The baseball season is getting ever closer. So close in fact that my Yankees season tickets arrived yesterday. We're only four days away! (Although, that's also the day of the How I Met Your Mother finale, which makes me sad.)
As for the traditional Joe Brackets baseball preview, we've reached the halfway point. All done with the National League, and today we start the AL. And the AL West is one of the most intriguing divisions in baseball. The Rangers have greatly underachieved since their back-to-back World Series losses. But they've gotten significantly better with their offseason moves, and I think they're going to end Oakland's two-year reign atop the division. I'm also starting to come around on Oakland. I've finally accepted the fact that they're good. Meanwhile, the Angels are eventually going to figure it out, you'd think. They've got too much talent to keep finishing third every year.
Seattle's on the verge of getting better, too. Fortunately for the Mariners, it's difficult for them to finish last now that the Astros are in the division. But I also hope Robinson Cano enjoys winning 75 games each year...because that's about all he can look forward to. If he actually wanted the chance to play baseball in October, he should've thought about more than the money. Anyway...Houston will probably be better this year, too. Not enough to be competitive and probably not enough to avoid losing 100, but they might at least resemble a Major League team this year.
1. Texas Rangers: The Rangers have a bad history of mistreating people when they no longer find them useful. First it was Michael Young. Then Ian Kinsler. I absolutely loved it when Kinsler said he hoped Texas would go 0-162 this year. That's obviously not going to happen, but there's no love lost between the Rangers and their former second baseman. But with that being said, I absolutely LOVE the Kinsler for Prince trade, and I think that might be the difference that gets Texas by Oakland for the first time in three years. By trading Kinsler, they finally solved their Jurickson Profar problem. They finally have a place to play him. So of course, he's starting the year on the DL. They also plugging the only gaping hole they had in their lineup by bringing in Prince to play first. Letting Nelson Cruz go was necessary, especially after the Biogenesis thing. Besides, they've got Alex Rios and Leonys Martin, and they were trying to find a place for Engel Beltre. But the real difference with this team (other than the addition of Prince) is the addition of Shin-Soo Choo. He's exactly what the Rangers needed, and the perfect guy to put at the top of that lineup. It's interesting that they sent Neftali Feliz down, but with Joakim Soria closing, it's unclear what his role would've been anyway. A lot has been made of the fact that Yu Darvish won't make his Opening Day start, but I think that's much ado about nothing. Darvish will start the season on the DL, but all indications are that this is simply precautionary and he'll be fine. The rest of the rotation, especially without Derek Holland, is a little shakier, and that might be the thing that holds the Rangers back. I think they'll get just enough out of their pitching staff, though. On paper (and talent-wise), Texas is the best team in this division.
Projected Record: 91-71
Projected Lineup: Shin-Soo Choo-LF, Elvis Andrus-SS, Adrian Beltre-3B, Prince Fielder-1B, Alex Rios-RF, Mitch Moreland-DH, J.P. Arencibia-C, Donnie Murphy-2B, Leonys Martin-CF
Projected Rotation: Yu Darvish, Tanner Scheppers, Martin Perez, Joe Saunders, Matt Harrison
Closer: Joakim Soria
2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Orange County, California: There's eventually going to be a point when the Angels aren't the most underachieving team in baseball, right? Either that, or Anaheim simply has the most overrated roster out there. But I look at this team and wonder how it's been two years of third place finishes since signing Albert. I will give them credit for not overspending on a free agent (Cano, Robinson) this offseason. Instead their big move was a trade. One which should help them improve at a couple different positions. They sent Peter Bourjos to the Cardinals for David Freese. But finally getting over this delusion that Bourjos is good, they're no longer tempted to move their best player (Mike Trout) from his best position (center field). It also freed up left field for J.B. Shuck, who deserves to play every day. And third base has been a black hole for the last couple seasons. Freese had worn out his welcome in St. Louis, but Anaheim gives him a great chance for a fresh start. Trading Mark Trumbo to the Diamondbacks didn't make a whole lot of sense on the surface, but it gives them the chance to spread around DH at-bats (which Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton are going to need to use somewhat regularly) while also not subjecting themselves to Trumbo's terrible defense at whatever position they decided to put him. As for a primary DH, that role now goes to Raul Ibanez, who's still got it well past 40. Jered Weaver doesn't get enough credit for being the staff ace, but he and C.J. Wilson provide a very good lefty-righty 1-2 punch. Outside of closer Ernesto Frieri, the bullpen's not great. I have a feeling that the Angels are a team on a mission this year, though. After all, if they don't make the playoffs again, it's probably Mike Scioscia's last in Anaheim.
