Team Strengths: The A’s have a long history of homegrown power hitters, from Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire to Jason Giambi and Miguel Tejada to Matt Chapman and Matt Olson today.

Together with Chapman, Olson and midsize trade acquisitions Khris Davis and Stephen Piscotty all back, the A’s return the majority of the lineup that finished third in home runs and fourth in runs scored last year. A relief corps that finished third in bullpen ERA is largely back as well.
Team Weaknesses: Injuries eviscerated the A’s starting rotation annually to the point that 13 different pitchers made five or more starts. They finished 17th in starter’s ERA (4.17) and will be without leading starter Sean Manaea (shoulder) and midseason saviors Trevor Cahill and Edwin Jackson (free agency).
What They Were About It: The A’s re-signed Mike Fiers and Brett Anderson and brought in Marco Estrada at no service to bolster the staff. Past them, the team will rely on pitchers it obtained as prospects–Jharel Cotton, Daniel Mengden, Frankie Montas, Chris Bassitt, Paul Blackburn– to measure up. Top prospect Jesus Luzardo is waiting in the wings if they falter.
Last Outlook: The potency of Oakland’s offense and bullpen should keep the A’s competitive, but a lot is going to have to break with their young starters to approach 97 wins .

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