2009 Record: 75-87 .463
Run Differential: -2
Everyone knew the A's were in full rebuilding mode after trading away rotation stalwarts Dan Haren, Joe Blanton, and Rich Harden in 2008. So when Billy Beane pulled the trigger to acquire Matt Holliday in the last year of his contract the baseball world was in shock. Beane sent Carlos Gonzalez, Greg Smith, and Huston Street to Colorado in exchange for the Rockies top player. Holliday was to be the missing piece for offense as the A's attempted to reclaim their position atop the American League West. But like most bold moves this one failed. Injuries and an inept offense were the main culprit but it clearly wasn't the pitching staff's fault. Players who lost significant time due to injury were: Justin Duchscherer, Joey Devine, Eric Chavez, Mark Ellis, and Jason Giambi. Key offensive contributors Jack Cust and Giambi proved they are now similar players--each incapable of playing defense--who can no longer be counted on to hit for average and whose power is inconsistent at best. Matt Holliday got off to an awful start not helping matters. By the time he got going it was too late and he was flipped to St. Louis for hot prospect Brett Wallace. The good was found in the young pitching. Rookie Brett Anderson struck out 150 batters in 175 innings while posting a 4.06 ERA, delighting not only A's fans but also management. After closer Joey Devine blew out his elbow in April, the closer's job was up for grabs. Another rookie, Andrew Bailey, eventually won the job and American League Rookie of the Year honors. The bullpen as a whole turned out to be very good giving Oakland a young, cheap, reliable portion of their squad to rely upon in 2010.
So, after last season's failure to develop into a contender, Beane would admit the team's not ready and continue the rebuilding process, right?
