Bleacher Report - Articles by Joseph Lopez

A's In 2010: In Billy We Trust?

Joseph Lopez — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:51:41 -0500

With the Oakland A's coming off a 75-87 record, and their third straight losing season, is it time to question General Manager, Billy Beane's motives?

During his time as General Manager, Billy Beane has made it a habit to trade away his most proven and successful players just before they reach their full potential in exchange for younger talent, who ultimately get traded away for even younger talent.

After being swept by the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS back in 2006, the A's lost Barry Zito and Frank Thomas to free agency. But despite losing two of his best players, Beane buckled down and decided that the A's could go on without them.

In 2007, the A's winning ways were put to an aggrevating hault, as they finished 76-86. Thus, Beane was reminded that the A's were an aging club and that the farm system was dangerously low with talent.

So, during the offseason of 2007-08, Beane decided to trade away not only the club's best pitcher in Dan Haren, but fan favorite Nick Swisher, as well. The "Haren" trade ultimately brought in the most talent of the two trades, but also brought about a lot of controversy and questions surrounding Beane's motives.

In 2008, the A's were without Haren and Swisher, but still managed to play .500 ball during the first half of the season. Although they were in "re-building" mode, the A's had surprised the baseball world with their upbeat start.

But when the division-leading Angels traded for Mark Teixeira, the A's knew there was no hope for a playoff run in the second half.

So, with hope lost, Beane decided to trade away yet another superb arm in Rich Harden. The Harden-Gaudin deal was the most upsetting deal since the Tim Hudson deal in 2004. The A's received Sean Gallagher (later traded) and Matt Murton (traded) and Eric Patterson.

The A's ended 2008 with a 75-86 record, and a second-straight losing season.

But then it happened. For some apparent reason, Billy Beane during the offseason of 2008, snapped.

He traded away a very talented OF in Carlos Gonzalez (from Haren Deal), SP Greg Smith (Haren Deal), and Huston Street for Colorado Rockies Silver Slugger, Matt Holliday.

For starters, as an A's fan, I was extremely excited and confused when this deal went through. Beane was all about "youth" and "re-building," so his motives to get Holliday didn't quite make much sense to me.

Then, Beane went after Rafael Furcal, but didn't succeed in bringing the shortstop to Oakland. Instead he signed Orlando Cabrera, brought back Jason Giambi, and also signed Nomar Garciaparra.

Before the start of the 2009 Season, the A's were considered by most sports analysts as a potential "darkhorse" for the American League. The A's boasted one of the best on-paper lineups in the league, with a middle of the order line up that consisted of Giambi, Holliday, Chavez, and Cust; all of which were capable of posting 30-plus homers in a single season.

But, as the season began, injuries started to pile up a bit, and things didn't go the way Beane had hoped. The rookies—Cahill, Anderson, Gallagher, among others—didn't perform exceedingly well, and the offense was even worse. Holliday batted .240 in April, and Giambi's hamstrings couldn't hold up.

The A's in 2009 were a flop. They didn't even finish with a .500 record, and weren't very exciting to watch on TV or in person until late August, early September.

When the A's started putting together some wins in late August, early September, Beane was reminded once again that "youth" was the right path to success in the future.

Although Holliday was a bust in Oakland, Beane did receive a potential star in 3B Brett Wallace, who could get a look during Spring Training.

Beane's intentions to offer his young staff some run support didn't pan out the way he expected, but when Holliday, Giambi, and Cabrera left the team, it opened up some doors for guys like Cliff Pennington and Rajai Davis.

Was Beane wrong to go after guys like Holliday, Giambi, and Cabrera? No. His intentions for the most part were good. They just didn't fit the "re-building" process. Beane's move came a year too early. But it seems that he's learned from his latest mistake.

And with Wallace and other superstar in the making Chris Carter, on the horizon, the A's know they've got a chance to be successful in the coming years.

A's In 2010: Power Upgrade Needed

Joseph Lopez — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:47:26 -0500

Last winter, A's General Manager Billy Beane actually went on a "shopping-spree" and acquired Matt Holliday via trade with the Rockies. Then he got Jason Giambi, Orlando Cabrera, and Nomar Garciaparra via free agency.

Holliday and Giambi were supposed to bring power to a team that desperately needed some, but ultimately Beane's plan didn't quite pan out.

After a mid-season revelation that his team was not quite ready to compete, Beane unloaded the players he acquired during the offseason, in order to give younger players a chance to strut their stuff.

Over the course of the second-half, the A's became more aggressive on the basepaths. They ended up with 133 total stolen bases for the year, which was good for 4th best in the American League. They had also managed to play decent baseball without the power bats they thought they needed at the start of the season.

The A's finished with a team total of 135 homeruns, 759 runs scored, and a team batting average of .262. Jack Cust led the team with 25 dingers, followed by Kurt Suzuki with 15.

With the rebuilding A's getting younger and younger, it's hard to see Jack Cust fitting in next year, especially with Chris Carter and Brett Wallace on the horizon. Cust is a strikeout-walk-homerun guy, and is below average to mediocre when he's in the outfield.

The A's need to add power to their lineup if they want to improve next season. Chris Carter—who last year in different levels of the minors hit .329 with 28 homeruns—is a future centerpiece for the A's. And Carter's powerful bat should find its way into Oakland's lineup some time during the 2010 season.

Brett Wallace, listed as a third-baseman, is seen more as a first-baseman/DH with good power. Wallace is also a part of the A's future, especially with Eric Chavez missing time due to injuries. If Chavez isn't able to man the hot corner, perhaps the A's should take a gamble and bring up Wallace to get his feet wet sometime during the 2010 season.

The A's are a decent offense away from actually becoming a force in AL West again. Whether the A's decide to explore the market for a power bat, or upgrade from within the organization, the A's future is definitely bright.

Oakland A's In 2010, Something to Look Forward to

Joseph Lopez — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:27:53 -0400

"They can't score!"

That's what my friend told me one day during an Oakland A's game in August. And although for the most part that's a valid point, the A's did improve slightly in the second half of this season.

Last winter, Oakland A's General Manager Billy Beane went on an off-season shopping spree. Not only did he trade for NL Slugger Matt Holliday, he also signed Orlando Cabrera, Nomar Garciaparra, and brought back Jason Giambi.

Prior to the start of the 2009 season many baseball analysts, including myself, thought that Oakland would be a darkhorse in the American League.

For starters they had added powerful bats to their lineup, and had young talented pitching.

Well, the plan Billy Beane and Co. had created in the off-season didn't pan out the way they'd hoped. Matt Holliday, for the most part was an absolute bust, Giambi struggled with his hitting, and Orlando got off to a slow start.

So what did Billy do when Oakland fell out of contention?

He did what he does best, made trades.

Holliday was shipped of to St. Louis in exchange for three prospects, the biggest name being Brett Wallace. Wallace, though a third baseman by trade, is thought of more as a first base type-guy. He's got great power potential, but his defense needs work.

Orlando Cabrera was shipped off to Minnesota, and Jason Giambi was released. Giambi later signed with the Colorado Rockies.

The whole idea behind bringing in guys like Holliday and Giambi in the first place was to score more runs than the anemic 2008 version A's. It just didn't work out.

