Seattle Mariners: The other four teams, a preview of the 2020 AL West
Matt Chapman and Marcus Semien, Oakland Athletics. (Photo by Keith Allison, via Wikicommons)
Oakland Athletics
Projected Win Total: 33.5
Odds to Make the Playoffs: -125
Odds to Win the A.L. West: +250
Odds to Win the American League: +1100
Odds to Win the World Series: +2000
2020 Song Quote: “Don’t think second best, be number one.” – Jesse J.
Big Question: Can designated hitter Khris Davis rebound from a poor 2019?
Fun Question: How does GM Billy Beane do it every year?
Fun Question 2: What will it take so we never see Daniel Mengden’s handlebar mustache again?
Best under the radar move: Getting rid of Jurickson Profar.
At a glance
Oakland is a team that has won 97 games and made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. The Athletics are a very good team. In a short season, they are capable of giving Houston a run for the division title.
The everyday lineup can compete with almost any team, and there aren’t many significant changes from last season. If new second baseman and former organization top prospect Franklin Barreto has any pop in his bat, this can be the best power-hitting infield in baseball, including the Yankees and Astros. A return to normalcy, after a horrible 2019, from Khris Davis makes this a dangerous team.
Oakland’s pitching is near the top of the league. Last year, Sean Manaea didn’t make his debut until September 1, after sitting out almost a year with shoulder problems. In five regular-season starts, he was 4–0, with a 1.21 ERA and miserly 0.77 WHIP. Manaea didn’t look as good in spring training, but he only threw 7.2 innings. The rest of the rotation is solid. Close Liam Hendricks leads a very good bullpen.
What the Seattle Mariners can learn from Oakland
Oakland has very few holes and is solid throughout the entire roster. They are a perfect example of how to maintain a good team while on a tight budget.
PNWS Prediction for 2020
The Athletics are once again poised to be a playoff contender. It’s unlikely they can knock off Houston for the division, but they will be fighting all year for a playoff spot. 2020 may be the year Oakland breaks their streak of six straight playoff series defeats.