Read the opposing arguments from Loyal Homer and Babe Ruthless.
Real insight happens is gained when you dig beyond the obvious. The obvious signals show that the AL East and the NL East are supposed to be great because that is where the media, and my colleagues, are focusing most of their efforts as the 2010 MLB seasons gets underway today. Beyond the obvious lies the surprising, understated American League West – the division I believe will be the strongest in baseball for the 2010 season.
If you look at the Spring Training standings it probably seems as though the AL West is not what I boldly proclaim it to be. After all, Seattle and Texas were two of the overall worst teams in all of Spring Training. According to Spring Training results the team that promises to be the divisions worst, the Oakland Athletics, was the best – at 11-12.
It’s a good thing Spring Training doesn’t matter, eh (can you tell I disagree agree with this verdict?)?
Seattle Mariners
Seattle may win 95 games this season. Does that sound farfetched? It shouldn’t. The team has shrewdly traded for Cy Young winner Cliff Lee. The depth of the rotation behind a newly re-signed Felix Hernandez, a rejuvenated Ian Snell, and a surprisingly tough Ryan Rowland-Smith, is easy to see. Rowland-Smith has a live arm and a career sub-3.70 ERA. He is the fourth starter in a newly deep rotation where Hernandez and now Lee do not have to win every time they take the mound. The offense is also much bigger and better, too. While Ichiro is the table center and the anchor for the offense, center fielder Franklin Gutierrez was a revelation last season, batting .283 and knocking in 70 runs. The offense has plenty of speed now with the addition of second baseman Chone Figgins. The 1-2 punch at the top of the order is much like the Florida Marlins team that featured Juan Pierre and Luis Castillo – only far better. The primary negative is the new presence of troubled Milton Bradley. But the fact that Bradley isn’t the anointed savior of the offense removes the debilitating pressure that cripples him. The presence of DH Ken Griffey, Jr. will likely help, too. Few command respect like Griffey.
Los Angeles Angels… of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels are also very good. While the rotation subtracted Jon Lackey, it added lefty Scott Kazmir and righty Joel Pineiro. Two solids for one great is a worthwhile trade off. The bullpen has always been solid, but Fernando Rodney adds more fire to the back of the bullpen. The depth of the team is stronger with the addition of Hideki Matsui at DH. You know, the Matsui who was last season’s World Series MVP. THAT Matsui. The breakout season from Kendry Morales, and the late season push from Howie Kendrick, proves that the offense will bounce back this season and be its usual productive success. Again, depth in the pitching staff, the strength of Brian Fuentes at the back of the bullpen, and the balance of a potent offensive lineup promises more success for one of the Major League’s most consistent teams from season to season.
Texas Rangers
When manager Ron Washington isn’t hitting the pipe, he’s quite a talented baseball manager. Of course, maybe anyone could coach this team with the offense Washington enjoys watching from the dugout. Josh Hamilton, Michael Young (whose last name seems quite descriptive of his offensive stamina), Ian Kinsler, Vladmir Guerrero, and the list goes on. Not to mention David Murphy, Nelson Cruz, and Chris Davis. See? The list DID go on. Of course the rotation is still, season after season, the team’s most obvious weakness. Fragile Rich Harden is supposedly the team’s ace. The no-name, rag-tag bunch in the starting rotation just is not good enough to win the ten-plus games over 80 that the offense will not be able to win.
Oakland Athletics
Every division has one, and the A’s are the AL West’s “one.” Without sugar-coating it, the A’s are not going to be very good this season. In fact, for the other three teams in the division to win as many games as they will this season, the A’s, truthfully, have to be bad. They surely will not disappoint with a group of players that embody unfulfilled expectations. Right fielder Jake Fox, third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, and first baseman Daric Barton are all players that are supposed to have fulfilled expectations by now. A rebuilt Ben Sheets – fresh off a one year vacation – is being relied on to anchor a starting rotation that is sure to struggle. The bullpen is not deep or strong, and will likely blow one unlikely lead after another. Count on the A’s to be a part of the division’s strength by being an easy out for divisional opponents.
While it is true that the A’s will not be good, the other three teams in the division will be excellent, and finish tiered according to overall team strength. The Rangers have the best offense and no pitching. The Angels have solid offense and pitching. But the Mariners have potentially elite pitching and an elite offense. The East does not have all the stars and all the pitching. Expect the AL West to surprise a lot of folks this season. Well, a lot of folks… but not me.
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