However, the A's in the process of rebuilding have become a much more aggressive, small ball team.

In 2008, the A's scored 646 runs, swipped 88 bags, and batted .243 collectively.

In 2009, the A's scored 759 runs, swipped 133 bags, and batted .262 collectively. The reason behind this jump in numbers isn't because of Holliday or Giambi's one-half of a season with Oakland. It's because guys like Rajai Davis were given a chance to play in an everyday role for Oakland.

When I watched Oakland play the Angels last month, they were down seven runs, but they fought back. They were aggressive, the hit the gaps, they played much better without Holliday, Cabrera or Giambi.

The A's played considerable well during the second half, as they consistently stole bases and made things happen on the field. Their level of play really got me excited for the future of this team.

As always, pitching seems to be the main focus of the Athletics main-scheme. The team's ERA was 4.26, which was good enough for 3rd best in the American League.

The starters had their up's and down's, but during the second half, Brett Anderson emerged as Oakland's top rookie pitcher. Anderson finished the season with 11 wins, and a nifty 4.03 ERA. Trevor Cahill also finished the season strong, finishing with 10 wins of his own.

The bullpen, however, receives a ton of credit. Andrew Bailey, a Rookie-of-the-Year candidate, was simply amazing. He finished with 26 saves, 91 K's in 83.1 IP, and an ERA of 1.84. Michael Wuertz was consistent throughout the season, finishing with 102 K's in 78.2 IP, and an ERA of 2.63. Brad Ziegler was strong as well, he finished with a 3.07 ERA. And with Joey Devine returning next season, this bullpen will be an amazing group.

And as bad as the A's seemed during the course of the season, they finished strong, scored more runs than last year's club, stole more bases, hit better collectively, and played with great hunger.

The future is definitely bright for Oakland, and although 2010 may not necessarily mean the return to the post-season for the Green and Gold, it is definitely a year to look forward to.

Oakland Raiders: Have a Seat, JaMarcus

Joseph Lopez — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:59:08 -0400

When I heard that the Oakland Raiders, the team I've rooted for since the fifth Grade, tried to ban my childhood hero, Rich Gannon from the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, my heart stopped.

Not only did they try banning the one person that helped them to a Super Bowl appearance and a string of three straight AFC West Titles, they tried banning my idol.

I couldn't believe that the Raiders would try to do something as asinine as trying to prevent an ex-NFL MVP, with great insight, from entering the Coliseum.

If anyone should be banned from the Coliseum, it should be JaMarcus Russell.

Russell has been absolutely terrible, or as Charles Barkley would say, "turrible". Russell, who without a doubt has been a bust thus far. He signed a six-year, $61 million deal, that guarantees him $11.5 million for the first three years.

In 2008, his first official year as the starting quarterback, he threw for 2,423 yards, completed 198 of his 368 attempts (53.8%), and had 13 touchdown passes. Not a great rookie campaign, but I guess it would have to qualify as a decent year.

This season, however, Russell has been terrible. He's completed only 43 of his 108 pass attempts (39.8%) and has thrown for just one touchdown. Now, keep in mind, this guy is getting paid $11.5 million for this kind of performance.

Also, take into account that Russell, the "leader" of the offense, is often late to practice, misses meetings, and has come into this season overweight.

Now, ask yourself, what kind of message is that sending to the other players? Imagine you work your butt off during practice, and you're getting paid league-minimum or close to it, and you see Russell walking in while everyone else is running.

This lack of leadership and commitment isn't helping Oakland, and it's only going to get worse. The whole Tom Cable incident isn't going away, either.

The Oakland Raiders are a dysfunctional team right now, which is exactly what Rich Gannon was saying. And once you talk badly about the Raiders, consider yourself an enemy of the Raider Nation...

But honestly, Gannon, who led the Raiders to three straight AFC West Championships and a Super Bowl appearance, isn't an enemy of the Raiders, nor is he "bashing" or "attacking" them.

Raiders Executive John Herrera, who I find to be quite ignorant, said this about Gannon's performance in Super Bowl XXXVII, "I guess it's our fault he threw five interceptions."

No, it was the team's fault.

Regardless of what anyone thinks, football is a team effort. You either win as a team or lose as a team.

Did Gannon have a bad night? Yes, of course he did. He's human. Was the game entirely his fault? No, it was the coaching staff's fault for not tinkering the playbook that Gruden knew so well.

The Raiders need to learn how to play as a team. They need to learn how to not only win as a team, but lose as a team as well.

JaMarcus Russell is still very young, but if you're getting paid top-dollar in the National Football League, and taking it for granted, don't expect to be around for very long.

Russell needs to be benched, or at least punished in some capacity. The Raiders need a team leader, who isn't afraid to pick up the slack. They need someone to put in a hard day's work.

Right now, Russell isn't that guy. Hopefully, with time he'll learn the values of team spirit, and hopefully one day he'll develop into a strong leader in the club-house.

2010: The Second Coming of Oakland's Big Three?

Joseph Lopez — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:10:19 -0400

Pitching wins games. Surround that pitching with offense, you win championships. Well, the A's are certainly on the right track.

Though their staff is extremely young and relatively inexperienced, the A's will head into the 2010 season with a bright future. Mainly because they've got a young, talented, bright rotation in the works.

In the offseason prior to the 2009 season, General Manager, Billy Beane decided to see what would happen if he surrounded the pitching staff with good hitting. It didn't quite work out the way is was supposed to, mainly because the GM's timing was off by one year.

However, the intentions by the GM were relatively good. Beane wanted to give his young staff some room for error while they made the transition into the big leagues. And even though the moves didn't pay off this year, the A's should have their heads up high heading into next season.

Despite boasting the League's youngest rotation, the A's haven't been a complete disappointment on the pitching side of things. Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill and Vin Mazzaro are certainly making themselves look like the second coming of Oakland's "Big Three."

Anderson, Cahill and Mazzaro are joined by Gio Gonzalez and Dallas Braden who make up the rest of Oakland's 2010 projected (very early projection) rotation. Angels Manager, Mike Soscia has given the A's credit on building around their pitching, which he thinks will ultimately help the team become a perennial playoff contender once again.

If by some miracle, Eric Chavez can salvage his career by becoming a full-time DH, he might be able to contribute to the A's 2010 season next year. One thing is for sure, he won't be preventing Brett Wallace from developing as a third-baseman, since he said he'd be more than willing to help Wallace during his development.

As for the rest of the offense, if the A's introduce Cris Carter, among other highly touted young studs next season, then A's have a shot at making some more noise.

Anderson, Cahill, Mazzaro, and Gonzalez are all very young and for the most part still inexperienced. Still, though, they've worked hard and have shown improvement. And that's all you can ask for.

Barry's Back: Zito Gaining Old Form and Support

Joseph Lopez — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 02:38:23 -0400

Welcome to the Planet Zito. Excuse me if it seems a bit crowed. The population of supporters has been growing rapidly, as Barry Zito continues his post-all star break dominance.

No earned runs in his last 12 innings, lowering his ERA nearly one whole point since the break, describes what kind of second half San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito is having.

