Texas: The biggest news is the great Josh Hamilton left in free agency to join the rival Angels. Josh left a sour taste in a lot of fans' mouths with his second half production, questionable body language, poor plate appearances, and pointing out that Dallas is a football town first. With that being said, he can be the most talented, dynamic player in the game at any point. There is no more exciting play in baseball than a Josh Hamilton triple...Also gone are Michael Young, coming off the worst season of his career, and Mike Napoli, two huge staples to the greatest team in Rangers history(2011). But that was 2 years ago, and you move on. Replacing that production will be up to Lance Berkman, who got talked out of retirement for some more dough. Berkman has had a fantastic career, compiling a lifetime OPS of .953. That's 21st in the history of baseball, yeah he's been that good. Berkman's patient approach at the plate is the inverse of Hamilton's free-swinging PAs. However, Berkman is coming off an injury-plagued 2012 that saw him only rack up 97 PAs. It is imperative for the Rangers that Lance stay healthy and give the type of production that his past seasons have provided...AJ Pierzynski will be the new starting catcher. Throughout his career he's been hated by rival players and fans alike. But AJ calls a good game, is a solid competitor, and is coming off a career high season in OPS of .827. He is also a Florida Gators fan...A platoon of speedy outfielders Craig Gentry and Leonys Martin will take over CF duties. The defense will be improved but it's still to be seen if Martin can come close to replicating his offensive numbers from AAA. The double play combo of Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus are, to quote manager Ron Washington, "Proven". Expect them to be among the best in the league at their respective positions...David Murphy and Nelson Cruz are what they are, solid players that could reasonably be among the top corner OFs in the league...Adrian Beltre, along with Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria, is the best third baseman in the league. He provides pop, stellar defense, and locker room leadership, especially amongst the Latin contingent.
The starting rotation looks very good with the top 3. Yu Darvish is a legitimate Cy Young candidate, Matt Harrison has now compiled back-to-back all star type seasons, and Derek Holland has great, if sometimes inconsistent, stuff. Alexi Ogando is a question mark in the 4th spot. He's been a great set-up man, and even made the All Star team as a starter 2 years ago. However, his long term durability and lack of a plus 3rd pitch leaves some question marks. The 5th spot will be Nick Tepesch's to start the season. The 24 year old compiled a 3.67 ERA and 1.290 WHIP in 162 innings last year, splitting time between High A and AA. The Rangers are counting on Colby Lewis to return by early June, and take this spot in the rotation. But who knows how he'll perform, this could be an Achille's heel for the Rangers...The bullpen lost stalwarts Koji Uehera and Mike Adams. Closer Joe Nathan and lefty Robbie Ross return. Ross is more than just a LOOGY, and the Rangers will be looking at him, Jason Frasor, and Michael Kirkman to provide set-up innings.
Overall, the Rangers will be in the hunt for the division crown. A healthy Berkman, consistent Holland, and solid work from the revamped bullpen will be the keys.
Los Angeles: The Angels have 3 guys that could potentially be the best player in the league. Mike Trout is coming off of one the best seasons in decades, not just by a rookie but any player. It's hard to imagine he could repeat his 2012, but he could still be the best player even with regression. Albert Pujols is, of course, one of the best hitters of all time. After a horrid first 2 months, Phat Albert provided his normal production in the last 4, last year. No one knows how old he really is, and it's painful to watch him run but I imagine he's still got a few great seasons left. Josh Hamilton, when on, is the most dynamic player in the game. A massive man that can destroy a baseball(4 times in a game, even) and also turn a gapper into a triple, rounding the bases like an Olympic 200 meter runner. The noggin' is his biggest concern...The rest of the lineup doesn't really provide much to worry about. Mark Trumbo could be the key as the potential 4th big bat...CF Peter Bourjous and SS Erick Aybar will provide great up-the-middle defense, 2B Howie Kendrick line drive gap offense, and C Chris Ianetta the occasional pop.
