The Oakland Athletics

The Athletics like their National League counterparts across the bay always find a way to win. They do not have any great super stars on their team, but they do have a group of players who perform well in clutch situations.

Jemile Weeks lost the second base competition to Eric Sogard in 2013, and was eventually traded for Jim Johnson of the Baltimore Orioles. Other than the addition of Nick Punto, who will play off the bench, the lineup for the Athletics will look strikingly similar to that of 2013. Here is how the lineup will look in 2014.

1. S. Coco Crisp CF 119 OPS+
2. S. Jed Lowrie SS 122 OPS+
3. R. Josh Donaldson 3B 148 OPS+
4. L. Brandon Moss 1B 139 OPS+
5. R. Yoenis Cespedes LF 108 OPS+
6. L. Josh Reddick RF 93 OPS+
7. R. Derek Norris C 113 OPS+
8. L. Eric Sogard 2B 94 OPS+
9. R. Nate Freiman DH 102 OPS+

The pitching rotation for the Athletics has no big names, but several young effective pitchers. The big move in terms of starting pitching for the Athletics in the off season was trading Brett Anderson for Drew Pomeranz another young pitcher. For this rotation, I will put the player's age after their name in parenthesis. Some of the pitchers I didn't include in the rotation but have a chance of making it are Scott Kazmir and Drew Pomeranz.

Sonny Gray

1. R. Jarrod Parker (25) 94 ERA+
2. L. Tommy Milone (27) 90 ERA+
3. R. AJ Griffen (26) 97 OPS+
4. R. Dan Straily (25) 94 OPS+
5. R. Sonny Gray (24) 140 OPS+

The Athletics absolutely have the best bullpen in the Major Leagues as of right now. They made significant upgrades this off season, although they let fan favorite Grant Balfour sign with the Tampa Bay Rays. They acquired Jim Johnson from the Baltimore Orioles and retained great set up men Sean Doolittle and Ryan Cook. Also acquired by the Athletics was Luke Gregorson and Josh Lindblom. Additionally the two starters that do not make the rotation will likely join the guys in the bullpen, making it very effective in middle innings as well as late.