2011 Oakland A"s Preview

Manager

Bob Geren, fifth season (307-340)

Last Year

81-81, second in AL West, 16th in Power Rankings

Preseason Power Ranking

Notable Arrivals

RHP Grant Balfour (free agent, Rays), OF David DeJesus (trade, Royals), LHP Brian Fuentes (free agent, Twins), RHP Rich Harden (free agent, Rangers), RHP Philip Humber (waivers, Royals), 3B Andy LaRoche (free agent, Pirates), DH Hideki Matsui (free agent, Angels), RHP Brandon McCarthy (free agent, Rangers), OF Josh Willingham (trade, Nationals)

Notable Departures

OF Travis Buck (free agent, to Indians), 1B Eric Chavez (free agent, to Yankees), DH Jack Cust (free agent, to Mariners), OF Rajai Davis (trade, to Blue Jays), RHP Justin Duchscherer (free agent, to Orioles), OF Jeremy Hermida (free agent, to Reds), 2B Akinori Iwamura (free agent, to Japan), RHP Vin Mazzaro (trade, to Royals), RHP Clayton Mortensen (trade, to Rockies), RHP Henry Rodriguez (trade, to Nationals)

Three Storylines

Strong starters: You'd win a few bets on this one - which team had the best ERA in the American League last season? It was the A's, thanks to Trevor Cahill, Dallas Braden, Brett Anderson and Gio Gonzalez, along with an underrated bullpen.
Upgrades on offense: They added three decent bats in the offseason - Hideki Matsui, David DeJesus and Josh Willingham. This is a team that was anemic offensively, as Kevin Kouzmanoff led the team with 16 homers. Yet they still finished with a .500 record.
Shortstop of the future: Cliff Pennington will get a shot to keep the gig and is the likely starter on opening day, but he might be keeping the seat warm for top prospect Grant Green, who hit .318 with 20 homers and 87 RBI in high Class A ball last season. Green needs some polish in the field, however (37 errors in 114 games last season).