November 16, 2007
Waiting for the Angels
Andrew Koch ties the Athletics winter moves to the Angels:
The A's offseason plans seemed to be resting on the Angels. If the Angels got Bonds and/or A-Rod, the A's would unload major leaguers for prospects and rebuild. If the Angels got neither, a possibility which is looking more and more likely, the A's would re-load, hope for a healthy 2008 and make another run at the AL West.
With Bonds out of the picture (as either a convict or a pariah) and A-Rod likely re-signing with the Yankees, things are shaping up for the A's to have a decent chance at the division title. With a little old-fashioned Billy Beane magic, an improved training regimen to keep players healthy and a little luck, the A's could be a frisky team next year.
Oakland needs to make up eighteen games on the Angels. That's not an easy task, unless they were to sign Bonds and A-Rod.
One quick way to make up some games against the Angels is to not suffer catastrophic injuries at virtually every position.
Another way for the A's to make up some ground is a reversal of performance vs. Pythagoras. The A's were -3 in 2007; the Angels were +4.
At this point, while the A's injuries were catastrophic, they're predictable. Who here thinks that Eric Chavez, Rich Harden and Bobby Crosby are each going to play in 160 games with All-Star level performances in 2008?
At this point, the A's core is Dan Haren, Nick Swisher and Travis Buck. That's not a good enough core around which to compete with Vlad Guerrero, Howie Kendrick, John Lackey and Jared Weaver.
I definitely don't see Rich Harden playing 160 games. Mike Marshall's record is only 111.
