Kuzul

What if each of Major League Baseball's awards were given out to every team—who would end 2013 as the Oakland A's Most Valuable Player? Who would be their Cy Young winner? What about Most Improved Player or Comeback Player of the Year? Whether any player actually wins any award is yet to be seen. Regardless, there's going to be a top hitter and a top pitcher. Someone will rebound. Guys will improve. Count on it. Here's an analysis of who could win these awards if they were doled out, one to each team.Begin Slideshow

A repeat as AL West champions for the Oakland Athletics starts with manager Bob Melvin. Without him at the helm, it's not happening this year and it wouldn't have occurred last season either. The team is talented, but Melvin pulled the right strings at the right times throughout the 2012 season. With the first base platoon returning and five outfielders for four spots, he'll have to hope his magic touch hasn't waned. Take comfort, A's fans. There's a reason Melvin is a two-time Manager of the Year winner. After nine years of coaching in Major League Baseball, he holds a .502 winning percentage. Furthermore, he's managed teams to 90 or more wins three times, including in his first full year as Oakland's manager. In 2012, he did it with low expectations. Now he'll have plenty—from fans and management. The roster hasn't seen much turnover in the offseason, so Melvin will face similar ...

In a three-team trade announced by Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Oakland Athletics came up huge in this offseason's first large trade. And to think, it isn't even technically the offseason yet. Here are the details: The Oakland A's received outfielder Chris Young from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for converted-second baseman Cliff Pennington and prospect Yordy Cabrera. The D-Backs then sent Cabrera to the Miami Marlins for closer Heath Bell. Arizona gets a pitcher and an infielder, Miami a prospect and Oakland an outfielder. The trade is arguably a fantastic move for all three organizations. Each team fills a particular need, and at what is hoped to be a low cost. But it's the ages, talent and worth of all four men involved that places the A's in the winner's circle of this trade. Here are four reasons for that designation. Begin Slideshow

The Detroit Tigers took Game 1 of the 2012 ALDS, beating the Oakland Athletics 3-1. Though the team is down one game in a five-game series, there's no reason for worry—yet. The game opened up with excitement as leadoff batter Coco Crisp hit a home run against Tigers ace Justin Verlander. However, Verlander regained composure as the game progressed, striking out 11 A's batters along the way. Jose Valverde came into for the save. It was a pitching duel—one decided by defense. Though the A's didn't hit particularly well, there was still plenty of positive takeaways from the Oct. 6 ALDS opener. Here are nine reasons A's fans should remain calm.Begin Slideshow

The Oakland Athletics have a glaring hole at third base—one that could be filled effectively by Brandon Inge. The former Detroit Tiger was cut Thursday, ending a 12-year career in the Motor City. Inge is only a .234 career hitter. In nine games this season, he's 2-for-20, and his .100 batting average is well below the Mendoza Line. Still, there's a couple of reasons the A's should take a chance on Inge.   The Current Incumbents Aren't Great As of right now, the two players receiving the most repetitions at third base are Eric Sogard and Josh Donaldson. Donaldson is a converted catcher. He hasn't manned third base since college, and it's obvious. He's made three errors and owns a .917 fielding percentage. His hitting is worse. Donaldson is 3-for-21 (.097). He has just one RBI. The better option is Sogard, who played second base and some shortstop in ...

Fantasy owners who missed out on Jose Bautista and other monster bats need not worry—James Loney and more will still be available to add some seriously underrated pop to your lineup. Each year, participants look for steals. The expectation is that these late-rounders produce just enough to suffice. The players on this list will do more than that. They're that final piece—the one that transitions your squad from middle of the pack to top dog. Best of all, you can sneak them late.   James Loney, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers Loney is consistent for a .288 batting average, 160 hits, 12 home runs and 85 RBI. These aren't bad stats at all. Loney turns 28 this season, so he's now in the thick of his prime. That being said, there are no more excuses for Loney not to burst through the ceiling he's made for himself. The Dodgers' financial situation ...

If you have a top pick, you absolutely must snag a pitcher like Justin Verlander—your fantasy rotation depends on it. Like a quarterback in fantasy football, many hesitate to select pitchers with their first pick or two. Your hesitation will lead to an opponent's victory. Wins, innings pitched, ERA, WHIP and strikeouts count most in fantasy baseball. Here is the 5-5-5 list. Five pitchers who will end up in the top five in all five categories. Get them before it's too late.Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers Verlander is similar to Aaron Rodgers. Most scoffed at the friend who used their first pick on Rodgers, only to watch the quarterback put up 50 points every Sunday. That friend likely went to playoffs. Verlander is no different. Draft him and he may single-handedly take you to the top of the leaderboard. Last season, he led the league in wins, innings pitched, strikeouts and WHIP. ...

Unless the Oakland Athletics produce a magical first half, general manager Billy Beane will sell off assets like Kurt Suzuki and cut duds like Jonny Gomes by the trade deadline. Beane is widely known for pulling the trigger on blockbuster deals year after year. With a roster that mirrors a Triple-A affiliate, competing against the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels will be no easy task. A weak roster and a trade-happy GM? 2012 will be no different from the last five seasons—the A's will be sellers at the trade deadline. The question is: Who's going to spend their last months in green and gold?Begin Slideshow

Fantasy baseball owners hoping to sneak underrated players with quality power and speed need look no further than Will Venable.The San Diego Padres right fielder will likely be overlooked, as is the case for three other similar players on this list.Your opponents' misses are your gain.These late-round steals offer fantastic versatility. They'll produce home runs and provide plenty of points through stolen bases.Patient, risk-taking owners will profit from Venable and more, while friends mistake bigger names as better talent.Here are the four guys who will be available and will round out your squad nicely. Will VenableVenable will be disregarded merely because of the team he plays for—the Padres are awful.Awful teams must be filled with awful players, right?Wrong!Venable hits a consistent .250, nothing overwhelming, but he'll still give you around 15 home runs and 50 RBI.Better yet, he'll net you 30 stolen bases.Decent numbers for a mid-round guy. Great numbers for ...

Fantasy baseball owners beware: Don't fall for the seemingly incredible 2011 statistics of players like Melky Cabrera and others. Sure, they had great seasons last year. But they're still streaky hitters.As each new session of fantasy baseball nears, fans fall in love with players who produced so significantly last year that they must be hot commodities now. If they don't snag them early, the thinking goes, someone else definitely will.Let them.Here's a look at four players who will lead you to believe they're going to do wondrous things for your squad, only to have you shaking your head in regret. Melky CabreraLast season, Cabrera hit a very impressive .305 with over 200 hits, 18 home runs and 87 RBI. Unfortunately, it's the first time since 2006 that he hit over .275.2011 was also only the second time he's ever hit double-digit home runs.Cabrera is too inconsistent to draft early.Consider the fact ...