AL West Analysis

California Angels

I picked California Angels to finish last in this division, but the 2-4 really is anyone to grab. Their rotation is solid, and they have made improvements to their pen, which also looks very solid. They have an ace in Langston, but he is older and so the question always remains as to how he will perform. Like a few other teams their 1-5 is pretty solid in their lineup as well, but the back end looks a little weak. What they may need in order to advance up the division is a little more power either at 3B, DH, or in the infield somewhere. Their 2B/SS also is not particularly strong in terms of offense, but they can play defensively. I find it hard for them to beat Seattle, but if they can make some improvement anything is possible.

Oakland Athletics

Oakland is a team I could see also ending up anywhere from 2-4, but unlike most teams in this division, their weakest part is their pitching. To be honest their rotation is really below average, and aging, their pen is very much the same, and I really do not see their pitching holding up throughout the year. I am a little surprised that there was no retooling/rebuild going on, because of the pitching. Now their hitting may save their season. Henderson is creeping up on age, but he should still be a solid leadoff, and in the middle of their lineup they have McGriff, McGuire and Vaughn, but for them to have any chance to catch Seattle, I really think they need to find some pitching, and quite possibly a much better CF than they have.

Seattle Mariners

This is the team I picked to go all the way to the World Series and lose to Atlanta. They have one of the best pitchers in the game in Randy Johnson, and the rest of their rotation is solid, but nothing else really is top tier there, and they have made some trades to improve their bullpen, but like many teams in this league, they do not have a closer like Hoffman, who you can always put your trust in. Now we get to their hitting, Their 3-4-5 are going to hurt most teams, but the rest of their lineup is weaker than the middle, and so it will be interesting to see if their leadoff’s can get on base for their sluggers. I think that they will be able to, but if Corey wants to ensure getting deep in the playoffs, and maybe even upsetting Atlanta, he will need to find a catcher, or pick up someone who can leadoff that can also play in the outfield. At worst I highly doubt they drop below second place, but in 162 games, anything can happen.

Texas Rangers

I picked Texas to finish second, but they definitely have the potential to beat out Seattle for the top seed. Their issue may be that their rotation is good, but has no real ace that you can count on to win 20 games. They also have a declining Henke as a closer, and if he can pitch how he used to, then that is good, but they may need to shore up their bullpen a little. Their offense, is what can carry them during the year though. They have a decent leadoff hitter, and power from their 2-6, and then a wonderful catching phenom in Pudge at 7, and contact again at 8. Honestly the one area they could improve is SS, and it may not be that hard for them to improve their shortstop position in trade. If they can do this, and their pitching pitches reasonable in their park, they could just beat Seattle and be a team that others do not want to face.