It sounds weird, but there is an air of finality about the start of the Oakland A’s 2011 season.
The franchise is now in its third edition of the Billy Beane spin cycle (draft, develop, trade, repeat), and neither the GM nor the fans can bear another trip down rebuild road.
If 2011 is once again injury plagued and poorly attended, it could not only spell the end for Beane’s run in Oakland, it could also be the final bit of ammunition ownership needs to force the franchise out of the East Bay and into San Jose, Las Vegas or whatever greener pastures Lew Wolff fancies.
On the other hand, if the team can take advantage of a rebuilt roster and a depleted AL West, it would go a long way toward rejuvenating a dying franchise and making a great part for Brad Pitt in Moneyball 2.
The road down one of those two paths begins over the next few weeks at Spring Training in Arizona. Here are a few questions the A’s need to answer before they return to Oakland.
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