As we leave New York we head back out west to cover a team that has been at the center of all the wrong headlines. The once proud Oakland Athletics have fallen into disrepair while their owner John Fisher looks to re-locate the team to Las Vegas. The attempted relocation led to some surreal scenes last year as the Coliseum was totally empty on many gamedays while also featured sellouts to “protest” the handling of the club. The team struggled mightily, and they didn’t do much to improve this roster in the winter at all. Fisher got bad news of his own off the field as the mayor of Las Vegas said that relocation to Sin City was not welcome. It’s toxic team in the bay area, but let’s look at the key’s to success that could still make this season a positive one.

Keys to Success

1. John Fisher Sells to Someone Who Actually Cares: Let’s be blunt here, John Fisher is the worst type of owner a franchise can have. He’s the type that treats the team as a personal ATM while doing nothing for the fans or the product on the field. The best thing that could happen to this franchise in 2024 would be Fisher selling the team to an owner who wants to give the fans in Oakland what they deserve.

2. A’s Fans Keep Showing Up the Owner: Last year’s protest sellout seems to have only been the beginning of messing with ownership. Their February fan fest saw huge numbers of fans come out in support of the players and protest of the mess atop the club. I look forward to more stunts in season to blow up Fischer’s best laid plans.

3. Rooker’s Rise Continues: One of the bright spots amongst last year’s nightmare was slugger Brent Rooker. After bouncing around the league of the previous several seasons, the big righty landed with Oakland carved out a spot on the roster. After making the All-Star Team, let’s hope this feel-good story sees another big year for number 25 ahead. Also, just have to shout out his hilarious twitter account, where he talks about a wide range of topics from his strikeouts to best meals on the road.

The Lineup

1. Ryan Noda 1B

2. Zack Gelof 2B

3. Brent Rooker DH

4. Seth Brown RF

5. Shea Langeliers C

6. JJ Bleday LF

7. Esteury Ruiz CF

8. Abraham Toro 3B

9. Nick Allen SS

The Staff

1. JP Sears

2. Paul Blackburn

3. Alex Wood

4. Ross Stripling

5. Luis Medina

Closer: Lucas Erceg

The Prediction

60 Wins

To say this will be another tough season for the A’s is an understatement. But, hopefully some positive developments come their way on the ownership front and a few players join Rooker in the “fun member of the group” category. Hell maybe a few of them can “get on base.” They better, because Scott Hatteberg and Chad Bradford aren’t walking through the door folks.

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