Last year, that might have ensured a contending team because Oakland's pitching was pretty good, especially in the first half. Now, however, most of the team's question marks are on the mound.

The rotation could be in flux much of the year, and a bullpen that was expected to be one of the better ones in the division isn't entirely settled, either.

The reason for the pitching mysteries: youth and inexperience, along with injuries to two major components.

Justin Duchscherer, an All-Star in his first season as a starter last year, continues to have issues with staying healthy. He missed the second half of last year because of hip trouble and has been out this spring because of a sore elbow.

Duchscherer will start the season on the disabled list following elbow surgery. Joey Devine, one of Oakland's two potential closers, also will open the year on the DL due to an elbow problem.

Oakland's terrific trio of young starters are likely to all get a chance at the big-league level this season, with left-hander Brett Anderson emerging as the top candidate to open the season with the A's.

Right-hander Trevor Cahill is a shade behind him, and right-hander Vin Mazzaro also will be an option if there's an opening in the Oakland rotation.

Mazzaro is 22, Anderson and Cahill are 21. None of the team's projected starters, apart from Duchscherer, is older than 25.

And Dana Eveland, whose struggles this spring threatened his rotation spot at least briefly, has the most big-league experience in the rotation, including Duchscherer, with 35 starts.

The A's talked to several left-handed free agents about bullpen jobs but, going into the season, Jerry Blevins, who had a poor spring, remains the team's most experienced lefty reliever.

Projected starters Josh Outman and Gio Gonzalez also could wind up in relief, and they could potentially handle traditional left-handed specialist duties along with long relief.

As usual, Oakland goes into the regular season holding its breath about some key infielders.

Eric Chavez, who had shoulder surgery last August, did not play third in a Cactus League game until March 27, and Mark Ellis, who had shoulder surgery in September, didn't play second until March 25.

Ellis appears to be completely recovered, but Chavez had a slight setback two weeks into the spring, so there remains some concern about his availability for Opening Night.

If Chavez can go, Daric Barton is likely to start the season at Class AAA Sacramento after handling first base for Oakland all last season.

Barton still is highly regarded by the A's front office, but with Giambi and Garciaparra, Oakland has the luxury of letting Barton get his swing back on track in the minors, in the hope he'll be more ready this time if and when the A's have a need in their lineup.

THE A'S WILL CONTEND IF ...: The team's many young pitchers, including hotshot left-hander Brett Anderson and, right behind him, right-handers Trevor Cahill and Vin Mazzaro, step up and contribute on a regular basis. With a far more powerful offense, Oakland's hopes ride on an inexperienced rotation that will not include, at least initially, injury-prone right-hander Justin Duchscherer. If the pitching doesn't come together, the team is expected to trade All-Star outfielder Matt Holliday by the deadline.

PRIMED FOR A BIG SEASON: CFr Ryan Sweeney led the A's in hitting in his first full season in the majors, and now he'll have much bigger threats behind him in the order, with Matt Holliday and Jason Giambi in the middle of the order to drive in runs.

ON THE DECLINE: RHP Brad Ziegler set a record for longest scoreless streak at the start of a career last year, but submarine-style pitchers often run into trouble their second or third times around the league as hitters get better reports and become more accustomed to the delivery. Ziegler is more likely to wind up as a setup man than as the closer.