Spring Training report, Oakland Athletics.

In recent years, the Oakland Athletics have come into each season with very little to no expectation to compete for a playoff berth. Being a moneyball team on a very limited payroll, there hasn't been much to talk about in Oakland.

But as 2012 rolled around, the A's were one of the biggest surprise teams in baseball. Using that small dollar roster to take the AL West crown right out of the hands of the Texas Rangers, and it was all in part due to their load of talented young players the A's had play at the big league level last season.

Players including Jarrod Parker, who pitched to an impressive 13-8, with a 3.47 ERA in his 1st year. AJ Griffin was very dominant after his late season call-up going 7-1 in 15 starts with a ERA of only 3.06. Tommy Milone came over from the Gio Gonzalez trade and he panned out well last season pitching to a 13-10 record and 3.74 ERA. Then there was Ryan Cook, who not only earned an all-star appearence in his rookie year, but pitched very well out of the bullpen in Oakland with a 2.07 ERA.

So as you can see, Oakland is as always set on pitching for years to come. As long as these guys aren't traded like the others.

During the off-season though, Billy Bean in my opinion did a good job at improving the roster and not disbanding it. Being able to bring a veteran catcher in Jonh Jaso from the Mariners, can really help the team on offense and defense behind the plate. The A's also snagged away shortstop Jed Lowrie from thier new divison rival the Astros. Along with Lowrie, the team went out to free-agent waters to sing Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima, who was over a .300 lifetime hitter in Japan along with several gold gloves at short.

The Athletics certainly weren't favorites to win the west last season, and they surely aren't favorites to win it again this year. With the Angels as division favorites, the Rangers are still dangerous, and the Mariners improved this winter. It's going to be a tough, long road to repeat 2012's success. But don't count them out yet, they might just surprise you again.

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