Desert Report: 3/19

As some of you may be aware, I've been in Phoenix for the past few days catching some spring ball. I'll post final thoughts later in the week, but here's what I've seen so far.

First, if you are not aware, Phoenix in March is absolutely beautiful. If you have the means, I highly recommend it. Second, I am getting more and more excited for baseball.

I've seen two games between the A's and the White Sox. One in Glendale and one in Phoenix. On Friday in Glendale, the White Sox smothered the A's, 18-1. Saturday in Phoenix, the A's returned the favor, 8-2. Quick thoughts:

For the Athletics:

-Cahill is ready to begin where he left off. Every bit of his 6 1/3 was brilliant.

-The A's are deep in the pen, even with Outman and Cramer struggling, there are plenty of options for the A's to hand the ball. They'll be a strong AAA club too.

-Seeing Suzuki in the 6 hole and Kouzmanoff in the 8 hole looks fantastic. Though it not be as scary as some squads, the A's lineup is indeed much improved from 2010.

-Eric Sogard looks fantastic at short and at the plate. He went 0-4 today, but hit the ball hard 3 times. He could have a major league career ahead of him.

-Sweeney's home run today felt really good. If he shows pop like that all season he makes the A's even more formidable.

For the White Sox:

-Brent Morel looks good. He's a big boy who can hit to all fields. I think he's a little bit raw defensively, but he'll improve with chances. Though the season may start as a platoon between Teahen and Morel, Morel will win the job shortly barring a slump.

-John Danks is in midseason form. He mowed down the A's on Friday with ease, changing speeds and hitting corners at will. His trajectory as a starter is still on the up.

-White Sox fans should be excited about Tyler Flowers. He's a catcher, probably the heir to Pierzynski and he can it. He took a Josh Outman offering at least 450 feet to left. Plain and simple, he shows great potential as a power hitter down the road.

-Peavy should be ready to be the fifth starter. He isn't perfect yet, but definitely serviceable.

-The middle of the White Sox lineup is scary. Konerko, Dunn, Rios, Quentin, Ramirez. When you then realize that it's Pierre and Beckham up top, and Pierzynski and Morel at the bottom, then you really begin to worry.