After the whole winter of anticipation, the season begins.  I had a lot of fun following this team last year, and I think I will have a lot of fun this year.  I was going to make a post about how the starting 8 of the A's really compare favorably to the starting 8 of the Giants who won the WS last year.  I thought if money was not an issue, which position player of the A's would I trade straight up for a Giants player?  There is only 1 I am sure of, I would trade Suzuki straight up for Posey.  For the rest of the field, I would take our guys.  I thought this was a clever idea until I found a story where an Orioles fan made the same case with his team vs the 2010 Giants.  The 2010 Giants are proof anyone can win the WS.  You need some good pickups and some good pitching and some luck.  Keeping your best guys off the DL helps too.  Somebody has to win it, why not us?  Hope really does spring eternal.