by Clive Dahlton
Phoenix, AZ -- Oakland finished final preperations this morning for their spring training opener versus the Milwaukee Brewers, (68-94) last season. Graham watched players take their hacks in the batting cage, specifically noting how good Eric Chavez looked. "Thad [Bosley] told me how good he looked yesterday afternoon so I thought I'd come out and check him out, his swing looks so fluid. I watched some of the game tapes last year and it looked like he was trying to swing harder, hacking at the ball, this year he has a very nice compact fluid swing," Graham said of his potental all-star third basemen.
Tim Hudson (18-9, 3.37 era), last season, will get the nod for the Athletics in the spring opener. "It was a really flip a coin type deal, everyones gonna get their start," Graham assured. Hudson will go against Milwaukee's Ben Sheets (11-10, 4.76 era), last season. Graham will stick with Hudson for at least 3 innings. "We still need to figure out our bullpen, outside Billy Koch at closer we aren't guaranteeing anything. I'm looking at Chad Bradford [2-1, 2.70 era] as a viable option as a setup guy, but we need to see where he's at so far this spring. There's alot of guys to keep track of out of here, alot of non-roster invitee's to scout out as well." When asked if there was any of the non-roster invitees would be looked at for serious consideration to make the team, Graham shed a wry smile and said "I'm not saying anything, but theres a few with definite potential. Someone might get there golden ticket punched."
Barry Zito continued to impress off the mound, buckling 3 hitters in a row, at the knees. Pitching coach Rick Peterson has been working with Zito trying to get him to use offseason workouts to build up leg strength to get more stability and power. "I believe Zito will be a 20 game winner with Cy Young consideration, you guy's are gonna be impressed with how much stronger he is," Peterson said.
First pitch at 1:05 PT, hear it on XTRA 860 AM, your home for ATHLETICS BASEBALL!
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