There are plenty of reasons this year to stay up late -- if you’re on the East Coast -- and watch baseball in this division. You have new stars, like Albert Pujols, in the mix. You have complete teams, like the Rangers and Angels, hunting for October. And as always, you have some decent rivalries.
And while the Mariners and Athletics -- who opened on Wednesday in Tokyo -- are young, there is some burgeoning talent there to keep on your radar. So, let’s examine all four teams, and their strengths and weaknesses as we wait for the 2012 season to begin in earnest. (Odds courtesy Pinnaclesports.com):
Texas Rangers
Last year's record: 96-66
This year's season win total: 91
Odds to win the AL West: Even
WHO'S IN: Yu Darvish, Joe Nathan
WHO'S OUT: C.J. Wilson, Darren Oliver
TEAM STRENGTH: Offensive consistency. Sure, there have been some changes. But, primarily, this is the same lineup that’s been to the postseason in consecutive years. And last year, Michael Young (106) and Adrian Beltre (105) topped 100 RBIs, and Josh Hamilton (94) and Nelson Cruz (87) came awfully close. No reason to think those numbers will drop significantly this season.
TEAM WEAKNESS: Starting pitching. Without Wilson, and despite plenty of hype hovering over it, the starting rotation is a bit of an unknown. Colby Lewis was 14-10 last year, and will be counted on heavily. But the rest of the crew -- Darvish, Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz among them -- is entering the deep end of the pool, and who knows what to expect. Facing the light-hitting Mariners and Athletics will help some, but is there enough here to get back to the playoffs?
Los Angeles Angels
Last year's record: 86-76
This year's season win total: 91.5
Odds to win the AL West: -125
WHO'S IN: Albert Pujols, C.J. Wilson, Chris Iannetta, LaTroy Hawkins, Jorge Cantu, Ryan Langerhans, Brad Mills
WHO'S OUT: Jeff Mathis, Joel Pineiro, Tyler Chatwood, Russell Branyan, Reggie Willits
TEAM STRENGTH: Starting pitching. The Angels improved their rotation and weakened the rival Rangers in one signing. C.J. Wilson, who was an ace in Texas, is the third starter behind Jered Weaver and Dan Haren. Ervin Santana, 178 strikeouts last season, is slated to be the No. 4 hurler in the rotation. Not too shabby.
TEAM WEAKNESS: Bullpen. There are numbers in there, for sure, and Jordan Walden had 32 saves last season, but if you're looking for a question mark on one of the league's best collections of talent, it's relief pitching. Scott Downs and Hawkins are coming off quality seasons, and keep finding ways to get it done. But this is a new mix, and it may take time to mesh and let everyone settle into a respective, pure role.
Oakland Athletics
Last year's record: 74-88
This year's season win total: 72
Odds to win the AL West: +3000
WHO'S IN: Yoenis Cespedes, Manny Ramirez, Seth Smith, Josh Reddick, Jonny Gomes, Bartolo Colon, Jarrod Parker
WHO'S OUT: Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez, Andrew Bailey, Ryan Sweeney
TEAM STRENGTH: Promise of young prospects. Yoenis Cespedes is showing why Billy Beane is bananas about the Cuban defect. It always feels like they’re rebuilding in Oakland but with Cespedes and the prospects the A’s landed in the Cahill and Gonzalez deals, there does seem to be some foundation for the future.
TEAM WEAKNESS: Starting pitching. There's a lot to like about Brandon McCarthy, who had 123 strikeouts last season. But Colon and Dallas Braden as your No. 2 and 3? Expecting much out of them in this bat-heavy division is a tall task. Colon had his moments with the Yankees last season, but still lost 10 games with a monstrous lineup supporting him. This year, he doesn't have that luxury.
Seattle Mariners
Last year's record: 67-85
This year's season win total: 72
Odds to win the AL West: +4000
WHO'S IN: Jesus Montero, George Sherrill, Kevin Millwood, Carlos Guillen, John Jaso
WHO'S OUT: Michael Pineda, Adam Kennedy, Josh Lueke
TEAM STRENGTH: Catchers. Montero enters the fold fresh from the Yankees farm system, and joins Miguel Olivo and Jaso. Do they even need that many? Well, it's a good position to stockpile at, clearly, and the Mariners surely will find ways to get them all at-bats. In a small sample last season, Montero hit .328 with 12 RBIs.
TEAM WEAKNESS: Offense. As is always the case in Seattle, runs will be hard to come by. The M’s are hoping Montero gets up to speed right away and Justin Smoak will become a middle-of-the-order masher this season. But for now, slap hitter Irchiro is hitting third. So… yeah.
