Cool story about the A’s DH situation by our own Joe Stiglich this morning. Too bad Mike Sweeney, Frank Thomas and Jack Cust aren’t that fast; otherwise, the A’s could use them as designated runners.

I mean, am I the only guy who doesn’t recognize what I’m seeing with this team? Look under “SB’s” in Sunday’s box score, and you’ll know what I’m talking about. The A’s ran their way to three runs in the series finale in Texas, and on one particularl double-steal _ Bobby Crosby came home when Mark Ellis took off early for second _ I thought I was watching Billy-Ball again.

Not sure if this is a new Moneyball-type exploitation of the market, but I love watching it. The A’s are playing with an energy and excitement on offense that’s been missing for years. Speed has created some life, and it’s become as much a part of this team’s personality as anything.

Don’t get me wrong. They’ll have to start hitting home runs eventually. But it is nice to see that they don’t need the three-run home run to pump life into the offense.

Meantime, it’s on to Cleveland, where the early-season breaks continue to go the A’s way. They won’t face Cliff Lee or Fausto Carmona.

I’m not a huge one for rankings, but for what it’s worth, the A’s are on top of the ESPN Poll.

Gotta say, that’s a bit much. Top 5 perhaps. We’ll see how their spot holds when June commences and they embark on a murderous schedule.

In the meantime, let’s hope they get the same love from the Bowl Championship Series.

The A’s already started tweaking things in anticipation of getting Rich Harden back in the rotation this weekend. Here’s a look at that move and some of the others that could be coming:

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… Baddest cat in the whole A’s clubhouse. Well, maybe not, but the man has become an RBI machine like the A’s haven’t seen this early in the season for a long time.

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So, a 4-3 road trip for the A’s to Seattle and Anaheim. A split with the Angels. An 18-12 record through 30 games. You folks starting to get excited yet?

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I continue to be more and more impressed with left-hander Greg Smith. He lost last night to Joe Saunders and the Angels, but he’ll win most of the time if he pitches the way he did. I’m not sure he throws any two pitches the exact same speed, and he mixes his stuff like he’s been doing this for years.

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Repeat after me — “It’s still early,” — before you call the A’s upcoming series at Anaheim a big one. But it does stand out as much as a late April series can, because we’re about to find out whether the A’s can hang with the AL West’s big dog.

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Frank Thomas was in the clubhouse when the media was allowed in this morning, and he was in the lineup hitting fourth for the A’s. That’s how quickly these things can take place.

The quick rundown:

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Just got to the park, opened my e-mail and received an A’s release that Frank Thomas has agreed to terms with the A’s. More on this later, obviously, but I imagine this will have huge ramifications for Jack Cust and Mike Sweeney.

More later.  

Did my annual, “What Team Would You Rather Be?” column regarding the A’s and Giants today? Wanna hear from fans out there in A’s nation? What do you like most about this team, and aside from the lack of power, what do you like the least? And what should they do regarding Frank Thomas? Sign him, or pass on him?

Incidentally, Rajai Davis, a symbol for some of the Giants’ poor management, is now an Athletic.