Oakland Athletics: Is the Change of Bobs Enough to Spark a Revival?

Geren out. Melvin in.

The result: the longest winning streak of the year, a sweep of the reigning champs and an electric rookie sparking the offense.

Will it continue? Will these changes be enough?

I don't think so.

So far, its been a great story. Melvin is 6-4. Jemile Weeks is batting .364 with seven extra base hits and the A's avenged their sweep at the hands of the Giants with one of their own.

On paper, though, the A's are far from perfect. They are still five games out of first place and seven under .500. The offense, while improved, is still far from that of a contender.

Quickly, Jemile Weeks needs to stay in some way. I'll say that and also leave it at that. Hideki Matsui has improved, but the A's need to do something else. Sending Daric Barton down to Triple-A is a good stopgap measure, but a real power hitter is something the A's are still searching for.

I highly doubt that Billy Beane is going to make a move for a real slugger like Carlos Beltran, so the answer will likely need to come from within. Josh Willingham has been serviceable, but he has been plagued by a few injuries this year and in his career. Matsui, as I've said, is improved, but I can't expect him to reach more than 15 home runs.

I think the A's need to look to Triple-A for some power. Chris Carter, while he's not a good hitter for average, has incredible power that can't be denied. In his seven games since returning from injury, he's hit three home runs and six RBI. Even if he only hits .230 in the majors, its an improvement, and he might provide the A's with some clout in the lineup.

My thoughts would be to let Carter stay at Triple-A until the All-Star break. If Barton hasn't picked it up either in Triple-A or the majors, let Carter get a chance to play everyday at first.

The A's pitching has improved over the past two weeks and should continue to as Brandon McCarthy and Tyson Ross are scheduled to return prior to the All-Star break. That would allow the A's to use a rotation of Cahill, Gonzalez, Ross, McCarthy and Outman for the duration, or at least until Anderson returns. The bullpen has been very solid, but it could have some pieces moved in return for a hitter.

I still don't think Beane will spring for a real hitter, and because of that, the A's need to look from within to find more run-producing players.