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It’s time to break down the AL West.
This is the smallest, yet one of the most competitive divisions in baseball. If you are in this division and want to make the playoffs, you have to finish first. Second place won’t cut it.
The Texas Rangers won 90 games and represented the West in the 2010 postseason making an historic run into the World Series.
Repeating that performance will be anything but easy as the A’s and Angels have made some additions and will be a force to be reckon with.
You might think that the team I have in first place and write about the most is my personal favorite, but lets not jump to any conclusions. If you do jump to any here, you’re probably right, but don’t just assume all the time.
Texas Rangers: Josh Hamilton was the AL MVP despite being hurt as a result of running into walls. He finished with 32 home runs, 100 RBI and 186 hits. Look for the slugger to do some more damage this year and lead the team to the top.
Hamilton is just one individual though, and the Texas will need more help everywhere else.
The team brought in Adrian Beltre and Mike Napoli whose bats will add depth.
The biggest question marks surround the pitching staff after Cliff Lee bolted for Philly. Brandon Webb is currently hurt but hopes to return to the mound in the first month or so.
Natali Feliz has jumped back and forth between closer and starter, but looks like he’ll remain as a closer for now.
Former closer C.J. Wilson worked his way to the front of the rotation and turned a lot of heads last year, but the question surrounding him is weather or not he’s ready to be the starting ace.
Wilson is backed up by Colby Lewis and Tommy Hunter and it looks like Derek Holland and Matt Harrison will earn the other starting positions.
Like last year, this year has already seen a few bumps and bruises. Chuck Greenberg is out as part owner and CEO. The team has dealt with injuries and other behind the scenes drama including that of Michael Young, but also like last year, they can overcome. Look for the antlers and claws because it is indeed time.
Oakland Athletics: A lot of people like this team to finish first or second in this division and the addition of DH Hideki Matsui, David DeJesus and Josh Willingham will give the team a lot of power behind the plate.
This team finished .500 last year but knows that kind of record won’t be enough to lift them to the top this year.
Last year the A’s finished with an ERA of 3.56, an AL high.
The team also added pitcher Brandon McCarthy who was released by the Texas Rangers.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (California on the west coast United States of America etc…): Sorry, I know I’ve made that joke before but I still can’t take the name seriously.
This team finished 2010 with a record of 80-82 and came away in third place in the division.
Vernon Wells came over from Toronto and the Angels are hoping he’ll be just what they need to compete for the west.
The slugger hi31 home runs and 88 RBIs last year, a high for him since 2006.
Those aren’t bad numbers but if the addition of work out, consider Wells a bust because the team picked up his $80 million contract. He may be able to repeat last year and so can the team as they finish in third place.
Seattle Mariners: Last year, this team was surrounding by hype. Hype that far surpassed the team itself. The Mariners sacrificed bats for defense and now they’re hoping for somebody, just anybody to step up.
They shipped off Cliff Lee to Texas right before the deadline last year and brought in first baseman Justin Smoak.
Felix Hernandez is probably the brightest spot on the roster but it won’t be quite enough to lift Seattle out of the basement. Look for this team to finish right around last year’s 61-101.