His ERA stood at 5.01. Now, it stands at a nifty 4.09. Granted his ERA in July was 4.50, he managed to strike out 30 batters in 36 innings. This month, however, is where Zito has really turned it up.

With an ERA of 2.17 in August, Zito is not only helping the Giants during a playoff race, he's earning the fan support he's lacked since joining the Giants.

This month, Zito has made the kind of starts that made him the $126 million dollar man in the first place. Opponents are only hitting a measly .190 off him this month. Giants fans now have a reason to root for Zito, who is helping the Giants gain ground in the Wild Card race.

As focused as Zito seems to be, the Giants ultimate flaw is their offense. Zito has no wins in his last two starts, despite going 12 innings combined, allowing no earned runs.

If the Giants want to make the postseason, they're going to have to score some runs. And Zito just needs to keep on doing what's he's been doing.

Geren, A's Stumble Into Tough Second Half

Joseph Lopez — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:26:44 -0400

Heading into the 2009 season, the Oakland A's were expected to be major contenders in the weak American League West. However, with the Angels and Rangers controlling the West, the A's are left to dwell in the cellar for the first time since '97.

The A's, with a record of 37-49, are currently 12 games behind the Los Angeles Angels for first place in the AL West. The A's, who were considered contenders by many at the beginning of the season, enter the break as a team without much heart.

Offensive production has been a major problem for this year's team, as Matt Holliday, Jason Giambi, and Orlando Cabrera haven't been able to hit consistently in the first half. The A's finished the first half scoring 361 runs (12th in AL), to go along with a league-low .246 batting average.

Pitching, however, has been extremely impressive, considering the A's boast the youngest staff in the league. The A's closed out the first half with a 4.24 ERA (Sixth best in the AL). Though each rookie, especially Brett Anderson, has had their up's and down's, they seemed to further mature with each start.

Dallas Braden, the ace of the staff, leads the rotation with an impressive 3.12 ERA and also leads in wins, with seven. Braden, 25, pitched exceptionally well against the Rays in his last start, and is scheduled to start the second half against the Angels.

The A's only All Star, Andrew Bailey, is a rookie, who's been extremely impressive out of the 'pen. Bailey has recorded 10 saves, and has maintained an ERA under two in 51.2 innings. Like Bailey, the A's bullpen has been solid, despite them being misused by manager Bob Geren.

Bob Geren, the A's Manager, has been extremely disappointing. The previous A's manager, Ken Macha, is currently managing the second place Brewers in the NL Central. Billy Beane's decision to promote Geren hasn't panned out as according to plan. Geren's decision making is often questioned, and his leadership is in doubt.

After 86 games, Geren still does not know how to use his bullpen, and doesn't keep a consistent lineup. He's an absolute mess, and if A's were to fire him I doubt anyone would jump ship.

The A's are really running on thin ice heading into the second half. They are pushing their shrinking fan base to the limit, and as the trade deadline approaches, Beane and company are surely going to ship off the only stars they have.

So, if Holliday leaves, it's just another signal to the fans that the A's have no intention of winning.

This "re-building" process has been difficult to bare with, and the A's are really testing their loyal fan base with this level of play. If the A's can't score in the second half, it's sure to be another losing season. Even worse, the A's are headed for a last place finish.

Power Outage in Oakland

Joseph Lopez — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:08:39 -0400

With the first half of baseball quickly coming to a close, the Oakland A's are sitting 9.5 games out of first due to their anemic offensive attack. A's General Manager, Billy Beane, signed Jason Giambi, a former MVP, Orlando Cabrera, Nomar Garciaparra and traded for the NL Silver Slugger, Matt Holliday last offseason. The signings were believed to turn Oakland into a darkhorse contender. Those signings haven't changed a thing. The A's are still dead last in batting average, on-base percentage as well as slugging percentage. The A's own a .238 team batting average (14th in AL) and have scored only 325 runs (12th in AL).There seems to be a power outage in Oakland. And unless the A's can get consistent hitting from Giambi, Holliday and Jack Cust, they won't be around in October. If the A's can somehow stick around long enough, they have a chance to heat up much like Holliday's 2007 Colorado Rockies did.

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Holliday Shopping? St. Louis Cardinals Showing Interest in Matt Holliday

Joseph Lopez — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:52:29 -0400

With the All-Star break looming, teams are beginning to make a push for the playoff races. The St. Louis Cardinals are reportedly showing great interest in A's Outfielder Matt Holliday.

The A's are reportedly seeking equal value for Holliday, who so far has been a big disappointment. Holliday is hitting .274 with eight home-runs and 38 RBI in 72 games with the A's. The A's, who are currently 9.5 games back in AL West are looking like sellers rather than buyers.

The Cardinals would likely send Ryan Ludwick and one other player. Whether or not A's GM Billy Beane would send Holliday for a deal like that is unknown. If the A's were to keep Holliday and offer him arbitration (which he'd probably decline), the A's would receive two draft picks.

Looking for a Way Out: How the 2009 Oakland Raiders Can Contend in the AFC West

Joseph Lopez — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:43:12 -0400

After receiving some compelling comments on my last article, I've decided to re-evaluate the 2009 Oakland Raiders and their opportunity to make some noise in the AFC West.

By no means am I a Raider Hater; I'm just stating my opinions and beliefs on what needs to be done in order for the Raiders to have a legitimate shot at the division:

1. The offense needs to be improved

The Raiders averaged 16.4 points per game last season which was 29th overall in the NFL. The Raiders total offense was 29th in NFL (272.2 yards per game). Their passing attack was a league worse at 148.1 yards per game. However, the running attack was impressive as it placed in the top 10 with an average of 124.2 yards per game.

JaMarcus Russell is the reason for concern. Russell struggled in his first full season as the Raiders quarterback, throwing for 2,423 yards with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Russell in his first year struggled holding onto the ball, as he fumbled 12 times and constantly seemed as if he was unaware of the blitz.

In order for the Raiders to have some shot at challenging San Diego and Denver, Russell needs to step up his level of play. He needs to become the leader of the offense, he needs to develop some discipline. Russell has the talent to be a solid quarterback, but in order to be somebody he needs to step it up.

The wide receivers on the team also need to find a way to step up their level of play. Averaging 16 points and 272 total yards a game is not going to cut it in the NFL. The talent is definitely there, just the discipline is absent.

2. The defense needs to stop the run

Nnamdi Asomugha did his job last year by recording 40 tackles with one interception last year. Asomugha is a class-act kind of guy who is clearly emerging as a leader on defense. Derrick Burgess continued to play competitively last year, but the Raiders as a whole failed to stop the run.

Take week four against the Chargers last year as a prime example of how the defense seems to run out of gas in the second half. Up 15 at halftime, the Raiders allowed the charges to score 25 points in the fourth quarter. LaDainian Tomlinson ran all over the Raiders in the second half and the Chargers ran at will against the Raiders weak run defense.

If the Raiders can improve on stopping the run, then look for them to win those close and sometimes upsetting games.

3. The team must find a leader

It could be the coach, it could be the quarterback. It could even be Al Davis. Davis fired Lane Kiffin after a poor start last season. Davis has had a number of different coaches. Bill Callahan, Norv Turner, Art Shell are the coaches who failed to produce wins.

