Aug 17, 2011; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics first baseman Brandon Allen (31) high fives teammates in the dugout after scoring run during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at the O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

Last week, I boldly stated in Sean Davis’s Prognostications from the Swingin’ A’s Crew, that Brandon Allen would be a key to the A’s success in 2012. Today, he has been designated for assignment in place of another chapter in the saga of Daric Barton‘s career. What a difference a week makes. With Barton recovering from a shoulder injury and having an option left, it looked like a safe bet that he would stay at Sacramento for the time being and the A’s would go with the combo of Allen and Kila Ka’aihue at first base. After a four game experiment, Ka’aihue finds himself relegated to the bench, Barton back starting at first, and Brandon Allen cut loose into baseball oblivion awaiting his next opportunity. Let’s take a look at what lead to this decision and why the leash was so short to begin with.

As part of the Brad Ziegler trade, Allen came over at the trade deadline from Arizona last season and immediately caught the attention of stat heads like myself. Looking at his gaudy numbers in Triple-A Reno, which granted were somewhat askew due to playing in the launching pad known as Aces Stadium. I was nevertheless intrigued by his power potential and his 1.006 OPS in 83 games with the Aces.  Upon his call up to Oakland in mid August, it became apparent that Allen was gifted with prestigious power. Putting his talents on display during a game against the Yankees on August 23rd, he would become only the 2nd player to hit a ball into the upper deck at the new Yankee Stadium. During his month and half long stay at the big level, it became abundantly clear that although his power was real, so were his deficiencies at the plate. Armed with the knowledge that he had considerable difficulty laying off pitches in the dirt. Opposing pitchers would attack and expose Allen’s vulnerabilities in the final weeks. Striking out an alarming 55 times in 158 plate appearances, it was apparent that he would have to make adjustments in 2012.

Faced with competition this spring from Ka’waihue and Barton, Allen rose to the challenge putting up strong splits of .314/.368/.571 while cutting down his K’s and showing excellent athleticism and competent defense at first base. Named the opening day first basemen in Japan, he struggled in 7 at bats against the Seattle Mariners and was rendered helpless against King Felix’s power slider and hard curve striking out 5 times. Usually going hitless against one of the best pitchers in baseball over two games isn’t going to cost a player his job. But with Barton ready to come off the DL, and Ka’waihue making consistent contact something had to give and unfortunately Allen was the odd man out.

While it all makes sense, and due to his on base skills it became obvious that Barton would get a chance to reclaim his starting job. It still feels like Allen wasn’t given a fair chance to solidify himself in Oakland. While he still has plenty of time to reach his potential as a power hitting first basemen it doesn’t appear that this will happen with the A’s. Perhaps he will make it through waivers and stay in the organization, but due to his potential it’s more than likely he will find himself on another team sometime in the near future. I myself would of like to have seen Allen make the necessary adjustments and succeed in Green and Gold, giving the A’s something they have not had in years. A source of power at first base. I suppose it’s comforting we still have Chris Carter in the organization. Right?

Devin Pangaro can be found ranting and raving about all things green and gold on twitter @devinpangaro, and please follow my fellow Swingin’ A’s scribes @FS_SwinginAs or like us on Facebook

No doubt about it the A’s are in a major transition phase in the franchise’s history.  It’s no secret the A’s are in a quagmire of bureaucracy and politics that has put the fate of the franchise in flux.  But when it boils down to it, it’s still baseball, and that ultimately is what brings us all back.  So it seemed appropriate that all 5 of the members of the Swingin’ A’s page share their official predictions for the 2012 season.  We will each answer 4 burning questions:

-What will their record be?

-What place will they finish in the AL West?

-What constitutes a successful season?

-Who/what is the key to success?

Yoenis Cespedes surprised the world by joining the A's, the A's hope he can help them surprise everyone this season. (Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE)

Editor, Joseph Lopez

2012 Record: 81-81, 3rd Place

What constitutes a successful season?  While I have been rather critical of the Athletics in recent years for their seemingly lifeless lineup, I do expect the A’s to surprise a few people this year en route to a .500 record and a third-place finish in the stacked AL West. Stockpiling on the young talent started way back in 2007, but Billy Beane’s initial youth-movement didn’t pan out exactly the way he had envisioned. That failure, though, is partially Beane’s fault. He’s proved in the past that he’s been inconsistent with his rebuilding efforts with the Matt Holliday trade serving as the best example of his inconsistency. Now that he’s basically demolished the foundation of his once promising starting rotation with the trades of Trevor Cahill and Gio Gonzalez, the A’s will essentially start from square one…again. If Beane sticks with his rebuilding plan this time around and the young talent shows promise, a .500 record is not out of reach.

