Oakland A's 2005 Season Preview

Have you noticed that you don't hear quite so much these days about the inequity between Big Market and Small Market teams? It still exists, of course, just as it always has and probably always will, but in the 1990s it was a major topic of conversation. Part of the reason we don't hear much about it is because of the revenue-sharing plan negotiated by the owners and Players Association a couple of years ago, but another explanation, I believe, is that baseball has developed a cadre of younger executives who have learned how do deal with the situation. If you're not operating a club in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago or Boston, or if you're working for an owner who is especially penurious, you either learn how to succeed or you'll be out of a job.

One of the reasons Branch Rickey refined the farm system was because he was looking for a way to combat the financial clout of the Cubs and New York-based Dodgers and Giants. Back then, each minor league team was independent and would often sign and develop their own players, then eventually sell them to the highest major league bidder. Rickey felt that raising his own would cut out the middle man, saving him money in the long run and giving his Cardinals a continuous supply of talented players. There was no whining about being a small market team, he just went out and did something about it.

The only thing that has really changed since Mr. Rickey's day is the dollar amount. Prior to the 1970s, only a handful of players ever received as much as $100,000 in a season; nowadays the minimum salary is $300,000. But poorer clubs, by necessity, continue to look for ways to win without busting the budget, and the ones who learn how to work the system are the ones who prove to be the most successful.

All of which brings us to the Oakland A's and their prospects for 2005 ­ admit it, you thought I'd lost my way here, didn't you?

The A's have always been considered a small market franchise. In fact, when free agency first became a reality in 1976, team owner Charlie Finley immediately stated he would have trouble competing financially and was proven correct -- Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter, Sal Bando, Rollie Fingers, Vida Blue, Joe Rudi and Bert Campaneris all moved on, decimating the team that won three straight world championships (1972-1974). The A's then spent most of the next dozen years in the doldrums ­ even losing 108 games in 1979! ­ before the Bash Brothers led them back to the top in 1989.

The A's followed another period of decline (1993-1998) with four consecutive post-season appearances, a streak which ended last year when they finished just one game behind the Angels in the AL West. These teams featured dominant starters Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito, a powerful trio who combined to put up some incredible numbers, including 245 games won since 1999. In spite of this, General Manager Billy Beane came to the conclusion that neither Hudson nor Mulder was likely to re-sign with Oakland and raised more than a few eyebrows by trading both of them this winter. Playing the economic game, Beane decided to trust his farm system for 2005, which means that, instead of relying on his three aces, manager Ken Macha will be shifting the club's focus to its bullpen and defense.

Zito will anchor the rotation, of course, followed by Rich Harden, a 23-year-old righty who won eleven games last season in his first full year in the majors, and Dan Haren, 24, who came over from the Cardinals in the deal for Mulder. The other two spots are up for grabs, with rookies Joe Blanton and Dan Meyer (24 and 23, respectively) being given the longest looks. Figuring that the youthful starting rotation could experience some growing pains during the long season, Beane brought in hard-throwing Juan Cruz from the Braves (in the deal for Hudson) and Kiko Calero from the Cardinals to beef up the 'pen, already anchored by veterans Octavio Dotel and Ricardo Rincon. The A's also signed a veteran from Japan, Keiichi Yabu, who will probably see action as both a starter and a reliever, and they are intrigued by the potential of righthander Huston Street, a supplemental first round pick in last June's draft, who was the ace closer for both the University of Texas and Team USA. Street may not break camp with the A's but is on the fast track to the majors and could be pitching in Oakland before the year is out.

The bullpen and defense will have to be strong because the offense is mediocre, at best. Third baseman Eric Chavez is the lynchpin, a lefthanded hitter who should produce 30 homers and 100 RBI annually. Erubiel Durazo is a professional hitter whose .321 average last year was fifth best in the league; he also produced 22 homers and 88 RBI, but is a defensive liability which makes him strictly the designated hitter. Beane swapped pitchers Arthur Rhodes and Mark Redman to Pittsburgh for former All-Star catcher Jason Kendall, who has reached the .300 mark six times in his career and has a lifetime average of .306. Veterans Mark Kotsay and Scott Hatteberg will also make their contributions to the offense, and then there is rookie Nick Swisher. Son of former major league catcher Steve, young Swisher, another of Oakland's 24-year-olds, is being counted on to take over one of the corner outfield posts and do what he did over the last three years in the minors ­ combine power with on-base potential. With only Bobby Kielty and Charles Thomas as (current) alternatives, Swisher could possibly become the key person in the A's batting order.

Young pitchers need good gloves behind them, and the A's do have those. Chavez has won the last four Gold Glove awards at the hot corner; last season's Rookie of the Year, Bobby Crosby, is often spectacular at shortstop; and Kotsay is one of the most underrated center fielders in the game. Kendall, of course, is solid behind the plate, and his experience will undoubtedly be invaluable to all those young pitchers. Second baseman Mark Ellis and outfielder Eric Byrnes (who reportedly is on the trading block) are also the kind of glove men who can turn hanging breaking pitches into outs.

The American League's Eastern Division gets all the ink, with the never-ending war between the Yankees and Red Sox, but the Western Division may provide the most balance in the league. The Mariners made the most dramatic changes, adding Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson, but having lost 99 games last year, they have a lot of ground to make up. The Angels have added Steve Finley but have lost Troy Glaus, and the Rangers have added Richard Hidalgo to their already powerful lineup, though have not upgraded their weak pitching. The Angels would have to be considered the pre-season favorite to repeat as division champ, but they are by no means a lock. Like their division-mates, the Oakland A's have some question marks (are the rookies ready to contribute?) to go along with their exclamation points (Chavez, Zito, Kendall, Durazo, and a stellar defense). Over the next six months, of course, the answers to those questions will become clear, and one other thing is certain: if at mid-season the A's seem to have a chance to reach the playoffs, they will once again work the system, bring in a fresh body, and strike a blow for small-market teams everywhere.