Oakland's strong first half masked some deficiencies in the lineup, but the July trades of Rich Harden and Joe Blanton translated into an extremely young rotation in the second half. The combination of inconsistent pitching and a poor offense was too much for the A's to overcome.
After Oakland's preseason trades (Dan Haren, Nick Swisher, Mark Kotsay, Marco Scutaro), the A's weren't expected to contend, anyway, especially in a division with a big all-around favorite like the Angels, so much of 2008 was about the future -- getting some experience for the many players obtained in those deals and sorting through that talent to get a fix on what the club needs to add this winter. The biggest strengths to emerge from the young group: the bullpen, especially, and the outfield. Rookie relievers Joey Devine and Brad Ziegler were sensational, and left-hander Jerry Blevins also showed a great deal of promise; that makes Huston Street potentially expendable this winter after Street lost his closer spot. The A's have a large group of outfielders to choose from in the spring, including Ryan Sweeney, Carlos Gonzalez, Travis Buck, Aaron Cunningham and Chris Denorfia.
Sweeney and second-year catcher Kurt Suzuki were Oakland's most consistent hitters while DH Jack Cust provided the only real power threat, so the top order of business for the A's this winter will be to supplement the offense. General manager Billy Beane has said that the A's might move to sign a reliable free agent bat; there is little doubt that the team now has the minor league depth to swing a deal to add a good young hitter or two.
Where the A's will add a bat is the top question for the winter.
Could it be a middle-infield spot? Mark Ellis is a free agent and could be allowed to walk, and shortstop Bobby Crosby, a free agent after next season, could be traded.
Or could it be at first, where Daric Barton had a highly disappointing rookie year?
Or at third, if the A's don't believe that Eric Chavez can return to form there after two shoulder surgeries?
Cust is likely to be retained at DH; he's going into his first year of arbitration, so he'll be relatively cheap considering he hit 33 homers this year.
Oakland has a lot of potential in the rotation now that rookies Greg Smith, Sean Gallagher, Josh Outman and Gio Gonzalez all have gotten experience along with 24-year-old left-hander Dana Eveland. Justin Duchscherer is the veteran member of the group, but his health remains a concern after he missed the final six weeks of the season because of soreness in his surgically repaired right hip.
The A's have more on the way when it comes to starting pitchers: the biggest potential stars in the organization are LHP Brett Anderson (part of the Dan Haren deal with Arizona) and RHP Trevor Cahill, both of whom pitched on the Olympic team. Anderson could be called up in 2009, and Cahill is a possibility for a September appearance.
Vince Mazzaro is another strong starter prospect, meaning there should be excellent competition for spots this spring and for the next few seasons if several youngsters aren't moved for a bat.
Even with the A's undergoing a rebuilding process, Beane can be counted on to make news during the winter. Oakland is likely to make a big splash of some sort, either by signing a big-name free agent, or in a more plausible scenario, by obtaining a major piece via a trade.
