AL West Preview

1. Los Angeles
The Angels landed the biggest prize of the off-season when they signed Albert Pujols (.299, 37 HR, 99 RBI with St. Louis) to a mega deal worth over 240 million dollars. The Angels didn't stop there however, as they also brought in pitcher CJ Wilson (2.94 ERA, 16-7, 206 K, 1.19 WHIP) from Texas to shore up an already stellar rotation led by Jered Weaver (2.41 ERA, 18-8, 198 K, 1.01 WHIP). The Angels offense was in the middle of the pack last season (15th in average) and the addition of Pujols instantly improves their hitting, just from the lineup protection a player of his caliber brings. Anaheim will need the rest of the lineup to step up as well, especially lead off man Erik Aybar (.279, 10 HR, 59 RBI). The Angels free agency signings will push them over the top and they look to be in good shape to capture the division title.

2. Texas
The American League's resident offensive juggernaut (league leading .283 team average) the Texas Rangers look to ride their bats back to the playoffs. Michael Young (.338, 106 RBI, 213 hits, .380 OBP) is the best pure hitter on the team and as a career .304 hitter, the trend should continue. The Rangers are also not short on power, as five players hit 25+ home runs in 2011 (Adrain Beltre, Ian Kinsler, Josh Hamilton, Mike Napoli and Nelson Cruz). Pitching is the biggest concern for Texas, they lost staff ace CJ Wilson to division rival Anaheim and now the load will fall on Derek Holland (16-5, 3.95 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 162 K). Behind Holland is a young trio who will benefit from Texas' potent offense but will they be able to handle the pressure come crunch time? Despite the youth on the pitching staff, expect Texas to make the playoffs and perhaps even beat out the Angels.


3. Seattle

The Mariners were atrocious last year, winning 67 games. Their hitting was bad and their pitching was worse. Not even stars Ichiro Suzuki (.272 his worst average in his career) and Felix Hernandez (14-14, 3.47 ERA) could keep the Mariners afloat. In the off-season the Mariners made waves when they traded young pitcher Michael Pineda to the Yankees for top catching prospect Jesus Montero (.328, 4 HR, 12 RBI in 12 games). Montero is expected to DH for the Mariners for the time being, at least until his catching catches up with his bat. In addition to Montero, Seattle is relying on 2B Dustin Ackley (.273, 6 HR, 36 RBI in 90 games) and LF Mike Carp (.276, 12 HR, 46 RBI in 79 games) to help push them back to relevance. The rotation is anchored by 2010 Cy Young Winner Felix Hernandez, who has the ability to be the best pitcher in the majors. Behind Hernandez the Mariners have new arrival Hisashi Iwakumi (107-69 in his career in Japan), Jason Vargas (10-13, 4.25 ERA, 131 K), and 23 year old Blake Bleavan (5-6, 4.27 ERA, 42 K in 97 innings pitched). The Mariners aren't going to beat the Rangers and Angels this year, but they will be making noise in the very near future.

4. Oakland

The Oakland Athletics and their personnel decisions were made famous in the book/movie Moneyball and if they want to challenge for a playoff spot, they're going to need a whole lot of Billy Beane magic. Cliff Pennington, the team leader in average last season hit .264. Josh Willingham, the team leader in on base percentage, RBI, and home runs is now a Minnesota Twin. The Athletics do have one bright spot however, with the addition of Cuban outfielder and top prospect Yoenis Cespedes. The Athletics won out on a bidding war for the 26 year old, and expect him to be the lead hitter in the lineup for years to come. The pitching is not much better, as 2011 team leader in wins, ERA, and strikeouts Gio Gonzalez is now a member of the Washington Nationals. Seasoned veteran Bartolo Colon will be counted on to provide experience to a young and unproven rotation. If the Athletics' young players don't step up, they could very easily end up in the bottom of the entire American League.