How do you think the Oakland A's are going to do this year?
408729
Win the World Series for sure.
1012991
He's been on and off of the DL for the past month or so.  I beleive he had some shoulder issues and a strained oblique muscle that kept lingering around.   It's such a shame that he hasn't stayed healthy on a more consistent basis because this guy is absolutley dominating when he's healthy.  But on the bright side, I'd rather him stay on the DL until fully healthy, then come back for the final couple months of the season in top form.  If the A's can just stay healthy, they are going to be a force to reckon with and I can't wait to see it!
308447
They will win the WORLD Series this year.\n\nThey are destined. It is fate. It's thier turn to win it all.
779142
Although Thomas is past his prime, this is still a huge upgrade for the Jays.  After having to play guys like Shea Hillenbrand and Gregg Zaun in the DH spot last year, having a guy who gets on base and hits for power like Thomas will give them an actual threat at the DH spot.  It also sounds like a big raise for the Big Hurt, since the Jays seem to be offering somewhere in the neighborhood of $7-8m per year.\n\nThe A's don't have the depth they did in their system a few years ago, but that will change soon enough if their guys from the 2005 draft pan out - they had 5 of the first 101 choices in that draft.  They've got some young arms in Casilla, Komine and Italiano, but I don't think they'll be in the majors for a couple of years.  Losing Zito will hurt, but they've still got a good staff nucleus with Harden, Blanton and Haren, with a couple of candidates for the 4-5 spots in the rotation.\n\nI think scoring runs will be the bigger challenge.  The A's ranked in the middle of the pack in runs last season, and Thomas' absence means someone else will have to be move into that DH role, or Beane will have to find another guy on the cheap like he did with Thomas.  Or, he could match the Jays' offer and keep Thomas in Oakland.\n\nEither way, I'm not counting Beane and the A's out just yet.  Many people thought they'd fall apart once they lost Mulder and Hudson, but they keep contending.
499789
Alex Rios (Tor - OF)\nCasey Blake (Cle - 3B, OF)\nJoe Crede (CWS - 3B)\nCraig Wilson (Pit - 1B, OF)\n\n\nThose guys are doing pretty well this season, especially Rios and Blake. If either of those are available then pick them up and expect them to take a permament spot in your roster, as for Crede and Wilson they've cooled off after a pretty decent start. Don't expect them to stay on your team very long.
117541
they should have a winning record, but i think making the playoffs is a stretch.  they're not as good as the cards or the astros, and the brewers are much improved.  this could very well be the toughest division to win in baseball.\n\njuan pierre will jump start the offense, a huge improvement over corey patterson.  if aramis ramirez and derrek lee can stay healthy, holy cow... they are gonna score a lot of runs.\n\nbut the questions about kerry wood and the closer situation make me worried.  carlos zambrano will have to be the one to carry them. \n\ni'd say 85 wins for the fuzzy cubbies this year.
713049
yeah, he's supposed to interview with the A's this week. i THINK THE PADS will get Bud Black (halos pitching coach cuz he lives near SD). The A's will end up either with Bob Geren (Beane's type of manager) or Ron Washington.\n\nI know you would like to see Hillman but you would love Ron Washington. He's the the man and from Lousianna. He'd be like Ozzie Guillen execpt not as talkative.\n\nRon Wash interviewed with the Rangers last week and I think he'd do an amazing job with the rangers. players and fans love him.
737931
They need another left handed bat and another left handed pitcher to replace Jamie Walker.\n\nThey will have to stay healthy.\nMags and Pudge and Guillen all have had injuries in the last few years. If they stay healthy, and Sheffield stays healthy I look forward to them defending their AL Title.\n\nVerlander had a great rookie season, but he pitched more innings than he ever has. I am hoping he doesnt fall to a tired arm or the "sophmore jinx".\nBonderman will only get better.\nSo I think the pitching is fine.\n\nShould be an interesting 2007.
