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	Rich Harden looks to rebound from elbow injuries that sidelined him for much of 2006. John W. McDonough/SI
	Projected Lineup (2006 stats) Pos. Player Avg. HR RBI SB C Jason Kendall .295 1 50 11 CF Mark Kotsay .275 7 59 6 RF Milton Bradley .276 14 52 10 DH Mike Piazza .283 22 68 0 3B Eric Chavez .241 22 72 3 SS Bobby Crosby .229 9 40 8 1B Nick Swisher .254 35 95 1 LF Shannon Stewart .293 2 21 3 2B Mark Ellis .249 11 52 4
	Projected Rotation (2006 stats) Starters W-L WHIP ERA K Rich Harden 4-0 1.22 4.24 49 Danny Haren 14-13 1.21 4.12 176 Joe Blanton 16-12 1.54 4.82 107 Esteban Loaiza 11-9 1.42 4.89 97 Brad Halsey 5-4 1.63 4.67 53
	Projected Closer Player W-L WHIP ERA Saves K Huston Street 4-4 1.09 3.31 37 67
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When it comes to the Athletics, success like winning the 2006 AL West title is more as a result of stellar starting pitching than impressive offensive numbers. Led by the new Big Three of Rich Harden, Dan Haren and Joe Blanton, Oakland's pitching adds a lot to your fantasy rotation. The hitting is, pardon the pun, more hit and miss.

Irreplaceable

Before you start asking, no, I'm not smoking anything, no, I haven't gotten a new tattoo and shaved my head, and no, I'm not the father of Anna Nicole's baby. I do believe, however, that the most valuable fantasy player in the East Bay this year will be Mike Piazza. The future Hall of Famer retains his catcher eligibility while going to the plate four or five times with little wear and tear on his 38-year-old joints and bones. Given a solid 500-550 at-bats again as a full-time DH, Piazza could approach Frank Thomas' .270-39 HR-114 RBIs from 2006, all while qualifying behind the plate.

The Next Big Thing

Generally a veteran club, the A's don't have too many ready-to-blossom prospects on the immediate horizon. The closest thing would be lefty swinging first baseman Daric Barton, the former catcher who has been converted to first base and has a chance to unseat Dan Johnson at some point this season. Barton, a career .305 minor-league hitter, suffered a broken elbow last season and has to prove this spring that he's ready to assume his spot as one of the game's bright young stars. Even should he make the club, don't expect too much power (minor league high: 13) for at least a few seasons.

Danger!

There's very little doubt that Bobby Crosby, when healthy, is one of the American League's better shortstops. However, after a fantastic rookie campaign in 2004, he's scuttled through two injury-plagued years and is treading dangerously close to the "potential never fulfilled" line. Crosby's reputation will precede him at your draft, making him higher valued than he probably should be. Of course, he could also return to form in perfect health and be a bargain (although not likely the AL MVP as many pundits predicted for him in 2006).

Do You Feel Lucky?

The A's signed outfielder Shannon Stewart, formerly of the Blue Jays and Twins, to take up some of the slack left when Jay Payton joined the Orioles as a free agent. Stewart, once a four-tool player (he could never really throw well) and 30-steal threat was limited to just 44 games last year with plantar fasciitis, the second time in three years he was stricken with foot issues. Playing on natural turf should relieve some stress from his sore feet and could retransform him into a solid contributor and much needed leadoff hitter for a lineup sorely in need of one.

Steals Come From...

The A's aren't a running team at all which you realize when you see that the team's steals leader in 2006 was catcher Jason Kendall with 11 (Kendall was also the last catcher to top his team in steals before 2006 with 15 in 2002 for the Pirates, tying him with Brian Giles). Milton Bradley is capable of swiping 10-15 bases, as is Crosby, but this isn't the place to fatten up your stolen base totals.

If Something Should Happen To Huston Street

When the man whose name soundslike an address than a pitcher was disabled in August, rocket-armed Justin Duchscherer took over, picking up six of his eight saves for the season during the stint. While Street recovered for the postseason (two saves in the ALDS) and is clearly the closer entering the season, Duchscherer could pick up some scattered saves and wins throughout the season even without an injury clearing the way. Veteran Alan Embree has been added but won't get any opportunities outside of an occasional lefty matchup to end a game.

You Need Them Too

Joe Blanton, Mark Ellis, Rich Harden, Danny Haren, Joe Kennedy, Nick Swisher

Better Left As Someone Else's Problem

Eric Chavez, Dan Johnson, Mark Kotsay, Esteban Loaiza