The Athletics' outstanding 2012 was most well known for their "bloop and a blast" offensive philosophy and a starting staff that made the rest of MLB green with envy. Coupled with the homer happy offense and consistent starts that became the norm in the East Bay, Oakland's bullpen received a hardy infusion of youth this offseason and emerged as one of the most promising pens in baseball as a result by the time October came around. Now, as the offseason has come prematurely to the Athletics, the question comes up of how this bullpen on the rise will shake out as Oakland enters a season where the expectations will be at their highest in a decade (Arguably). I can tell you one thing: The "Sophomore slump" will not take a toll on 85% of the pen members (Especially with 19 games against Houston). With the RF bleachers all but guaranteed to continue raging, the true shift could come at the back of the pen with numerous spots up for grabs. There's still an entire offseason and spring ahead, but I'll try to make sense of who the seven members of Oakland's opening day pen might be here in Mid-October.
Grant Balfour (Closer/Rage Master/Aussie): Beane strongly hinted that Oakland's bullpen will have their pissed off aussie for another season, but nothing is absolutely official as Balfour's 4.5 Million dollar option has yet to be picked up. However, there's about a 97.5% chance it will be be, and for good reason. Balfour had a remarkable 2012, ranking just behind his 2008 campaign with Tampa for a career season. Embracing a closing position for really the first time during his baseball career, the Aussie thrived and took up residence as Oakland's veteran anchor of the bullpen. In Oakland's final five contests of the season en route to a jaw-dropping divisional title, Balfour became the first pitcher in MLB history to have five consecutive perfect frames on five straight days (5 IP/8 K). Other than being an October workhorse, Balfour clocked in a 3.03 FIP, 2.57 K/BB, 24.9% K%, and a drastically improved 5.3% HR/FB (11.0% in 2011). He might not be able to sustain his .201 BABIP, but he still promises to provide clutch performances, Metallica induced rage trances, and the ability to predict the future like an Austrailian Nostradamus (See ALDS Game 4)
Sean Doolittle (Lefty set-up/Feel good story): Alright, Doolittle does bring an inspirational tale with him, but he proved to be much more than that during his rookie campaign. Doolittle breezed through the Cal, Texas, and PCL leagues in less than 30 IP to make his Oakland debut on June 5th. Featuring a devastating 98 MPH FB and an improved slider, he quickly ascended to one of the elite set-up men in baseball. He rapidly became the first Athletic since 1999 (Tim Hudson) to punchout 10 in their first 5 IP for the green and gold. The let-handed flamethrower surrendered only three homers (All in September) this season and amassed an astonishing 31.4 K%. Doolittle also constructed a 2.08 FIP, 5.45 K/BB and a 1.6 fWAR during his first 47 1/3 major league innings. Not bad for an injury riddled first baseman whose previous pitching experience came as a soft tosser in Virginia..
Ryan "Cookie" Cook (Righty set-up/Closing option/All-Star): Ryan Cook became the diamond in the Cahill swap as a throw in addition after the headliner, Jarrod Parker. Oakland's 2012 All-Star representative established himself as one of the elite bullpen arms in the AL with a dynamite GB% and a slider that made scouts swoon. His 95-97 MPH FB wasn't shabby either as the reliever who struggled with control earlier this season closed out his 2012 with 13 straight appearances without a walk. A 28.7 K% coupled with a 2.96 K/BB were his final marks on a phenomenal season for the man affectionately known as Cookie. He only gave up four homers and compiled a 2.89 FIP on the year and has set himself up for a dominating 2013. Just remember: NO CHANGEUPS!!!
Evan "Scribbles" Scribner (Middle relief/Sexy curveball/Awesome name): Scribner looks to contend for a bullpen post on Oakland's opening day roster after a strong finish to his 2012. After a crucial three innings in game 162 which led the Athletics to an AL West crown and throwing the final pitches of the postseason (2 IP/0 R/3 K versus DET Game 5). Overall, Scribbles showed that he can be much more than a ROOGY after his 35 1/3 IP this season which included pivotal performances against Texas, New York and Seattle. He still has room for improvement after a season with a 0.3 fWAR and 3.15 FIP and at worst, he'll wind up riding the quad A shuttle. At best, Scribner, who actually outdueled Norberto and Blevins statistically this season, becomes a concrete fixture in the pen.
