Leadoff Hitter: Rajai Davis, Center Field
Davis I don't get why he has never been a full time starter for the A's. He is the perfect leadoff hitter for the A's going into the 2010 season and once he gets on base he causes havoc thanks to his speed.
Defensively he doesn't have the strongest of arms, but he can cover a lot of ground with his speed. So, it is time for the A's to give him playing time everyday considering there's not much else in the A's farm system in terms of outstanding outfielders.
Batting Second: Ryan Sweeney, Right Field
It is time for the A's to put Ryan Sweeney in the lineup everyday at one position and that is right field. Sweeney has played outstanding defense this year and he has a tremendous arm that is perfectly suited for right field.
Sweeney doesn't appear to be much of a power threat, but he does have the propensity to hit the ball to the opposite field or hit the ball up the middle. That is the perfect spot for Sweeney to hit in the lineup.
Batting Third: Brett Wallace, Third Base
Brett Wallace will more than likely be one of the September callups for the A's and he'll be able to show what he can do at third base. Wallace is a big third basemen who isn't going to be known for this defense, but he'll be known for wielding a big bat in the middle of the A's order.
Batting Fouth: Tommy Everidge, First Base
Tommy Everidge has shown the ability to hit at the major league level. Including a big two run double for his first major league hit. Defenisvely he may be replaced in the later innings, but he provides a big bat in the lineup the A's have desperately needed.
Batting Fifth: Jack Cust, Designated Hitter
Jack Cust will be the designated hitter for the A's. He will rarely see time in the outfield because of his lack of speed in the outfield. It's time for that experiment to end, he is not a good defender by any stretch of the imagination.
He'll provide his power still and his patience at the plate, but hopefully while on the bench he can start learning how to be more aggressive at the plate and hit pitchers mistakes.
Batting Sixth: Kurt Suzuki, Catcher
Kurt Suzuki is one of the most underrated players in baseball. He doesn't strike out much nor does he walk very much, but he has the ability to put the ball in play.
He's not going to hit over 20 homeruns, but he could move up to 10-15 homeruns a year and drive in 80 runs if he had some better hitters in the lineup. Suzuki will hit for a relatively high average and find the gaps and will be among the league leaders in doubles.
Defensively, Suzuki is an excellent defender. In fact made just his second error of the season on a dropped popup, but that was his first error in over 75 games.
Batting Seventh: Scott Hairston, Left Field
I'm not quite sure what to make of Scott Hairston yet. He does have good speed in the outfield and a decent arm, he just hasn't hit as well has he did with the San Diego Padres.
I don't see him hitting in the third spot where the A's have had him for some games, I think he's better suited to hit down in the lineup.
Batting Eighth: Mark Ellis, Second Base
Mark Ellis has always been known as a superb defender at second base, but his hitting hasn't been anywhere near where it was from the 2007 season. His average is coming up to a more respectable number though, since he did miss quite a bit of the season due to injury.
Ellis has decent power for a second baseman and should finish this year near double digits in homeruns. The A's should see anywhere from 10-15 homeruns from Ellis in 2010.
Batting Ninth: Cliff Pennington, Shortstop
The A's don't really have much going on in the minors short stop wise, so with the recent callup of Cliff Pennington that's basically what the A's have to offer.
I have been impressed with his eye at the plate, but defensively he could use to have a little more range out there. He does possess a strong accurate arm at short and he has very good speed once he gets on base.
Bench
Now it's time to look at who the A's will offer off the bench. Most of these players will probably be seen more than others as well specifically for defensive purposes and not necessarily for their bat.
Eric Chavez: Designated Hitter/Third Base/First Base
The A's will stll be paying Eric Chavez a substantial amount of money for the 2010 season. What the A's need to do though is limit Chavez from playing in the field due to his numberous surgeries as well as injuries.
If Chavez can rehab and become healthy he could definitely help the young A's lineup with his bat and he can split time as the designated hitter with Jack Cust as well as be used only as a defensive emergency at third base or possibly even first base.
Adam Kennedy: Second Base, Third Base, and Left Field
Adam Kennedy should definitely be given another contract by the A's. He is versatile and can come in as a defensive replacement late in games specifically at third base.
He could also see time in the outfield as well as at second base if Ellis needs a day off or gets injured.
Landon Powell: Catcher/First Base
Landon Powell has been one of the most pleasant surprises for the A's. He has played well when backing up Suzuki and has made the most of his opportunities. He doesn't get very many at-bats though, but he has proven that he can come up with the clutch hit and he also has a very good eye at the plate.
He can be used as a catcher and has even spent time at first base as well.
Travis Buck: Left Field, Center Field, Right Field
Travis Buck I believe will get called up once the rosters are expanded and if Hairston is not producing by that time, Buck will probably take his place in the lineup.
