2 OAKLAND ATHLETICS

O/U WINS:

87.5

KEY PLAYER:

Trevor

Rosenthal.

Easily the priciest A’s purchase of the winter ($11 million), the closer will try to replicate the 2020 magicthat revitalized his wavering career and put the finishing touch on a bullpen that performed impressively last season. The 30-year-old has been slowed this spring by a groin injury.

PLAYER WHO’LL NEED TO STEP UP: A tie between LHP Sean Manaea (right) and RHP Frankie Montas, both of whom scuffled last year yet retain their high ceilings. Still in their 20s and with multiple years before they attain free agency, the pair stand as pillars in the organization’s hopes to stay competitive for a while.

NAME YOU’LL GET TO KNOW: LHP A.J. Puk’s name has been around for a while, which is what happens when you get popped sixth overall (as Puk did in 2016), and it’s about time for him to start making Oakland look good for that call of five years ago. He threw well in a September 2019 bigleague cameo. BIGGEST QUESTION MARK: SS Elvis Andrus, coming over after a long run with the rival Rangers, will be looked upon to succeed Marcus Semien.

To do so, the 32-year-old must prove that his awful 2020 can be written off like so many other performances from last year. HOW IT’LL GO DOWN: This group’s window hasn’t closed on the franchise that consistently turns over its roster to keep ahead of the creditors (figuratively speaking). With infield cornerstones Matt Olson at first base and Matt Chapman at third, the A’s should be in the thick of the competition for playoff spots. PROJECTED LINEUP LFMarkCanha CFRamonLaureano 1B Matt Olson 3B Matt Chapman DH Mitch Moreland SS Elvis Andrus 2B Jed Lowrie C Sean Murphy RF Stephen Piscotty ROTATION RHP Chris Bassitt LHP Jesus Luzardo LHP Sean Manaea RHP Frankie Montas RHP Daulton Jefferies