Will anyone be able to rise up and challenge the Angels? Probably not.
1) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - They lost K-Rod, but jumped on Fuentes in free agency. Even if Fuentes isn't the answer at closer, one of Arredondo or Shields could emerge as the stopper. The strong backend of the bullpen might be the strength of the team.
The starting rotation could be just as dangerous if Ervin Santana can stay healthy and build on his 2008 success. John Lackey, Joe Saunders, and Jered Weaver join him in what should be a strong starting rotation. Kelvim Escobar will join the team early in the season, and will give the rotation an additonally shot in the arm too.
The offense could have used Teixeira, but Vladdy, Abreu, Hunter, Kendrick, and Figgins will give the Angels enough offense to win the AL West.
2) Oakland Athletics - The young A's should still be better than the other two teams in the West. Holliday, Giambi, and Cabrera give the team a nice boost. If Chavez can stay healthy, the offense might be pretty good.
The pitching staff doens't have a stud, but there's plenty of capable arms. Ziegler and Devine could form a lethal duo at the end of games. The starting pitching still remains a question mark, but Billy Beane has young talent that will make a name for themselves before the season is done. Expect summer arrivals from Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill.
3) Texas Rangers - Josh Hamilton and Ian Kinsler give the Rangers two of the better hitters in the AL. Michael Young and Hank Blalock might have seen their best days, but are also capable bats. The key for the Rangers offense is the continued development of their youth. Nelson Cruz, David Murphy, Chris Davis, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia could help propel the Rangers to the highest scoring offense in the league.
The problem in Texas, as always, is the lack of pitching. Frank Francisco gives them a potentially good closer. Everybody else in the bullpen is meltdown waiting the happen. The starting pitching isn't much better. Millwood and Padilla have seen their best days, while the youth has yet to develop into quality major league talent.
4) Seattle Mariners - This team just isn't that good. Ichiro will continue to slap away in the leadoff spot, but there isn't much run production after him. Hopefully Jeff Clement develops the power they think he has, but he's already the answer the offense needs. The team probably wouldn't mind dumping Adrian Beltre too, so there goes 20+ homeruns.
The pitching could keep this team competitive. Felix Hernandez is an ace in the making, Erik Bedard is hopefully healthy, and Brandon Morrow could develop into a very good starter. The problem is, this bullpen looks terrible. Lots of leads will probably be blown, as a cast of medicore candidates will frustrate fans and save-hungry fantasy owners all summer.
http://www.replicapensbase.com/Lots of leads will probably be blown, as a cast of medicore candidates will frustrate fans and save-hungry fantasy owners all summe
Posted by: Joan268 | May 19, 2011 at 11:40 PM