Tom Cable seems like a decent coach, who seems to have the respect of his players. Al Davis really needs to swallow his ego and allow his coaching staff to run the team as they see fit. Leadership is extremely valuable and necessary when it comes to sports. If the Oakland Raiders find a leader then look for a competitive team in 2009.

In general, I'd like to say thank you to all those who take the time to read and leave comments. I appreciate everyone's opinions and I hope you continue reading.

2009 Oakland Raiders: Three Steps to Escaping the Black Hole

Joseph Lopez — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:10:08 -0400

With the supposedly "problematic" and "liar" Lane Kiffin out of Oakland, the Raiders have no excuses heading into the 2009 season. The Raiders fired Kiffin, who was too outspoken for Al Davis, after a disappointing start in 2008. Heading into the 2009 season the Raiders are led by coach Tom Cable, who experienced some turnaround from his squad at the end of the '08 season. Cable seemed to have some control over the Raiders, but there's absolutely no excuse for the Raiders lack of dedication. The Raiders appeared to be sloppy all year long, and the once highly poised team is no the laughing stock of the NFL. Not since the 2003 Superbowl meltdown have the Oakland Raiders played an honest game of football. Led by Quarterback Rich Gannon, and Wide-Outs like Jerry Rice, Tim Brown and Jerry Porter, the Raiders had dedication, poise and class. But those days are long gone. These Raiders are a new breed. A breed that lacks dedication, class and experience. Led by an arrogant and egotistical owner, the Raiders are seeking a pathway out of the black hole that's caused them humiliation and made them the laughing stock of the league. In order for the Raiders to become a successful franchise again, then they need to have the same class and dedication that led them to the Superbowl 7 seasons ago.

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The Oakland A's Big Three: Then and Now

Joseph Lopez — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:57:07 -0400

From 2000 to 2004 the Oakland A's featured one of the best pitching rotations of all time. Lead by Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito, the A's were a consistent playoff contender with exceptional pitching. The "Big Three" as they were called made the A's one of the best teams in all of baseball. Tragically, however, the "Big Three" dismantled following the 2004 season. Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder were shipped off, leaving Barry Zito the only remaining member of the trio behind in Oakland. After leaving the A's, Hudson and Mulder tried to recreate the magic they had in Oakland for their new teams, while Zito tried to man the fort all by himself. In 2005 the A's fell 7 games short of the first place Angels. Tim Hudson was 14-9 with an ERA of 3.52 with the Braves, while Mark Mulder was 16-8 with a 3.64 ERA with the Cardinals. A season later Zito would lead the A's to a postseason birth, only to get swept by the Tigers in the ALCS. Zito left for the Giants and $126 Million following the 2006 season. Since the departure of Zito, the last remaining member of the "Big Three", the A's haven't had a winning record. But everything hasn't been too good for the trio either, though. Barry Zito hasn't had a winning record since coming to the Giants, Hudson has been struggling to stay healthy, and Mark Mulder isn't even pitching now. Join me as I take a look at the Big Three, then and now.

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A's Fading Away in the West

Joseph Lopez — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:48:51 -0400

Remember when Billy Beane traded for Matt Holliday? Or when he signed Jason Giambi, Nomar Garciaparra and Orlando Cabrera in an attempt to boost an anemic offense?

Remember when the A's were said to be the darkhorse team in the American League?

With the month of June half over, the A's trail the first place Rangers by nine games. How can a team with Matt Holliday, Nomar Garciaparra and Jason Giambi be nine games out of first?

It's been a very ironic year thus far for Billy Beane and the rest of the A's front office. For once, they actually went after a proven hitter and finally forked up some cash to sign key veterans like Jason Giambi and Orlando Cabrera.

The deals haven't paid off, though. Instead of seeing the impact many expected to see from Matt Holliday, the A's are finding themselves fading in the standings.

Jason Giambi has a batting average right around the .200 mark, Cabrera is hitting under .240, and Nomar is dealing with his calf-injury. And even though Matt Holliday is hitting a solid .275 with eight home runs, it's not the kind of impact Billy Beane expected.

The A's offense is still anemic, partly because the A's don't have an answer to their injury woes. They simply can't stay healthy. Eric Chavez is out, Mark Ellis has been out, and Ryan Sweeney was just activated from the DL.

But who's really to blame for the A's lack of success? Is it Bob Geren, who in my opinion is one of the worst managers in the American League, or is it Billy Beane? Who put the A's in this position?

In 2007 Beane traded away fan favorite, Nick Swisher, and his best pitcher, Dan Haren. In 2008 the A's shocked the League by playing .500 ball in the first half, but after Beane traded Rich Harden away the A's hit the brakes on and lost any hope of playoff contention.

The Harden trade was one of the worst trades Billy Beane has made. It really made no sense whatsoever. And now with the A's nine games out, is Beane ready to ship Holliday off to a contending club? Or will he summond enough courage to axe his best friend, Bob Geren?

Geren had his shot, and disappointingly, he's failed. He hasn't named his closer yet, and even in June he has no idea who to give the ball to in save situations. His use of the bullpen is questionable, and his frequent lineup changes never allows A's hitters to find their stride.

If the A's continue to fade from the rest of the West, then look for Beane to trade away yet another All-Star. If the A's continue losing close ballgames due to bad judgement look for Geren to get the axe.

Eric Chavez Shuts It Down: A's Need to Look Towards Future

Joseph Lopez — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:52:29 -0400

2009 was supposed to be different. The A's, coming into the 2009, season were supposed to be much more dangerous offensively. So far, nothing has changed.

Injuries continue to hurt the team, and with the news of Eric Chavez opting for another surgery, the A's are left in a familiar place. Mark Ellis is out with a calf injury, Nomar Garciaparra is battling with his own calf injury, and Eric Chavez is out for the season with back issues.

Billy Beane, General Manager of the Oakland A's, signed key veterans like Jason Giambi, Orlando Cabrera, and Nomar Garciaparra in the hopes that they'd help solidify the offense. Matt Holliday, who was acquired in the off-season via trade, was also supposed to help create a potent middle-of-the-order attack.

The A's were hoping that their strong hitting would provide a cushion for their rookie pitchers, but so far nothing has gone as planned. Matt Holliday, the one guy most people expected to be a key player for the A's, has been slightly above average for the green and gold. Jason Giambi, Orlando Cabrera, and Nomar Garciaparra also haven't produced big numbers for the A's.

With the A's falling farther out of contention everyday, they need to look towards the future, starting with the third base position. With another back surgery, Eric Chavez, 31, isn't likely to be a productive player like he once was. The A's have no third-baseman in their farm-system, so it's critical for the team to find one.

Billy Beane's young and highly praised pitching staff has performed as many would expect a young rotation to perform. They're highly inconsistent, after going on an amazing 7-0 stretch, the A's staff has struggled a bit.

Brett Anderson, perhaps the most inconsistent one on the staff, lost his last start against the Giants. Vin Mazzaro, the most talented of the staff, thus far, has been very impressive in his three starts.

But in order for the staff to be productive the A's need healthy hitting. If the A's continue this downward spiral out of contention, then look for the A's to trade Holliday for more prospects.

The A's were supposed to be a much better team this season, but at eight games out of first, it's hard to believe that anything has changed.

