Matt Holliday Hints at Departure if Athletics Can't Deliver

With his team trailing in the American League West standings, All-Star LF Matt Holliday has hinted that he's not playing for a losing team. A player of Holliday's caliber doesn't want to play for a team with unproven players who struggle day in and day out.

With the offseason moves GM Billy Beane made last winter, the A's were considered to be the one team likely to surprise the Angels in the West. The team was expected to score a lot more runs that the 2008 squad did after signing Orlando Cabrera, Jason Giambi, and Nomar Garciaparra.

Injuries, however, have plagued the A's in 2009. Eric Chavez's latest injury has him pondering retirement, Mark Ellis is spending time on the DL, and Justin Duschcherer has been battling back from a setback. Nomar Garciaparra, the guy who was supposed to offer relief for guys like Chavvy and Ellis, has been plagued with his own health issues.

No, this isn't the team that many picked to be the dark horse in the American League; instead, it's the same old Athletics.

I, like many A's fans, expected to see a much more competitive team out there on the field. What we got was Jack Hannahan striking out, Jack Cust getting the hat trick, and Matt Holliday's bummed out face while he trots the bases.

Though the team has won three straight over the White Sox thanks to very impressive pitching performances by Vin Mazzaro, Josh Outman, and Brett Anderson, it's hard to say whether or not the A's will be able to play to the level we expected in March.

One thing is for certain, though: Matt Holliday will not be around much longer if the A's don't pick up any time soon.