Oakland’s veteran reliever posted a 2.47 ERA in 62 appearances this season. He also recorded 59 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched this year as well. The A’s signed Balfour to a two-year deal prior to the start of the season, and so far, the deal looks like a home run for Oakland. The contract also includes an option for 2013.

In Balfour, the A’s have a solid veteran reliever who has a nice track record filled with success. The bullpen, like the team’s starting rotation, is an integral part of the organization’s success. Balfour is a guy who you can send out in eighth or ninth inning with the full confidence that he’ll get the job done.

He enjoyed a little more success at home this season, compiling a 1.80 ERA at home versus a 3.33 ERA on the road. The A’s, however, are probably satisfied with the job Balfour did overall this year. The A’s spent $8.1 million on him but, he’s certainly proved, with his numbers this year, that he was worth the investment.

The A's play in a pitcher-friendly ballpark, how will that affect their newest offensive additions? (Photo Credit: Swingin' A's)

If you are a Yankees or Red Sox fan, you are going to have a harder time seeing them play against Oakland at home.  This is due to scheduling of the 2011 season.  Now, you may be saying to yourself, “well I am an A’s fan so I am not really feeling sorry for the other teams fans”.  However, you should be concerned because it is hard enough to fill the Coliseum to capacity and this gives our wonderful owner, Lew Wolff one more reason to move the team out of Oakland.

This season there are only going to be 5 home games against the two teams, in total.  This is of course a plus for both Yankee and Red Sox franchises who seem to attract alot more fans to to their games, than Oakland does.   Yesterday, the A’s begun their two-game series with the Red Sox and will play the only three home games against the Yankees starting on May 30.

The 2011 schedule for Oakland does not help the A’s stay in Oakland, especially when they need as much notoriety as they can get.  However, according to Oakland A’s Vice President of Communications Ken Pries, there was no say on their part as to how the schedule is made.  He says, “It’s difficult, but some years are better than others.” He also says that they would like to have those teams that have a bigger fan based attendance, but sometimes you are not fortunate to get that dream schedule.

So, why is it that the A’s were given a lack luster schedule this year?  Well, it has to do with a schedule that is being created by, you guessed it, a computer.  Although, Katy Feeney, MLB’s Senior Vice President of creating the schedules says that there are adjustments made to the schedules after they are generated.  Feeney says, “there is imbalance in the system because of the lopsided number of teams between both the A.L. West and N.L central teams.  A.L. has four teams and N.L. has six.” “It makes it difficult to for teams to play the same opponent an equal number of times every season.”

The A’s have tried to increase their fan base, albeit not to the same extend as the San Francisco Giants.  The Giants have a nice park, Oakland does not.  Hopefully, that will change sooner than later but at this rate I don’t see that anytime soon.  A’s home average game attendance was a mere 17,511 during the 2010 season.  It’s counterpart teams such as the Yankees and the Red Sox saw an attendance triple fold.  It is a fact that attendance at the Coliseum would go up dramatically if they had more home games with top contenders.

Although, on a brighter note the A’s really are trying.  They have several marketing promotions going from free giveaways for the fans to fireworks to the July 16th double header against the Los Angeles Angels where fans can enjoy two games for one price.  When it comes down to it, the real issue here is that of a old dilapidated stadium and those who choose to continue to play baseball politics with it.

The A’s embark on a nine-game road-trip this week, and first up are the Toronto Blue Jays. Joining me in this series preview between the A’s and Jays is Mat Germain, Senior Editor of FanSided’s Toronto site, Jays Journal. Mat will be handling everything from a Blue Jays’ perspective in this preview. Here’s the preview:

Toronto Blue Jays
2010 Regular Season Record: 85-77, 3rd in AL East (11.0 GB)
2011 Regular Season Record: 2-1, 2^nd in AL East (1.5 GB)
Oakland Athletics
2010 Regular Season Record: 81-81, 1st in AL West (9.0 GB)
2011 Regular Season Record: 1-2, 3^rd in the AL West (2.5 GB) (more…)