Who/what is the key to success?  Billy Beane & the young pitching staff. Beane needs to stick to the plan this time around and focus solely on the development of his young team. There is absolutely no need to rush any of the players acquired in the Cahill, Gonzalez, and Andrew Bailey deals. The A’s are not expected to compete for a playoff spot this year, so rushing guys like Jarrod Parker, Brad Peacock, A.J. Cole, Michael Choice, or Grant Green doesn’t make much sense for the green-and-gold. The young pitching staff, which is headed by veterans Brandon McCarthy and Bartolo Colon, will also be the key to success for the Athletics in 2012. Guys like Tom Milone could, in more ways than none, help make a lasting impact on the team’s starting rotation this year. Offensively, I guess the A’s would like to see some flashes of greatness from Yoenis Cespedes, whom the A’s locked up with a four-year, $36 million contract this past offseason. The development of the young pitching talent, though, should be a top priority for the Athletics this year.

Staff Writer, Jason Leary

2012 Record: 75-87, “Dead last”

What constitutes a successful season?  I would never say I want the A’s to lose, but in the first year of a new rebuild I’m just fine with seeing losses pile up if the team develops young players on the way to getting a high draft pick for a lousy 2012 record.  I’d be able to look back on 2012 and call it a successful season if Billy Beane and Co. can cash in trade chips like Brandon McCarthy, Kurt Suzuki, and Grant Balfour and prospects such as Michael Choice, Sonny Gray, Derek Norris, and Grant Green earn callups by the end of the year.

Who/what is the key to success?  Since I’m defining success as the A’s developing young players while taking major hits in the loss column, keys to success would be players such as Yoenis Cespedes, Josh Reddick, Jarrod Parker, Tom Milone, etc. slowly growing into solid, and in some cases, spectacular everyday Major Leaguers.  Another key to success that’s been lacking in Oakland for several years is good health.  A steady recovery from Tommy John surgery by Brett Anderson will go a long way toward putting him back on track to being one of the best young pitchers in the American League.

I’d love to see a young, promising, last-place A’s team finally fire on all cylinders after a rough year and play well from Sept. 18 through Sept. 28.  That’s when the club faces the potentially playoff-bound Tigers, Yankees, and Rangers and a strong showing by the A’s against some of the best teams in baseball would offer hope that this rebuild is on the right track with the potential to pay off far sooner than many people expected.

Staff Writer, David Spencer

2012 Record: 73-89, Good enough (tongue-in-cheek) for a last place finish

What constitutes a successful season?   A season like this is wonderful in one aspect; you can only be successful. If the season is used properly, you know can see what you truly have as a team and who is expendable. If had had to say one thing that would signal a successful season, I would say a top five draft pick for next years draft. 

Who/what is the key to success?  As we all know by now the off-season was one filled with trades for younger prospects and the inability to resign the one major offensive weapon they had last year. While some of these prospects they got in return are extremely young and will have no impact on the team, others will make themselves known immediately.  Losing Sizemore at third may not have necessarily hurt the offense, but it didn’t help it either. If Donaldson and Sogard to keep a modicum of offensive production going, that will certainly help lessen the blow of losing him. The situation at first is going to be a complete unknown. The three options over there, though, can only afford more offense than the A’s saw last year at that position. The pitching will see a regression from last year, mainly because of the arms filling the holes left from last season just can not play up to the run prevention of last year. The outfield is going to be the best aspect of this team. Between the good defenders that will see most of the playing time, the possible offensive production will be the savior of this squad.

Staff Writer, Devin Pangaro

2012 Record: 84-78, 3rd Place

What constitutes a successful season?  This year has to be about growth and positivity.  With the stadium issue and the team’s future very much out of their control, A’s fans need something to feel good about.  While I’m not envisioning some type of Major League scenario, I do think this team has the potential to play exciting, competitive baseball and if they can leave it all on the field and play to their potential I believe a winning season is not out of the question.  Rookies such as Yoenis Cespedes and Tom Milone will have to mature at a fast rate, and veterans like Manny Ramirez and Bartolo Colon will have to stay healthy and productive in order for the A’s to even smell a pennant race.

Who/what is the key to success?  Brandon Allen.  Ah thought I say Cespedes didn’t you?  If Cespedes proves to be overmatched by breaking balls and is in need of seasoning in Triple A, the A’s have the clientele in the outfield in Coco Crisp, Josh Reddick, Seth Smith, Johnny Gomes, and Colin Cowgill to pick up the slack without an issue.  However if Allen bombs at first base, a position the A’s desperately need production from they will be trouble.  Allen has to prove that he can make the necessary adjustments that he failed to make late last season when the strikeouts began to add up and the power numbers decreased.  He’s not expected to go out and hit 40 homers, but he has the power to hit 20+ and the A’s need to get that from him.

