.. although the A's get off to a notoriously slow start in April and May .. which, btw is another thing I'd like to see change, or be surprised by - a faster start to the season.  But we shall soon see ..

don't see that changing. Although with Crosby's new approach to hitting, runs will increase.

I think that the A's overall will be improved.  I think that all the positions outside DH and 1st base will be a lot more productive.  1st base being Swisher should at least a wash this year.  (who ever is at first should be an improvement over Kotsay's stats) DH will be a drop, just a question how much.  I have some hope Piazza's able to fill that hole, on the other hand a DH is not hard to find and if he does not then my guess is that they either wait on Kotsay or go get a hitter.

As for running, the A's philosophy of taking a lot of pitches just does not lend itself to hit and run.  I do not see that changing.  Beane's computer factors in the double play and it says that playing those percentages is better to hit away and risk the double play. Though I think Geren is going to encourage his hitters to be more agressive with men in scoring position.  I do not see him changing a lot.  Though he may do some running just to keep teams honest.  Because if anywhere the computer breaks down is that if a team or player becomes too predictable it loses a lot of it's advantage of playing the percentages.  (i.e. if your not stealing fewer fastballs are thrown, pitchers are not rushing throws, no pitchouts, ...)

.. something like in '05, MAN like .800 ball for couple months -- I know, I know, I'm Dreamin and it won't happen again in my lifetime but -- I can dream can't I?  Hehe -- and maybe during hot streak we get production up and down the lineup, including from Crosby, DJ, and Ellis .. even Perez hits when a sub, Scutaro too ..

Piazza will be better?

Although Piazza hit well away from Petco last year, he hit horribly against righties (.257/.314/.449).  Is that what you want your everyday cleanup hitter to do? And that will be fixed, how? If you're going to say rest, Bochy gave him plenty of rest last year, which is why he only had 439 PAs.  

And speaking of double plays: Frank Thomas, who can't run, hit into a DP in 14% of his opportunities.  Piazza hit into DPs with the Padres 15.2% of the time.  These are the same Padres that were #7 in all of baseball in SBs last year and had nearly 3x as many sacrifice hits  as Oakland.  The A's might utilize small ball more under Geren, but not to that extent.  

The beauty of Thomas was that only 24.8% of his balls put in play were ground balls.  Piazza hit 40.2% ground balls.  

And DPs will decrease how again?

You're right about Stewart, Chavez, Bradley, and Crosby.  They should all produce better at their positions than the guys who were there last year.  

But I'd like to see you expand more on the two points you offer today about Piazza and fewer DPs because I'm not seeing that light.

The A's have a great chance of being competitive this year, but last year's line-up stunk for most of the season and there's no good reason to believe this year's Hurt-less group will be much better.  The "heart" of the line-up is Chavvy, who has never hit in the clutch, and Bradley, who gets hurt a lot, and, um ... Piazza?  

The A's bullpen is loaded and their defense is just fantastic - a joy to watch each night - and the club is fun to follow and root for.  But they can't hit, especially with runners in scoring position.

Who is in charge of the nacho pre-game spreads this year?

. . . . it's duct tape.  Since I don't possess the ability to see the big picture, offer insightful analysis, or craft clever commentary, I'm unfortunately reduced to picking nits.  

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.. I hope he can pick it up a bit .. will need some power from 1st-base position ..