I have been really down on the A's for obvious reasons, so I am trying to look on the bright side of things now and find something to root for.  This team is so old, (at least on the infield) and has so many holes that I am not really sure who is going to be here for the long term ( who knows with the A's).  The only guys I can think of right now are Sweeney, Buck perhaps Cust in the outfield.  We have nothing on the infiled right now at least on the A's 25 man roster maybe that weeks kid in the minors.

Pitching wise who knows I thought it would be Cahill, Anderson and Gio, and possibly Gallagher they have all looked like trash this year although Cahill has had his moments when he is not walking every batter.  Andrew Bailey has been a bright spot, however I am concerned that moron Geren will pitch him until his arm falls off.

I forgot Suzuki, not cool Suzuki IMO is by far the A's best player; he is awesome, so I guess we have one player on the infield!

I don't know how many good options we really have, because our best players are mostly left handed hitters.  Here is what I would for the time being, you can tell me if you think I am an idiot.  First off I would bench Chavy right now against LHP until he gets it going and put Crosby in for him.  I debated wheter or not I would bench Sweeney, I decided to keep him and move Cust  to DH for the time being and put Buck in, because Buck will hit to the opposite field.  Next I would put Nomah in for G, which would give G some much needed rest.  Thats what I would like to see tested, to see if the A's can get something going.  The nice thing about this would be once the starer is out of the game (if with the A's)  Chavy and G could be put back in.

So here is how my lineup would look against LHP

1. Sweeney

2. OC

3. Holliday

4. Nomah

5. Cust (DH)

6. Suzuki

7. Ellis

8.  Buck

9.  Crosby

I have to be honest, I am an A's fan and I have taken pleasure out of seeing Zito struggle with the Giants because I was angry he left the A's.  The numbers do not show it but Zito stuff looks nearly as good as it did his CY young year, his velocity is not all the way back but it is night and day from last season.  In about 2 starts I have a feeling Zito will start throwing up quality starts regularly

I am curious what everyone is thinking about the A's starting rotation?  I like the young talent that the A's have, however I am very concerned when Dallas Braden will most likely be our opening day starter.  I do like what Sean Gallagher and Dana Eveland do for the most part, I do not like that they walk a ton of batters.  It does not seem as if our young studs are ready right now, so what would do all of you want the A's to do?  And I did not forget about Gio and Duke, I have a hard time counting on Duke when he gets hurt all the time and Gio obviously is still learning; both are injured right now.

I was wondering what everyone thinks we need to have a shot at the division next year.  I was thinking a little more starting pitcing but I don't think there are any good starters left on the market.  I think that our bullpen will be ok are offense should be good if they stay healthy and that is a big IF with Chavez who can never stay healthy recently.  Adam Dunn would be a nice add to the team but I just cannot see that really happening.  The starting roataion is weak at best with Gallagher, Dallas braden, Gio Gonzalez, and Eveland . I guess Gallagher and Eveland have decent arms so maybe they are serviceable I know Duke will be good but will he stay healthy?

So for 7 long years I have HATED Jason Giambi.  When he left the A's I was heart broken, I felt as if I had I had been dumped.  I remember going to as many A's games as I could back in 2000 to get him into the All Star game as I am sure many others on this site did as well.  When he came back in 2002 I booed him as hard as I could as soon as he got on the field as did the rest of the stadium.  When I saw him yesterday at that press conference I wanted to still be mad at him but I couldn't, I had a smile on my face the entire conference.  I am not all the way back to how I felt about Giambi and I am sure I never will be but I have moved past it and I am ready to see what he can do for us.  It almost feels like 2001 again, obviously that A's team was much better but I have that same optimism back again.

Go A's!!!

At the very beginning of the season I would have said Car Gon, T Buck and I really did not have an idea who would be the third guy maybe Deorfia maybe not.  I have been shocked to see Travis Buck struggle as much as he did this season I hope it was due to injuries.  Now it is pretty clear to me at least that Ryan Sweeney and Car Gon are poised to become strongholds out there.  Who the third guy is I am not so sure I would like to see Travis Buck be that guy but after his struggles this season who knows if he will be that guy.  I would like to see maybe a little more power from that position.  Taking a look at our minor league teams it doesn't seem like we have much power in the OF waiting to come up.  Anyway those are just my thoughts I was curious to see what everyone here thinks about or future in the OF.

Thanks

For the last four years or so I have put hope in Rich harden that he will be the Dominant pitcher that he is so capable of being, which is hard when he is on the disabled list after every other start.  However, it almost appears that Harden has turned the corner on his injury problem which is what my heart wants to think.  My head on the other hand will not allow me to let my guard down with Rich and it is telling me that this extended period of health for Rich is a fluke and the past four seasons is really the norm for him.  I know this post is nothing fresh or new and I am pretty sure that the vast majority of AN users share my feelings I just wanted to see if anyone had any knowledge of Harden training differently or the A's new medical staff figuring something out with Rich that will allow him to stay healthy and dominate for the A's.