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Oakland Athletics
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| Projected Lineup |
|---|
| CF |
Terrence Long |
| SS |
Miguel Tejada |
| RF |
Jermaine Dye |
| DH |
David Justice |
| 3B |
Eric Chavez |
| LF |
Jeremy Giambi |
| 1B |
Carlos Pena |
| C |
Ramon Hernandez |
| 2B |
Frank Menechino |
| Projected Rotation |
|---|
| RHP |
Tim Hudson |
| LHP |
Mark Mulder |
| LHP |
Barry Zito |
| RHP |
Cory Lidle |
| RHP |
Erik Hiljus |
| CL |
Billy Koch |
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By John Donovan, CNNSI.com
Nobody does more with less than Billy Beane, Oakland's well-regarded general manager. Lose a superstar? Plug in a superstar-in-waiting. Payroll slashed? Unearth a cheapie diamond in the rough. Think the A's have no chance?
Think, think again.
This off-season, it's been the same old story. The A's lost big-name free agents -- first and foremost, first baseman Jason Giambi -- and will again have to prove they can make a lot out of a little.
Giambi hit .342 in 2001 with 38 homers, 120 RBIs and 109 runs scored -- all Top 10 numbers -- in pacing the A's to 102 wins and a wild-card spot in the playoffs. But the Yankees whisked him away with a huge contract, creating a gaping hole for the A's to fill.
If that were the only problem, of course, Trader Beane could solve it with one phone call. But the A's also lost center fielder and leadoff man Johnny Damon (who led the team with 27 stolen bases) and closer Jason Isringhausen (34 saves). Both free agents, Damon signed with Boston while Isringhausen left for St. Louis.
Beane responded by trading for first baseman Carlos Pena from Texas, signing closer Billy Koch from Toronto and getting outfielder David Justice in a trade with the Mets -- all solid moves given the situation the A's almost always find themselves in.
Pena is only 23 and is regarded by many as the best first base prospect in the majors. Koch has had his problems -- he had a 4.80 ERA with the Blue Jays last season -- but he did save 36 games. Justice is not what he once was, and he won't replace Damon as a leadoff hitter or as a presence in center, but he has a .280 career average and plenty left to give as a designated hitter who can play the outfield.
The best part for Beane and the A's is that, other than the Koch-for-Isringhausen plug-in, the pitching staff remains intact. It is the strength of the team. Oakland's 3.59 ERA was second last season only to Seattle, with Tim Hudson (18-9, 3.37 ERA), Barry Zito (17-8, 3.49) and Mark Mulder (21-8, 3.45) maybe the best Top Three in baseball. Relievers like Jeff Tam, Jim Mecir and Mike Magnante were invaluable.
There are questions in a team that constantly has to replace some of its best parts. Is Terrence Long going to be able to cut it in center? If not, who? Who will be next to him in left? Can the bottom of the rotation (mainly Cory Lidle and Erik Hiljus) hold up its end?
If the A's are used to anything, though, it's questions. Lately, they've had the answers, too.
Up for grabs: The outfield could be a busy place with Damon's departure. Long is penciled in at center, but if he remains too inconsistent, his playing time could suffer. Youngster Eric Byrnes is a possibility, though left is his spot. Justice is in the mix, Jeremy Giambi and Adam Piatt will play out there somewhere ... how it all shakes out, no one knows.
Spring chicken: Byrnes could solve a lot of problems if he plays anywhere near what he has shown. He had 23 home runs last season in Class AAA and won the MVP of the Dominican winter league with a .345 effort. He's big, he has power and he has good enough speed to be a leadoff candidate, too. Watch him in March.
