The Oaks came under new ownership once again this season much to the chagrin of Oakland fans. The franchise had a few decent positional players on its roster but the pitching cupboard was bare and the squad lacked much in the way of power in the line-up. In short, management did not buy into much of the hype that claimed they were left with a virtual gold mine and began to move the organization in a new direction...

The Oaks made a number of deals designed to enable the team to fill some much needed positions while also netting some future talent. They signed two key free agents but were certain to limit those contracts thus enabling the team to have a massive amount of revenue for the expected 2010 spending spree that so many teams in the league anticipate being major players in. With so many teams positioning themslevs for the free agency splurge next season it is highly likely that teams will find themselves hopelessly dragged into one bidding war after another thus virtually wiping out any funds and plans they may have formed. The Oaks will have more than enough money to resign any and all of their current roster to contracts next year as well as for the free agency wars. "We are accutely aware of how so many teams in this league feel that they are going to be the big winners in next year's free agency pool. "said manager Jeff Beyel, "But, with so many team hording money it is obvious that signings will be highly priced and with likely longer contracts and that should all but wipe out almost everyone's plans for success in that regard. We already know we will have more money than just about anyone so we hope to be able to sign the one or two big names we need if we actually feel those are the types we want to bring in here."

Free Agency: The Oaks were able to snare the best closer in baseball in Mariano Rivera and signed him to a 1 year $35 million dollar deal. His loss at the end of the season will free up a ton of needed funds however it will also leave the team seeking a closer once again in 2010. Of course, it is also possible that Oakland elects to bid for Big Mo's services again next spring. Reliever Sean Green was brought in to supply desperately needed innings as one of the club's long pen guys.

Draft: The team could not have been happier with its draft which went to near planned perfection. Oakland was able to fill two needs with the selections of SS Alexei Ramirez and lefty John Lannan. While Lannan is not seen as a saviour on the staff he is expected to be at least a solid contributor going forward. The team then used two of its next three draft picks grabbing two highly coveted arms in Chris Tillman and Alex White. The Oaks were slightly criticized for passing on everyone's #1 college choice, Stephen Strasburg, as the franchise was not sold on the phenom's mechanics at all. 4th round pick, Kyle McClellan, was traded away to Minnesota in exchange for a 2010 2nd rounder.
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Position outlook:

1B: Lefty hitting James Loney and his slick glove will share time with Conor Jackson, Fernando Tatis, and even Jose Lopez.

2B: Another platoon scenario is set here with Jose Lopez, Alexei Ramirez, and Asdrubal Cabrera slated to rotate. Ronny Cedeno is at Triple A Sacramento for the time being but is a near lock to see some time during the year.

3B: Evan Longoris is the mainstay but he will need help there. As of now Alexei Ramirez and Fernando Tatis are the primary back-ups but a trade or signing could alter that dilemma.

SS: Alexei Ramirez and Adam Everett seem the likely choices here.

C-Chris Ianetta and Jason Kendall will share duties. Kendall willplay at least 1/3rd of the time this year so how much he can do will be critical to the team's chances to improve.

OF: The outfield is exremely talented defensively and the club has some excellent young talent coming up. CF Mike Cameron was on the trading block but teams just would not pay the price for the tremendous defensive center-fielder with speed and power. So, Oakland signed him to a 1 year extension as insurance on the development of Cameron Maybin and corner OF Nelson Cruz. Adam Jones and Jacoby Ellsbury add to the mix while Josh Willingham, Conor Jackson, and Fernando Tatis will all see time in the big grass.

Starting pitching:

This unit is, probably, the oddest in baseball and is expected to not succeed by many this year. Manager Jeff Beyel bucked the odds and will take an all-lefty starting staff out West to begin the season against divisional rivals Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. John Danks, Barry Zito (1 year deal), Odalis Perez (1 year deal), John Lannan (4th pick in draft), and Glen Perkins will man the bump this spring. Righty John Maine will go down to Sacramento along with Aaron Laffey and Garrett Olson.

Bullpen:

This unit has slowly been formed into one of the team's expected strengths. Rivera, obviously, gives the club the best closer in baseball. Recently acquired Scott Linebrink (along with Green) will be the long man in the group. Sergio Romo and Wil Ohman will act as righty and lefty specialists respectively and Steven Shell will be the late inning set-up guy for now. Green will be sent down to double A Midland and act as their closer to increase his pitching load.

Analysis: The San Francisco Sea Lions are the unquestioned team expected to easily roll to the West title. Unless a miracle happens, that would relegate Oakland to wild card status and into the pool with a ton of other clubs battling for the final three slots. San Diego should be able to hold off the Oaks as well so a playoff spot, while possible, is going to be very difficult to attain. Playing .500 ball is a legit goal here.