Oakland Athletics' 2008 Preview

This article will focus mostly on the analyzation of those rebuildin' A's.

The Giants will be mentioned as well, but who cares about a team that we know will only win 65-70 games.

Personally, as a fan, it will be much more enjoyable to see the A's succeed with talent nobody in the Western Hemisphere has heard of, than watch Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain go 10-10 with 4.00 ERAs.

After the Oakland firesale during the offseason, the team seems to be settling and trying to build some chemistry.

There is potential in the A's that seems fragile at best.

With the departures of ace Dan Haren, team spirit Nick Swisher, and batting average leader Shannon Stewart, it will be hard remember that Mark Kotsay was also traded. 

The organization's obvious goal is to get young, but this team was already young.

Well, then their goal was to get super-young.

The A's have a chance to compete in the AL West this season, only if they do something that they haven't done in their Billy Beane lifetime, stay healthy.

The are three main question marks regarding these A's.

One, are the three operations Eric Chavez received in the offseason, and if he will be ready for Japan in late March.

Two, the health of ace-capable Rich Harden who recently seems to be making progress throwing a simulated game.

Three, the health of former rookie of the year Bobby Crosby.

These three players staying fit could change the A's from a 60 win team to a 90 win team.

Considering the amount of injuries sustained by the players last year, these three seemed the most important.

Injuries also hit closer Huston Street, expected starter this season Justin Duchscherer, and Rookie of the Year calibre outfielder Travis Buck. 

Although most fans only remember the trades made by Billy Beane during the offseason, he also picked up two Royals and one former Athletic.

These three moves, although quiet, could also pick the Athletics up off their feet and provide the veteran experience that this team most desperately needs. 

Many fans and journalists alike are predicting 100 losses this year and they are probably going to be right, but there is no harm in a little bias.

There is something in every Oakland A's team that seems to inspire the players, and there is nothing more inspiring this season than the 40th anniversery of staying in Oakland.

Although a fifth Oakland A's world series title might be a little far off for this team, they have the drive to compete in the AL West.