2005 Oakland A's

First off, the A's made the biggest mistake by getting rid of Tejada and choosing to keep Chavez instead.  Here are the major differences between the two players:

1. Miggy was passionate - almost everytime Miggy made an out you kind of saw some kind of emotion from him.  I mean he'd be so incredibly upset at himself and would talk to himself all the way back to the dugout.  When he would come through with his game winners - he would pump his fist or make wild gestures youd want your leader making.  Other players feed off that.  The only time Chavez did this that I can recall was the game winning single off Cordero (Rangers) late last season.
2. Miggy was a leader - Miggy talked to other players, pumped up other players, pumped up the whole team, brought this vibe and energy the A's are clearly lacking.  You know when they say "this player will put the team on his back and carry it."  Well thats Miggy.
3. Clutch hitter - Miggy was definitely a big time clutch hitter and getting better at it now.  I remember so many important hits Miggy got for us.  Whether it was the two big ones against Minnesota on consecutive days during "the streak" or his walk-off against Rivera.  He is definitely someone youd want up in a tight situation.  Chavez on the other hand - I won't even go there.  He chokes all the time - everytime.  It's as if he doesnt even want to be up there with the game on the line.

As for the 2005 A's.  Billy Beane is way too obsessed with OBP.  And were not even getting on base to begin with.  And when we do, we can't bring them in.  I mean what good does OBP do when we can't bring them in.  I'd rather have Vlad on my team with a .340 AVG and can come through with men on and is a beast than having someone like Hatteberg getting on base with a walk.  There is so much pressure on these guys to take a walk from the front office that once they fall behind in the count, theyre toast.  This has plagued us throughout the years.  All it takes is for the opposing pitcher to be around the plate and were in trouble.  But now, we cant even hit someone that is clearly struggling.  We seem to make every mediocre pitcher look good.  

What we need in order to compete:

1. A big right handed bat - this would definitely give the lineup more stability and make everyone more comfortable.  (Remember Dye coming over in 2001 - We went on a tear).
2. ENERGYYY, outside of Kotsay, this team does not have someone that's vocal or can be a leader.  CHAVEZ is definitely not a leader.  We need a Tejada-like figure on our team.  We need to get into a big brawl so our players can bond and pick each other up on the field.
3. The front office needs to relax on this taking pitches crap.  Yes it's important to take pitches sometimes, but not ALL the time.  I mean sometimes you can tell when say Hatteberg waits so long to see if it's going to be a ball, and then realizes OH WAIT, THATS A STRIKE, swings late and pops up.  We need players who can flat out mash.