MLB: Key to success for all 30 teams heading into 2015

By Robby Sabo | Mar 29, 2015

Oct 15, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland throws a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the 9th inning in game four of the 2014 ALCS playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 28, 2015; Mesa, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics third baseman Brett Lawrie (15) poses for a portrait during Photo Day at HoHoKam Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Oakland Athletics

2014 Finish: 88-74, 2nd in AL West, Lost in Wild Card Game
2015 Key to Success: Major lineup surprises needed

Oh Billy Beane, you slay me.

As unpredictable as Mike Tyson in the ring with Evander Holyfield, Beane thrives on the “his way or the highway” attitude.

The Oakland Athletics were the talk of the baseball town in 2014 until August. Frankly, nobody could beat them. They didn’t just beat teams, they crushed them, especially early in the season.

Athletics Record by Month in 2014:

April: 18-9
May: 16-12
June: 17-9
July: 15-10
August: 12-17
September: 10-16

Obviously, the team struggled down the stretch and ultimately lost in gut-wrenching fashion against the Royals in the AL Wild Card Game. These struggles seemed to correlate with the trade of slugger Yoenis Cespedes for Jon Lester.

So, what does Beane do? He sends everybody packing.

Josh Donaldson is now in Toronto and Brandon Moss is now playing for a familiar face in Terry Francona in Cleveland. For Donaldson especially, a rift between himself and Beane was rumored to be the cause of the trade treatment.

Now, Oakland is left with very little in terms of guaranteed offensive production.

Does anybody count Billy Butler as a guarantee? Or how about Ike Davis or Ben Zobrist.

There’s no doubt Oakland’s pitching can be very solid again, especially when we discuss the abilities of this bullpen. Sean Doolittle, Tyler Clippard and Ryan Cook have a chance to create something special in 2015 out of that pen. The starters can also be solid (if Scott Kazmir continues his 2014 remarkable revival).

The lineup is where some major surprises will be necessary to put this roster over the top.

For one, I like the acquisition of Brett Lawrie. It’s a low risk move that could pay off in droves. There’s no question his injury prone nature messes up harmony in the lineup, but Beane could catch lighting in a bottle.

Marcus Semien is the other guy, and somebody who many have as a guy who break out in 2015.

Oakland finished fourth in the majors in runs last year with 729. Until one or two guys prove it, nobody will believe this team can replace the 54 HR that Donaldson and Moss combined for in 2014.

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