Did the Oakland A's do enough in the off-season to make the playoffs in 2011 ?

I hope not. GO ANGELS!!!!!!!

Yes, the Angels and Rangers didn't make any huge splashes. (Texas did sign Beltre but they lost Cliff Lee, that's going to be huge considering that they relied on him and career years from multiple starting pitchers with not so good track records). Oakland has the best pitching staff in the West and one of the top 3 or 4 easily in all of baseball. They're also all very young and could continue to improve. What they needed to address was their offense, and they did: Willingham is a sure bet to provide a .800+ OPS. DeJesus was coming off a career year hitting wise and that could definitely carry on to 2011. Hideki Matsui still has a pretty good bat that would fit well in Oakland's lineup. Then don't forget that they added relief aces Balfour and Fuentes to an already great bullpen with one of the best young closers in Bailey. Oakland's my pick this year to upset the West and maybe make a run at the World Series.

I think it's possible, the Rangers are a little weaker in my opinion, the Angels didn't improve much and the Mariners are a joke so it's a good shot that they could make a good run in 2011. I really thin Billy might use some of the veteran pickups as trade bait at the deadline, particularly if Michael Taylor or Chris Carter prove they are ready to be big league players. I really like the Oakland pitching staff and defense.

I think so. Their pitching is rock solid, almost to the level of the Giants right across the Bay. They didn't panic after losing out on Lance Berkman and Adrian Beltre- instead they ended up snagging DeJesus, Willingham, and Matsui to bolster an offense that ranked 11th in the AL in scoring last year. Factor in the fact that they are a young, up and coming team in a wide open division, (Texas and Los Angeles are both falling apart, and the Mariners are more like the AL's version of Pittsburgh) I believe this will be their year to make the playoffs.

This is coming from a die hard Giants fan BTW.

No, the A's would have to win the division to make the playoffs because I have the Yankees winning the wild card. I think the Rangers will still win the west. The A's will probably be a few games above .500 They will improve from last year.

Probably not yet, but we'll see what happens between opening day and the trade deadline. If some teams who start out badly are willing to make trades to cut payroll and build their farm systems, the Athletics could be in good shape for a late season run.

No one will know until about mid season if the A's, or any other MLB team, has a chance to make the playoffs. Sometimes player changes make a positive difference and other times no difference at all.

I'm glad they got rid of Strike out king JACK CUST. I think with the addition of DeJesus, Willingham & Matsui.. they still aren't good enough to make the playoffs. They need to get rid of Daric Barton, he is a bust!

I think they have enough to compete with Texas and LA, but won't make the playoffs.

OAKLAND HAS A DECENT SHOT AND WILL PUSH RANGERS BUT WIND UP 81-81 AGAIN

There's a good chance of it.