The Improving American League West

Oakland Athletics

Sep 28, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Indians pitcher Scott Kazmir (26) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Unlike the Texas Rangers, the A’s decided to improve on what was their best asset to begin with: their pitching. Why change what has been working, right? The Athletics let Bartolo Colon walk and picked up the likes of Scott Kazmir to the starting rotation and Luke Gregerson and Jim Johnson to an already strong bull pen. Their offense was good enough behind their pitching in 2013 to win the west handily behind their pitching staff, and they have improved their pitching staff going into 2013. I would still consider them the favorites going into the 2014 season with the pitching they still have. One thing you can always count on with Billy Beane is that his teams will have really good pitching.

For great coverage on the Athletics visit swingin’ A’s on the FanSided network.