Optimistic about the 2007? Don't be!

How can you be optimistic about the 2007 Athletics?

Let's face the facts, the team lost Barry Zito, our former Cy Young Award winner and our most streaky pitcher - I'm told by stat guys, that hot & cold type pitchers actually help win more games, so be worried, be very worried about this and more.  

The team also lost Frank Thomas, our "big stick".  And, Jay Payton and Kirk Saarloos, too.  How can this team compete any longer, everything has to "break the right way" and then some just to stay in the race that the team won't win anyway?

We know the sky is falling because the odds of Bradley, Kotsay, Ellis, and Crosby missing significant playing time in the same season again is virtually certain...it has to be this way because the most recent history projects the scenario to be true, and, well, we just have to temper our enthusiasm around here because there's too much of it exuding itself from the Kool-aid drinkers as it is...there has to be balance; an offset, of sorts.  And back to injuries, hell, we also have to assume that Loiaza's fastball doesn't crack 87 mph for half the season, that Calero and Duchscherer spend time on the DL and that Chavez will battle forearm tendonitis and other injuries again.  And, we also have to assume that Street struggles and so does Blanton, because, well...again, that's what history predicts and that just what Athletics' fan does.

So, in closing, get ready for the days of 77 win seasons once again and a depleted farm system, too.  Because, folks, the sky really is falling (this time) and you are a dumbass if you don't already know this and have not already boarded the pessimism train for Gloomsville.