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The Oakland Athletics went just 68-94 in 2015, which was good for a last-place finish in the American League West. Any chance of improvement this year will have to mostly come internally, with no big-name acquisitions during the offseason. When the A’s take the field on opening day, here is what Bob Melvin‘s lineup card should look like.
1. CF Billy Burns
Credit: Getty Images1. CF Billy Burns
Burns' speed (26 stolen bases in 2015) and average (.294 last season) plays well at the top of the batting order, so he's Oakland's leadoff guy until further notice.
2. 2B Jed Lowrie
Credit: Getty Images2. 2B Jed Lowrie
After one injury-marred season with the Houston Astros, Oakland re-acquired Lowrie during the offseason. He'll step in at second base, with some pop to offer (15 home runs with the A's in 2013) from the two-hole on opening day.
3. RF Josh Reddick
Credit: Ronald Martinez Getty Images3. RF Josh Reddick
Reddick led Oakland in home runs (20), RBIs (77) and slugging percentage (.449) last year, so he fits perfectly in the No. 3 spot in the order.
4. LF Khris Davis
Credit: Justin K. Aller Getty Images4. LF Khris Davis
Davis was acquired from Milwaukee in February, and he'll add some pop (27 home runs over 392 at-bats in 2015) to the Oakland lineup. He's a cleanup hitter for sure.
5. C Stephen Vogt
Credit: Norm Hall Getty Images5. C Stephen Vogt
Vogt is working his way back to full strength after offseason elbow surgery, but I'm putting him behind the plate on opening day. His 2015 production (18 home runs and 71 RBIs) makes Vogt a solid No. 5 hitter.
6. DH Billy Butler
Credit: Getty Images6. DH Billy Butler
Butler had a down 2015 campaign, with a .251 batting average, 15 home runs and 65 RBIs over 538 at-bats. As he looks to rebound, the No. 7 spot in the order is where I think he'll be on opening day.
7. 3B Danny Valencia
Credit: Danny Valencia7. 3B Danny Valencia
Valencia hit 11 home runs over 183 at-bats with Oakland last year, and for the season as a whole he had a higher OPS against right-handers (.881) than lefties (.834). He could be higher in the lineup fairly quickly, but I'll put Valencia in the No. 8 spot for opening day.
8. 1B Yonder Alonso
Credit: Getty Images8. 1B Yonder Alonso
Right-handed hitting Mark Canha is also an option here against a tough lefty like Chris Sale on the mound for the White Sox, but his numbers actually were not good against left-handers last year (.221 average, three home runs). So I'm going with Alonso here, mostly by default.
9. SS Marcus Semien
Credit: Getty Images9. SS Marcus Semien
Semien's defense at shortstop needs work (major league-high 35 errors in 2015), but he did show promise offensively (15 home runs and 11 stolen bases last year). A higher lineup spot could come later in the season, but with Sale on the bump Semien should hit ninth on opening day.
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