Two seasons ago, I stuck my neck out in my 2009 Divisional picks by going with the Oakland A's to win the West. We had just come off seasons where teams like the Angels, the Marlins, the Tigers, the struggling Cardinals, the Rockies and Rays had won pennants that confounded the experts.
So I thought "Why not go against the grain? If I am right with my pick, then I look like a genius."
Then again, if the pick flops, then I look like a moron.
I had the 2009 Oakland Athletics winning the World Series.
They finished in dead last place, 22 games behind the Angels.
WHOOPS!
But now I am looking at this team, and I can't help but wonder if I should pick them again.
They just added Brian Fuentes to the roster and he should make their bullpen pretty damn deep. Andrew Bailey, Grant Balfour, Brad Ziegler and Brian Fuentes in the pen?
Closing out a rotation of Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez, Dallas Braden and Brett Anderson?
(I am not going to include Rich Harden. Any day he is NOT on the disabled list is a bonus.)
Couple that with Hideki Matsui and a few other bats added to the lineup... Texas losing Cliff Lee and the Angels not being able to sign anyone and Seattle in flux...
Dare I do it?
Dare I make the pick again?
My 2009 picks of Oakland and Cincinnati doesn't look so outlandish for 2011.
But can I pick Oakland?
Or are they teasing me.
Maybe I'll pick the Mariners.
It should be an interesting year for the A's - but keep these things in mind -
ReplyDeleteSigning Hideki Matsui seems like a great move as they get a veteran DH, but recent history shows the A's having little success when getting a DH off the free agent market. (Mike Piazza, Mike Sweeney, Eric Karros) Frank Thomas has been the lone exception. I'm hoping Matsui can come through too.
The bullpen does look great - but you still have that guy Bob Geren calling the shots...it'll never be easy.
And I think it is great the A's are finally spending some money but it is not without a coincidence. MONEYBALL, the movie, is scheduled for release in September 2011 - if the A's aren't still competitive in September then how does that reflect on Billy Beane?
Well last year if you said Huff, Ross, and Burrell would be huge deals I would laugh but the A's are making some small moves that could pay off. I think it all falls on the starters, lets face it though..they have no Lincecum and Cain but a bunch of young guys who have to have huge seasons to get into the playoffs, it could happen.
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