Oakland A's Preview

ABOUT BASEBALL breaks down & previews the 2005 Oakland A’s

2004 Record: 91-71, 2nd in AL West
Home Ballpark: Network Associates Coliseum
Manager: Ken Macha

2005 Prediction: 79-83, last place, AL West

New Guys:
Daric Barton (C) via trade with Cardinals
Juan Cruz (RP, rhp) via trade with Braves
Keith Ginter (IF) via trade with Brewers
Kiko Calero (RP, rhp) via trade with Cardinals
Danny Haren (SP, rhp) via trade with Cardinals
Jason Kendall (C) via trade from Pirates
Dan Meyer (RP, lhp) via trade with Braves
Charles Thomas (OF) via trade with Braves
Keiichi Yabu (P, rhp) from Japan (Hanshin Tigers)

Gone, Goodbye:
Jermaine Dye (OF) to White Sox
Jim Mecir (RP, rhp) to Marlins
Damian Miller (C) to Brewers
Tim Hudson (SP, rhp) to Braves
Mark Mulder (SP, lhp) to Cardinals
Mark Redman (sp, LHP) to Pirates
Arthur Rhodes (rp, LHP) to Pirates
Chris Hammonds (rp, RHP) to Padres

Lineup:
Mark Kotsay CF
Jason Kendall C
Eric Chavez 3B
Erubiel Durazo DH
Charles Thomas 1B
Bobby Crosby SS
Eric Byrnes LF
Nick Swisher RF
Keith Ginter 2B

Rotation:
Barry Zito LHP
Rich Harden RHP
Joe Blanton RHP
Danny Haren RHP
Dam Meyer LHP

Outlook: When you lose the likes of Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson in one offseason, you better hope that team executives have a solid plan to offset those losses.

Even brilliant GM Billy Beane, known for his "Money Ball" approach to GM'ing - (bringing in low-cost guys who play good fundamental baseball) - will struggle to put together the pieces to make this A's club a contender again. The acquisition of catcher All-Star Kendall was a step in the right direction - as the veteran will help the new pitching staff tremendously. But overall, it looks like the A's will play more of a "B" game, and drop down to a last-place spot in the standings - at least for one season.