On the mound, the Angels will be led by the competitive and great Jered Weaver. CJ Wilson will be the number 2 man, and expect him to bounce back from a mediocre 2012. Joe Blanton, innings eater Jason Vargas, and former uber-prospect Tommy Hanson will round out the rotation. The Angels season really depends on what these 3-5 guys can provide. They have the potential to be solid, and the unpredictability to make it a long season.
Expect a season full of grimaces from manager Mike Sciosca due to the back end of the rotation. However, those 3 star players on offense, along with Weaver and Wilson, should have the Angels in the thick of it all season.
Oakland: The defending AL West champs have my pick for AL MVP, Yoenis Cespedes. I could see Cuban Bo carrying them like Miguel Tejada did a decade ago(As an aside, Tejada made the Royals squad this year)...It's hard to imagine Josh Reddick and Brandon Moss matching their 2012 campaigns, but if they do, look out. C John Jaso and 3B Jed Lowrie were solid offseason pickups that fit into that Oakland A's mold.
The pitching staff is looking for a full season out of the talented, but oft injured, Brett Anderson. Anderson has the potential to be one of the league's better aces. Jarrod Parker looks to be a great #2, and Tommy Milone can provide better than quality innings from the 3rd spot. AJ Griffin and prospect Dan Straily look to round out the rotation, with veteran Bartolo Colon on the horizon once his PED suspension ends.
The A's are more than just a pesky team Moneyballin' their way into contention. They have a lot of talent both in the field and on the mound.
Seattle: The Mariners are probably the division's biggest question mark. Offseason acquisitions Kendrys Morales and Mike Morse will fill the 3 and 4 spots in the lineup. They both have good pop and the fences will be moved in this year at Safeco. However, they're not the kind of guys you expect to carry a playoff contending team. Former second overall pick Dustin Ackley needs to live up to his potential, and this might be former prospect Justin Smoak's last shot. Another former top prospect, Jesus Montero could still be a solid offensive major leaguer. The M's will get great defense up the middle from slick-fielding SS Brendan Ryan and CF Franklin Gutierrez, but don't expect much offense. RF Michael Saunders and 3B Kyle Seager will be the keys on offense. Expected to occupy the top two spots in the lineup, if they can produce the Mariners could cause problems.
Pitching in Seattle always revolves around ace Felix Hernandez. The cocky pitcher makes the Mariners favorites in all of his starts. The rest of the rotation is a hodgepodge of guys like Joe Saunders, Blake Beavan, and Brandon Maurer...Down on the farm, the M's have big time pitching prospects in Tajuan Walker, Danny Hultzen, and James Paxton. This team could be dangerous soon.
There just doesn't seem to be enough here to make a real threat this year. However, I do think the division rides on how the other contenders fare against the M's. They could really throw a wrench in the playoff chances of the big boys.
Houston: I don't know what to say here. A complete rebuilding team, I feel bad for manager Bo Porter. They have a group of former prospects like the over-matched Chris Carter, Fernando Martinez, and former high pick Matt Dominguez. Brett Wallace is a big old boy that could provide some pop, and CF Justin Maxwell could be an interesting kid. Little man Jose Altuve is a legit major-leaguer, and the likely Astros representative in the All Star game.
The rotation is a bunch of meh. Lucas Harrell is the only guy I find interesting. They have perfect game thrower Philip Humber and former good pitcher Erik Bedard.
The only impact the 'Stros will have is if one of the top 3 teams can't have at least a .667 winning percentage against them.
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I think Oakland will repeat as division champs. Just love Cespedes, and I think their rotation will carry them thru the year. I expect Texas and Los Angeles to be the Wild Card teams in the AL, challenging the runner up in the East between Toronto and Tampa Bay.
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DIRK IS THE GREATEST HUMAN BEING EVER...What a fantastic performance from the Big German, keeping hope alive. Still one game back in the loss column, with a huge game in LA on Tuesday. The Jazz are really starting to be worrisome. Randy Foye, 8-9 from three..come on.
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