After posting so-so numbers in 2011, Oakland’s Grant Green may need to have himself a stellar 2012 campaign in order to win back some of the support from fans. Aside from his power leaving him last season, Green struggled with the strike zone in 2011, posting a 119/39 K/BB. Those are not encouraging numbers from a former first round draft pick.

Once viewed as a cornerstone type of guy, Green has been reduced down to more of a super-utility guy in Oakland’s system. The organization had Green playing in Center Field last July with the Rock Hounds, suggesting that the team isn’t entirely sold on his status as an everyday short stop.

Some see Green as more of a second baseman than anything, but given the arrival of Jemile Weeks, Green’s future at second doesn’t look promising. Barring any serious injuries, Weeks is Oakland’s second baseman. Period.

Consequently, Green will need to perform well this season in order to reestablish himself as a top prospect. Still, I think its quite a stretch to have Green playing in the outfield, let alone in center field. Unfortunately, though, Green has placed himself in this predicament. … [visit site to read more]

A’s 2012 Top 10 Prospects, #10: Grant Green - Swingin' A's - Swingin' A's - An Oakland Athletics Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

LOOKING BACK

• The rebuild/youth movement made an abrupt shift toward veterans when general manager Billy Beane added Coco Crisp, Bartolo Colon, Seth Smith and Jonny Gomes to the roster which left me scratching my head. If the A’s had a strong team gearing up for a playoff run I’d love these acquisitions but for a team with its sights set a contending around 2015 I’m not exactly sold on each move.

… [visit site to read more]

Enough of the hot stove, bring on spring training - Swingin' A's - Swingin' A's - An Oakland Athletics Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

July 23, 2010; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland A

The start of spring training is getting closer, but is your enthusiasm level at an all-time low like mine? Do you find yourself frustrated by the fact that the A’s are doomed to suffer through an excruciating long season filled with disappointment?

The frequent assembling, dismantling, and inconsistent youth movements have grown stale. The A’s are on the brink of falling off the map completely, especially if the team is denied its bid to relocate to the tech-savy city of San Jose. A’s co-owner Lew Wolff and company are, according to popular opinion, running this organization into the ground…on purpose.

Wolff wants the Athletics out of Oakland. It was apparent since day one. Oakland, to Wolff, is not an ideal place for a major league baseball team.

Still, Wolff contends that this winter’s dismantling of his only three All-Stars was not done out of spite for the city of Oakland. According to Wolff, he wants to “win.” Well, the definition of the word “win” is as follows: to be successful or victorious in (a contest or conflict). Does that definition accurately describe the atmosphere currently being created by Wolff? … [visit site to read more]

Poll: Does Lew Wolff Really Care? - Swingin' A's - Swingin' A's - An Oakland Athletics Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More