Last Updated on April 3, 2010 8:00 pm by Anthony Rome
A’s Season Odds
The Oakland A’s have more than enough pitching and defense to make a postseason run this year, but do they have enough offense? Let’s take a look at their season odds.
The A’s signed pitchers Ben Sheets and Justin Duchscherer this offseason, while also inking outfielders Coco Crisp, Jack Cust and Gabe Gross to new deals as well. Reliever Michael Wuertz got a new two-year extension for $5.25 million.
Oakland was also involved in a couple of trades this winter. They acquired Jake Fox and Aaron Miles from the Cubs in exchange for pitchers Jeff Gray and Ronny Morla, as well as outfielder Matt Spencer. The A’s also acquired infielder Adam Rosales and outfielder Willy Taveras from the Reds in exchange for Miles and traded outfielders Aaron Cunningham and Scott Hairston to the Padres for infielders Kevin Kouzmanoff and Eric Sogard.
Along with Hairston, Cunningham, Gray and Spencer, the A’s also parted ways with Adam Kennedy, Bobby Crosby, Dana Eveland and Nomar Garciaparra, who retired from baseball.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com have made the A’s 60/1 long shots to win the 2010 World Series and 30/1 to win the AL Pennant. They’re also 8/1 to wint he AL West and have an over/under of 79.5 for number of wins in 2010.
The A’s have two things on their side: pitching and defense. Brett Anderson, Dallas Braden, Trevor Cahill and Andrew Bailey all over upside, while the trio of Crisp, Rajai Davis and Ryan Sweeney have the potential to be outstanding defensively.
The problem is that the offense could be dreadful. Kouzmanoff has a little pop in his bat, as does Cust. But the starting lineup is completely devoid of guys that can drive in runs (not one player in the projected lineup hit more than 88 RBIs in 2009) and the club is asking a lot out of Crisp and Davis. If their pitching and defense keeps them competitive in the first half, maybe the front office can acquire a bat at midseason to give the A’s a shot. If not, the offense will likely hold Oakland back this season.
2010 MLB World Series Odds
Oakland A’s 60/1
2010 MLB AL Pennant Odds
Oakland A’s 30/1
2010 MLB AL West Odds
Oakland A’s 8/1
2010 MLB Regular Season Win Totals
Oakland A’s Over 79.5 (+125)
Oakland A’s Under 79.5 (-155)
Posted: 4/3/10 8:00PM ET