Mound Talk

The Oakland Athletics had a very disappointing season, finishing below .500 for the first time since 1998. They had an injury riddled season with the most important being the oft injured Rich Harden who started the season as their ace. Eric Chavez had another lack luster season, spending nearly half of it on the disabled list. Mike Piazza, who was brought in to be their slugging DH, also spent a majority of the season on the DL. There were a few bright spots in 2007 for Oakland. The emergence of Dan Haren as their ace and one of the best pitchers in the AL helped with the lack of starts from Harden. If Harden could remain healthy for most of the season they would form arguably the best top of the rotation tandem in baseball. Jack Cust, who was a minor league pick up from the Padres for a player to be named later, had an outstanding show of power out of the DH spot in their lineup. He is a guy that fits into Billy Beane’s strategy of players who have a high OBP(on base percentage) and with the added bonus of having considerable power.

The Oakland payroll will stay fairly consistent as it has for several years. Billy Beane has a knack for finding undervalued players who can contribute for minimal pay. They will have more flexibility this off-season as they will have roughly $22.5 million coming off their books. Increases in pay for current players should bring that number down to $6 million. While this isn’t a large sum for bringing in new players, Beane will stretch it well. They have a couple of trade chips that could bring them players to fill roster spots or replenish their depleted farm system. Dan Johnson is a player that should bring interest from several clubs and with Daric Barton looking to take over the first base duties and Jack Cust settling in the DH role there is not room on the roster for Johnson, not when he has good value to other clubs that is. He would likely bring back some low level prospects. Rich Harden could be a real wild card when deals start flying because of the lack of free agent pitching talent. Any club looking to acquire him will be taking on considerable risk because of his injury history but his upside puts him as a perennial CY Young candidate. Oakland will be looking to receive a major league ready player and a highly rated prospect. The Mets, Yankees, Dodgers and Orioles could be likely bidders on Harden with a possible sleeper team being the Devil Rays and their glut of talented players makes them a good match.

Potential players leaving

Mike Piazza (C/DH) - $8.5 million
Jeff DaVanon – prorated portion of league minimum
Shannon Stewart - $1 million
Jay Witasick (RP) – $1.5 million (Portion of contract owed to Tampa Bay)
Milton Bradley (OF) – $4 million (finished the season with San Diego)
Jason Kendall (C) - $13 million (5.5 million was paid by Pittsburgh, finished the season with Chicago Cubs)

Don’t expect Oakland to retain any of these players or bring them back in the case of the final 3, with the possible exception of Shannon Stewart. Stewart will likely come cheaply as there was not a lot of interest in him last off-season and. Oakland will be looking to upgrade in their bullpen as it was consistently injured last year and they will need depth in case this occurs again. Armando Benitez or Ramon Ortiz could be guys that Oakland targets. Ortiz would give them the depth as a long reliever/spot starter or could earn a starting spot coming out of spring training and Benitez brings a veteran presence and closing experience if needed.

Strengths

Few Holes - The A’s will be coming into the 2008 without many questions in their lineup. They will likely need to find an outfielder, 2 if they do not bring back Stewart. Their infield is set with Barton at first, Mark Ellis at second, Eric Chavez at third and Bobby Crosby at short. Jack Cust will be the DH or could play left field if needed.

Front end of the rotation – Dan Haren and a healthy Rich Harden would give the A’s a dominant top of the rotation. This could become a weakness however is Harden is hurt or traded, both of which are likely to happen. They have decent depth in their rotation but they do not have top notch starters to go after Haren and Harden. A sleeper to watch in the rotation could be Dan Meyer, who is healthy and pitching well.

Weaknesses

Depth – Oakland’s depth was exposed this past season as they did not have the players to fill in when their starters were injured. Many of their players have proven to be injury prone and having quality backups should be the focus of their off-season. They do not have quality minor leaguers ready to move up and be factors off the bench so the spots will need to be filled through free agency or in trades involving Harden or Johnson. The most glaring spot will be at shortstop, Bobby Crosby has been unable to stay healthy since he made it to the majors and Oakland will have to plan on him being hurt again. David Eckstein will be on the market and would be a nice fit because he gets offenses moving and plays good defense. He could also fill in at second base if needed and would be a capable starter if and when he would need to be.

Off-season Priorities

Oakland will be looking to add a starting outfielder, a back end starter and depth for their bench. Barry Bonds will likely be a target for the A’s to play DH and then move Jack Cust to left field. It could be the easiest transition for Bonds and he fits the Oakland mold perfectly. Back of the rotation starters they will be looking at for one year contracts Shawn Chacon, Matt Clement (he needs to show he is healthy before he gets more than one year) and Jon Lieber. Oakland may be inclined to send Harden to Boston for Coco Crisp to solve their hole in the outfield and Boston could fill the spot that may be vacated by Curt Shilling.

The A’s are always in on a free agent that surprises people but this will not likely be the case this year. Many people see Barry Bonds as a fit for them and it would be a logical signing. They need to strengthen their bench through free agency because they do not have available help in the farm system (A’s Top Ten Prospects). None of the players they sign however will be impact players, just role players that will come cheaply.