2008 record: 76-86
Key Additions:
Matt Holliday (OF), Jason Giambi (1B/DH), Russ Springer (RF), Michael Wuertz
Key Subtractions:
Huston Street (RP), Carlos Gonzalez (OF), Alan Embree (RP), Greg Smith (SP)
A look at the lineup:
Once again Billy Beane has done what Billy Beane does. He went out and looked for a series of manageable contracts that will fit his on base first philosophy. So he shipped out the most dominant closer the A's have seen since Dennis Eckersley, and in return got exactly the kind of player he covets. In one of the biggest trades of the off-season, Beane did the appropriate amount of wheeling and dealing to land Colorado’s superstar outfielder Matt Holliday. In an everything old is new again type move he also managed to reacquire Jason Giambi through free agency, Giambi now follows in the footsteps of Frank Thomas, and Mike Piazza in filling Oakland’s “over the hill but maybe there just enough left in the tank” DH role. It is what looks to be a potentially high powered offense.
Catcher: Kurt Suzuki, a Cal State-Fullerton product, is considered one of the top up and coming catchers in all of baseball. A solid glove Suzuki ranked 11th in range factor in the majors last year, he managed only five passed balls, and threw out 36.8% of runners, which was good for 3rd in the majors among every day catchers. Suzukihas spent two years with the big club, but only found starting roll in 2008 where he hit .279, and his OBP was very Oakland like at .346. If there is something lacking in Suzuki’s game, its power, with 148 hits, he managed only 196 total bases and a SLG % of .370. Other than his relatively light (?) power number Suzuki seems poised to have a solid year by the bay. Rob Bowenis the backup; he is a defense first catcher whose numbers would lead you to believe he doesn’t carry a bat to the plate. In 37 games last year, he musters 16 hits in 91 plate appearance and a whopping .219 OBP. He may be fighting for his job in camp.
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