The A's said the next few seasons will be rebuilding years, but their team already looks better than it did last year, on paper at least. Do the A's expect to make a run at the playoffs?
-- Segun G., Fremont, Calif.
The A's have mostly steered clear of the "R" word during Billy Beane's tenure at the helm, and they hope to continue that trend by balancing their desire for sustained long-term success with intentions of fielding a competitive team in the present. This isn't easy, but the A's have attempted to do this by improving their current roster without sacrificing their top prospects, instead giving them time to develop in the Minors.