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The highlight reel for the Oakland Athletics‘ 2012 season rivals the likes of recent years in the East Bay. Between the 15 walk-off wins and the comeback victory over the Texas Rangers to solidify the AL West crown, Oakland fans have much to reflect on. 

Bartolo Colon was on the losing end of the 2012 Athletics’ storybook year, though. His 50-game suspension for the illegal use of testosterone brought the RHP’s season to an abrupt end. 

The A’s recently announced their $3 million, one-year deal with the veteran pitcher for the 2013 season, though honoring the five remaining games that Colon is under suspension. 

Colon (10-9, 3.43 ERA in 2012) proved to be an optimal force when called upon to take the hill for Oakland—though the validity of his dominance is now called into question, as with any case of cheating. 

Following the Athletics’ July campaign that left opposing teams in the dust was the news of Colon’s required departure. 

When Colon’s suspension planted doubt in the Athletics’ remaining games, the resilient Oakland pitching staff carried on with little interruption. 

The question is, will signing Colon to a single-year deal be beneficial for the A’s clubhouse in the upcoming year? 

There is no doubt that having Colon’s veteran presence among the extraordinarily young pitching staff will pay dividends for Oakland’s growth.  

The pressing issue is, however, whether or not the Athletics will be receptive to Colon’s wisdom and guidance in light of his mistake. 

The signing of Colon to another year in Oakland exemplifies Billy Beane and Bob Melvin’s level of faith and forgiveness in the pitcher—unlike what was shown to his Bay Area counterpart, Melky Cabrera. 

Ultimately, Colon needs to be heavy on the win-column in 2013 in order for his contract to be just another one of Beane‘s chess-like decisions. 

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

In a year where Josh Reddick was arguably ousted from the American League All-Star team, Oakland Athletics fans can eat the chip on their shoulders—as the right fielder did against his former employer. 

Reddick was named American League player of the week due in large part to his first career grand slam against Bobby Valentine’s struggling Red Sox in the 20-2 massacre in Oakland. 

The Athletics’ OF accounted for four home runs, 10 RBI, 12 hits and scored six times over their flawless week that left the Red Sox and Cleveland Indians winless against Oakland. 

The American League is no cakewalk for top-notch player-of-the-week contenders. 

Reddick prevailed over the likes of other AL standouts such as Texas Rangers‘ Josh Hamilton and Adrian Beltre, and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim’s Mike Trout—ever heard of them? 

Not only did Reddick produce on the offensive front, but also made the replay reel for a diving stab during Oakland’s visit to Cleveland, preserving Brett Anderson’s two-hitter in the series opener.

Reddick joined Oakland’s player-of-the-week fraternity with fellow teammates Yoenis Cespedes and Brandon Moss that received the unique recognition earlier this season.

The award was born from Reddick’s lineup demotion where he batted in the sixth spot against the Indians in the opening game of the series.

Bob Melvin, who has been notorious this year for crafting the perfect lineup, dropped Reddick from his normal third spot due to his struggling bat.

Apparently, this ignited Reddick’s inner slugger.

Reddick rode the sweep of the Indians into the three-game bout against the Red Sox where the potentially spiteful former employee played with vengeful intent. It was a perfect storm.

Oakland’s man-of-the-hour currently leads the A’s in homers with 28. 

Though Reddick missed the opportunity to accompany Ryan Cook to Kauffmann Stadium in Kansas City for the All-Star Game, MLB has awarded recognition where it was due.

Unfortunately for the Red Sox and Indians, it came at their expense. 

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

As the 2012 MLB season trickles down to the final stretch, a handful of teams are seeking playoff berths, while others seek vacation destinations following game 162. 

For the first time since 2006, the Oakland Athletics are putting their postseason paradises on hold. 

Oakland’s midseason surge peaked in July during the 19-5 stint and has yet to fully subside. 

Boasting a 31-14 record since the All-Star Break break, Bob Melvin’s Athletics have patched up their 2012 season quilt with variations of miscellaneous fabrics—and boy, is it warm. 

Following the series-opening 20-2 demolition of the Boston Red Sox, the A’s preserve the top spot in the AL wild card race in front of the Baltimore Orioles on the shoulders of these second-half standouts. 

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