2008 Oakland A's Predictions & Season Preview

Just two seasons after playing in the American League Championship Series, the Oakland A's are starting all over. It's very clear that it's going to be a rebuilding year after the A's traded away ace Dan Haren to Arizona for six prospects. Oakland took another hit when their popular outfielder in Nick Swisher was dealt to the White Sox a month later for three more prospects. It's hard to fathom why the A's traded away Swisher after signing him to a five-year deal in 2007. The A's have gone young in a big way. Veterans Eric Chavez, Mark Ellis and Bobby Crosby remain, but the team will really be sprinkled with youth throughout the diamond. Below are Larry Cook's 2008 Oakland A's Predictions along with a season preview.

Starting Rotation:

Without Dan Haren as their go-to ace this season, Oakland has to look to Joe Blanton to be that ace in 2008. Blanton has been solid with the A's, averaging 14 wins in three full seasons as a starter. The A's get a healthy Rich Harden this season and desperately need him to step up as their No. 2 man. Harden has electric stuff on the mound, going 31-18 with a 3.60 ERA with the A's. However, he has started only 16 games the last two seasons due to nagging injuries. Chad Gaudin, a reliever-turned-starter, did a fine job with the A's last year with an 11-13 record and a decent 4.42 ERA. Gaudin underwent hip surgery in December, casting much doubt about his availability as the start of the season. The A's will have to bank on Justin Duchscherer adjusting to a starting role after spending the last four years in the bullpen. Duchscherer must also prove that he has recovered from hip surgery. It's anyone's guess who will occupy the last spot in the rotation. The candidates left include Lenny DiNardo, Dan Meyer, Dallas Braden and Dana Eveland, who was acquired in the Haren trade.

Bullpen:

Injuries and departures have weakened the A's bullpen mightily. The A's need closer Houston Street to return healthy after missing two months last season with right ulnar nerve problem. Street's absence forced the A's to use Alan Embree as their closer, only further weakening their bullpen. Kiko Calero always seemed to be a steady hand for the A's until last season. With so many questions and so little experience, the A's can't afford a another poor performance from Calero this season. With all of this in mind, it is questionable as to why the A's want to move Duchscherer from the bullpen into the starting rotation. The top candidates to win spots are Santiago Casilla and Andrew Brown, who was acquired from San Deigo in the trade for Milton Bradley. Meyer, if he's not in the starting rotation, could become a long reliever.

Line-Up:

RF Travis Buck will lead off this season after hitting .288 in his rookie season, but most A's fans remember the multitude of injuries he suffered. Underrated 2B Mark Ellis will bat 2nd after hitting career highs in HRS (19) and RBIs (76) last season. 3B Eric Chavez, the six-time gold glover, will hit in the No. 3 spot after he had a sub-par season last year due to injuries. DH Jack Cust had a shocking season last year after getting the call up from the minors by hitting 26 homers and driving in 82 runs. LF Emil Brown will hit in the No. 5 spot. Brown will do well against lefties with his .317 average last season, but needs to work on seeing the ball better against righthanders as indicated by his .217 average vs. them. SS Bobby Crosby has averaged just 91 games per season since '05. He needs to stay healthy in 2008. 1B Daric Barton showed glimpses of the vast potential by hitting .347 after call-up last year. He also had 46 total bases in just 20 games, a major league record. CF Carlos Gonzalez will try to fill the big shoes Nick Swisher left behind. Batting in the No. 9 spot is catcher Kurt Suzuki. The A's saw enough talent in him to deal C Jason Kendall to the Cubs last year. The A's have a reliable 1B in Dan Johnson who hit 18 homers last year. He will come off the bench this season to make room for the arrival of talented Daric Barton. OF Ryan Sweened made 13 starts for the White Sox last year and has a big upside in the platooning role. LF Donnie Murphy is an adequate fill-in for Crosby if he can't stay healthy. C Landon Powell was the No. 1 pick in 2004 and could land backup duties for Suzuki behind the plate.

A's 2008 Predictions:

GM Billy Beane has shown he can rebuild quickly, but it seems highly doubtful this project will be a quick-fix. The A's appear to be at least two or three years away from being serious contenders as they were just a few seasons back. We have the Oakland A's finishing at the bottom of the AL West by letting the lowly Texas Rangers surpass this once proud franchise. Both the Rangers and A's will finish well back of the Mariners and Angels in this 4-team race.

Larry Cook finished with the #5 World Ranking with his baseball picks in 2007 last year. Hard work with research, analysis and starting pitcher breakdowns gives Larry the edge over your sportsbook and bookies. You won't believe the kind of profits you can make by signing up for any of Larry's long-term packages. By doing so, you will get in on all of his winning MLB action this season. Larry will guide you to profits you have never seen before once he makes his move up to the #1 spot in 2008.

2008 Oakland A's Odds:
Odds to win AL West: 10/1
Odds to win 2008 AL Pennant: 40/1
Odds to win 2008 World Series: 65/1