2008 Prediction: 4th in AL West
In
- Emil Brown (KC) - signed to a 1 year, $1.45 million contract - 1/11/08
- Todd Linden (FLA) - signed to a minor league contract - 11/21/07
- Keith Foulke (CLE) - signed to 1 year, $700,000 contract - 2/7/08
- Mike Sweeney (KC) - signed to a minor league contract - 2/11/08
Out
- Mark Kotsay (ATL) - traded for Joey Devine and Jamie Richmond - 1/14/08
- Dan Haren (ARI) - traded for Dana Eveland, Chris Carter, Brett Anderson, Greg Smith, Aaron Cunningham, and Carlos Gonzalez - 12/14/08
- Nick Swisher (CHW) - traded for Ryan Sweeney, Gio Gonzalez, and Fautino De Los Santos - 1/3/08
- Marco Scutaro (TOR) - traded for Graham Godfrey and Kristian Bell - 11/18/07
Remaning Free Agents
- Shannon Stewart
- Mike Piazza
- Todd Walker
C- Rob Bowen/Kurt Suzuki
1B - Dan Johnson
2B - Mark Ellis
3B - Eric Chavez
SS - Bobby Crosby
LF - Travis Buck
CF - Chris Denforia
RF - Emil Brown
DH - Jack Cust/Mike Sweeney
Projected Opening Day Rotation
Joe Blanton
Rich Harden
Chad Gaudin
Dallas Braden
Lenny DiNardo/Dana Eveland
Projected Opening Day Closer
Huston Street
Improvements: Well, the A's didn't really make any improvements to their 2008 ball club. They might have made some improvements to their 2009 and beyond teams, but not '08. If third baseman Eric Chavez and shortstop Bobby Crosby can come back from their injuries and be the offensive threats they were once drawn to be, they could be considered improvements to the team. The trade of Kotsay gave the A's reliever Joey Devine, who has a total of 25 Major League games under his belt. But he does have some promise - in three Minor League seasons, Devine recorded a 2.73 ERA and a k/bb ratio of 162/51, according to baseballreference.com. He SHOULD give the A's some more depth in their bullpen. Additionally, the A's also signed their own former draft pick Emil Brown to a 1-year contract on friday. He has played several games in all three outfield positions, and will give the A's a right handed bat with pop to balance out what is a predominatley left handed lineup. Oh yeah, and Keith Foulke is back!
Lack of improvement: Again, for 2008, the A's gave up much more than what they received in return. Rob Bowen and Kurt Suzuki are the top catchers on the club, and compared to Kendall (or some other replacements), they don't quite measure up.
Keys to success: With Haren gone, Rich Harden and Joe Blanton will have to step up and be the leaders of the A's rotation. Harden has always had tremendous potential, but injuries have derailed his once (and still) promising career. Blanton has shown signs of maturity over his 3 seasons, and looks ready to become the ace of the staff. And Chavez along with Dan Johnson and Jack Cust will have to provide the offensive boost that will no longer be present after the trade of Swisher.
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