AL West Preview
By Kevin Rogers
The American League West has been owned by the Angels over the last handful of seasons, but the Rangers and Mariners made some nice strides in 2009. Texas and Seattle each finished above .500, while Oakland stayed competitive at the bottom of the division. The biggest question mark in this division is if the Angels can survive several off-season losses to remain at the top of the West.
Los Angeles Angels
Review: The Halos are coming off their fifth division title in six seasons, but Mike Scoscia's team has failed to make the World Series since winning it all back in 2002. Los Angeles did make it out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2005, however their run was halted by the eventual champion Yankees in the ALCS. The offense scored the most runs ever under Scoscia (883), but also allowed the highest total in a season under the former catcher's watch (761).
The Angels led the American League in team batting average with five players owning an average of at least .290. 1B Kendry Morales paced the squad with 34 homers and 43 doubles, while Juan Rivera, Torii Hunter, and Mike Napoli each knocked out at least 20 home runs. The pitching staff took several steps back, ranking in the bottom half of most major categories in the AL. Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders each picked up 16 victories, while John Lackey bounced back from a slow start to win five July starts en route to 11 wins.
Season Outlook: Los Angeles lost several key pieces of its team with the departures of Lackey, Chone Figgins, and Vladimir Guerrero to other AL rivals. The Angels picked up Scott Kazmir at the trade deadline from Tampa Bay last July to help the rotation over the final months of last season. The addition of Joel Pineiro from the Cardinals gives the Angels a solid pitcher at the back-end of the rotation, as the Halos try to improve on a 4.45 ERA. The Angels will not have a cakewalk towards the top of the AL West, but L.A. is still in good shape to qualify for a postseason berth once again.
Projected Rotation: Ervin Santana (8-8, 5.03), Jered Weaver (16-8, 3.75), Joe Saunders (16-7, 4.60), Scott Kazmir (10-9, 4.89), Joel Pineiro (15-12, 3.49)
Projected Closer: Brian Fuentes (1-5, 3.93, 48 saves)
Key Acquisitions: DH Hideki Matsui (Yankees), P Joel Pineiro (Cardinals), P Fernando Rodney (Tigers)
Key Losses: P John Lackey (Red Sox), 2B Chone Figgins (Mariners), OF Vladimir Guerrero (Rangers), P Kelvim Escobar (Mets), OF Gary Matthews, Jr. (Mets)
Trends to Watch: The Angels were fantastic off one-run losses, putting together a 13-6 mark, including a 7-2 ledger at home. Another solid role for the Halos was the 17-7 SU and 16-7-1 mark to the 'over' after scoring ten or more runs in their last game.
Future Odds: 12/1 odds to win AL Pennant, according to Sportsbook.com.
Seattle Mariners
Review: The M's made an incredible jump from the embarrassing 61-101 campaign of 2008 to a respectable 85-77 record last season. Seattle's pitching carried the club by ranking tops in the American League in ERA, WHIP, and opponent's batting average. Felix Hernandez finished in the top three in Cy Young voting with 19 wins, 217 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.49. The only problem with the Mariners was their lack of offensive punch.
For as great as the pitching staff was, Seattle's lineup manufactured abysmal numbers by ranking at the bottom of the AL in batting average, runs, and on-base percentage. Ichiro Suzuki paced the offense with a .352 average and 225 hits, while infielders Jose Lopez and Franklin Gutierrez each put up solid seasons. Past that, there was very little help in the lineup as Russell Branyan busted out 31 homers in 116 games.
Season Outlook: The Mariners actually improved their pitching staff with the acquisition of Cliff Lee from the Phillies. Erik Bedard is expected to return to the rotation around mid-season, which will give Seattle one of the top trios in all of baseball. The offense lost Branyan to the Indians, but picked up another bat at the top of the lineup by acquiring Chone Figgins from the Angels. As long as King Felix and Lee hold up, the M's will be in the midst of the Wild Card race even though the runs will be at a premium.
Projected Rotation: Felix Hernandez (19-5, 2.49), Cliff Lee (14-13, 3.22), Ryan Rowland-Smith (5-4, 3.7), Ian Snell (7-10, 4.84), Doug Fister (3-4, 4.13)
Projected Closer: David Aardsma (3-6, 2.52, 38 saves)
Key Acquisitions: P Cliff Lee (Phillies), 2B Chone Figgins (Angels), OF Eric Byrnes (Diamondbacks), OF Milton Bradley (Cubs), 1B Ryan Garko (Giants), P Brandon League (Blue Jays)
Key Losses: 3B Adrian Beltre (Red Sox), OF Endy Chavez (Rangers), OF Bill Hall (Red Sox)
Trends to Watch: Seattle finished 'under' the total at the most frequent rate when facing right-handed starters during the day, going 18-5-1 to the 'under.' The M's were money at home after splitting the first two games of a series, compiling a 16-2 record at Safeco Field.
