The two players pictured above, Travis Buck (left) and Daric Barton (right), are the keys to the Oakland offensive attack this upcoming season.  Buck finished up his rookie season on the injured list.  He played in 82 games and finished with a .288 batting average, 7 home runs, and 34 rbi.  He also provided some very exciting defense in the outfield, which is mostly why he was injured for the last part of the season.  He is quite aggressive, but also a bit reckless.  Barton, the first baseman of the future, had a great showing in his limited time at the end of the season.  In 18 games, Barton compiled a .347 batting average, a .429 on-base percentage, and a .639 slugging percentage.  Out of the 25 hits Barton had, 13 were for extra bases.  These two players exemplify everything that Billy Beane wants in his players.  I have no doubt in my mind that if Nick Swisher and Dan Haren were still on the team, Oakland would contend for the American League West title.  However, they are not, so this team has to push forward with what is left in the cupboard...which is surprisingly not as empty as it seems.  Here is a look at the probable lineup this season:

Mark Ellis - second base
Travis Buck - left field
*Eric Chavez - third base
Daric Barton - first base
Emil Brown - right field
Jack Cust / Dan Johnson - designated hitter
**Bobby Crosby - shortstop
Kurt Suzuki - catcher
***Chris Denorfia - center field

*Jack Hannahan will fill in if Chavez isn't ready to start the season
** Donnie Murphy will fill in if Crosby isn't healthy
*** Carlos Gonzalez will fill in as the fourth outfielder at this time.

In order for this team to be successful, Eric Chavez and Bobby Crosby have to have above average seasons.  I'm not saying that they both need to hit 35 home runs each, but 25 would be nice! 

Chris Denorfia and Emil Brown are big question marks for this team as well.  Brown is solid offensively, but his defense is lacking.  Denorfia was supposed to be a stud when he first came up, but has never lived up to expectations.  Part of that is lack of playing time, so we will see what he can do with the playing time he will most likely get this season.