AL West Preview

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Rotation: Jon Garland, Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders, Ervin Santana, Dustin Mosely/Nick Adenhart
At the start of spring training, Saunders and Santana were competing for the fifth spot in the rotation. They both win because of the injuries to John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar. Lackey and Escobar will be out at least a month, leaving the back of the rotation in a state of flux. Adenhart is the hot prospect, but he might not be ready. This should have been a strength, it's moved a lot closer to average. The front is still solid, and the back could be good.

Line-up: C-Mike Napoli
1B-Casey Kotchman
2B-Howie Kendrick
SS-Erick Aybar
3B-Chone Figgins
LF-Gary Matthews
CF-Torii Hunter
RF-Vladimir Guerrero
DH-Garrett Anderson
The Angels have a lot of money locked up in their outfield, and they should get good production out of it. Guerrero's back is an issue, but Juan Rivera should provide decent production if he's called upon. The infield is young. They could take a big step forward, but they'll probably be pretty close to average. Overall, the line-up is a plus, but not a huge one.

Bullpen: Francisco Rodriguez is as good as any closer in the game, and Justin Speier is a quality arm ahead of him. Scot Shields will start the season on the DL leaving the rest of the bullpen in flux.

Predicted Record: 85-77

Seattle Mariners

Rotation: Eric Bedard, Felix Hernandez, Miguel Batista, Jarrod Washburn, Carlos Silva
The Mariners added Bedard and Silva over the offseason. Bedard gives them a legitimate ace to go with Hernandez's ace potential. If Hernandez puts it together, the rotation could be scary. The back of the rotation is solid. Batista, Washburn and Silva won't blow anyone away, but they're good enough.

Line-up: C-Kenji Johjima
1B-Richie Sexson
2B-Jose Lopez
SS-Yuniesky Betancourt
3B-Adrian Beltre
LF-Raul Ibanez
CF-Ichiro Suzuki
RF-Brad Wilkerson
DH-Jose Vidro
If Sexson and Wilkerson rebound it would help hide some of the weaker hitters. Vidro and Betancourt don't add much and while Beltre is a good defender he is not an elite hitter. Overall, the line-up should be decent but could be worse if they fight injuries or age.

Bullpen: J.J. Putz is a great closer, the rest of the bullpen is mediocre.

Predicted Record: 82-80

Oakland Athletics

Rotation: Joe Blanton, Rich Harden, Justin Duchsherer, Dana Eveland, Chad Gaudin
The Athletics need Harden to stay healthy to become legitimate contenders. Even without him, they could win a division that's looking weak after the Angels pitching injuries. Blanton and Duchsherer are solid. Eveland and Gaudin could be decent with if they get some breaks.

Line-up: C-Kurt Suzuki
1B-Daric Barton
2B-Mark Ellis
SS-Bobby Crosby
3B-Jack Hannahan
LF-Emil Brown
CF-Ryan Sweeney
RF-Travis Buck
DH-Jack Cust
The A's are working in some of their young, and not so young talent. Barton should be good but will take some time to get there. It's looking more and more like Eric Chavez is done being a serious contributor. The A's need someone to step up, but it's probably going not going to happen next year.

Bullpen: Huston Street is great, and the set-up men are decent. One question is how long Street will remain in Oakland. If the A's are out of it midway, Street, Crosby, Ellis, Chavez and Blanton could all have new employers.

Predicted Record: 80-82

Texas Rangers

Rotation: Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, Jason Jennings, Kason Gabbard, Brandon McCarthy
Luis Mendoza will take McCarthy's spot for at least a few turns. The rotation is a problem. They fight their park tooth and nail, but even taking that into account, their just isn't much to like here.

Line-up: C-Gerald Laird
1B-Ben Broussard
2B-Ian Kinsler
SS-Michael Young
3B-Hank Blalock
LF-Marlon Byrd
CF-Josh Hamilton
RF-Nelson Cruz
DH-Milton Bradley
Saltalamachia might open the season in the minors, or might be the back-up catcher/DH/first baseman. He can hit, but the Rangers aren't happy with his defense behind the plate. The line-up could be an asset, especially if Blalock and Hamilton can continue to resurge and Saltalamachia is ready.

Bullpen: The Rangers have a lot of decent relievers but no really good ones. Kazuo Fukumori is a new Japanese import. The Rangers hope he can be the next Takashi Saito. If he does, and the hitting reaches it's potential, they could sneak into a division lead, but that's a lot of ifs.

Predicted Record: 77-85