Last season, the A’s were not a very good offensive team, as they ranked 28th in baseball with just 109 team home runs. GM Billy Beane did, however, address some of the problems on offense with the additions of Hideki Matsui, David DeJesus, and Josh Willingham this offseason.
Matsui, 36, gives the A’s some pop in the middle of the lineup, and while he’s up there in age, Matsui can still manage to hit 20-25 HRs. He hit .276 with 21 HR and 84 RBIs last season for the Angels. The A’s are banking on Matsui to bring some life to the lineup in 2011.
DeJesus, who came over in the trade with Kansas City, is projected to be one the A’s starting outfielders on Opening Day. DeJesus hit .318 with 5 HR and 37 RBIs last season with the Royals, but his time was limited as he played in only 91 games in 2010 due to injury.
He’s not a big power hitter, but he should prove to be a nice acquisition this season. He’s a .289/.360/.427 career hitter.
Willingham, who also battled with injuries last season, hit .268 with 16 HR and 56 RBIs last year with Washington. Willingham does bring a little power to the table, and should pack some punch in Oakland’s revamped lineup.
The only thing against Willingham, however, is the fact that he’ll have to adjust to AL pitching, and Oakland’s cavernous Coliseum. Both could have an effect on Willingham’s numbers in 2011.
Overall, the A’s did have themselves a very productive offseason, and while there’s still time to add another bat, the A’s are an improved club. The team will have great pitching this season, and even if the offense is mediocre, the A’s could find themselves in the thick of things in the AL West.