Threat Level: 8
Oakland winning the AL West in 2012 is a classic example of David beating Goliath, except this David had to beat TWO Goliaths en route to the division crown. The A’s finished ahead of the Rangers and Angels, two teams that dwarf the A’s payroll, but payroll is not everything. The A’s showed amazing grit as they overcame the Rangers in the last week of the season and almost overcame a 2-0 deficit against the Tigers in the Wild Card round. Bob Melvin did a great job all season, but they will not have the luxury of sneaking up on anybody in 2013. I’m not sure they care though. They may not have a roster full of All-Stars, but they do have one of the deepest rosters in the game. The “moneyball” thinking of Billy Beane changed how general managers thought about signing players, but 2012 showed that Mr. Moneyball himself is still the best. Do not count out the A’s in 2013. They may not have the money that Texas and LA have, but they sure do have the grit.
Projected Lineup
1. Coco Crisp CF
2. Jed Lowrie 3B
3. Josh Reddick RF
4. Yoenis Cespedes LF
5. Brandon Moss 1B
6. Seth Smith DH
7. Josh Donaldson 3B
8. John Jaso C
9. Eric Sogard 2B
Projected Starting Rotation
1. Brett Anderson LHP
2. Jarrod Parker RHP
3. Tom Milone LHP
4. A.J. Griffin RHP
5. Dan Straily RHP
Closer
Grant Balfour RHP *Questionable for the start of the season (knee)
Yankee Killer: Jed Lowrie
Former Red Sox, now Athletic, Lowrie has surprisingly good numbers against the Yankees. Lowrie, a career .250 hitter, has a .330 average and a .423 OPB against the Yankees. His .330 average against New York is his highest against any American League opponent. I do not know what it is that makes this underachieving hitter succeed against the Yankees, but his past accomplishments cannot be overlooked heading into 2013.
Athletic Killer: Mark Teixeira
Teixeira began his career in the AL West with the Rangers, so the A’s are a familiar foe for him. Although he only has a .290 career average against them, he does have 35 home runs (which is the most against any opponent) and 107 RBI’s in 127 games. The Yankees’ first series against Oakland begins on May 3rd, so it is up in the air as to whether or not Teixeira will be healthy by then. If he is back, he will provide a much needed boost to an injury-depleted squad.
When They Play The Yankees:
IN NY: 5/3-5/5.
 IN OAK: 6/11-6/13.