A's New Big Three: Not As Big

Joseph Lopez — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 01:07:42 -0400

Are Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill and Vin Mazzaro the next "Big Three?"

Probably so, but are they as good or will they be as good as the original "Big Three" that consisted of Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito?

No.

In my opinion they won't be. I do, however, think they will be pretty good. Vin Mazzaro, though he's only pitched one game (which was a fabulous debut), is my favorite of the new trio.

Brett Anderson, however, has been a bit of a disappointment. I know it's still very early and it's his first season in the big leagues, but he's still not that "mature" and "beyond his time" guy that we heard during spring training.

Now, I'm saying these new guys won't be good, because they will be, they just won't be as good as that ridiculous one-two-three of Hudson-Mulder-Zito. I am saying, however, Vin Mazzaro has the stuff to be the "Hudson" of the group.

Mazzaro impressed me in Spring Training, and I felt bad to see him not make the cut back in March.

But he's here now, which completes the new "Big Three" of Anderson-Cahill-Mazzaro.

For the remainder of the season I truly believe that if they're given run support like they've been receiving in the past couple of games, then the A's have a shot in coming back into contention.

But if this new Big Three flops, then A's fans will have to sit through another long summer.

Barry Zito Regains His Game

Joseph Lopez — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:49:59 -0400

After picking up Barry Zito in my fantasy league I was the victim of instant criticism by those in my league. People said some harsh things about Barry, especially after he struggled in his '09 debut against the Padres.

But, since then, he's changed. He seems like the same Barry Zito for whom I rooted when he was wearing green and gold. Zito seems like he's focused again, which is very good news for the San Francisco Giants; they invested $126 million when signing him after the 2006 season.

"Z," as I call him, has regained some confidence in his fastball and curveball, and has had some great success this season. Though his ERA is right around the 4.00 mark, he's still much better than he was a year ago. Zito seems more relaxed now that he's not the focal point of the rotation.

Having Tim Lincecum, Randy Johnson, and Matt Cain pitching alongside definitely helps. Barry Zito has been rock solid despite receiving practically no run support from the anemic Giants offense. But Z says he prefers it that way. It keeps him focused.

Though he's by no means a beast in fantasy baseball, he's still a productive pitcher who has pitched particularly well. Unlike the '07 or '08 Zito that Giants fans have come to hate, the '09 Zito has pitched well, and has won over some fans with his rebound.

Though he's wearing a Giants uniform, he resembles that guy who won the 2002 CY Young and wore green and gold.

Matt Holliday Hints at Departure if Athletics Can't Deliver

Joseph Lopez — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:36:04 -0400

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.

Oakland A's Need Medical Attention; Page Dr. House!

Joseph Lopez — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 17:25:17 -0400

As a fan of FOX's smash hit, House, M.D., I'm used to seeing the medical maverick, Dr. Gregory House, played by Hugh Laurie, solve seemingly unsolvable medical mysteries. Well, I've got a new medical case for you, Dr. House—the Oakland Athletics.

The A's have been one of the most injury-prone teams in all of baseball, and the 2007 and 2008 seasons made this painfully obvious. Players like Gold Glover Eric Chavez, Mark Ellis, Travis Buck, and Justin Duchscherer have all been plagued with health issues. Both Chavez and Ellis are coming off surgeries, and both are taking it slow during spring training.

Duchscherer, and All-Star pitcher who had a brilliant first half in 2008, experienced some turbulence after the break and eventually landed himself on the DL with hip problems. He was said to have been making progress earlier this offseason, but he just suffered a major setback last week: He experienced pain in his elbow and was shut down.

The A's, who added Matt Holliday, Jason Giambi, Orlando Cabrera, and Nomar Garciaparra this offseason, are in position to take over the AL West—that is, if they suddenly buck the trend and get healthy.

If Chavez's latest shoulder issues become more troublesome, and if Duchscherer lands on the DL to start the season, then the A's will have trouble keeping up with the Angels.

Even with Nomar Garciaparra (who was on the DL last year with the L.A. Dodgers) and Bobby Crosby (who's learning how to play third), the A's won't be as good as they would be with Chavez in the lineup.

The A's ability to keep up with the competition and earn the West's playoff spot depends greatly on the health of their experienced players.

The A's are an interesting case, Dr. House. Their chances of making the postseason hinge on the players being physically able to take the field.

Can even you get them well?

Oakland A's Shut Eric Chavez Down

Joseph Lopez — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:55:12 -0400

Eric Chavez has been shut down once again. The Oakland A's announced earlier this week (Monday) that their third-baseman has been shut down with no immediate time table for return.

After countless surgeries over the last two years, Chavez, 31, is struggling to regain his strength and form. The six-time Gold Glover has yet to play a full season since 2006. When healthy, he's one of the best offensive hitters as well as one of the best defensive players in all of baseball.

The A's are hoping that with a few days off that he'll be able to come back and get ready for Opening Day. If healthy, the A's will have a very respectable middle of the order lineups in all of baseball with Cust, Holliday, Giambi and Chavez.

With a healthy Chavez, the A's should make a run for the division crown.

Cabrera and Garciaparra In, Crosby Wants Out

Joseph Lopez — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 19:31:55 -0500

The Oakland Athletics announced Friday afternoon the signings of Orlando Cabrera and Nomar Garciaparra. The signings indicate that the A's GM, Billy Beane intends to challenge the defending AL West Champion, Los Angeles Angels.

The signings also indicate that incumbent shortstop Bobby Crosby's playing time is going to be very limited. Crosby, who was an AL Rookie of the Year in 2004, hasn't played up to expectations. And with Garciaparra likely to serve as a backup to Cabrera, Crosby won't see much playing time in Oakland.

Crosby has voiced his concern over the matter and wants out of Oakland. Crosby wishes that the organization will give him an opportunity to play shortstop somewhere else. He said that Oakland has been a great place to play, but he said that it'd be in his best interest to play somewhere else.

The signings of Cabrera and Garciaparra add veteran leadership to an A's team that is full of young talent. Billy Beane made it clear that he intends to give support to his very young pitching staff by adding OF Matt Holliday, 1B/DH Jason Giambi, as well as Orlando and Nomar.

The A's are now a team that could possibly contend with the Halos, since the A's have greatly improved on offense. If the young staff can quickly mature like the "Big Three" of the late 90's/2000, then the A's are a legitimate team that could contend.

Oakland Raiders and Terrell Owens a Perfect Match?

Joseph Lopez — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:31:27 -0500

I am in no way saying that T.O would want to come to Oakland, but I am saying it'd be a perfect match for him. Earlier today, the Dallas Cowboys cut Pro-Bowl WR Terrell Owens, and with the Raiders in need of some offense, adding T.O. would make sense for both sides.

The Oakland Raiders who finished 5-11 and three games back of the Chargers and Broncos, struggled on offense throughout the season. It was a rough year for Quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who often looked like a bust.

But, in a "perfect" world (a world without Al Davis), signing T.O. would make perfect sense. By adding Owens, the Raiders would instantly be improved on offense, and would be adding another weapon that Russell could use.

Adding T.O. alone would not solve all of Oakland's problems.

