The question with the Oakland Athletics is no longer whether they’ll be good. A young nucleus of starting pitchers — Tim Hudson, Barry Zito and Mark Mulder — has all but guaranteed they will.

The focus now turns to whether Oakland can finally escape a first-round exit from the playoffs, which has plagued the team for three-straight seasons.

Ironically, the key to Oakland’s postseason success is a quality start to the regular season. In recent years, the A’s have expended so much energy towards the end of the season to get into the playoffs that they have been exhausted during the postseason.

But a postseason run will be harder to make this season, as the A’s have lost several key members of their 2002 squad, including second baseman Ray Durham and starting pitcher Cory Lidle. Infielder Mark Ellis will take over the lead-off role from Durham, and the newly acquired John Halama will take over the No. 5 spot from Lidle.

The A’s also picked up center fielder Chris Singleton from the Baltimore Orioles in the off-season. Singleton gives the A’s their best defensive outfielder since Johnny Damon, and also allows Terrance Long to move back to left field.

Another off-season change was made in the dugout, where first-year manager Ken Macha will take over for the departed Art Howe. Macha will begin the season with four lefties in the starting five — Zito, Mulder, Ted Lilly and Halama. If Lilly or Halama struggle early, Eric Hiljus will most likely be the first call-up from Triple-A.

Miguel Tejada and Eric Chavez, who combined for 240 RBI last season, will remain the heart of Oakland’s lineup. But Tejada’s future with the team seems non-existent, as owner Steve Schott declared he would not offer him a long-term contract.

The MVP shortstop has now become the subject of numerous trade rumors, including a swap between him and Philly shortstop Jimmy Rollins.

STRENGTHS

The big three: You know you have a strong starting five when you can boast three Cy Young candidates. Hudson, Zito and Mulder, who combined for a 57-21 record last season, provide Macha with that luxury.

Defense: For the first time in a long time, the Athletics will boast a solid defensive unit. The addition of Chris Singleton gives Oakland much needed speed in center. Chavez, a two-time gold glove winner, leads a very athletic infield, which makes up for a mediocre fielding percentage with extraordinary range.

WEAKNESSES

Leadership: Any time a team makes early playoff exits for three-straight seasons, leadership must be questioned. And with the retirement of veteran outfielder David Justice, the call is out for somebody to step into the role of a vocal leader. Until that call is answered, the A’s will continue to choke.

Center field: Singleton brings speed and a glove, but his bat has yet to be discovered at the major league level. Oakland’s offense revolves around players getting on base for the long ball, but Singleton hit only nine homers last year with a poor .296 on-base percentage.

PREDICTION

As long as Oakland has Hudson, Mulder and Zito, they will never record under 90 wins. But in order to win the American League West — Major League Baseball’s toughest division — the A’s will have to win over 100 games. In the west, Oakland has to deal with the defending champion Anaheim Angels and the Seattle Mariners, who won 116 games just two years ago. For Oakland to win the division, they must get off to a good start and stay healthy. One or more injuries in the outfield, and you’re quickly replacing Dye and Long with unproven names like Jason Grabowski and Eric Byrnes.

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