Future Odds: 10/1 odds to win AL Pennant, according to Sportsbook.com.
Texas Rangers
Review: It felt like bizarro world in Arlington last season as the pitching staff carried the Rangers while the offense struggled to score consistently. Texas played to the second-most 'unders' in baseball (93), while scoring the least amount of runs in a full season since 1992. The Rangers tallied just 784 runs, but strong pitching translated into the club's first winning season since 2004.
SS Michael Young bounced back from a mediocre 2008 to post a .322 average and career-high .518 slugging percentage. Ian Kinsler and Nelson Cruz each provided the power with a combined 64 homers, but not one Ranger drove in more than 90 runs. The pitching staff was paced by Scott Feldman's career-best 17 victories, while Kevin Millwood delivered 13 wins and an ERA of 3.67.
Season Outlook: The Rangers were the subject of controversy during Spring Training with the news that manager Ron Washington had tested positive for cocaine during the 2009 season. Washington is still the boss, but the Rangers will likely overcome that hurdle with the Texas brass backing its skipper. The Rangers' staff made several changes with Millwood off to Baltimore and the acquisition of hard-throwing righty Rich Harden from the Cubs. Texas has also moved reliever C.J. Wilson into the rotation, which would give the Rangers a reliable lefty if he can hold up. The offense needs to score more runs, but health was definitely an issue last season. Texas will likely take a step back this season in the AL West, even though a .500 season isn't out of the question.
Projected Rotation: Rich Harden (9-9, 4.09), Scott Feldman (17-8, 4.08), C.J. Wilson (5-6, 2.81), Matt Harrison (4-5, 6.11), Colby Lewis (NR)
Projected Closer: Frank Francisco (2-3, 3.83, 25 saves)
Key Acquistions: OF Vladimir Guerrero (Angels), P Rich Harden (Cubs), OF Endy Chavez (Mariners), SS Khalil Greene (Cardinals)
Key Losses: OF Marlon Byrd (Cubs), OF Andruw Jones (White Sox), C Ivan Rodriguez (Nationals), SS Omar Vizquel (White Sox)
Trends to Watch: The Rangers struggled on the road against left-handed starters, going 8-16 while finishing 'under' the total in 17 of those 24 games. If Texas faced a southpaw at night on the road, the record falls to 4-13.
Future Odds: 12/1 odds to win AL Pennant, according to Sportsbook.com.
Oakland Athletics
Review: Following eight straight winning seasons from 1999-2006, the A's suffered through a third straight campaign below .500 in 2009 with a 75-87 mark. Oakland scored 113 more runs this past season than in 2008, but also allowed 70 more runs. The offensive numbers were right around the middle of the AL, while the pitching was above average in most major categories.
The power numbers lacked in Oakland as just one hitter knocked out more than 16 homers (Jack Cust - 25), but the A's ranked fourth in stolen bases (133). Oakland parted ways with Matt Holliday at the trade deadline, as the slugger struggled in an A's uniform with just 11 homers and 54 RBI. The pitching staff lacked a true ace, as lefty Brett Anderson put up team highs in wins (11) and strikeouts (150). The lone bright spot on the pitching staff was closer Andrew Bailey, who compiled an ERA of 1.84 and 26 saves to secure Rookie of the Year honors.
Season Outlook: The A's improved their pitching staff with the acquisition of Ben Sheets from Milwaukee. Sheets sat out last season, but should succeed by pitching in a great pitcher's park. Also, Justin Duchscherer returns from an elbow injury that kept him out of action in 2009. Duchscherer was an All-Star in 2008 thanks to a solid ERA of 2.54. The offense still has work to do, but made two nice veteran pickups with Coco Crisp and Kevin Kouzmanoff. Oakland will be on the outside looking in again, but the goal will be to reach .500 which is attainable with a healthy staff.
Projected Rotation: Brett Anderson (11-11, 4.06), Trevor Cahill (10-13, 4.63), Ben Sheets (13-9, 3.09 in '08), Justin Duchscherer (10-8, 2.54 in '08), Dallas Braden (8-9, 3.89)
Projected Closer: Andrew Bailey (6-3, 1.84, 26 saves)
Key Acquisitions: P Ben Sheets (Brewers), 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff (Padres), OF Coco Crisp (Royals)
Key Losses: SS Bobby Crosby (Pirates), 2B Adam Kennedy (Nationals)
Trends to Watch: The A's had plenty of problems against left-handed pitching, going 18-31 overall including an 8-15 mark on the road. There was no real advantage on totals last season at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, as the A's split the 80 games evenly on 'overs' and 'unders.'
Future Odds: 20/1 odds to win AL Pennant, according to Sportsbook.com.
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