1062966
I'll admit, I'm a Niners fan...but realistically it appears as if the Raiders can win 8 games this year. With new coach Art Shell, look for Lamont Jordan to get more carries (he  gained 1014 yards last year, but only averaged 3.8 yards per carry and also only had three 100 yd games, mainly due to the fact he didnt get enough touches). \n\nDespite what people say, Aaron Brooks is a definite upgrade over Collins. Brooks has a strong arm (okay so did Collins) but Brooks is more mobile and elusive in the pocket. I wouldnt be concerned about the Raiders passing game, Randy Moss should be recovered from his injuries last year. That's quite a scary thought...the Raiders have the deepest WR corps in the League hands down - Moss, Jerry Porter, Doug Gabriel and Alvis Whitted...all 4 are capable recievers (not to mention fast).\n\nIn my opinion, the biggest problem for the Raiders is not their defense, but their special teams. Derrick Burgess led the league in sacks last year, yet the defense was horrendous..esp. when it came to forcing turnovers (Five interceptions all season!?!). They did add corners Tyrone Poole and Duane Starks, not to mention draft picks Michael Huff and Darnell Bing..who should all add immediate help in shoring up the secondary. \n\nAs I mentioned above, as bad as their defense was, the Raiders' special teams were worse. Janikoski only made 20/30 field goals and scored a measely 90 points (his accuracy from 40+ yards is pathetic...7 for 15). Also, Oakland had the worst punt-retun average in the league...I don't know how they plan on fixing these problems...but they need to find a solution or it'll end up costing them games.\n\nLooking at the Raiders' schedule this year...I'm prediciting wins for the Raiders coming against Baltimore, Cleveland, SF, Arizona, KC, Houston, St. Louis, KC (second meeting) and against the NY Jets. So I'll take the Raiders to finish the season with a mark of around 8-8. Not bad, but unfortunately, not good enough to keep up with the likes of Denver or SD in the competitive AFC West. However, with Art Shell coming back to coach in Oakland and Randy Moss coming back healthy, the Raiders should figure to have one of the more exciting offenses to watch in the NFL this year.
460129
PLAYOFFS:\nAL WEST: Los Angelas Angels of Anahiem (Colon impacts when returns)\nAL CENT: Detroit Tiger (Thome, and Cliff Lee slow down)\nAL EAST: Boston Red Sox (Johnson demands trade, Jeter, AROD, and Damon never get going, and Giambi and Sheffield get suspended after some other duesche bag releases another steroid)\nAL WC: Texas Rangers (Could be the Yankees or Blue Jays, but I don't know how long Burnett is out?)\n\nNL WEST: New York Mets (There the Yankees of 1900-2000 huge payroll, but the players are actually performing, plus they'll trade Cliff Floyd for someone with talent)\nNL CENT: St. Louis Cardinals (Albert Winnie the Pujols...enough said, wait no they trade IZI for J.J. Putz from the Mariners, who hasn't been CY YOUNG material but is pretty good, and him being a Mariner, will be red hot after he leaves Seattle, even though it's a "hitters ballpark".Bronson Arroyo can't hit all of the Reds homeruns! Maybe next year, they got good young guys, but need to fill a couple holes)\nNL EAST: Colorado Rockies (WHY? CAUSE THE PADRES DID IT LAST YEAR, sub 500, Bonds will hit 715, then run around the field naked with "IM ON STEROIDS" painted on his chest, the picked up all the washed up garbage nobody else wanted, and the Padres, well there last years accident)\nNL WC: Houston Astros (Roger Clemens will return to the Astros, and pump up an already hot Houston team, Berkman gets the Silver Slugger Award, shoot maybe even MVP)\n\nPLAYOFFS:\nAL:\nLAA beat BOS 4-2 (Schilling will be back next year, not enough determination)\nTEX beat DET 4-0 (Lots of talk about Detroit could win it, but fold under pressure)\nNL:\nNYM beat COL 4-0 (Uhm, yeah, they should do what the NFL did and rearrange the leagues when the Marlins move to Las Vegas, cause the NL WEST IS A JOKE!)