their lacking two vital components: Chemistry and pitching experience (obvious).

As most A’s teams in the past, chemistry and some timely pitching and hitting is what has driven this team for the past decade if not longer, and this will come eventually. Pitching, however, I’m not so sure of. After watching Trevor Cahill escape inning after inning on Friday against the lowly Padres, and then eventually getting tagged for a inevitable long ball, I have to say I’m worried. Aside from what many think, Cahill is in the running for that final spot in the rotation. If not for some very good defensive plays by Orlando Cabrera, and Erik Chavez, he might have surrendered a bunch more runs and left an inning early. His problem is that he gets behind the count on almost every batter, and when it’s time to finish the guy off, he loses control about 50 percent of the time. If he could someone get this problem fixed, there’s no doubt he could provide the A’s a good outing more times than not.

Brett Anderson looks more controlled and might have already taken the fourth spot. As a commenter pointed out, it would be nice to see the A’s start this guy (and Cahill for that matter) in the minors in order to retain him for an extra year before the dreaded free agency time comes around, but this guy seems ready.

Orlando Cabrera is looking like he’s going to be real fun to watch this season, on defense and offensively. He was making some plays at short look effortless. Seeing all these new guys in the green and gold was fantastic and it looks like we can have fairly high expectations for the offense.

The chemistry will be there in a couple of weeks and when this team clicks, no other team can really counter it, the offense will be raking!

Did anyone catch the lineup on Friday? Holliday batting fourth? Not to brag but I do remember someone predicting him in that spot We’ll see if it last’s.

The A’s finally finished off the deal for Orlando Cabrera according to ESPN’s Buster Onlney. 4MM is a bargain.

The A’s lineup is drastically different and is going to put up runs in contrary to last season. Can the pitching make this off season full of moves worth While? There’s no doubt this lineup is more potent and complete than rival Angels.

I think the Cabrera move is great for the A’s because it gives them the lead-off hitter they had been looking for and it gives them flexibility. Now Ryan Sweeney is batting second Right? New projected lineup…

1.Cabrera

2.Sweeney

3.Cust

4.Holliday

5.Giambi

6.Chavez

7.Ellis

8.Buck

9.Suzuki

This lineup could be fierce if Chavez can prove healthy. Do you think Ellis, Buck or Suzuki should be switched?

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.

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.