| Arrivals |
|---|
| Pos. |
Player |
From |
Via |
| C |
Scott Hatteberg |
Rockies |
Free Agency |
| LHP |
Mike Holtz |
Angels |
Free Agency |
| OF |
David Justice |
Mets |
Trade |
| RHP |
Billy Koch |
Blue Jays |
Trade |
| C |
Mike Kremblas |
Blue Jays |
Trade |
| RHP |
Allen Levrault |
Brewers |
Waivers |
| 1B |
Carlos Pena |
Rangers |
Trade |
| 2B |
Randy Velarde |
Yankees |
Free Agency |
| LHP |
Mike Venafro |
Rangers |
Trade |
| |
| Departures |
|---|
| Pos. |
Player |
To |
Via |
| C |
Johnny Damon |
Red Sox |
Free Agency |
| OF |
Ron Gant |
Padres |
Free Agency |
| 1B |
Jason Giambi |
Yankees |
Free Agency |
| LHP |
Mark Guthrie |
Mets |
Trade |
| 1B |
Jason Hart |
Rangers |
Trade |
| RHP |
Gil Heredia |
TBA |
Free Agency |
| 3B |
Eric Hinske |
Blue Jays |
Trade |
| RHP |
Jason Isringhausen |
Cardinals |
Free Agency |
| C |
Gerald Laird |
Rangers |
Trade |
| OF |
Ryan Ludwick |
Rangers |
Trade |
| RHP |
Justin Miller |
Blue Jays |
Trade |
| LHP |
Mario Ramos |
Rangers |
Trade |
| C |
Tom Wilson |
Blue Jays |
Trade |
| RHP |
Tyler Yates |
Mets |
Trade |
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| Oakland Athletics Training Schedule |
|---|
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Home games at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Phoenix, Ari.
|
| Date |
Opponent |
Time |
Site |
| Feb 28 |
Milwaukee |
1:05 p.m. |
at Maryvale |
| March 1 |
Milwaukee |
1:05 p.m. |
Phoenix |
| March 2 |
Anaheim |
1:05 p.m. |
Phoenix |
| March 3 |
Anaheim |
1:05 p.m. |
at Tempe |
| March 4 |
Seattle |
1:05 p.m. |
at Peoria |
| March 5 |
San Diego |
1:05 p.m. |
at Peoria |
| March 6 |
Arizona |
1:05 p.m. |
Phoenix |
| March 7 |
Arizona |
1:05 p.m. |
at Tucson Electric |
| March 8 |
Milwaukee |
1:05 p.m. |
Phoenix |
| March 9 |
San Francisco (ss) |
1:05 p.m. |
Phoenix |
| March 9 |
Seattle (ss) |
1:05 p.m. |
at Peoria |
| March 10 |
Chicago White Sox (ss) |
1:05 p.m. |
Phoenix |
| March 10 |
Anaheim (ss) |
1:05 p.m. |
at Tempe |
| March 11 |
Milwaukee |
1:05 p.m. |
at Maryvale |
| March 12 |
Anaheim |
1:05 p.m. |
Phoenix |
| March 13 |
San Diego |
1:05 p.m. |
Phoenix |
| March 15 |
Chicago Cubs |
1:05 p.m. |
Phoenix |
| March 16 |
Anaheim (ss) |
1:05 p.m. |
Phoenix |
| March 16 |
Chicago White Sox (ss) |
1:05 p.m. |
at Tucson Electric |
| March 17 |
Seattle |
1:05 p.m. |
Phoenix |
| March 18 |
Anaheim |
1:05 p.m. |
at Tempe |
| March 19 |
Colorado |
1:05 p.m. |
at Hi Corbett |
| March 20 |
San Francisco |
1:05 p.m. |
Phoenix |
| March 21 |
Seattle |
7:05 p.m. |
Phoenix |
| March 22 |
San Francisco |
7:05 p.m. |
at Scottsdale |
| March 23 |
San Diego |
1:05 p.m. |
at Peoria |
| March 24 |
Milwaukee |
1:05 p.m. |
Phoenix |
| March 25 |
Arizona |
1:05 p.m. |
Phoenix |
| March 26 |
Chicago Cubs |
1:05 p.m. |
at Mesa |
ss - split squad All times local.
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