Season Preview

Wanna know the worst thing about Oakland heading into another rebuilding phase? The prospect of hearing old American writer Gertrude Stein quoted over and over -- she's the one who said of Oakland, "There's no there there." Of course, she also said, "I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences," so who can trust her? If we've learned anything over these past several seasons, it should be this: Never underestimate the Athletics under president and general manager Billy Beane. Video Outlook

Strengths
Based on this spring, it could be pitching -- even if the A's traded away starter Dan Haren during the winter. The Athletics ranked among the major-league leaders in staff ERA, and if Joe Blanton isn't traded, Rich Harden remains healthy (stop your eye-rolling), Justin Duchscherer successfully converts from reliever to starter and Dana Eveland -- obtained from Arizona in the Haren trade -- shows what he did this spring, maybe things won't be so awful. Everybody around the A's really likes right fielder Travis Buck and first baseman Daric Barton.

Weaknesses
Remove Haren, center fielder Mark Kotsay and corner outfielder Nick Swisher and you take away a significant portion of the soul of the club (even if Kotsay was hurt much of the time). Third baseman Eric Chavez is a perennial Gold Glove winner, but injuries have removed some of the teeth from his production. He's coming back from surgery on both shoulders (count 'em -- you can count that high, right?) AND on his back. The back was a lingering issue this spring and he didn't go to Japan -- though he told me on the day the club was to leave that he is optimistic he'll be ready for the A's first game in the States, against Boston on April 2.

Difference Maker
Billy Beane. His is a well-deserved reputation as resident genius, and exactly how long this rebuilding phase lasts depends on how many personnel moves Mr. Beane clicks on. He was proactive in dealing Haren, Kotsay and Swisher because he thinks it's better to begin moving too soon rather than too late when approaching down cycle -- that way, the drought doesn't last nearly as long. If the A's start exceptionally slow, look for Blanton to be dealt, too.