Travis Blackley (LH Long relief/Aussie/Hashtag Aficionado): Blackley emerged as one of the most sensational stories of the 2012 season after resurfacing from the Korean leagues. The once highly tought of Seattle prospect never stuck in the majors and bounced around from AAA, the Mexican leagues, Austrailia and Korea. After being DFAed by SF, Oakland claimed him off waivers and wouldn't regret it. An Aussie companion to Balfour brought one of the best pick-off moves in baseball to the east bay (Which appearently even fooled Larry Vanover...) and logged in 25 appearances (16 starts) for the A's. Blackley proved that he can be quite versatile with his constant shifts from bullpen/rotation and promises to compete with Griffin and Straily for the 5th starting spot in 2013. If he fails to pitch every 5th day, he's practically assured to wind up as Oakland's resident long relief specialist. Let's just hope the umpiring staff isn't affected by Elvis Andrus' tantrums in 2013...
Jerry Blevins (LOOGY/Donut demigod/Skinny man): Blevins not only started the Bernie Lean craze in Oakland this season, but also found himself as the longest tenured Athletic to date following the Suzuki deal. Not to mention he had a pretty solid season too. The 6'6" 175 pound hulk struggled with a 9.5% HR/FB throughout the season, but only surrendered a lone long fly since August 18th. Blevins also put together one the greatest two batter performanes in the history of baseball on September 11th against the Ange"lol"s. After a questionable strike zone given to Balfour, Oakland saw a 6-3 lead entering the B9th shrink to 6-5 with runners on the corners and no one out. In entered Blevins to face Morales who he promptly struck out in four pitches. Then, Blevins induced a game ending 5-4-3 GIDP to secure a victory and Oakland's 11th conecutive road win. Blevins saw the 33rd highest single inning WPA increase in MLB history and the 7th highest for a two batter outing. Jerry did have a .224 BABIP, a 4.21 FIP and a LOB% above 84%, so regression could be natural for the newly anointed veteran, but hey, maybe the Astros can prevent that.
Pat Neshek (ROOGY/Bradford/Zeigler mutant delievery specialist) Neshek turned in one of the most inspirational moments of the baseball season by pitching out of a one out, two baseruner jam in game 1 of the ALDS with a FC and a three pitch strikeout of Austin Jackson. It would be his only playoff appearance, but as he left, he tapped the initials of his son stitched into his sleeve. His son, Gehrig John Neshek, died unexpectedly 23 hours after he was born. Neshek, rather than mourning his infant son's departure alone, decided to rejoin his family on the baseball field and gave us a moment that transcended any sport. As his wounds heal, the ROOGY figures to factor into the 2013 bullpen. One thing is sure, if Neshek does wind up pitching for the A's next season, he'll be pitching for two.
RIP GJN
Pedro Figueroa (LOOGY/Potential/Sufferer of Male camel toe): Figueroa entered this season off of Tommy John surgery and quickly rose to the majors after seven innings of AAA experience. He fluctuated between Sacramento and Oakland all season (Essentially the 2012 version of the 2011 Blevins) and compiled 21 1/3 IP on the season. Figgy struggled with control but demonstrated solid velocity, reaching 98 MPH this season. Pedro also turned in his best performance of the season on September 29th in relief of Straily (1 2/3 IP/0 H/0 BB/3 K) in what proved to be crucial set-up for heroics from Moss and Donaldson. With a SSS, an absurd LOB%/BABIP, and shaky precision, another season in AAA wouldn't hurt him, but the organization seems to relish his potetial as a fireballing left-handed specialist. Figueroa is a longshot for opening day, but we may see him down the road yet again. (Also could model wrestling outfits if he wanted)
Jordan Norberto: (Beard stylist/Long relief): Norberto saw his season cut short by tendonitis that cost him an ALDS spot and a chance to directly influence Oakland's historic September. But otherwise, Norberto took huge strides of improvement this season after a lousy stint in 2011. In 52 innings, Norberto clocked in a professional low 10.4% BB% and accumulated a 45.7 GB%. With a 3.90 FIP and 0.3 fWAR, Norberto promises to return next season and continue to improve while throwing his iteresting personality into the already rich clubhouse atmosphere (He'll need to find another catcher to do the "Call Me Maybe" dance though now that Zuk is gone...)
Overall, I think the pen winds up like this:
RHP Balfour
LHP Doolittle
RHP Cookie
LHP Blackley
RHP Scribner
LHP Norberto
LHP Blevins
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