The Raiders are in need of a big marketable player, someone who's an established leader, and someone who can restore the confidence that was lost after the Superbowl meltdown. And, I'm not sure T.O. is that kind of guy.

As I've said, the two would make a perfect couple. The Raiders are as dysfunctional as T.O. is, and the two would sure entertain us all.

And why not? The Raiders have made other bone-head moves in the past, and they've definitely wasted money on players that never performed to their expectations. So, why not go after T.O? Tell me, what do the Raiders have to lose if they do?

If I were in charge of the Raiders, I'd go after T.O. just for the mere fact that the guy is a heck of an athlete. Then, I'd go and look to trade for some mar-key talent. And though the Raiders were bad on offense, their defense needs major upgrades, too.

Kudos, though, for the Raiders locked up Asomugha (even if it was at a ridiculous amount of money).

The 2009 Oakland Raiders have absolutely nothing to lose if they decide to go after T.O. Sure, they'd be adding a guy who could turn on them at any given moment, but that isn't anything new for the Silver and Black.

The main problems for the Raiders are commitment, leadership and talent. They have no commitment (I've lost count to how many coaches Davis has fired), they haven't had a true leader since the "Gannon-Era", and they don't have much talent on the field.

But, one thing is for sure, T.O would have no problem fitting in with Oakland's lack of respect, leadership or commitment...yes, he would definitely fit in.

**Please note that this is just my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Raiders fan. But I can swallow my pride to say that our team really needs a great deal of change. And if you're unwilling to admit that the Raiders are in desperate need of some change, then you're just lying to yourself. In advance, please feel free to comment on the article. I enjoy all of your comments, and I respect your opinions.

Orlando Cabrera, Nomar Garciaparra Join the Oakland Athletics

Joseph Lopez — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:20:51 -0500

The Oakland Athletics added two more pieces to the puzzle, and it's beginning to look like the A's are very serious about contending this year in the AL West.

Free-agent Shortstop Orlando Cabrera has reportedly agreed to a one year deal worth $4 million—the contract is pending a physical.

Earlier Tuesday morning, reports were released saying that the Oakland Athletics had come to a deal with Nomar Garciaparra, who was injured for most of the 2008 season.

With the addition of Cabrera, the A's incumbent shortstop, Bobby Crosby is looking elsewhere for playing time. Crosby, who's AL Rookie of the Year award seems decades ago, is likely to be dealt sometime during the course of the season.

If Crosby isn't dealt before the deadline, then his role with the A's will be nothing more than a utility guy.

Cabrera, 34, took a huge pay cut, thanks to the struggling economy. Cabrera, a solid defender, has won two Gold Gloves, and is a tough out on offense.

Garciaparra, who is 35, is still a solid back up. Garciaparra could be used as a sub for either Eric Chavez, Daric Barton, or used as the DH.

Prior to the additions, the A's had a very busy offseason, in which they added two powerful bats in Matt Holliday and Jason Giambi. With the additions of Cabrera and Garciaparra, the A's look like a serious dark horse to win the division this season.

No official announcements have been made about either addition, but both players could join the team as early as Friday.

Oakland A's Eye Orlando Cabrera Or Nomar Garciaparra

Joseph Lopez — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:30:16 -0500

The Oakland Athletics have made it known that they are trying to replace struggling shortstop, Bobby Crosby. After failing to land free agent Rafael Furcal, the A's are said to be in the running for either Orlando Cabrera or Nomar Garciaparra.

Both Cabrera and Garciaparra are at the back-end of their career, and it's unlikely the A's would sign either one to a contract worth more than $7 or $8 million. Cabrera's asking price is around the $9-$10 million range, but it is said the A's want to get him for $5 or $6 million.

According to FOXSports.net, free agent Nomar Garciaparra is currently considering between a deal with the A's or retirement. If the A's fail to land Garciaparra, who would be a solid addition, then they'd have to pursue Cabrera a bit more aggressively.

Either way, the A's are obviously trying to contend in the AL West. With Holliday and Giambi, the A's offense is very respectable (at least the middle-of-the-lineup is). Both Nomar and Orlando would be great additions, but the price must be right in order for Beane to sign.

Oakland A's: Reality Check

Joseph Lopez — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:29:30 -0500

After many comments, thoughts and consideration, I've decided to take a closer look on the A's in 2009.

Back in November when the A's added the powerful Matt Holliday, I was definitely shocked and excited. For one, the A's were coming off there second-straight third place finish in the American League West, and were a team with major health concerns. By adding Holliday, they instantly upgraded their offense, which was one of the worst in the league.

It only got better though. The A's added Jason Giambi in January, who was one of the most marketable and well-known player in A's history. The acquisition of the popular and powerful Giambi added to the A's offense. At this point in time as a fan, I was very, very excited. The A's were beginning to look like a serious contender—especially in the AL West, where the vulnerable Angels lost key, productive players to free agency.

While counting down the days to spring training, I previewed the Oakland A's and gave grades to the team's efforts. It was then, when I realized I was a bit too optimistic, and that I overlooked so many things.

Pitching is critical for any team, just ask the Yankees. For years they've had some of the best offensive players, yet struggle in post-season because of their weak rotation. However, they addressed that this offseason with the acquisitions of C.C Sabathia and AJ Burnett. Bottom line is that the A's feature a very young staff, with a lot of upside. Will they be able to mature and grow into the next "Big Three"? Maybe. But that will depend on the A's offensive performance. If the A's struggle to score 3 runs per game, then look for another 70 win season. But, if Holliday sticks around all season (which I think he will) and if Giambi pounds the ball then the A's will be a mid-80's win team.

The Rotation features a list "nobodies," with the exception of two-time All-Star, Justin Duchscherer. The 2009 Projected Rotation is as follows:

1. Justin Duchscherer, 10-8, 2.54 ERA in 2008
2. Dana Eveland, 9-9, 4.34 ERA in 2008
3. Sean Gallagher, 5-7, 5.15 ERA in 2008
4. Dallas Braden, 5-4, 4.14 ERA in 2008
5. Gio Gonzalez, 1-4, 7.68 ERA in 2008

Duchscherer is obviously the staff's ace, but whether or not he can pitch 200 innings this year will be a key question to the A's success in 09. Eveland has great upside, and Gio Gonzalez has the "stuff" to be a good pitcher in the big leagues. If the offense supports the staff, then the A's have a serious shot at winning the west.

The Bullpen will also be critical for the A's. The Bullpen was outstanding last year, and features some very young, talented arms:

Co-closer: Joey Devine, 6-1, 0.59 ERA, 1-for-2 in save chances in 2008
C0-closer: Brad Ziegler, 3-0, 1.06 ERA, 11-for-13 in save chances in 2008
RH setup man: Russ Springer, 2-1, 2.32 ERA, 15 holds in 2008
LH setup man: Jerry Blevins, 1-3, 3.11 ERA, 5 holds in 2008

Joey Devine and Brad Ziegler will share the closer role for awhile, but my guess is that Devine will be the teams closer by the end of the season. Russ Springer, acquired this offseason is a veteran players who has had some recent success—he posted a 2.32 ERA for the Cards last season.