\nSTL beat HOU 4-3 (Clemens, tries to go the 7th game, and gets his tits lit, Pujols wins the 7th game with a WALKOFF)\n\nAL:\nLAA beat TEX 4-2 (This ones comes down to pitching, plus notice the trend, the year after Buck Shurwalter left the Diamondbacks they won there first world series, same with Yankees, so it will have to wait, until BUCKY LEAVES)\n\nNL:\nSTL beat NYM 4-3 (Delgado slumps, Wright makes errors, Reyes gets thrown out stealing, but Julio Franco hits a WALKOFF to end one of the games)\n\nWORLD SERIES:\nSTL beat LAA 4-1 (Cardinals offense is too good for Angels pitching, and Cardinals pitching barely survives Angels offense, but PUTZ gets 3 saves, and PUJOLS hits a WALKOFF)\n\nROOKIE OF THE YEAR:\nAL: Chris Shelton DET\nNL: \n\nCOMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR:\nAL: Curt Schilling BOS (20 Wins, says he'll retire after the playoffs, then says FUCK THAT after they lose)\nNL: Ryan Spilborghs COL (No one else comes to mine, and so far in his first 9 games he's hitting .500, with 3 Walks, he's got a great eye!)\n\nCY YOUNG:\nAL: Curt Schilling BOS (Johnathan Papelbon is a Closer or he would have won it)\nNL: Pedro Martinez NYM (20 Wins, 100 K, 1.72 ERA, finally turns into a true team player, leader, and captain)\n\nMVP:\nAL: Albert Pujols STL (Hits 47 HRs, Sets record for most WALKOFFS IN A SEASON, dumbass coaches never figure out, you pitch to him in the begining with no one on, not the 9th with bases loaded)\nNL: Lance Berkman HOU (Will lead Houston in RBI, HR, & 2B)\nWS: Albert Pujols STL (Most RBIS in World Series history, 4 HR, 1 WALKOFF)
1021469
im going to buck the trend.  I am a HUGE cardinals fan.  I think a trade needs to be made to upgrade the outfield with a bat.  If Rolen would have played last year then the offense would be way down from a year ago.  An Abreu or Jason Bay would be a nice fit.  Pitching help is needed but the offense has bailed them out a couple times. just a thought.
812744
it will be exciting. Many teams look like they will be competitive. of course the allstar game in san francisco will be great and the world series will be exhiting. The new season begins on the 1st or 2nd of april.
14882
Yeah Oakland 12-1-1 Nice Record\n\nO yeah His answer seams pretty damn complete to me!!!\n\n*JUST WIN BABY*
1075618
It's a hard division to predict who will win. No one has run away with the division just yet. All teams have strengths and weaknesses not one team seems to be complete. \n\nThe A's have a solid defense, starting rotation and bullpen. Their problem is offense and too many of their good players are on the DL like Harden and Bradley.\n\nThe Rangers have a really solid offense with guys like Young and Mathews. Their problem is in the starting rotation. I don't think they really replace the pitching that Kenny Rogers brought to the Rangers. Arlington is a tough ballpark for pitchers and as the summer wears on it seems to affect the pitchers a lot more. \n\nThe Mariners are starting to get hot their bullpen seems to have gotten better as their offense. However, I think that the starting pitching is still their weakness no one on that staff is really an ace not even Hernandez (he has good games and bad games, he needs more time to adjust to the bigs).\n\nThe Angels have a very good starting rotation and solid bullpen. But they lack offense (too inconsistent) and their defense has been really poor. They seem to be in a rebuiding year and are getting their rookies playing time. \n\nIt will be a toss up between the A's, Mariners and Rangers. But I think the A's will take it in the final week of the season because of their pitching and defense. And I say this as an Angels fan.
33555
They have a shot at the Wild Card, but it will not come so easily with the ChiSox and the Tribe in their division.\n\nI don't really think they'll make it, but I will not be surprised if they do because they have the pitching staff; it's just the offense they have that concerns me about them.
1105046
I am...have been all my life.  They are playing really bad right now without Pujols.  It's kind of scary actually.  You don't know what you got until it's gone.  I don't know what happened.  They got people that can hit and were hitting with Pujols in the lineup, but now that he is out they can't hit anything...and the pitching isn't going to well either.  I still think they can reach the pennant but at this point, I don't think they can without a healthy AP.
19889
I am afraid they will struggle around .500 this season, falling between 3rd and 4th place unless some major roster moves are done before Feb. They are very weak at 3rd base and with their pitchers, especially starters.  No one is a true Ace, and they could very easily have two rookies in the rotation on opening day.  Meanwhile the Mets have spent like crazy and the Braves are the Braves.