Projected Record: 87-75 (Wild Card)
Projected Lineup: Mike Trout-CF, Erick Aybar-SS, Albert Pujols-1B, Josh Hamilton-RF, Raul Ibanez-DH, David Freese-3B, Howie Kendrick-2B, Chris Iannetta-C, J.B. Shuck-LF
Projected Rotation: Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson, Hector Santiago, Garrett Richards, Tyler Skaggs
Closer: Ernesto Frieri
3. Oakland Athletics: I know I say this every year, but I don't get the big deal about the Oakland A's. I simply don't understand how this team is so good. But in the interest of looking like less of an idiot when they inevitably win 95 games again this season, I'll at least finally acknowledge that they are good. And I am starting to see it. Yoenis Cespedes is a beast and Josh Donaldson is a star in the making. Mostly, though, they're winning the way they did in the Moneyball era. They're getting the most out of guys that everyone else undervalues. I think that's the secret. On their own, none of these guys are that good. But you put these guys in Oakland, and suddenly something changes. They all complement each other very well. This is one of the best "teams" in the game. And just like in the early part of this century when they had Hudson, Mulder and Zito, the young starting pitchers are really what make the A's go. This time that young rotation consists of Sonny Gray, Dan Straily and Tommy Milone. But I also like what they've done to enhance that group. Scott Kazmir resurrected his career last season in Cleveland, and he's been added as a veteran presence. It's the bullpen, though, that's really impressive. They plucked closer Jim Johnson away from Baltimore, and they've also added former Padres setup man Luke Gregerson to go along with the already strong group led by Sean Doolittle and Ryan Cook. I'm probably underestimating the A's once again. And I probably shouldn't be surprised when they end up winning the division yet again. This is becoming a common theme. Once again, though, I can't say I see them finishing higher than third. I just think the Rangers and Angels are both better. Knowing the A's, though, they'll prove me wrong.
Projected Record: 86-76
Projected Lineup: Coco Crisp-CF, Eric Sogard-2B, Josh Donaldson-3B, Yoenis Cespedes-LF, Josh Reddick-RF, Brandon Moss-1B, John Jaso-DH, Derek Norris-C, Jed Lowrie-SS
Projected Rotation: Sonny Gray, Scott Kazmir, Dan Straily, Tommy Milone, Jesse Chavez
Closer: Jim Johnson
4. Seattle Mariners: I hope they have fun paying Robinson Cano $30 million a year when he's 40 and completely useless as anything other than a DH. Evidently they didn't learn from their division rivals that overspending on the biggest name available out there in free agency isn't necessarily the best move to make. But I will give the Mariners credit for trying. For the first time since Ichiro, they actually have an established star player in his prime. And they've had enough high draft picks recently that the talent around Cano isn't that terrible, even if some of them have yet to pan out the way many had planned/hoped they would. Seattle's going to need these guys to all play the way they did to get drafted that high. Because they don't have the money to go out and get free agents. That's really the biggest problem with committing so much money to Cano (other than the fact that he's not worth what they're giving him). The Mariners needed more than just one superstar to challenge for the division title. Felix Hernandez still only pitches once every five days, and they needed just as much help for their pitching staff as they did for their anemic lineup. Especially with Jesus Montero proving to be more and more of a bust with each passing year, I bet they're regretting trading Michael Pineda. Because that rotation behind King Felix is pathetic. The bullpen is only slightly better, although the closer position has been significantly upgraded with the acquisition of former Ray Fernando Rodney. Even with Felix Hernandez and Robinson Cano, the Mariners aren't going to challenge for the division title. They've got enough talented young guys to make them think that they will before Cano's 10-year contract is up, though. As for this year, at least they've still got the Astros to keep them out of the cellar.
Projected Record: 74-88
Projected Lineup: Michael Saunders-CF, Dustin Ackley-LF, Robinson Cano-2B, Kyle Seager-3B, Corey Hart-DH, Logan Morrison-RF, Justin Smoak-1B, Mike Zunino-C, Brad Miller-SS
Projected Rotation: Felix Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma, Erasmo Ramirez, James Paxton, Taijuan Walker
Closer: Fernando Rodney
5. Houston Astros: The Astros are going to finish last. You know it. I know it. They know it. But I also have a feeling they're going to be slightly more competitive this season. Slowly but surely, they're starting to put together the roster that they want in Houston This season, they'll mix in a veteran presence to go along with all those new guys. That veteran presence includes center fielder Dexter Fowler, who needed to get out of Colorado, but is a perfect fit for Houston. Same thing with Matt Dominguez. He's only going to get better with the chance to start everyday and not having to worry about getting pulled if he's not hitting. That's the benefit of a team like Houston. There are plenty of at-bats to be had for younger players, and you'll be allowed to make mistakes. And bad mistakes, they'll make a few (Sorry, just saw that "We Are the Champions" commercial.) There are a grand total of three guys on the Houston pitching staff that I've ever heard of, and two of them are relievers (Chad Qualls and Jesse Crain). So, even if they had a lineup, that would be a big problem. The Astros aren't going to win many games with their pitching staff the way it currently is. There is some good news, though. A lot of their prospects are almost Major League ready, and the Twins are also really bad. The Astros might have some competition for worst team in the American League. They might even avoid 100 losses. Regardless, their second year in the Junior Circuit should be better than the first.
Projected Record: 59-103
Projected Lineup: Jose Altuve-2B, Dexter Fowler-CF, Matt Dominguez-3B, Chris Carter-DH, Jason Castro-C, Robbie Grossman-LF, L.J. Hoes-RF, Jesus Guzman-1B, Jonathan Villar-SS
Projected Rotation: Scott Feldman, Jarred Cosart, Lucas Harrell, Dallas Keuchel, Brett Oberholtzer
Closer: Chad Qualls
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