A year has certainly changed outside perceptions of the A’s.
And not for the better.
Oakland got a smattering of love from the prognosticators 12 months ago, some analysts figuring the A’s might finish as high as fourth in the five-team American League West. One suggestion from Bleacher Report was that Oakland would finish fourth but with 80 wins, darn near competitive.
But after a second consecutive last-place finish and just 69 wins, Oakland is pretty much the consensus last-place pick in the West as pitchers and catchers report to Mesa, Ariz. Tuesday with a first workout Wednesday.