The Athletics are a lot of people’s sleeper pick to challenge the Rangers in the AL West. Their hitting is vastly improved and have one of the best young staffs and bullpens in baseball. Their entire outfield is up for free agency (all for the first time) after this season so that should provide excitement. Their infield, however, could use some work.

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Mixed league auction values in parentheses

Catcher: KURT SUZUKI ($4)– Suzuki was a favorite of mine coming into 2010, and had a typically above-average first half, with ten homers and 37 RBI at the All Star Break. Then the wheels came off, hitting just .233 with three homers and a paltry .622 OPS after the break.  So why would one bad half alter my approach? Well, because he’s played an astonishing 465 games at catcher over the past four seasons and in case you hadn’t noticed, catching 115 games a year is not kind to one’s body. He wasn’t picked in my 12-team mixed league draft after being picked in the mid-teens last year. There are better options out there.

First Base: DARIC BARTON ($2)– Though he has been known to maintain above-average levels of moxie, Mr. Barton is not worth owning in mixed leagues. He’s not bad for an AL-only league, but not a single one of his stats jumps out at me for a first baseman (.273 AVG, ten HR, 57 RBI, 79 R, seven steals). Meh.

Second Base: MARK ELLIS ($1) – See Barton, Daric. Unless he finds a way to reach double digits in home runs again, he isn’t even worth owning in normal AL-only leagues.

Third Base: KEVIN KOUZMANOFF ($2) – Yes, he’s trending down, and yes, he says his back is balky, but if you can snag his 15 homers for under $2, take it. Otherwise, no.

Shortstop: CLIFF PENNINGTON ($5)– Pennington is kind of like Elvis Andrus-lite. He is a one-category guy…steals. He stole 29 last year, and seems primed to do it again. If only he didn’t hit ninth in a decent lineup, I’d be much higher on him.

Left Field: JOSH WILLINGHAM ($5) – An off-season trade with the Nationals brought the about-to-enter free agency Josh Willingham to the A’s, who hope he can, well, do exactly what he’s done the past three seasons (15-20 HR, 50-60 RBI, 55-65 R, a .265 AVG, and a few steals here and there). You pretty much know exactly what you’re going to get with Willingham, so don’t overpay – but don’t ignore the impending free agency either.

Center Field: COCO CRISP ($7) – Also playing for a new contract, Coco could lead the league in steals if he stays healthy. Always speedy and ever injury-prone, he swiped 32 in half a season in 2010, and has never been known to slow down. Currently going in the mid-to-late teens in mixed drafts and for about $6-7 at auction, he’s a good one to keep your eye on.

Right Field: DAVID DEJESUS ($3) – Another off-season acquisition to shore up their hitting, DeJesus was very useful in 2008, less-than-useful in 2009, and back on his way to being useful in 2010 before he fought the wall, and the…wall won. Yeah, he fought the wall, and the…wall won, breaking his wrist in the process. He’s yet another impending free agent, so keep your eye on the waiver wire for Dejesus this year. No need to draft him though.

Outfield: RYAN SWEENEY ($0) – Only on this list because he’ll be backing up a few injury prone outfielders. Not worth a mixed league pickup, but worth watchlist-ing in AL only.

Outfield: CHRIS CARTER ($1) – The A’s top hitting prospect, Carter has hit at least 25 home runs in each of the past four minor league seasons, but is blocked at virtually every position (OF, 1B, DH. He could see playing time if someone goes down or falters and Carter is definitely a guy to watch.

Designated Hitter: HIDEKI MATSUI ($7) – How the mighty have fallen. Just two years ago, Matsui was a fifth round pick and this year he’s going in the late teens. Yet, I think Matsui can be a big bargain this year – he’s generally healthy, eligible in the outfield, and can still knock the ball out of the park (at least 20 home runs in every full season since 2004). Consider yourself lucky to get 20+ homers and 80+ RBIs late in the draft.

Written exclusively for The Fantasy Fix by Jesse Mendelson. Find and follow Jesse on Facebook.

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