Will the A's bring 2B Mark Ellis back for the 2011 season? (Photo: Courtesy of Yardbarker.com)

Despite being eliminated from playoff contention this past weekend, the Oakland A’s are ready to just finish this season on a high-note. The A’s, who finished their final home-stand on Sunday, went 47-34 at home this year compared to last season’s mark of 40-41. The A’s will head to Anaheim on Monday to face the Angels, who are currently two games behind the A’s for second-place. This season has not been kind to the Angels, who lost Kendry Morales earlier this season, but they’re still trying to finish the season strong.

The A’s, who have seen their young pitching mature a bit this season, are highly optimistic about next season. The A’s do have a lot of talented young players, and are clearly on the rise. Without a few sluggers in their offense, however, the A’s could find themselves in the same spot next season: watching another team in the division celebrating. While the A’s have young guys like Chris Carter and Michael Taylor, the team could benefit from a proven slugger. This off-season, the A’s figure to have at least $20 million to spend. The A’s could really use this money for a proven hitter, and could possibly land a second hitter via trade. If the A’s can add a couple key bats this season, their chances at a playoff-birth next season greatly improve.

Eric Chavez, who made $12 million this season, has an option for $12.5, but the A’s are certain to decline. The A’s will most likely buyout Chavez’s option for $3 million. Ben Sheets, who made $10 million this season, will also come off the A’s payroll, and so essentially the A’s will have about $20 million to spend. The A’s also have options for Mark Ellis and Coco Crisp, and both have options for about $6 million each. Ellis, 33, has hit .281/.352/.363 with 4 home runs and 42 RBIs this year. Ellis, while his batting average is decent, has not hit for much power this season and will likely miss out on double-digit homers for the first time since 2003 when he hit 9 homers. The A’s could bring Ellis back next season, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t either. As for Crisp, I’d say the A’s will probably go ahead and bring Crisp back for 2011. This season, Crisp has spent a ton of time on the DL, but when he did manage to play he hit .279/.342/.438 with 8 home runs and 38 RBIs. He also stole 32 bases this season, which is the highest total in his career.

The A’s have a ton of options heading into next season, but for right now, their focus remains on finishing the 2010 season in second-place.

The A’s young core of arms is getting better with each passing day, and as a result of their growth, the team owns the league’s 4th best ERA (3.53). Guys like Brett Anderson (4-6, 2.97 ERA), Dallas Braden (9-10, 3.23 ERA), Trevor Cahill (15-6, 2.72 ERA), and Gio Gonzalez (13-8, 3.12 ERA) have Oakland in a decent position to make a late season run for the division. Whether or not they’ll actually come close to catching Texas, however, hinges upon their offensive production.

The A’s have scored 555 runs, which ranks 25th in baseball. As a team, the A’s are currently hitting .255/.322/.375 and have hit just 88 home runs this season—the second fewest in baseball. In fact, the A’s only have three players with home runs in the double-digits: Kevin Kouzmanoff (14), Kurt Suzuki (12), and Jack Cust (10). And of those three players, only Cust has a batting average over .260 with a .276 mark entering Tuesday.

1B Daric Barton, who has been one of the few consistent players on offense, owns the highest average on the team with a .283 average. On the season, Barton has performed quite well. Through Monday, Barton has hit .283/.400/.418 with 8 home runs and 47 RBIs. Aside from the players mentioned above, the A’s have not seen much production from their offense this season.

If the A’s are serious about catching the Rangers, the offense needs to step up and produce. The A’s still have a shot to catch Texas, albeit a very small shot, so it’s literally now or never.

Eric Chavez launched his first home run since 2008 (only 42 games, however, in that span). His tw0-run home run helped the A’s in last night’s win against Texas, and was an encouraging sign from the slugger. Despite his season line of .250/.301/.359, Chavez is 5-for his last-10, and is currently batting .333/.370/.500 with 1 homer and 3 RBIs this month (24 at-bats). If Chavez can start hitting once again for the A’s, his playing time should remain intact. However, it is difficult to imagine that the A’s will be more than willing to stick with an everyday DH who has only one homer run through 96 at-bats. For right now, however, the A’s will give Chavy more time to shake off the rust.

Kurt Suzuki will likely be activated on Wednesday, and could play in the Texas series. Suzuki currently leads the A’s in homers (4) and is considered their best player on offense. Suzuki’s performance at the plate is not the only thing the A’s miss—Suzuki’s time behind the plate has been sorely missed as well. The A’s could also see Mark Ellis and Coco Crisp and Justin Duchscherer back in action very soon. Duchscherer could be activated for Saturday when the A’s are in Anaheim against the Angels. Brett Anderson could also start throwing off a mound within a week or so. Anderson is expected to be back within three to four weeks.

Right now, things are going the A’s way. They sit at 18-15, and will look to continue their winning ways against the Rangers tonight at 5:05 PT.