Staff Writer, Sean Davis

2012 Record: 79-83, 3rd Place

What constitutes a successful season?  The Oakland Athletics simply need to right the ship.  In 2011, they were a sexy pick to win the AL West by some, and they came up miserably short.  As a result, Billy Beane sold off 3 All Stars for prospects and we found ourselves staring another rebuilding process right in its ugly face.  Now the team is supposedly building towards contention around a theoretical new stadium grand opening in 3 or 4 years.  But right now, development from key position players like Brandon Allen and Josh Reddick, and continued success from Jemile Weeks are paramount.  A season from Yoenis Cespedes that simply shows he won’t be a bust is ideal, few expect All Star numbers out of the gate, but flashes of his 5 tools are extremely important.  The A’s are hopeful that new hitting coach Chili Davis can accomplish those tasks, and I think he will.

Who/what is the key to success?  Fundamentals.  The A’s showed serious promise in 2010 that led to the raised expectations for 2011, their defense was exceptional, in 2011 that promise went away in part due to major regression in that department.  The A’s simply are not talented enough to make mistakes in the field, or on the basepaths and expect to win games.  A rebound season from Kurt Suzuki is also crucial, he has looked good so far and can emerge as a true leader this year.

Clearly whether it’s looking through green and gold shaded glasses, or the simple fact we think we know our team better than the experts, our expectations for this team are higher than most.  A majority of baseball minds seem to think the A’s are destined for at least 90 losses, and a secure spot in the cellar.  The A’s had an extremely successful Spring Training on the field, and of course those numbers truly don’t mean anything once the regular season starts, but their confidence has to have been boosted by their success.  I’m not expecting a Cinderella story from the 2012 A’s, but perhaps a fleeting glance from Prince Charming from across the ballroom.

Check me out on Twitter @SeanD25, see my take on everything else baseball at Baseball Obsessed, and follow everything Swingin’ A’s @FS_SwinginAs.

Powered by bacon grease, this man was perfect through four innings. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

The Swingin’ A’s were the Hapless A’s for most of today’s game, but still came out with the W to get back to .500 and split the series in Japan. At just under two-and-a-half hours the game moved quickly as it was a pitchers duel for the most part. Below are some good and some bad observations I had during this mornings game.

The Good

Yoenis Cespedes and Josh Reddick — If there is going to be any power in the lineup, it’s going to come from these two guys. Reddick continues to hit the ball on the screws, but right at people. The flight back should be better with a double and a home run under his Championship belt. I am not labeling Cespedes as a mistake hitter, yet, but both of his home runs so far this spring have been on mistakes. I still like his approach at the plate and the more pitches he sees, the more he will improve.

Bartolo Colon — One pitch. One mistake. And it really wasn’t a mistake at that. Not many LHH’s are going to square up a pitch that is nearly in the other hitters box and drive it for a home run. Other than that, 8 innings, 85 pitches, 1 walk. Efficient. He had great movement on his pitches, used his change-up effectively, and used his sinker to keep lefties from diving over the plate. Hopefully he did not use up all his good innings early, but I like what I saw from him. He did load the bases once, but that would be as bad as it got.

Bullpen Use – Yesterday I felt that McCarthy should have gone back out for another inning. His pitch count justified it and he was inducing hella ground balls. Today, the bullpen got breather. Maybe because of the 4 innings of bullpen use yesterday, but still good to see. Colon’s pitch count again justified him staying in the game late, had not been hit hard, and was not walking people. Would have been happy to see him with a short leash in the ninth, but I can not argue too much with sending Balfour out there.

Josh Donaldson – I will give him this, the play he made on Figgins was outstanding. Slowly growing on me. Still needs to figure out the offensive part of the game, though.

The Bad

Batting — Outside of the mistakes Cespedes, Gomes, and Reddick got, the A’s went 13 innings, between the two games, without scoring a run. Either they would swing early in the count and made weak contact or did not swing at all (looking at you Gomes), the A’s hitters so far have not looked like they have not had a plan going to the plate. Granted Hernandez can make the best look foolish, but having Vargas do the same should not happen. I understand it is only the second game of the season, but if that trend continues, the offense could be much worse than imagined.

Baserunning — For a second straight game the A’s tried to force the issue on the bases. After Weeks drew a walk in the sixth, the first runner the A’s had since the first, he got thrown out on what looks like a straight steal. Whether he was on his own or Melvin called for the steal, the is no reason for the A’s to try and force the issue. Especially when you’re down and haven’t had a runner in five innings.

A quick note on Melvin: he needs to let the game come to the players. When you have a roster constructed of mainly guys who are considered backups, utility players, fourth outfielders, and wannabe demigods, you can not force the game on them. Let the swing, do not hit and run, and for the sake of all the is green DO NOT BUNT WITH BRANDON ALLEN. Slow down, just let them play. This season is already seen as an experiment, do not try and over manage. That is the whole point, and joy, of a complete rebuild. It allows you to see what you have and who can really play.