AL West Preview: Oakland Athletics

The Oakland A's, with some new faces, most likely will tie with the upstart Rangers for second in the American League West division. Oakland brought back Jason Giambi, and traded young center fielder Carlos Gonzalez to Colorado for the powerful Matt Holliday.

Their pitching staff will need to come through behind Justin Duchscherer and Dana Eveland. The bullpen will have Joey Devine and Brad Ziegler in the late innings.

Keep and Eye on: Gio Gonzalez, sp
Gio Gonzalez is a new face on the A's pitching staff. Gonzalez spent most of his time last year in Sacramento, Triple-A, playing in 23 games. For the A's he pitching in 10, and went 1-4 with a 7.68 ERA. Gonzalez will need to become a force in the back of the staff if he wants to stay there.

Projected Lineup
1. Travis Buck, rf
2. Orlando Cabrera, ss
3. Eric Chavez, 3b
4. Matt Holliday, lf
5. Jason Giambi, dh
6. Mark Ellis, 2b
7. Daric Barton, 1b
8. Ryan Sweeney, cf
9. Kurt Suzuki, c

Projected Pitching Staff
1. Justin Duchscherer, rhp
2. Dana Eveland, lhp
3. Sean Gallagher, rhp
4. Dallas Braden, lhp
5. Gio Gonzalez, lhp

Projected Bullpen
Brad Ziegler
Joey Devine
Jerry Blevins
Santiago Casilla
Andrew Brown
Josh Outman

Top Prospects
1. Trevor Cahill, rhp
2. Brett Anderson, lhp
3. Michael Inoa, rhp
4. Gio Gonzalez, lhp
5. Adrian Cardenas, 2b/ss