[EmpireWF]

Here is the roster for the A's as far as their rotation goes:

LHP - Barry Zito
RHP - Joe Blanton
RHP - Rich Harden
RHP - Dan Haren
LHP - Joe Kennedy
RHP - Esteban Loaiza

And they still have another guy or two who can pitch out of the pen or start. That's a great rotation for the A's. Makes you think that they probably should go and trade Zito at some point this year, pick up some offense or some more young pitching (if they truly need it).

As I see it, the West is up in the air. The Angels never got that big power bat and the Rangers will never be serious inside that park w/ no great pitching. The Mariners are still in rebuilding mode.

This could be the year the A's return to the playoffs...but can they go deep?

[Lefty Noob]

Harden if definitely one of the best young pitchers in baseball. Zito has remained a force on the mound well after he was supposed to fall apart without Mulder and Hudson. I'm impressed with Blanton and see good things for him as well. They have the potential, but it'll all depend if guys like Jason Kendall and Frank Thomas turn back the clock and be effective at the plate.

[Mid-depth_Reporter]

According to MLB.com, Oakland penciled in Barry Zito, Rich Harden, Esteban Loaiza, Danny Haren and Joe Blanton as its starting rotation, in 1-5 order. Forget regarding to Oakland's starting rotation as a great staff. Based on last year's performance, Oakland has the best starting five in the league this year.

Name another team that boasts five guys with sub-4.00 ERAs?

As for trading Barry Zito – why? Here's a guy who with a 3.50 career ERA, 1200+ IP, and 945 strikeouts in his short career. He will provide 200+ innings a year, as well as a chance to win 80% or more of the games he starts. Sure, he posted a record of 39-36, but with an ERA of 3.86 during that span, it shows that Oakland needs more run support. Not just for Zito, but for the entire pitching staff that posted weak winning records last year.

This is why the Athletics signed Milton Bradley, a switch-hitting outfielder with some pop in his bat. He should bring defensive depth to the outfield, although, he's no Eric Byrnes. However, Milton needs to play almost everyday to keep a good bat. Playing two days, then taking one or two days off will hurt his production.

The Athletics also added Frank Thomas, hoping to revive his bat after a few down years. Thomas battled injuries the last two years, leading the Chicago White Sox organization to release him. If Thomas comes back healthy, he will bring some power, but his .300 days are behind him.

Oakland should play the 2006 season with the best starting pitching staff in the league. The question is, will the bats provide the run support that Oakland needs to make good use of its pitching?

[Lefty Noob]

Hi, MDR, and welcome to the GoTeamsGo.com forums!

"Name another team that boasts five guys with sub-4.00 ERAs?"
The White Sox could have a five-man rotation under 4.00 ERA too. Of their starters entering the season, only Javier Vazquez [4.42] had an ERA over that mark, and I fully expect that to get down closer to his 2003 numbers this season.

"The question is, will the bats provide the run support that Oakland needs to make good use of its pitching?"
I have my doubts. I think Thomas is washed up and I've never really been that high on Bradley. I just don't think that they have the pop at the plate to seriously content. Just my two-cents worth, though.

[Boston Fan in Michigan]

Harden's hurting right now, though... isn't he still recovering from a shoulder injury? That oblique problem he had last season worried me a lot. It's the kind of injury that can be persistant, especially for a guy as young as him, who throws as hard as he does. And Zito has that sick curveball, but only when he's not in one of his periodic weird periods of inconsistently. When it curves, it's amazing, but when it doesn't curve... oy. And he doesn't seem to have a firm grasp on why it occasionally doesn't curve.

Not saying they don't have great young pitching, because they do, and it has the potential to get better as they age some. But it's not a teamful of Sandy Koufaxes or anything like that.

[Lefty Noob]

Hi Boston Fan. Glad you found your way to the GoTeamsGo.com forums!

No doubt that the Oakland starters have their issues, just as every staff does. Zito has had his off years, Harden has had been dinged up, etc. I think what has everybody so excited about them is the potential. If they all pitch as well as they are capable and get/stay healthy, this is arguably one of the best starting fives in the game today.