When spring training began, the odds of Brett Anderson and/or Trevor Cahill and/or Vin Mazzaro being part of the Oakland Athletics' rotation on April 6 were roughly equal to that of Bernie Madoff getting the call to be Treasury secretary.
But as the days go by, and Anderson, Cahill and Mazzaro keep demonstrating superlative talent and getting hitters out, the chances of at least a couple of them opening the season in the Oakland rotation are getting better. "We are open-minded to the possibility," said Athletics general manager
Billy Beane. "We haven't decided which way to go.
"No. 1, they are very talented kids. And No. 2, this might be the best way to go."
Usually, the Athletics would take a conservative route with their best young prospects, because as a small-market franchise, exploiting the financial advantages of fielding young, talented players is a crucial function. The Athletics and other clubs in their economic class will usually wait until players pass through benchmark days related to arbitration and free agency in order to maximize the value of the player.
But the Athletics are at an interesting juncture in their history. They should have a greatly improved lineup this year, with the addition of
Matt Holliday,
Jason Giambi and
Orlando Cabrera. They appear to have a good bullpen. And at a time when the Athletics are trying to create traction in their effort to garner support for a new ballpark, they seem to drawing closer to the Angels, who lost out on free agent
Mark Teixeira in the offseason and who will be without
Ervin Santana for at least the outset of the season.
The Athletics could contend for the AL West title, if their rotation can be effective.
Justin Duchscherer had a strong start to his 2008 season, but he's had some arm trouble this spring.
Sean Gallagher is talented, but needs to be more consistent.
Dana Eveland had a nice season in 2008, but has to show he can back it up. The 23-year-old
Gio Gonzalez worked in 10 games for Oakland last season.
The most talented guys on the staff, however, might be Cahill and Anderson -- both 21 years old -- or the 22-year-old Mazzaro; all three have thrown well this spring. Anderson has allowed a couple of runs in 5 2/3 innings; Mazzaro has thrown five innings with seven strikeouts and no walks; and Cahill has allowed just three hits and a couple of runs in eight innings. Here's a link to the
Athletics' spring stats.
A couple of days ago, Cahill chatted on the phone about his spring. "I'll probably be a long shot to make the team," he said. "But I try not to worry much about stuff like that."
Still, the fact that the roster is being shaped hit him over the head a couple of days ago, when some players were cut and he was not among them.
Anderson and Cahill have become good friends. Cahill tries to shield himself from all outside information in his effort to narrow his focus. And on the other hand, Anderson tends to know exactly what's going on with his statistics and with organization moves, and is unbothered by the knowledge. "I just think he just likes putting that kind of pressure on himself, and that motivates him," Cahill said. "I'm already fired up inside."
Cahill is aware that he needs to show the Athletics that he has the poise to pitch in the big leagues and that he can handle adversity. "It'd be a dream come true" to be on the Opening Day roster, Cahill said, "and earlier than expected. … I just want to get myself ready and do my best to make it a tough decision for them. Whatever happens, happens."
And what might happen is that the Athletics will take a chance on some prospects earlier than anyone expected.
Mazzaro hasn't
given up a run this spring, writes Susan Slusser.
Eric Chavez is still thinking he'll
be ready Opening Day.
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Buster Olney
