The AL West dominated by the LAA Angels last season. This season looks like more of the same. Unless...can Oakland and their new slugger overtake them? Can Seattle do what they couldn't a season ago, what about Texas? Here is all you need to know.
AL West Projected Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
2. Oakland Athletics
3. Seattle Mariners
4. Texas Rangers
LA Angels of Anaheim
Key arrivals: Bobby Abreu, Brian Fuentes
Key departures: Garrett Andersen, Jon Garland, Francisco Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira
The Angels were thinking World Series championship when they traded for first baseman Mark Teixeira, but they fell to Boston in round one. This is nothing new, the Angels cannot beat the Sox in the playoffs in recent years. Now Anaheim lost Tex and their closer K-Rod in free agency. The rotation is still deep with John Lackey, Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders, and Jered Weaver. Fuentes was brought in to close, and the rest of the set-up men are still around so their pitching should still be a strength. Their lineup will suffer because Guerrero is aging and still has no protection. Abreu is decent, but his best years are behind him too. Chone Figgins, Howie Kendrick, and company will have to pick up the slack. Bottom line,! this is still the best team in the division. But, they are li! kely onc e again one and done in October.
Oakland Athletics
Key arrivals: Matt Holliday, Orlando Cabrera, Jason Giambi
Key departures: Huston Street, Alan Embree, Frank Thomas (free agent)
The A's added a lot of pop to their lineup this offseason. Matt Holliday is a stud slugger, and Jason Giambi still has decent power as well. These two along with a bevy of young hitters makes this team very dangerous. The bullpen looks good with Brad Ziegler anchoring the! troops. The rotation is where the question marks arise. Justin Duchscherer is now the ace. He is a solid pitcher, but by no means a #1 guy. I like Sean Gallagher as a breakout SP, but beyond that the rotation looks suspect. This is the reason Oakland will not catch the Angels. The A's are on the cusp, but are a few pitchers away from competing.
Seattle Mariners
Key arrivals: Ken Griffey Jr, Franklin Gutierrez, Endy Chavez
Key departures: JJ Putz, Raul Ibanez, Jose Vidro
The Mariners were one of baseball's largest disappointm! ents las t season. After the addition of Erik Bedard this team looked like a World Series contender. But, it all fell apart and Seattle quickly became one of baseball's worst teams. Seattle re-tooled their outfield, including bringing back former OF Ken Griffey Jr. Seattle will definitely improve this season, and could even compete. The pieces are there, but they were last season as well. Erik Bedard should be healthy, Felix Hernandez has yet another year of experience, and Brandon Morrow looks like a star in the making. Seattle could have one of the better pitching staffs in the AL, despite losing their closer JJ Putz. Bottom line, Seattle is not a playoff team at this point. But, the addition of a few bats and the development of some relivers could lead to a shocking season.
Texas Rangers
Key arrivals: Andruw Jones
Key departures: Gerald Laird, Milton Bradley
The Rangers always have one of the best hitting teams in baseball. But, year after year this team lacks any pitching whatsoever. This season looks to be no different. There were no new additions to their pitching staff. Absolutely none. They talked about Ben Sheets, but his injuries have left him jobless. Vincente Padilla is not an ace, neither is Kevin Millwood. Their pitching staff top to bottom is atrocious. They look to have a great lineup again with Josh Hamilton being the centerpiece. But once again, no pitching equals bottom dweller. Texas will be right back in the cellar until the! y add some kind of pitching.
