Buster Olney's 2006 A's Report Card

by Zabat on Feb 17, 2006 11:51 PM PST

If you didn't catch Cold Pizza this morning then you missed Buster Olney's Report Card for the 2006 A's

Here's what he gave them:

Pitching Rotation: A-
Bullpen: A-
Hitting Lineup: B
Defense: B+
Projected Win Total: 100

Well I think we all know if the A's win 100 games they will definetly make the playoffs and with this pitching rotation we could go far.

I think the Defense is more of an A or an A- and the Lineup is more of a B+, but that's just my opinion as an A's fan.

Tweet Comment 11 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I think

Our defense is the best in baseball.

"If you throw at someone's head, it's very dangerous, because in the head is the brain." -- Pudge Rodriguez

by niallmack on Feb 18, 2006 12:02 AM PST reply actions

105 wins

Buster is 5 short.

by FoolshGame22 on Feb 18, 2006 3:08 AM PST reply actions

Haha....

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Feb 18, 2006 7:33 AM PST up reply actions

No, he is dead on

He just remembered to account for the "Minus 5 Win Macha Effect"

Knowledge is Power, Ignorance is Bliss. But I have Blissful Power, because I have a lot of knowledge, I just forgot it all!

by Zonis on Feb 18, 2006 8:59 AM PST up reply actions

"Minus 5 Win Macha Effect"

Is that the title of the new album from these guys?

Are you suggesting that Joan Baez and I share a basement apartment in Milwaukee? - Poppy @('.')@

by monkeyball on Feb 21, 2006 5:45 PM PST up reply actions

Science

Was Buster using any scientific method in his "100 win projection?"

I say the A's would win 97 this year.

by arch on Feb 18, 2006 8:40 AM PST reply actions

video up on espn motion

If you check out the MLB page on ESPN.com the video of Olney's report card is up there along with an interview with Huston Street in the Motion player.

Side note- anyone else think Huston sounds alot like Napoleon Dynomite?

I preen around like a superstar while grossly underachieving.

by TerrenceLongsTaint on Feb 18, 2006 9:11 AM PST reply actions

The thing is,

these ratings are all based on the team on paper. If the paper gets ripped, it won't perform as well. Which is to say, if the players who give the A's A- pitching or B+ hitting are injured...

2006 is largely about health, and everyone's a lot healthier in February.

by Nico on Feb 18, 2006 10:04 AM PST reply actions

I thought you gave report cards

based on actual performance...

it is WAY TOO EARLY to give any report card on the 2006 A's. If he wants to call it a prediction, that's fine.

by OaklandSi on Feb 18, 2006 3:11 PM PST reply actions

I like what Buster said; in general everything is very positive, although I'd probably downgrade the bullpen to a B+ (just cuz long and middle relief is good but not proven to be great; and what bullpen is ever really proven?). I'd also upgrade the defense to A- because I think it could be the best in the league; great outfield, excellent DP combo ...I mean, what bad defensive players do we have on the roster? Frank Thomas will DH only; Kielty isn't awful and he's a reserve OF anyway; Dan Johnson is adequate at 1B; Melhuse is pretty solid; Swisher is good at both OF and 1B; and everyone else is pretty stellar IMHO, especially up the middle (only weakness being Kendall's arm and hopefully he'll bounce back).
I'm hoping the offense will be B+/A- but for now, I'll leave it at expected B territory (which would be plenty good enough if our awesome pitching and defense only allows 3-4 runs per game). I think we'll win at least 96-97 games, and could even be in 102-103 win territory if things go our way.
Damn I can't wait for the season to start!

Good pitching beats good hitting. And vice versa.

by TheBigO on Feb 18, 2006 6:25 PM PST reply actions

Prediction-wise?

Prediction are fun, but they don't take into account injuries, bad luck, guys losing their edge, etc. They also don't take into account people who might make the team and make a difference---the way I feel about Komine, for instance, my current out-of-the-picture fave. I love the way the team stacks up---but the proof is in the winning. Let's just hope that Thomas can still hit, that Payton and Bradley get along (not too much room at the inn for those two egos), and that Swisher, who every body likes (but who I have doubts about) comes through. My guy is Johnson---steady, solid, mature beyond his years. Where is the love for him? Well, right here, next to Huston (Get Off My) Street.

"Greatness is achieved one day at a time"---Huston Street

by Buck18 on Feb 19, 2006 9:03 AM PST reply actions