Oakland Athletics Fans – Overly Optimistic?

Sep 28, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) reacts following his 4-0 win over the Texas Rangers during a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Athletics clinched a wild card with the win. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

Only one month to go until the start of Spring Training and the assessment of each team’s offseason endeavors has been scrutinized and reported by various sources. We see it almost daily no matter where we turn to for our baseball coverage, and of course since you are reading this you look to the often optimistic stance that this site provides in terms of all things Oakland Athletics. Some may say that we are putting a “spin” on an offseason that was full of blunders and missteps all while we hold to the mantra, “In Billy We Trust.” So which is it? Are A’s fans just kidding themselves into thinking that Beane & Co. can let go of five All-Stars and still hope to have a contending team in 2015? Or has Billy given enough reason for the fans not to question his methodology and have a solid basis for their undying optimism?

To be clear, no one is denying that a rough road lies ahead for the Oakland Athletics. The A’s are in one of the toughest divisions in baseball that is only getting stronger. The LA Angels took the division in decisive fashion last season by a ten game margin. The A’s barely edged out the Seattle Mariners for the second wild card spot by one game. So if last season was that tough for Oakland even with an MVP-caliber third baseman and a true ace to bolster their pitching, there’s no doubt things will get even hotter in the AL West with the Texas Rangers returning to health and a Houston Astros club that is steadily improving. So no, things are not all rainbows and unicorns for the Athletics (speaking of unicorns, A’s closer and Face of MLB contender Sean Doolittle will not start season due to shoulder injury, another blow).

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But A’s fans have had three months to bemoan more moves this offseason than one fan base should ever have to deal with, and now, looking to the bright horizon of Spring Training, there really is ample reason for optimism. While some reports have Oakland on the short end of many of the deals that transpired, we really won’t know for quite some time how those trades will work out for both sides. But there are some things we can be fairly sure of, no spin necessary.

Pitching

The A’s have shored up the one position they are well known to be strong in – pitching. It seems that Oakland has more pitchers than they know what to do with, but Beane is again showing foresight in an area that can change very quickly. This was the case last season when two of their best starters, Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin, underwent Tommy John surgery. These guys look to make their return in 2015, but in their absence, Jesse Chavez and Drew Pomeranz emerged along with proven starter Sonny Gray and “Comeback Kid” All-Star Scott Kazmir. A host of other pitchers have been added to the roster so the fifth spot is ready for the taking, most likely by Jesse Hahn, the most experienced of the newcomers. The bullpen is also well covered between veterans and those new to the green and gold, so we can trust that Billy Beane has assembled another team built on great pitching.

Defense

Another area Oakland is building on, albeit due to a glaring need, is that of defense. There was a collective cringe as fans watched our team’s post season hopes come crashing down due in large part to their holes defensively. The acquisition of Ben Zobrist is a fervent answer to the looming questions about the gaps in the A’s infield. He’s that guy who can really do it all, playing nearly every position, and will truly have an immediate impact on the success of Oakland. Also ready to make an impression is Josh Donaldson replacement and already loved third baseman Brett Lawrie. If, and yes it’s a big if, Lawrie can stay healthy, Athletics fans will be primed to see a break-out year for the Canadian. His all-out play is just what is needed at the hot corner for Oakland.

So if this isn’t enough to prove that we fans do have good reason for our optimism, check out more to get you primed for the season. And tell all those haters we’ll keep drinking up what Billy Beane serves!