We started this thing off with the division that produced last year's World Champions and the next division we decide to preview is the one that produced our runner-ups... The AL West.
1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - This offseason was a rather quiet one for the Angels. They missed out on Carl Crawford and settled for Vernon Wells. I feel like this team has the best proven rotation but if the A's young arms prove themselves they could unseat Texas and LA. Offensively, the Angels have talent but some of it is old or coming off of injuries. The Angels are the second best offensive team and could get even better if top prospect Mike Trout busts onto the scene. The one flaw the Angels have, is can Fernando Rodney close out games? In his last season with the Tigers he converted 37 of 38 opportunities but last year as the 8th inning set-up man he blew 7. Which Rodney shows up this year. Also what hurts the Angels at the start of the season is Kendrys Morales starts on the DL. Mark Trumbo starts the season there and factors big to start their season.
Key additions: OF Vernon Wells, RHP Scott Downs and LHP Hisanori Takahashi.
Key losses: C/1B Mike Napoli, OF Juan Rivera and DH Hideki Matsui.
2. Texas Rangers - There's no question the Rangers have the offensive fire power to win this division but their pitching scares me. They lost Cliff Lee in the offseason but still have C.J. Wilson and Tommy Hunter however they decided Neftali Feliz is better suited as their closer and not in the rotation. Their lineup from top to bottom is one of the scariest lineups in baseball and then you add Adrian Beltre to that mix and wow. The only thing that worries me about the Rangers is first base and catcher, not sure if Mitch Moreland and Yorvit Torrealba will be that productive offensively. Mike Napoli could step in if the Torrealba experiment doesn't work out.
Key additions: 3B Adrian Beltre, C/1B Mike Napoli and RHP Brandon Webb.
Key losses: LHP Cliff Lee
3. Oakland Athletics - The A's have built up quite the stockpile of young arms in their rotation. Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill and Gio Gonzalez are three of the best young arms in the game and then factor in Dallas Braden who threw a perfect game on Mother's Day last year and had that spat with A-Rod. If these guys dominate like they have the potential to, the A's could make a serious run at the division title. They offense has picked up a veteran presence with the additions of David DeJesus, Hideki Matsui and Josh Willingham. If this lineup meshes the A's could be a surprise front runner.
Key additions: OF David DeJesus, DH Hideki Matsui, OF Josh Willingham, RHP Grant Balfour, LHP Brian Fuentes and RHP Brandon McCarthy.
Key losses: 3B Eric Chavez and DH Jack Cust.
4. Seattle Mariners - While they still have "King" Felix Hernandez and Ichiro, the Mariners are still a long ways away from competing for the division. They are hoarding good minor league talent like Michael Pineda and Dustin Ackley(Pineda will start with the team, Ackley in the minors). This team will struggle offensively and possibly every day Hernandez isn't on the mound. If the Mariners want some inspiration, the same thing was said about the Padres last year and they missed the NL West division by 2 games.
Key additions: DH Jack Cust, SS Brendan Ryan, 2B Adam Kennedy and RHP Chris Ray.
Key losses: 1B Casey Kotchman and 2B/3B Jose Lopez.
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