Should the A's bring Harden back next year? (Photo Credit: D.Ross Cameron/AP)

The Oakland Athletics didn’t take a big gamble in bringing Rich Harden back to the bay area this offseason for a one-year deal worth $1.5 million. Oakland knew about Harden’s injury-plagued past, but the team brought him in to add depth to the pitching staff. For those of you who didn’t really pay too much attention to the team this year, Harden was sidelined for much of the first half due to injury.

Some fans will probably say that Harden hasn’t really done that much this year to deserve an offer to come back to Oakland next season, but I’m probably in the minority when I say that the A’s should at least consider bringing back the right-hander next year.

At 29, Harden will probably live out the rest of his professional career by signing one-year deals with clubs willing to take a chance on him. I don’t see him getting a long-term deal any time soon, especially since he’s got a lengthy medical record. The A’s, however, should explore all options with Harden, who has said before in the past that he likes pitching in Oakland. He’s got a nice relationship with pitching coach Ron Romanick, and so it does make sense for Harden to continue his career with Oakland.  (more…)

Can the A's pitching staff keep the club in contention for an entire season?

At 9-9, the Athletics are currently 3rd in the AL West, sitting three games back of the division-leading Angels. So far this season, the AL West looks like a three-team race with the Angels, Rangers, and A’s all vying for the division crown.

During the offseason, A’s GM Billy Beane made several acquisitions during his efforts to upgrade an offense that ranked 28th in home runs in 2010. Guys like Hideki Matsui, Josh Willingham, and David DeJesus were brought on board to help Oakland’s offense support what many consider to be a top starting rotation.

Through the first 18 games of season, however, the A’s offense still lacks power and the ability to hit with runners in scoring position.

The A’s rank 23rd in the majors with runs scored (66), 19th in batting average (.241), 26th in on-base percentage (.306), and 23rd in slugging (.666). Matsui leads the team with 11 RBIs, while Willingham leads the team in home runs with three. DeJesus, meanwhile, is hitting .246 with 7 RBIs. (more…)

Will Ryan Sweeney's playing time be reduced in 2011?

With Spring Training now underway for some clubs, baseball fans all around the world can rejoice over the fact that baseball is finally back.

For A’s fans, it couldn’t come any sooner.

The A’s have had themselves quite the offseason, and many fans in Oakland are buzzing about the team’s chances at reaching the postseason in 2011. The offense is upgraded, and the pitching staff is stellar and deep. This team is without a doubt, manager Bob Geren’s best assembled squad since he took over in 2007.

General Manager Billy Beane added some pieces on offense like Hideki Matsui, David DeJesus, and Josh Willingham. He also bolstered the pitching staff by adding guys like Rich Harden, Brandon McCarthy, Grant Balfour, and Brian Fuentes. The A’s were aggressive in their approach to upgrade a team that went 81-81 in 2010 and finished second in the AL West.

The moves should pay off. Big time. (more…)