OAKLAND A’s

Finishing just ahead of Seattle, the Oakland A’s failed to reach .500 ball in 2011.

Hideki Matsui-DH, is no longer the player he was, offering himself out there for free agency, in the hopes that someone will sign the former Yankee and extend his career. With some power left he could help someone. A .285 career hitter, his skills fell considerably in 2011, but he could spell someone occasionally in left field.

Josh Willingham escaped the torture of the Oakland Coliseum and signed on with Minnesota. With 29 home runs for Oakland last year, he signed on to Minnie for 3 years and $21 million. But let’s face it, Josh Willingham’s 29 HR’s and 98 RBI’s will be hard to replace on this team, who would want to come play here, and it may be a while before the farm system comes to bare any influence on the big ball club.

In his place they signed Jonny Gomes, who let’s face it is not going to lift them any higher than they finished in ’11. Meanwhile they retained the services of Coco Crisp for 2 more years and $14 million.

Bartolo Colon

Bartolo Colon signed on for 2 years and his .400 ERA show do very little for the dreary team, his biggest claim is being an ex-Yankee.

If there is one bright spot, it is Gio Gonzalez. 3.93 ERA, a 38-32 W-L and 511 strikeouts lifetime brings some hope for the future. Last season for Washington he posted a 3.12 ERA with a 16-12 record. The pickup of Andrew Bailey, 3.24 ERA, 24 saves should help save some games and is an upgrade from Brian Fuentes.

The prospects look to be about the same as they were in 2011, but hope springs eternal.