User:Akumata

Why the A’s might have a good season in 2006.
*Well, the A’s pitching staff from 2005 was pretty good after the all star break, but they needed a solid pitcher that could win games consistantly. **The rookie Joe Blanton won 12, but lost 12. **Rich Harden would have had a better year, if he wasn’t injured for part of the season, he went 10-5. **Former Cardinal, Danny Haren, the A’s’ pitcher tied in the win column with a record of 14-12. **Late newcomer Joe Kennedy went, 8-13 overall, and went 2-5 with the A’s. **The last of the “Big Three”, Barry Zito went 14-13. Tim Hudson (Braves) and Mark Mulder (Cardinals) made it to the playoffs, unlike Zito. **The A’s also had Kirk Saarloos, who went 10-9. *The A’s starting rotation, Blanton, Harden, Haren, Zito, and Saarloos all had double digit wins. *The A’s were fortunate to sign former Nationals starter Esteban Loaiza to a 3 year deal. Loaiza went 12-10, with a 3.66 era. *The A’s also picked up Matt Roney from the Tigers. Roney was injured during the entire 2005 season, going 1-9 in 2004. *The A’s bullpen was solid almost all year. **Rookie of the Year, Huston Street saving 22 games, relieving the starters along with Ricardo Rincon, and Jay Witasick. The A’s hitting and fielding was good. Getting Jason Kendall was a big bonus. Returning Rookie of the Year Bobby Crosby, Dan Johnson taking Scott Hatteberg’s job, amazing young Nick Swisher, and Gold Glovers Mark Kotsay, and Eric Chavez. Dan Johnson was the most amazing player with the A’s. He hit .275 with 15 homers, 58 rbi’s, and 54 runs. The A’s will have to work hard for a playoff spot in 2006.
 * Kiko Calero was a great setup man, **Justin Duchscherer