"A's co-owner Lew Wolff made his first appearance at spring training Wednesday and didn't hold back his hopes and expectations for his team.

Wolff believes the A's have a better roster this year than they did in 2006, when Oakland won its last American League West championship.

"I think it's a better team," he said. "This one, I think, is much more balanced. We have a combination of youth -- especially with the pitching -- and maturity. And we've got some veterans who are athletic veterans, and not on the last legs of their career. I just think we have some balance."

Wolff referred to the rebuilding plan that general manager Billy Beane started before the 2008 season, when the A's began a youth movement by trading away several marquee veterans for prospects who improved the minor league system.

He thinks the team is in position to start reaping the benefits of those trades behind a young pitching foundation that's highlighted by Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez and Brett Anderson.

"We either do it or not, that's the way I see it," Wolff said of 2011.

Wolff, who typically makes one or two trips to spring camp from his home in Southern California, had yet to meet some of the team's new players, including designated hitter Hideki Matsui. That's a main reason he showed up Wednesday."