OAKLAND -- Robbie Grossman spent the last three seasons with the Minnesota Twins. This week, he's facing his former team as a member of the A's.
"I talk to a bunch of those guys still," Grossman said. "I told them that I hope they don't do well for the next three days. But I have a lot of friends over there from the past three years."
Through the first half of the season, the Twins have been one of the best teams in all of baseball. After going 78-84 last year, Minnesota entered Tuesday's game in Oakland at 53-30, eight games ahead of the Cleveland Indians in the American League Central Division.
Grossman is not surprised by his former mates' success.
"I think they have a bunch of good players over there," Grossman said, before noting, "I feel like we have just as good of a team."
Grossman, 29, put together three strong seasons in Minnesota, posting a slash line of .266/.371/.400, but the Twins declined to tender him a contract, making him a free agent. The outfielder signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the A's and insists he doesn't carry any hard feelings toward his old squad.
"I've been let go by a few teams now," Grossman laughed. "They have a good team, we have a good team, and we're excited to play them."
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The Twins had a highly productive offseason, adding sluggers Nelson Cruz and Marwin Gonzalez, among others. Their lineup has been the most explosive in the majors, leading the league in batting average, home runs, total bases, slugging percentage, and OPS.
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This series will certainly serve as a measuring stick for the A's to find out how they compare to one of the best teams in the AL.
"Yeah, I think every game is, even when we play other teams," Grossman said. "But they're off to a good start."
