Posts tagged ‘Spring Training’

Hello again A’s fans, its Jordan here. Spring Training is finally here! As a baseball fan, there really is no time like this. The baseball New Year is right around the corner, and especially for myself and Charles, this is an exciting time, as we will be heading down to Phoenix in a few weeks.

As the preseason begins, expectations are relatively low for this team, but I think that it is going to be an unusually eventful and fun spring training. With so much youth and so many question marks on this team, we as fans will be able to really watch jobs be won. As for now, the spots that appear to be sewn up are; Joe Blanton as the ace, Rich Harden as a 2, Huston Street as a closer, Eric Chavez at third base, Mark Ellis at second, Daric Barton at first, Kurt Suzuki at catcher, Jack Cust at the DH, and Travis Buck in the outfield. Someone that you may think would be on this list is shortstop Bobby Crosby. Although manager Bob Geren has stated he will be the starter, I think he will have to prove himself this spring, therefore, I do not believe he is a lock. As much as it pains me to say it, there are three men battling for this spot. Jack Hannahan, Donnie Murphy, and Bobby Crosby.

This leaves two outfield spots, order in the back end of the rotation, and the bullpen up for grabs. The fans will undoubtedly get a great look at all of these position battles, and that should be fun. Also, keep an eye out for many of the young guys that we received in the trades this off-season down in Arizona. Carlos Gonzalez, Ryan Sweeney, Dana Eveland, Aaron Cunningham, Gio Gonzalez and Joey Devine will be in camp. I, for one, cannot wait to watch Carlos Gonzalez play. The other young Gonzalez, Gio, may even be fighting for a spot in the back of the starting rotation, despite early reports that he will start in AAA. The battles for the remaining spots in the starting rotation will be interesting, as Dan Meyer, Dallas Braden, Dana Eveland, Kirk Saarloos, and of course, Gonzalez will fight it out. This is a time where so much can happen. So many questions will be answered when camp breaks, and believe me, there will be many new, young, and unfamiliar faces under those A’s caps this year.

Mike Sweeney is now an Athletic, as he signed a minor league deal last week. He spent all of his 17-year career, 13 of which he spent in the Majors, with the Kansas City Royals organization. Sweeney will be a nice veteran addition to the team in my opinion, and can split some time as a designated hitter in 2008 if all goes well. In other news, catcher Jeremy Brown, who was a 2002 first round draft pick, has retired. He finished his career at AAA Sacramento last season. The A’s then signed Matthew LeCroy, the former Twins’ catcher to a minor league deal, who will also be in Arizona this spring.

What does Spring Training mean to you? Tell us. We here at Athleticscast are always looking for listener input, and we want to make you a huge part of our show. If you are going out to Arizona this year, tell us about it. Who are you most looking forward to seeing out there? Who do you think will make the team? All of these questions, and any other thoughts or ideas you would like to share, can be sent to us at hosts@athleticscast.com, or posted on our Myspace page. The best way to have your direct input on our show is to call! Call us at 415-691-6185 and tell us yourself.

That’s how I see it…Let’s go Oakland!