Punting 2007?

The question refers to the A's - after losing Zito and the Big Hurt - what chance do they have in 2007? Should they invest in the future? The big move to Fremont? This blog post puts it in good perspective and boils it down: can Crosby and Harden get healthy? These are the A's top two players and both have injury problems.

If it were any other team, I imagine they'd make it into a rebuilding year. But the Billy Beane A's never have a rebuilding year. Remember when they lost Mulder and Hudson? What did they do? Get past the first round - something they never were able to do with Mulder and Hudson...

Nope, the A's will be back gunning for the 90 wins and getting streaky in the playoffs. Evidence is that they just signed Shannon Stewart, a once good ballplayer (like the Big Hurt).

The big problem is Crosby's health and Chavez. Chavez is our franchise player, but his hitting numbers were better in his 2nd and 3rd year than they are these days. He just hasn't developed into a hitter the opponents fear. He is decent and a great field, a good leader and plays hurt. I like the guy. But we know by keeping Chavvy, we also need another big bat or two in the middle of the lineup (ie Bradley and the Big Hurt).