The multipart Around the Horn series, which features a position-by-position look at Oakland's projected starters and backup options heading into the season, begins at first base.
Who's on first?
That would be Matt Olson, a first-round Draft pick of the A's in 2012 and since one of their most touted prospects. Yonder Alonso's breakout season didn't stop the A's from giving Olson an extended opportunity, and the decision to shift course and trade Alonso on Aug. 6 in order to do this proved prudent: Olson made homering a habit, counting off 16 home runs in a 23-game stretch from Aug.