September 21, 2011; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin (6) watches his team during batting practice before the game against the Texas Rangers at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

It’s almost time for baseball, A’s fans. The A’s are getting closer and closer to their Opening Series against the Seattle Mariners in Japan. The A’s have played exceptionally well this spring, but we all know spring training games are rather meaningless when gauging a team’s playoff chances. This spring did, however, give fans some glimpses into the future with the arrival of guys like Tom Milone, Jarrod Parker, Brad Peacock, Josh Reddick, and Yoenis Cespedes.

Those young players provide fans with a little hope for the future of this organization. The A’s went out and traded two-fifths of their rotation this past winter with Trevor Cahill and Gio Gonzalez both being shipped out of Oakland. The A’s scored a few notable prospects in both the Cahill and Gonzalez deals. Developing those players, however, will be the real test for the Athletics.

Billy Beane & Co. have tried a rebuilding phase before in the past, but the results from those efforts have generally been mixed. Beane’s made mistakes in the past with the Matt Holliday trade serving as a strong reminder of Beane’s inconsistency with his own rebuilding phase. In order for this latest round of the “youth-movement,” the A’s (and Beane) will need to stay committed to their efforts to go “young.”

While we wait around and see whether or not Beane stays committed to this latest youth-movement, please feel free to revisit some of our work from the past week! As always, be sure to leave comments in the comment box! Enjoy.

[3/19/12]: A’s Fans: Call to Arms (Sean)

[3/19/12]: Center Stage: A’s Want Yoenis Cespedes In Center Field (Joseph)

[3/20/12]: Is San Jose The A’s “Green Light?” (Joseph)

[3/20/12]: How Threets It Is (Devin)

[3/21/12]: Closing Time: A’s Name Grant Balfour Closer (Joseph)

[3/22/12]: The Pride of Petaluma (Sean)

[3/22/12]: A’s 2012 Top 10 Prospects, No. 1: Michael Choice (Joseph)

[3/23/12]: Yay or Nay? The Curious Case of Mark Reynolds (Sean)

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Sep 26, 2011; Seattle, WA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy (32) pitches to the Seattle Mariners in the 1st inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-US PRESSWIRE

Well, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, A’s manager Bob Melvin already knows who will be his Opening Day starter in Tokyo. It may only be January, but according to Oakland’s skipper, pitcher Brandon McCarthy will get the nod to open the season for the A’s in their Tokyo series against the Mariners.

Melvin also noted that the recently acquired Bartolo Colon will get the nod in the second game of the opening series, which starts on March 28th. The remainder of Oakland’s rotation remains one big mystery.

Dallas Braden is currently recovering from shoulder surgery, but could be ready by the start of the season. Beyond McCarthy, Colon, and Braden, though, Melvin faces some uncertainty with the remainder of the starting rotation.

The team has plenty of options, though. The A’s could opt to go “young” with this year’s rotation, with Brad Peacock, Tom Milone, and a few others acquired this winter in Billy Beane’s massive overhaul potentially filling out Oakland’s rotation. Despite the uncertainty with the back end of the rotation, the A’s primary strength this year should again be their pitching. (more…)