Ed Szczepanski-US PRESSWIRE
The Oakland A’s are coming off one heck of a successful year when no one thought they’d be able to compete. That’s what baseball is all about, and I think the A’s have the same opportunity to crash the party. Granted, competing in the AL West with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Texas Rangers is going to be tough, but you can never count these scrappy guys out. Frankly, I think they need another slugger in the middle of the order (Justin Upton) to really be a danger to the AL, but they’ll be able to get by just fine as long as they can pitch. This lineup should be able to create enough runs as long as Yoenis Cespedes and JJ Reddick provide the pop they did last year. Let’s take a look at the lineup as it stands.
1) Coco Crisp- CF (although could be traded)
2) Jemile Weeks- 2B (even though he’s supposedly going to be the back up- not convinced there)
3) Yoenis Cespedes- LF
4) JJ Reddick- RF
5) Seth Smith- DH
6) Josh Donaldson- 3B
7) Derek Norris- C
8) Chris Carter- 1B
9) Andy Parrino- SS
Just like last season, no one thought the Athletics would contend. However, they have the ability to create runs and that’s what’s going to be important for this team once again. Score enough runs and give your rotation a chance to carry you again in 2013, that’ll be the motto. No reason why this team can’t do it. Perhaps the film makers will make a Money Ball 2, and Billy Beane will truly be a champion.
