Oakland Athletics Season Preview
I had normal-size preview all typed and one of those computer catastrophes
happened and I lost it. Here's basically what I said: GM Billy Beane is a
genius. Their rotation is the best in the game. Their bullpen has serious
concerns. After Tejada and Chavez, the line up is lackluster at best. Unless the
A's are on top of the division, Tejada will be gone by the trading deadline.
It's sad that the economics of baseball forced the A's to lose Giambi and wll
now force them to part with Tejada. Chavez, Zito, Hudson, and Mulder will all be
gone in the next three years. Overall, the rotation is good enough to keep their
playoff hopes alive, but another first-round exit is likely.
Line Up: 2B Mark Ellis, 1B Scott Hatteberg, SS Miguel Tejada, 3B Eric Chavez, RF
Jermaine Dye, DH Erubiel Durazo, LF Terrence Long, CF Eric Byrnes, C Ramon
Hernandez Rotation: LH Barry Zito, RH Tim Hudson, LH Mark Mulder, LH Ted Lilly,
LH John Halama Closer: Keith Foulke