Oakland Athletics: 5 Bold Predictions for the 2012 A's

Oakland Athletics fans have grown accustomed to offseason fire sales in the past decade. They're used to seeing the "next big thing" on the roster get shipped to a big-market team or consistent contender. 

When Gio Gonzalez, Andrew Bailey and Trevor Cahill were all shipped elsewhere in the past two months, it was nothing new, but it was depressing to fans witnessing yet another annual winter clearance.

Also, Josh Willingham signed with the Minnesota Twins instead of re-signing with the A's. The man can't be blamed for wanting a real chance to reach the postseason.

In exchange for them, once again, are prospects. The A's are also reportedly chasing two veteran outfielders: Jonny Gomes and Manny Ramirez. Yes, that Manny.

What A's can actually make a name for themselves this year despite the changes to the 25-man roster?

Crisp Shoots for 60 Stolen Bags

Coco Crisp's has stolen over 30 bases in each of the past two seasons, and there's no reason, if he stays healthy, that he couldn't reach 60.

Why not set him loose? The A's literally have nothing to lose this year.

Having a speedy weapon like him on base won't hurt Oakland at all as long as he takes calculated risks. The fact that he stole 49 bases last year and only got caught nine times shows he's a great risk calculator. This is the year to see how much more he can get.

Sizemore Proves His Worth

Third baseman Scott Sizemore was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the A's in late May. After originally being sent to the minors, he was called up in early June to the Major League roster.

Named one of Baseball America's top 10 prospects of 2009, Sizemore showed that promise in his first few games with Oakland when he helped break the A's 10-game losing streak with a bases-clearing, three-run double in the top of the ninth inning against Chicago. The win gave then-interim manager Bob Melvin his first victory. Sizemore finished 2011 with 11 home runs and 56 RBI. Not bad for someone who showed up almost midway through the year.

With Willingham gone, it's Sizemore's chance to show he can bring a serious bat to the lineup everyday. It's time to prove he clearly worth signing long-term. He's definitely better than Kevin Kouzmanoff, but he hasn't proved he's a keeper.

Suzuki Rebounds from Sub-Par Year

It's hard to say what goes through a man's mind after a becoming a father for the first time, but if Kurt Suzuki's numbers at the plate in 2011 were an indication, there's certainly a lot that gets processed through it.

The A's catcher batted .237, the worst average of his career, and recorded only 44 RBI—compared to recording over 70 the previous two seasons—in the year in which his daughter Malia was born.

Now that Suzuki's had an offseason to settle in as a father, he's probably more prepared to juggle being a full-time father and MLB catcher. That, and Oakland needs his pop to return after failing to re-sign Josh Willingham. If he fails to recapture that previous success, he could be sent packing by Billy Beane—and that's already being rumored.

Devine Becomes Solid Closer

After recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2009 and 2010, Joey Devine made 26 appearances in 2011 before struggling with control issues in the summer and being demoted to Triple-A Sacramento.

Now that Andrew Bailey is gone, Devine is one of the A's choices to be the next closer. Brian Fuentes is also an option, but with his inconsistency last year, Oakland is better off giving the role to someone fresh. If it doesn't pan out, Fuentes can always be put in.

Melvin Fights the A's to .500

It's a stretch, a very long stretch, but Bob Melvin could make the 2012 Oakland Athletics an 81-81 team. 

When he took over for Bob Geren in late May, Melvin finished the season 62-68 and the A's finished 74-88 overall. That's not mind-blowing, but it's impressive considering the state of the A's when he took over. Melvin chopped the fat, benching Daric Barton and bolstering the lineup by reinserting Hideki Matsui, who Geren, for the most part, had started to sit. It was a small decision that helped Oakland bounce from a 10-game losing streak to start June to a six-game winning streak in the middle of the month.

Melvin will have to put in more work this year to make it happen, but the A's being a .500 team certainly isn't out of the question.