How the West was Won

The American League West will be a two team race this season between the Angels and the Rangers. Texas won the division last season but the Angels have made the proper moves in the off season to make a run at post season glory, the Angels only won the division only by 10 games expect that to be wiped away. The other two teams will just get to 70 wins.

American League West

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Texas Rangers

Seattle Mariners

Oakland Athletics

Albert Pujols

Angels- The Halos made probably the biggest free agent acquisition of the off season by signing first baseman Albert Pujols, this should take some pressure off of outfielders Torii Hunter, Vernon Wells and DH Bobby Abreu. Howie Kendrick had a great season last year at second; look for him to build on it, the left side of the infield will have Erick Aybar at short and Mark Trumbo at third. Joining Wells and Hunter in the outfield in center will be Peter Bourjus. Yes the offense will have power but the real strength for the Angels will be their pitching staff that will be strong from one through four with Jared Weaver, Dan Haren, C.J. Wilson and Ervin Santana, the 5^th starter will probably be Jerome Williams. Mike Trout is the top prospect in all of baseball even ahead of Bryce Harper, Mike Scioscia will find him the needed at bats until he pushes Bourjus out of the starting lineup.

Rangers- Yes the Rangers are the defending American League champions and were a strick away from winning it all, in the offseason they lost C.J. Wilson and need not take the same large steps as the Angeles did to imporve thier lineup. The Rangers will send out a lineup this season that can handle the bats but their picthing got weaker over the offseason. Mike Napoli was probably the hottest catcher in the second half of last season and the playoffs, if Mitch Moreland struggles at first then Texas can move DH Michael Young to first. The rest of the infield will be string in the upcoming season with Ian Kinsler at second, Elvis Andrus at short and 3B Adrian Beltre completing the infield. Josh Hamilton who is struggling with some personal issues is expected back in leftfield with Craig Gentry in center and Nelson Cruz in right. The rotation has some spots that I don’t think was properly attended to during the off season Colby Lewis, Derek Holland and Neftali Perez are back with Japanese star Yu Darvish has been brought in to take Wilsons spot. Martin Perez has a chance make making the team out of spring training if not then he will be the first call up if there are any pitching injuries.

Mariners- There will be a very large gap in the standings between the Mariners and the Rangers. The difference between Seattle and Oakland is that the M’s have young talent and some experienced veterans. Seattle has one of the greatest hitters of all time in right field with Ichiro Suzuki joining him in the outfield will be Franklin Guetierrez in center and Mike Carp in left. The right side of the infield will have two young guys in Justin Smoak and Dustin Ackley will the left side has veteran leadership in Brandon Ryan and Chone Figgins. The Mariners will have Miguel Olivio behind the plat and Jesus Montero as the DH. The pitching staff is the strength of this team with Felix Hernandez as the ace of the staff and getting support form Jason Vargas and Hisashi Iwakuma, Blake Beavan and Charlie Furbush will be rounding out the staff. Montero has a shot at taking home rookie of the year with James Paxton being called up to the top team.

Coco Crisp

Athletics- If you saw the movie Money Ball or read the book that the movie was based on well these A’s will not be winning like that anytime soon. They did bring Manny (Manny being Manny) Ramirez, I guess this is this seasons “David Justice” signing. Veteran Kurt Suzuki will be behind the plate for Oakland, Brandon Allen, Jemile Weeks, Cliff Pennington, and Scott Sizemore make up the most unknown infields in baseball. The star outfielder for Oakland Coco Crisp is frequently confused with a cereal brand will be in center with Josh Reddick and Seth Smith in the corners. Dallas Braden and Bartolo Colon are the only two known pitchers on the A’s roster. The Athletics have two very good pitching prospects who will be making their debut sometime during the season, Jarrod Parker and Brad Peacock.