Two seasons ago, I stuck my neck out in my 2009 Divisional picks by going with the Oakland A's to win the West. We had just come off seasons where teams like the Angels, the Marlins, the Tigers, the struggling Cardinals, the Rockies and Rays had won pennants that confounded the experts.
So I thought "Why not go against the grain? If I am right with my pick, then I look like a genius."
Then again, if the pick flops, then I look like a moron.
I had the 2009 Oakland Athletics winning the World Series.
They finished in dead last place, 22 games behind the Angels.
WHOOPS!
But now I am looking at this team, and I can't help but wonder if I should pick them again.
They just added Brian Fuentes to the roster and he should make their bullpen pretty damn deep. Andrew Bailey, Grant Balfour, Brad Ziegler and Brian Fuentes in the pen?
Closing out a rotation of Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez, Dallas Braden and Brett Anderson?
(I am not going to include Rich Harden. Any day he is NOT on the disabled list is a bonus.)
Couple that with Hideki Matsui and a few other bats added to the lineup... Texas losing Cliff Lee and the Angels not being able to sign anyone and Seattle in flux...
Dare I do it?
Dare I make the pick again?
My 2009 picks of Oakland and Cincinnati doesn't look so outlandish for 2011.
But can I pick Oakland?
Or are they teasing me.
Maybe I'll pick the Mariners.