And while the Mariners and Athletics -- who opened on Wednesday in Tokyo -- are young, there is some burgeoning talent there to keep on your radar. So, let’s examine all four teams, and their strengths and weaknesses as we wait for the 2012 season to begin in earnest. (Odds courtesy Pinnaclesports.com):
Texas Rangers
Last year's record: 96-66
This year's season win total: 91
Odds to win the AL West: Even
WHO'S IN: Yu Darvish, Joe Nathan
WHO'S OUT: C.J. Wilson, Darren Oliver
TEAM STRENGTH: Offensive consistency. Sure, there have been some changes. But, primarily, this is the same lineup that’s been to the postseason in consecutive years. And last year, Michael Young (106) and Adrian Beltre (105) topped 100 RBIs, and Josh Hamilton (94) and Nelson Cruz (87) came awfully close. No reason to think those numbers will drop significantly this season.
TEAM WEAKNESS: Starting pitching. Without Wilson, and despite plenty of hype hovering over it, the starting rotation is a bit of an unknown. Colby Lewis was 14-10 last year, and will be counted on heavily. But the rest of the crew -- Darvish, Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz among them -- is entering the deep end of the pool, and who knows what to expect. Facing the light-hitting Mariners and Athletics will help some, but is there enough here to get back to the playoffs?
Los Angeles Angels
Last year's record: 86-76
This year's season win total: 91.5
Odds to win the AL West: -125
WHO'S IN: Albert Pujols, C.J. Wilson, Chris Iannetta, LaTroy Hawkins, Jorge Cantu, Ryan Langerhans, Brad Mills
WHO'S OUT: Jeff Mathis, Joel Pineiro, Tyler Chatwood, Russell Branyan, Reggie Willits
TEAM STRENGTH: Starting pitching. The Angels improved their rotation and weakened the rival Rangers in one signing. C.J. Wilson, who was an ace in Texas, is the third starter behind Jered Weaver and Dan Haren. Ervin Santana, 178 strikeouts last season, is slated to be the No. 4 hurler in the rotation. Not too shabby.
TEAM WEAKNESS: Bullpen. There are numbers in there, for sure, and Jordan Walden had 32 saves last season, but if you're looking for a question mark on one of the league's best collections of talent, it's relief pitching. Scott Downs and Hawkins are coming off quality seasons, and keep finding ways to get it done. But this is a new mix, and it may take time to mesh and let everyone settle into a respective, pure role.
Oakland Athletics
Last year's record: 74-88
This year's season win total: 72
Odds to win the AL West: +3000
WHO'S IN: Yoenis Cespedes, Manny Ramirez, Seth Smith, Josh Reddick, Jonny Gomes, Bartolo Colon, Jarrod Parker
WHO'S OUT: Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez, Andrew Bailey, Ryan Sweeney
TEAM STRENGTH: Promise of young prospects. Yoenis Cespedes is showing why Billy Beane is bananas about the Cuban defect. It always feels like they’re rebuilding in Oakland but with Cespedes and the prospects the A’s landed in the Cahill and Gonzalez deals, there does seem to be some foundation for the future.
TEAM WEAKNESS: Starting pitching. There's a lot to like about Brandon McCarthy, who had 123 strikeouts last season. But Colon and Dallas Braden as your No. 2 and 3? Expecting much out of them in this bat-heavy division is a tall task. Colon had his moments with the Yankees last season, but still lost 10 games with a monstrous lineup supporting him. This year, he doesn't have that luxury.
Seattle Mariners
Last year's record: 67-85
This year's season win total: 72
Odds to win the AL West: +4000
WHO'S IN: Jesus Montero, George Sherrill, Kevin Millwood, Carlos Guillen, John Jaso
WHO'S OUT: Michael Pineda, Adam Kennedy, Josh Lueke
TEAM STRENGTH: Catchers. Montero enters the fold fresh from the Yankees farm system, and joins Miguel Olivo and Jaso. Do they even need that many? Well, it's a good position to stockpile at, clearly, and the Mariners surely will find ways to get them all at-bats. In a small sample last season, Montero hit .328 with 12 RBIs.
TEAM WEAKNESS: Offense. As is always the case in Seattle, runs will be hard to come by. The M’s are hoping Montero gets up to speed right away and Justin Smoak will become a middle-of-the-order masher this season. But for now, slap hitter Irchiro is hitting third. So… yeah.
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