Oakland Athletics Poised to Make a Run, or Not?

With a bit of pixie dust (Frank Thomas apearing out of nowhere) and a whole lot of pitching the Oakland Athletics find themselves at 38-31 and only 3 games behind the Angels.

Their best record on this date, June 17th, since 2002 is 10 games over .500 (39-29 in 2003 and 37-27 in 2004) and three times they were half a game worse at 37-31 (2002, 2006, 2007).

In two of those five seasons the team falied to make the playoffs.

In 2004, the team was painfully eliminated by the Angels on the last weekend and Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder were sent packing in the the offseason.

In 2007, Billy Beane threw in the towel when the team went on a losing streak and he determined that the team was injury prone and that the Minor League System was bare.

2007 was the only year that the team failed to make a second half surge and remain in contention until the final weekend or make the playoffs.

Even though the DL has been used at record pace this season the team just keeps on winning.

Currently there are four KEY players that are looking like they will be midseason acquisitions.

Two are flame throwing righties that combine to shorten the game when they enter. They give up a run on average in every 14th game that they pitch in.

The two others are proven veterans that provide leadership. One possesses more power than any player the team currently has, and the other hits for a high average and performs well in the clutch.

The KEY to these players is that it will cost nothing for their services.

They are already on the team and will be mixed in when they return from the disabled list.

Casilla will be available in a couple of days and Devine should be back in early July. Frank Thomas could be ready by early July as well and Mike Sweeney should be back in about 5 weeks.

In my opinion the A's will not need to trade for anybody in order to improve this year's team.

They can be patient and compete without having to deplete the farm system or take on a bad contract.

They can also afford to not have to be sellers with players like Joe Blanton, Eric Chavez, Chad Gaudin, Huston Street or Rich Harden because their payroll is 24 million dollars below last year's and they don't need more depth in the minors.

Even IF the team goes on a LONG losing streak or loses key players due to injuries they can hold this team together quite cheaply for 2009 and only have to deal from a position of strength. I mean, if Cincy wanted to give us Bruce for Harden, they'd HAVE to listen, but, by winning with their current nucleus they can stop blowing up the team and just add a few pieces when they have the advantage.

Although there is still a TON of season left to be played, Beane deserves a cigar and a fine single malt scotch at the 69 game point.