Here we stand, nine days from the first arrivals of spring training. ESPN fantasy baseball leagues are already open, and Yahoo leagues will follow next week. Nearly all off-season commerce has ground to a halt, and I have covered two of the six MLB divisions to date (see also: AL East Preview for 2011, and AL Central Preview for 2011). Let us now conclude the American League, before moving along to the Senior Circuit.
The AL West just about was turned on its head last year, with the Texas Rangers taking this four-team race for the first time in over a decade, and the Oakland Athletics making strides at improvement. But how did this past off-season impact the over all positioning of these two, in addition to the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim? Come, take a look.
Texas Rangers
Cliff Lee didn't only snub the Yankees by departing for Philadelphia, he also thumbed his nose at the Rangers. By doing so, he gave the Phillies a historically incredible rotation. But C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis and Tommy Hunter can hold their own. They can hope to breathe some life back into Brandon Webb's career, as the former Diamondbacks ace inked a one-year deal with the club, according to an article by Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, on January 3rd, 2011.
The bullpen should be fine, with a myriad of options to chose from. Sophomore closer Neftali Feliz should ultimately stay put, despite rumors of a possible transition to the rotation. Power arms Alexi Ogando (1.30 ERA, 8.42 strikeouts/9) and Derek Holland (4.08 ERA, 8.48 strikeouts/9), will be nicely complemented by lefties Darren Oliver and newly acquired Arthur Rhodes (1 year, 2012 option). Also in the pen might be Matt Harrison and Darren O'Day. A very nice blend of talented youth, and veteran leadership.
Very little is stopping the offense from being a nice force for Texas. Reigning AL MVP Josh Hamilton returns, hoping to capitalize on a very nice 2010, albeit with a few more games on his agenda. The signing of former Dodgers and Red Sox 3rd baseman Adrian Beltre, as reported by JP Starkey of SB Nation, Dallas/Ft. Worth on January 5th, 2011, will add quality production that was lost by the departure of Vlad Guerrero. Add in Elvis Andrus, Michael Young, and Nelson Cruz (sans hamstring issues), and this is a complete team. Expect 92-94 wins, easily.
Oakland Athletics
Don't look now, but the Bay Area Boys (yes, I made that up) stand as good a chance as the Rangers of winning the division. Don't take my word for it, check out their rotation - Trevor Cahill (18-8, 2.97 ERA), Brett Anderson (2.80 ERA, 1.19 WHIP), Gio Gonzalez (15-9, 3.23 ERA), and Mr. Get Off My Mound, Dallas Braden (3.50 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) give the A's a potentially all under-30 rotation. The only questions are Anderson's health, and who fills the 5th spot.
If the opposition hopes to ware down one of the starters, to get into the bullpen, that might not be a smart strategy. Besides being anchored by young closer Andrew Bailey, the pick-ups of former Rays reliever Grant Balfour (2 years, $7.75 million), and former Angels closer, Brian Fuentes for two years (this according to Jane Lee at MLB.com from January 14th, 2011, and Jeff Sullivan at SBNation.com on January 17th, 2011); as well as Jerry Blevins, Brad Ziegler and Michael Wuertz, gives them lots of depth.
Finally, the offense. There is, at last, some depth that can support the pitching staff. With the signings of former Yankees and Angels DH Hideki Matsui (one-year, $4.25 million), and trading for former Royals outfielder, David DeJesus, according to Yahoo Sports on December 17th, 2010, and Jeff Sullivan of SBNation.com on November 10th, 2010. Add in new A's outfielder Josh Willingham, Ryan Sweeney and CoCo Crisp, and the A's are poised for big things. Expect 92-94 wins.
Los Angeles Angels
Talk about a bizarre off-season for the Halos; slighted by Carl Crawford, dissed by Adrian Beltre, lost out on pitching, and having to settle on shouldering the mammoth, undeserved contract of Vernon Wells. There's nothing wrong with their rotation....they have Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, Ervin Santana and Scott Kazmir. There's plenty wrong with the bullpen, though.
Does a contending team really intend to use Fernando Rodney as a closer? Consider that he had a nearly 5 ERA post-All Star Break last year. You're not saying "yes" anymore, are you? I have no idea who will close for the Angels this year, maybe Scott Downs? That's a nice and shiny three-year, $15 million deal (thanks to Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com on December 10th, 2010). Matt Palmer, Kevin Jepsen, Jason Bulger and Francisco Rodriguez round out the cavalry.
Professionals in the baseball industry can still be heard chattering over the stupidity of the Angels for landing Vernon Wells. Why? Well, it could have something to do with the fact that he has only driven in over 100 runs once in the last seven years, and has averaged just 17 home runs between 2007 and 2009. It's about as logical as the Jayson Werth deal. Fortunately, they'll get back the services of Kendry Morales, and Torii Hunter is still good for some pop. But with only Maicer Izturis and Erick Aybar, the offense has issues. Scioscia might squeeze 84 wins out of this team, tops.
Seattle Mariners
Finally, we reach the one team who has to travel the furthest of any other. It seems like forever ago that the King Felix/Cliff Lee tandem was supposed to launch the Mariners into division clinching status...probably because it might as well have been. Starting pitching is not the problem; Cy Young ace Felix Hernandez, Jason Vargas, Doug Fister, and Luke French are not Halladay/Lee/Hamels/Oswalt, but who is? Pitching in a pitcher's ballpark will make even average pitchers look pretty good.
David Aardsma may be among the closers with the least job security, but he gets the job done. Brandon League is finally rounding into form as a dependable set-up option, and David Pauley is another option for middle-relief. I won't call this relief corps outstanding, but you could certainly do worse (*coughs* Pirates *coughs*).
And now, for the Achilles Heel of the Mariners, their offense. The offense that couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, point blank, with a fly swatter (I have no idea where the fly swatter came from, it just did). The Mariners came in dead last place in the AL in team batting average last year; and not just by a couple points...nope, by 11 points! The Rays were no-hit three times, and they were 11 points ahead. Their greatest weapons for 2010, other than Ichiro? Franklin Gutierrez, Milton Bradley, and Chone Figgins. Yikes. I'm going to be generous here, out of pity - 75 wins.
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