If the A's are to reach post-season, then the offense will have to provide some support for the young staff:

1. CF Ryan Sweeney:
.286 BA, .350 OBP, .383 SLG, 5 HR, 45 RBIs in 2008
2. DH Jack Cust:
.231 BA, .375 OBP, .486 SLG, 33 HR, 77 RBIs in 2008
3. LF Matt Holliday:
.321 BA, .409 OBP, .538 SLG, 25 HR, 88 RBIs in 2008
4. 1B Jason Giambi:
.247 BA, .373 OBP, .502 SLG, 32 HR, 96 RBIs in 2008
5. 3B Eric Chavez:
.247 BA, .295 OBP, .393 SLG, 2 HR, 14 RBIs in 2008
6. C Kurt Suzuki:
.279 BA, .346 OBP, .370 SLG, 7 HR, 42 RBIs in 2008
7. SS Bobby Crosby:
.237 BA, .296 OBP, .349 SLG, 7 HR, 61 RBIs in 2008
8. RF Travis Buck:
.226 BA, .291 OBP, .432 SLG, 7 HR, 25 RBIs in 2008
9. 2B Mark Ellis:
.233 BA, .321 OBP, .373 SLG, 12 HR, 41 RBIs in 2008

Jack Cust, Matt Holliday, Jason Giambi and Eric Chavez are all players who can hit for 30 homeruns and knock in at least 80 runs. If they can produce to their potential, especially Chavez, then the A's have a very, very dangerous lineup. Ryan Sweeney and Kurt Suzuki are also very talented players who hit for decent power and high average. Look for the A's to put up a lot more runs this year, with Holliday and Giambi leading the way.

Now, after seriously re-considering my previous opinion, I have given more realistic grades to the A's. Please feel free to comment and express your own views and ideas—they always help!

Offense—B: The Offense was seriously upgraded this offseason, and with the teams' interest in free-agent SS Orlando Cabrera, the A's could possibly feature one of the best offenses in the American League.

Defense—B: The A's have always been a defensive team, and will be a very solid defensive team this year as well. Ryan Sweeney is a very talented outfielder, and Kurt Suzuki is proving to be the back-bone of the team.

Pitching—B-/C+: The Starting Rotation has many question-marks, but the talent is certainly there. If the offense provides some room for error, then the young staff should be able to produce some quality starts. The Bullpen is simply fantastic, and should be extremely entertaining to watch this season.

Overall—B: The A's added power to the line-up this offseason. Billy Beane made some great moves this offseason, and made it known to the Angels that he intends to contend this season. Obviously, Holliday won't be in green-and-gold after 2009, but hopefully he provides enough offense to help the young staff compete for the division crown.

Oakland A's: Spring Training Preview

Joseph Lopez — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:19:39 -0500

With spring training only a week away, fans in Oakland can be rest assured that the 2009 Athletics will pack a little more punch than their 2008 counterparts.

Much can be said about the A's offseason moves, which included the signing of Jason Giamb and the acquisition of OF Matt Holliday. Nonetheless, their young pitching will be the deciding factor to their success in 2009.

With a much more dangerous offense this year, the A's hope that their young and talented rotation can mature into dominant starters. General Manager Billy Beane added two very gifted hitters to the offense in hopes that they would carry the load for the young rotation.

Back in 2000-2004, the A's had great offensive players like Miguel Tajeda, Jermaine Dye, Erubiel Durazo, and Jason Giambi, among others who provided runs for the young rotation. Pitchers like Barry Zito, Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder benefited from the run support, and eventually became known as the "Big Three".

But not since Barry Zito left have the A's had talented young pitchers. Although the A's parted ways with players like Zito, Hudson, Mulder, Haren, Harden and Blanton, they still have a very talented group of young pitchers. The young staff includes Gio Gonzalez, Sean Gallagher, Dana Eveland and Dallas Braden. The staff's ace Justin Duchscherer is still only 31 years old.

Can the A's repeat the success they had with the "Big Three"?

Sure, but that will solely depend on how their offense performs. If Eric Chavez, Jason Giambi, Matt Holliday and Jack Cust rip 30 homers each, then the A's have a good chance at winning the division crown.

But, if the offense doesn't perform as it should, the young starters could begin to feel the pressures of Major League Baseball. The A's young staff will need to feel comfortable while on the mound this season if the A's are to succeed.

Below are my current grades for the A's. Please feel comfortable to comment on them.

Offense: B+

Oakland's offense features four players that are capable of hitting 30 homers each this season. Eric Chavez, Jack Cust, Jason Giambi and Matt Holliday are the heart of the lineup. Young hitters like Ryan Sweeney and Kurt Suzuki are capable of hitting .300, and Bobby Crosby will produce much more than he did last year. Overall, the A's offensive grade is a "B+". They won't steal much, but look for the long-balls all season long.

Defense: B

Oakland's defense features Eric Chavez, winner of six-consecutive Gold Gloves, and Mark Ellis who is absolutely amazing. Matt Holliday is a solid defender, Ryan Sweeney is amazing, but Jack Cust is a below-average defender at best. Cust and Giambi aren't known for their defensive skills like they are for their offensive power. The A's receive a grade of "B" because their defense is usually very solid.

Pitching: B+

Although the young guys are unproven, the A's have a great deal of talent. The A's ace Justin Duchscherer is a very solid starter, while Gio Gonzalez and Dana Eveland have a lot of potential. The bullpen is simply great. It was very strong last year and is stacked with great talent. Brad Ziegler, Joey Devine, Russ Springer, Jerry Blevins will provide great relief for the A's.

Overall: B

Heading into spring training, I'd give the A's a grade of "B". The A's have a lot of potential and talent, but their starting rotation is a big question mark. The offense is vastly improved, and features great hitters that should provide leadership for the young team. Jason Giambi and Matt Holliday will take most of the pressure off the young guys and will hopefully carry the team into postseason.

Arizona Cardinals: Offseason Preview

Joseph Lopez — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:36:58 -0500

They almost did it.

The Arizona Cardinals almost pulled off a Super Bowl victory, but the boys from Pittsburgh spoiled their night. Cardinals wide reciever Larry Fitzgerald's was disappointed as Arizona's defense allowed Pittsburgh to drive down the field for the winning score.

The Arizona Cardinals, who were considered the "worst playoff team ever," almost pulled off a Super Bowl win—but penalties ultimately killed the Cardinals.

Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald put up 14 points in the fourth quarter and the defense added two points with a safety. In the end, the Steelers stole the game away with a game winning touchdown. The Cardinals high-powered passing offense was silent for much of the first half, but they came out firing in the fourth quarter. However, the Cardinals could've scored and possibly won if it hadn't been for all the offensive penalties the team earned. Holding was the main reason behind their penalties, and if it hadn't been for Fitzgerald, the Cardinals could've been blown out.

So what now? Where do the Arizona Cardinals go from here?

Well, that's a good question.

For one, they need to hold onto all their offensive players that they currently have. That means Warner needs to stay and be resigned, if he doesn't retire. Also, wide reciever Anquan Boldin needs to stay with the team, who was a big target for Warner throughout the season.

The only thing I would do differently is try and find a talented running back. Sure, Edgerrin James was good late in the season, but the Cardinals need to be two-dimensional. They can pass—we know that. The problem is that they can't run. If the Cardinals want to succeed in the upcoming season, they might want to invest in a running back.

