PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH:
Los Angeles Angels
Seattle Mariners
Oakland A's
Texas Rangers
This is another two horse race (it's the American "League" Way). Angels and Mariners battle it out through the summer with the Angels eventually winning out. The A's and Rangers pretend they are competing and battle it out for the three-four spots.
Los Angeles Angels
Pitching - John Lackey, Kelvin Escobar, Jered Weaver and newcomer John Garland are formidable when healthy. Key words, when healthy. If not Joe Saunders or Ervin Santana have to step up. Nick Adenhart and Nick Green are prospects who could contribute. Frankie Rodriguez $(40 saves) is as good as it gets as a closer. SCott Shields and Justin Speier set up and spot close games.
Lineup - Mike Napoli and Jeff Mathis will split the catching duties. Casey Kotchmann and Chone Figgins 3B man the corners. Howie Kendrick 2B and Erick Aybar SS are capable. Brandon Wood 3B-SS is a prospect who could contribute if he's more selective. Garrett Anderson LF, newcomer Torri Hunter CF and Vlad Guerrero RF are the holdovers, with Gary Matthews, Jr. relegated to DH-OF duties.
Prospects - Brandon Wood 3B-SS prodigious power, lots of strikeouts. Nick Adenhart RHP,21 and Jordan Walden RHP,20 are almost ready. Nick Green RHP,23 might be pressed into service so the younger talent can get more seasoning.
Seattle Mariners
Pitching - Oriole newcomer Erik Bedard LHP moves to the top of the staff with Felix Hernandez and Jarrod Washburn. Carlos Silva and Miguel Battista round out the rotation. It's a playoff quality staff from 1-3, mediocre from 3-5. J.J. Putz (40 saves) anchors the pen.
Lineup - Kenji Johjima C holds the spot with prospect Jeff Clement ready to challenge. Richie Sexson 1B and Adrain Beltre 3B anchor the corners. Sexson looking for a bounce back from last year. Yuniesly Betancourt SS (9-67-.289) could be the next great young SS. Jose Lopez and Willie Bloomquist share 2B duties. Raul Ibanez LF Ichiro Suzuki CF and Brad Wilkerson RF man the OF with Brad Wilkerson spot starting. Jose Vidro splits the DH duties with Ibanez.
Prospects - Jeff Clement C,24 lefty power, team leader type. Carlos Triunfel SS,20 may be a year or two away. Wladimir Balentein OF, 23 could crack the lineup soon. The pitching prospects are all young and not ready to contribute. Chris Tillman RHP,20 might be the best for now.
Oakland A's
Pitching - Joe Blanton and Rich Harden are top-notch, if Harden is healthy. Chad Gaudin and Justin Descherrer are unproven. LHP Gio Gonzalez (from White Sox in Nick Swisher deal) may have to step-in. He has top of the rotation potential. Huston Street (16 saves) is the closer. Alan Embree, Joey Devine and Keith Foulke are the closers. Like most teams if Street goes down, they could be in real trouble.
Lineup - Rob Bowen C comes over from San Diego to platoon with Kurt Suzuki. Daric Barton 1B looks ready to take over Eric Chavez 3B (15-46-.240) needs to bounce back. Mark Ellis 2B and Bobby Crosby SS are steady, but unspectacular. Emil Brown LF (from Kansas City) Chris Denorfia and Ryan Sweeney (from White Sox) in CF and Travis Buck RF make up one of the weakest offensive OF's in baseball. Jack Cust and Dan Johnson share the DH spot.
Prospects - Gio Gonzalez LHP (from White Sox) made the Nick Swisher deal work. Carlos Gonzalez OF, 22 should be able to push Brown if LF soon. Greg Smith LHP is crafty, he could see time this year.
Texas Rangers
Pitching - Kevin Millwood, Vincente Padilla and Jason Jenning (from Houston) should be the top three starters. Brandon McCarthy should be the fourth starter. After that, who knows? C.J. Wilson (12 saves) is the closer. Kazuo Fukumori (17 saves) comes over from Japan. Eddie Guardardo may be running on fumes. Joaquin Benoit showed some promise last year.
Lineup - Jarrod Saltamacchia C needs to hit for higher average. Same for backup Gerald Laird. Ben Broussard 1B comes over from Seattle. Hank Blalock 3B (10-33-.293) needs to hit more. Michael Young SS hits for average (.315) Ian Kinsler 2B (20-61-.263) adds some pop. Frank Catalanotto LF, Josh Hamilton CF and Milton Bradely RF should start. Marlon Byrd will get some time as well. Milton Bradely will DH in spots, along with Jason Botts.
Prospects - Eric Hurley RHP,22 has great stuff, Luis Mendoza 15-4 in AA, could start soon. Chris Davis 3B,21 is a lefty bat with some power, John Mayberry OF,24 has power, son of former Royal John Mayberry. Elvis Andrus SS,19 is a great glove, needs to hit. Taylor Teagarden C,24 coming off of elbow surgery, has some pop.
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