A's sign Ben Sheets to 1 year / 10 mil contract w/ incentives

Barton doesn't turn 25 until August. People seem to forget that he was very young when he was first called up. He's still got time to improve. He had an OPS of .820 after the all-star break last year so he showed some life there.

The A's will have solid pitching and D, which will keep them in games...just like the Angels of old. Regardless, we'll see what happens. I never said they'd win the division, but the division is wide open and it will be closer than some think.

I remember that Barton was young. I also remember that he has no power.

You're right. No one after the age of 24 has ever shown more power. I guess there's no hope for Erick Aybar, Brandon Wood, or Howard Kendrick.

None of whom is a first baseman.

Perhaps Barton can hit for more power after age 24 in the same way Jason Giambi did. That is, if he too is willing to juice up on steroids.