Buck is able to play all the outfield positions and he will get a chance to play in 2010 especially if Hairston struggles and he'll be playing in left field, but when Davis or Sweeney need a day off, Buck can certainly play center or right field.
Starting Pitcher Number 1: Justin Duchscherer
Justin Duchscherer will be the most experienced starter on the A's staff regardless of if he does pitch in 2009 or not. Duchscherer will be the ace of the staff and should help solidify the young A's rotation.
Duchscherer is not an overpowering pitcher by any stretch of the imgination but his ability to change speeds and keep hitters off balance is what makes him the best starter the A's have coming into the 2010 season.
Starting Pitcher Number 2: Brett Anderson
Brett Anderson has become more or less the staff ace for the A's. He started the season off slowly but lately he's been the most dominant rookie pitcher in the American League and if he continues to pitch the way he has he could be rookie of the year.
Anderson has an excellent fastball that tops out at 97 miles-per-hour, has a solid curve/slider, and throws a decent changeup to keep hitters off balance.
Starting Pitcher Number 3: Dallas Braden
Dallas Braden has had an excellent season for the A's. He came into the season with the most experience for the young A's staff after Duchscherer went down with an injury.
Braden has been the most consistent starter all year for the A's. He has had an excellent season and his ERA is one of the better ones in the American League.
He doesn't throw very hard either, but he relies on his control and his excellent change up to keep hitters off balance.
Starting Pitcher Number 4: Gio Gonzalez
Gio Gonzalez had had his share of rocky moments for the A's this year where he has given up a lot of runs, but he has moments where he has shown how nasty he can be.
With his stuff he gets the edge at being the number four starter coming into next year for the A's, while Trevor Cahill moves to the back end of the rotation and Vin Mazzaro starts the season in Sacramento.
It is possible the A's could tinker with a six man rotation next year with the plethora of young pitchers avaliable to them, but right now I see it as only a five man rotation.
Starting Pitcher Number 5: Trevor Cahill
Trevor Cahill has had a rocky season in his first year with the A's. He has an excellent sinker, but his problem is when he loses the strike zone, once that happens he has a hard time finding the zone again.
He also has a hard time once he gets ahead of a hitter he tries making too perfect of a pitch or he leaves the ball where it gets too much of the plate and he ends up giving up homeruns.
Relievers:
These are the relivers the A's will throw out during the 2010 season. It will have some new faces and some familiar faces as well.
Long Relief: Edgar Gonzalez
Edgar Gonzalez can be used as a long reliever for the A's or a spot starter in case of injury or a young starter needs to be skipped a turn. Gonzalez is not an overpowering pitcher he does have a low 90's fastball, but he mostly works with his outstanding offspeed pitch that he throws at different angles.
Middle Reliever: Santiago Casilla
Santiago Casilla has sturggled throughout the year, but he should be around for 2010 he seems to be pitching much better now especially after his last appearance against the Blue Jays.
Casilla has a solid slider and a 95-97 miles per hour fastball.
Middle Reliever: Craig Breslow
Craig Breslow has been an oustanding pickup for the A's since he was acquired off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. He currently is the only left handed reliever in the bullpen for the A's.
He has a low 90s fastball and an excellent slider.
Middle Reliever: Brad Ziegler
Brad Ziegler is a sidearmer who can be used as a middle reliever and give a couple of innings, come in during times that men are on base, or can be used to be a setup man depending on the situation.
Zieger's ability to keep the ball down in the strike zone helps him out. He has the ability to induce double plays and with his changeup he has the ability to strike out batters as well.
Middle Reliever: Brad Kilby
Brad Kilby should be the second lefty out of the bullpen for the A's. Kilby throws in the low 90's and has a slider. He should definitely help in situations where the A's need to get a left handed hitter out.
Setup Man: Michael Wuertz
Michael Wuertz has one of the toughest pitches to hit in all of baseball. He gets a lot of swining strikes and strikeouts on his nasty slider. He has a decent but not overpowering fastball, so if he does fall behind in the count or if a batter is looking for his fastball it can be hit, but since he's slider has been so good there have been few and far between situations where that has happened.
Wuertz will retain his role as setup man for the A's.
Closer: Andrew Bailey
Andrew Bailey stepped into the closer role and has not looked back. He is the front runner for the American League Rookie of the Year award. He has the most strikeouts by an American League reliever and is among the rookie leaders in strikeouts.
Bailey throws three outstanding pitches that he can use. He has a high 90's fastball, a low 90's two seam fastball, and if hitters are gearing fastball he can drop a curveball in for a strike as well.
Manager: Tony Defrancesco
Tony Defrancesco should be hired as manager for the A's after Bob Geren is fired. Defrancesco has been in the Athletics organization for a while now and he knows how things are run.
He has spent most of his time as Sacramento's manager and has them currently in first place, so he has familiarity with the players and he has spent time as a third base coach of the A's in 2008.
Oakland Athletics: Like this team?
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