MLB Preview: AL West

Part 3 of the MLB Preview (search the archives to the right for the other parts) takes a look at the AL West....aka the easiest division winner to pick in the entire league....and they are...

1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (insert laughter to the name) - Clearly, and I mean clearly, the best team in this division...best lineup....best starting pitching....probably the best bullpen too if Brian Fuentes stays healthy at the backend....the Outfield is loaded with Abreu (who they are paying a ridiculously low rate), Torii Hunter, and Juan Rivera/Vlad Guerrero (and the other will DH)....the infield is a bit more questionable just b/c they are very young, but the talent is there, and if they can get a full year out of do-everything Chone Figgins, they'll be scary....the rotation has a set back with Ervin Santana being injured, but they are deep with Lackey, Saunders, and Weaver.... I'm thinking 91-93 wins and an easy cruise to the division title.... X-Factors: Ervin Santana's health, Kendry Morales and Howie Kendrick on the right side of the infield production-wise, Bullpen
2. Seattle Mariners-Here's where the division gets interesting....there's a big drop here...but I settled on Seattle rather quickly b/c of their pitching....Bedard is reportedly 100% healthy...add in King Felix who was dominant in the WBC, and young stud Brendan Morrow (battling a little elbow trouble though) and they could easily have the 3 best pitchers in the entire rest of the division....I wish I was kidding....the lineup is average to below-average but you still have Ichiro, Adrian Beltre (who has been consistently good), and under-valued Jose Lopez.....The Griffey move? Bleh...but if he hits 25 bombs, it's a success...the bullpen? Shaky on paper...Miguel Batista? Mark Lowe? Move Morrow there? I have no idea....but they are the best of the worst in the division.... X-Factors: Morrow/Bedard health, 1st base (Russell Branyan? yikes), Griffey's production
3. Oakland A's- First of all, before the last month, I had them last....but this is Moneyball at it's finest....you won't find alot of guys that you know on this team unless you're a diehard baseball fan...but they're counting on that.....Matt Holliday is a legit star, but will he get traded if they fall out of it? I love, love, love the Giambi pick-up at a big discount...he'll produce, and the same goes for Orlando Cabrera at 50 cents on the dollar....and anything they get out of Nomar is gravy....but Jack Cust is a strikeout machine who will kill you....The Bullpen is good at the backend with Joey Devine and Brad Ziegler you have 2 fireballers who can be dominant...but the starting pitching is what keeps them behind Seattle...other than Justin Duchscherer (who is a viable option)....there's not alot there..... X-Factors: 2-5 starting pitching, Nomar, bullpen setup guys
4. Texas Rangers- You already know the story....bats aplenty.....absolutely no pitching whatsoever....and it's repeating itself....they have a very good lineup on paper...Josh Hamilton is the truth....Ian Kinsler is a beast, Chris Davis showed signs of following....Michael Young and Hank Blalock? check....Throw is highly touted former Braves prospect SS Elvis Andrus at the top of the order....fireworks.....but that's not the problem....their #1 starter? How bout Kevin Millwood.....#2? Vicente Padilla.....and this isn't 2002....yea, it's ugly folks....they have a surplus of decent bullpen arms highlighted by Frank Francisco...but they'll never have the lead with that starting staff.... X-Factors: Umm...starting pitching maybe? lol....Elvis Andrus' production is key as well