Defense wins championships. Surely, we all know that by now. The Arizona Cardinals defense was one of the worst in the league, giving up 426 points during the course of the regular season. The Cardinals need a better defense if they want to make it to Super Bowl XLIV. If they chose to remain inactive about their defense, it could be a long year.

The Cardinals succeeded in the playoffs because of their defense. Sure, Warner and company put up 30-plus points, but their defense was able to shut down Atlanta, Carolina and a red-hot Eagles team. Arizona's defense will be a critical factor in their success in the 2009-10 season.

The Arizona Cardinals should be very proud of their performance Sunday. They were underdogs, but performed very well for a team that was considered the weakest team in the playoffs. Heading into the offseason, the Cardinals need to address their defensive problems, and hope Warner comes back for one last shot at a title.

Oakland A's: Expect a Contender In 2009

Joseph Lopez — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 00:02:35 -0500

With Spring Training just weeks away, the Oakland Athletics are beginning to look like a serious contender. The American League West is weak to begin with, so the A's come into 2009 with a serious shot at knocking off the Halos for the division crown.

General Manager, Billy Beane, known for his "penny-pinching" seemed like a big spender this offseason. Beane brought back the power that the A's have lacked for several years, by trading for NL Silver Slugger, Matt Holliday and bringing back former MVP, Jason Giambi.

The additions of the two sluggers upgrades a horrible offense that was one of the worst in 2008. The A's now have a dangerous middle-of-the lineup, with Holliday, Cust, Chavez and Giambi. The upgraded offense will help a young pitching staff mature, and hopefully take some of the pressure off of the younger guys in the lineup.

Daric Barton, who was regarded as one of the best minor-league hitters in the Oakland farm system, had a season to forget last year. Barton saw his batting average hover around the .230 mark, and struggled most of the year. However, with the addition of Jason Giambi, the former AL MVP, Beane expects less pressure to be on the younger guys.

The fact that the A's added two powerful, patient hitters should be reason enough to make Angel fans worry about a possible second place finish. The Angels are coming into Spring Training with a rather quiet offseason—they've lost more players this past offseason than they've signed. The losses of Garret Anderson, Mark Teixeira and Francisco Rodriguez will hurt the Angels badly in 2009.

The Angels vulnerability gives the A's and the rest of the West a chance to dethrown the division champs. The AL West is a weak division, and the fight for the division will be very entertaining to watch. The A's and Rangers are two teams on the rise, and should be able to make a statement in 2009.

The A's are going into Spring Training with great players, and for once fans in Oakland can have something to look forward to—Oakland A's baseball.

Oakland A's, LA Angels: The Fight For The West

Joseph Lopez — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 01:11:27 -0500

The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox may own baseball's best rivalry, but there's something developing between two California baseball teams.

The Oakland Athletics, and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are quietly duking it out year in and year out—yet no one seems to notice. Although the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry is great, the A's-Angels rivalry seems to be heating up.

Over the past couple of years, both teams have been fighting for the AL West crown, and whenever the two teams go head-to-head, the game is usually close and exciting.

This year should be no different, except the fact that the A's will give the Angels all they've got. The A's bolstered their lineup this season by adding Matt Holliday and Jason Giambi. The Angels, however, have yet to upgrade and seem content with their team as it is.

A's GM, Billy Beane, seems to think the A's can contend in 2009—the additions of Holliday and Giambi back up this theory. The A's had a horrible offense in 2008, but Beane seemed to address most of the teams' offensive needs. With Holliday and Giambi the A's have a much better offense compared to last year's bunch. The Angels lost K-Rod, Mark Teixeira and Garret Anderson—all of course, contributed in some capacity to the the team's success in 2008.

Although the Angels are favored to win the division due in part to their strong pitching, the A's are acting as though they are ready for a playoff run. Can the A's contend? Yes. Of course they can. Will they win the West? Maybe. Maybe not.

The A's will be able to get their payback against the defending AL West Champs in April at Angel Stadium for Opening Day. The game should be low scoring, but very exciting to watch.

Dear Rich Gannon: The Oakland Raiders Need You

Joseph Lopez — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:30:48 -0500

Not since the start of the 2004 NFL season has Rich Gannon played a game for the Oakland Raiders. Gannon, known throughout the league for his accurate arm and good decision making skills, was injured in the third game of the season against the Tampa Bay Bucs—the injury eventually ended his career.

Gannon finished with 17,585 yards passing as a Raider—Ken Stabler holds the franchise record with his 19,078 yards passing as a Raider. Gannon, however, owns the franchise record for the highest completion percentage (62.6) and has the best touchdown to interception ratio—he threw 114 touchdowns and only 50 interceptions as a Raider.

Gannon's hard work ethic, and dedication to the game of football helped him lead the Raiders to 3-straight AFC West Division Titles as well as a Super Bowl appearance. Gannon won the NFL MVP in 2002 after leading the league in passing yards, and finishing second in passer rating.

But those days are long gone now. Now, the Oakland Raiders are one of the worst teams in the NFL—finished 5-11 last season and haven't had a winning season since Gannon suited up for the 2004 season.

Since his retirement from the NFL, Rich Gannon signed on with CBS to help commentate games across the nation—he's done a great job so far.

However, Rich Gannon should seriously consider coaching in the NFL. Gannon has the experience as well as great leadership skills that could make him a great NFL coach. With that being said, the Raiders should try and lure in Gannon by offering him some kind of position in management. It would really be a great addition for a Raiders team who hasn't had leadership since Gannon left.

The Fate of the Arizona Cardinals: It's in Kurt Warner's Hands Now

Joseph Lopez — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:11:59 -0500

When the Arizona Cardinals host the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend for the NFC Championship Game, Kurt Warner will be holding the keys to success and a berth to the Super Bowl.

Warner, who had MVP-caliber numbers this season leads a "pass-happy" offense against the Eagles, who are also red-hot this postseason. The Eagles are coming off their victory against the New York Giants and the Cardinals are coming off their win against the Carolina Panthers.

Both the Cardinals and Eagles weren't expected to advance this far into the postseason, but both teams started rolling once the playoffs began. The Cardinals' defense, which was mediocre and horrible at times during the regular season, has been dominant in the playoffs.

So, in a way, the Cardinals should be the favorites at home against the Eagles. But the fate of the Cardinals not only rests in the hands of their defense, but in their Pro-Bowl quarterback as well.

Warner, who had such a great regular season is looking to win another Super Bowl—with a team that was considered the weakest playoff team this season. Warner will be the deciding factor in the game, and if he can control the tempo of the game the Cardinals will win.

His primary weapons include Anquan Boldin, and Larry Fitzgerald. If Warner can create big plays with his accurate arm, the Cardinals should be able to cool off the Eagles. But if Warner finds himself constantly blitzed, he may not be able to do what he does best—throw the ball 50-yards to his prime-time receivers.

Arizona will be very energetic and very motivated to give the home crowd a good show, and Kurt Warner will guide a highly talented offense against a red-hot Eagles team. If Arizona does play on Feb. 1, it's because of the arm and dedication of Kurt Warner.