Bay Area Baseball

The Oakland Athletics signings of shortstop Orlando Cabrera and utility man Nomar Garciaparra highlighted an offseason of change for the green and yellow. Cabrera takes the spot of underachiever Bobby Crosby, who will now be resigned to pretty boy in Fox Sports Bay Area commercials. Oakland’s lineup – anemic in 2008, is much improved with Cabrera, outfielder Matt Holliday, and second baseman Mark Ellis at the top of the lineup.

The pitching staff is still a big question mark. Justin Duchscherer is not your typical ace – he’s a former setup man who sits in the mid 80’s. Duchscherer has also battled injury which further compromises his value. Following him is a motley crue of characters including Sean Gallagher, Dana Eveland, Josh Outman, Gio Gonzalez and others.

Oakland does have a couple of top pitching prospects waiting in the wings in Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson. Expect both to claim rotation spots by the all star break no matter how the team is progressing. Anderson may even make the team out of spring training. He is a big lefty with plus command and plus makeup who is the son of a coach. While he doesn’t have the electric stuff of some young prospects he has advanced feel for pitching and won the third place game for Team USA in the Olympics.

1. Trevor Cahill - A - Righthander looks like a future ace for Oakland. Should make it into the big league rotation by the all star break this season. Comp - James Shields

2. Brett Anderson - A- -Lefty could break camp with the team in 09. Solid but not spectacular fastball but outstanding mound presence and demeanor. Comp - Mark Mulder - pre injury

3. Adrian Cardenas - B+ - Make no mistake, Cardenas is the second baseman of the future. Should be a regular by 2010, could be called up in 09 if Ellis is traded. Comp - Better Version of Kelly Johnson

4. Michael Inoa - A - 16 year old international signee has all you could ask of a pitcher his age. 2012 would be the earliest we’d see him. While his grade is higher than Cardenas’ he is so far away he’s lower on this list. Comp - Felix Hernandez

5. Aaron Cunningham - B - Outfielder is just a solid ballplayer who should become a fan favorite in Oakland. A solid big league regular who should hit for average and reasonable power. Comp - Brad Hawpe.

Red Sox fans would love to see Teagarden shaking hands in Fenway park for the next decade or so.

Original Picks

21        Cliff Pennington            Oakland Athletics

22        Aaron Thompson         Florida Marlins

23        Jacoby Ellsbury            Boston Red Sox

24        Bingo Barnes               Houston Astros

25        Matt Garza                  Minnesota Twins

New Picks

21        Oakland Athletics - Nolan Reimold, OF - Powerful outfielder is the type of hitter that Billy Beane would love to add to the heart of his order.

22        Florida Marlins - Aaron Cunningham, OF - He looks like a big league regular at worst, just a major league baseball player.

23        Boston Red Sox - Taylor Teagarden, C - Would be the heir apparent to Varitek, if not the starter now. Boston would love to have him as their catcher of the future.

24        Houston Astros - Jensen Lewis, RHP - Flexible pitcher can start or relieve. Houston can use this type of guy.

25        Minnesota Twins - Yunel Escobar, SS - Seems like a playmaker who could be an exciting young star for the Twins.