The Oakland A’s are poised for their best season in years, and
that outlook revolves around a rotation that is developing into one
of the major leagues’ best. How far along are Oakland’s starters?
How much improvement should be expected this season? Those answers
will drive whether the A’s seriously challenge for their first
division title since 2006.
PHOENIX
The Oakland A’s are poised for their best season in years, and that outlook revolves around a rotation that is developing into one of the major leagues’ best.
How far along are Oakland’s starters? How much improvement should be expected this season?
Those answers will drive whether the A’s seriously challenge for their first division title since 2006.
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The four core members of the young rotation—right-hander Trevor Cahill (23) and left-handers Brett Anderson (23), Gio Gonzalez (25) and Dallas Braden (27) — have pitched in parts or all of 11 seasons between them.
But in 2010, they helped the A’s post the best starters ERA (3.47) the American League has seen since 1990 when Boston, led by Roger Clemens and Mike Boddicker, posted a 3.32 mark.
Los Angeles Angels right fielder Torii Hunter ranks the A’s rotation among the top five in the majors, and Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley said it is one of the two best in the American League.
“You’ve got the Red Sox and the A’s—and the A’s aren’t as expensive as the Red Sox,” said Eckersley, a television analyst for the Red Sox.
Such words make A’s pitching coach Ron Romanick wince. Romanick is going to great lengths to keep his starters from resting on their laurels.
“I just try to say, ‘You guys were really good, but €¦ you’re not there,’ ” he said. “You never are there.”
The A’s starters would be wise to take a cue from Cahill’s 2010 season.
As a rookie in 2009, Cahill posted a 4.63 ERA and allowed 21 homers to left-handed hitters, tied for most in the American League.
Last season, Cahill began spotting his sinker to both sides of the plate and jamming left-handers inside. He got a better feel for his changeup and replaced his slider with a curve that gave hitters a different look. Left-handers connected for just seven homers, and he went 18-8 with a 2.97 ERA and made the All-Star team. He also became more effective against right-handers.
“He got better, and that tells you he’s learning how to pitch more and more,” Angels infielder Howie Kendrick said. “He was working the changeup to righties. When you add another pitch to a right-hander like that, it’s in the back of your mind so it keeps you off all of his other stuff.”
Eckersley said there is another thing that sets apart the A’s rotation: “There’s three left-handers. Who has three left-handers?”
One of them is Anderson, who some scouts believe has the greatest upside of the bunch. Anderson had a 2.80 ERA last season but was limited to 19 starts because of elbow trouble. He is trying to work a changeup into his repertoire, partly to preserve the elbow that put him on the disabled list twice in 2010.
But something to note about these starters: They’re not the most battle-tested bunch.
Gonzalez has been the most susceptible to meltdowns, but he toughened up last year, going 15-9 with a 3.23 ERA in a breakout season.
However, the walks continued piling up. He issued 92 last season and has walked 4.7 per nine innings for his career. Romanick stressed the need for Gonzalez to continue pounding his fastball for strikes, which sets up his outstanding curve.
“Gio probably has the best curveball from a lefty I’ve seen since back in the day when they had (Barry) Zito,” said Hunter, the Angels outfielder entering his 15th season. “I think he might be their best guy with the nastiest stuff.”
Braden gained the most fame of any A’s starter last season by pitching a perfect game. He has the most pedestrian stuff on the staff, but Cahill cited Braden as an example to the others.
“He doesn’t throw 95 and doesn’t have a hammer,” Cahill said, “but he changes speeds well and does his homework. He knows hitters. … Just seeing how he prepares and how mentally focused he is helps out a lot.”
Although Eckersley praised the A’s starters, he sees red flags.
“You’ve got guys like Anderson, health issues,” Eckersley said. “You’ve got control issues with Gonzalez. The sky’s the limit. But you know how it is in today’s game. A day later, a guy could be hurt.”
Mark Mulder, one of the “Three Aces”—along with Zito and Tim Hudson — who pitched the A’s to the playoffs four times from 2000-04, is following this group. Mulder, who retired in 2010 and lives in Scottsdale, Ariz., sees the promise and the pitfalls.
“You talk about fastball command, staying healthy,” Mulder said. “There are so many things. But when you see guys putting it together, that’s exciting.”
— Story by Joe Stiglich, Contra Costa Times
