2008 MLB Preview: AL West

After doing a 6 team division yesterday, I decided to give myself a bit of a break and do the smallest division today. What's nice is how easy this division is to predict. Two very good teams, two very bad teams. Here is how they will finish.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Key Additions: Torii Hunter, Jon Garland
Key Subtractions: Orlando Cabrerra, Bartolo Colon

Player to Watch: Howie Kendrick. Yeah, if you have read this before, you know I am in love with this guy. He has the talent to be the best second baseman in the majors, yet little things keep preventing this from happening. Broken fingers, nagging injuries, and being mistaken for a white dude (seriously, read his name again. Did you think he was black?).

What Could Go Wrong: Not much. Sure they could get bit by the injury bug. John Lackey has already gone down for a month. But their pitching staff is deep. Vlad isn't getting any younger, but they have a loaded outfield and their lineup is deep. What could go wrong is the Mariners play above their heads and overtake the division.

Prediction: This is a scary team. They can hit, play defense and pitch. As long as they can overcome having the stupidest name in the majors, expect to see them in the playoffs.

Seattle Mariners

Key Additions: Eric Bedard, Carols Silva, Brad Wilkerson

Key Subtractions: Adam Jones, Jose Guillen

Player to Watch: Raul Ibanez. Contrary to popular belief, he is not a popular Mexican soap star. In fact, his second have last year was pretty steller. He lead the team in home runs with 15, he had the second most RBIs with 52, and he hit .309. If that is a sign to come, he may be in for an extraordinary year.

What Could Go Wrong: Inconsistency. The lineup could go either way. Beltre, Sexson, Wilkerson, Vidro, Jojima. These guys could either all have great years, or all have terrible years. Or I guess Richie Sexson could either have a terrible year, or a moderately terrible year.

Prediction: The pitching is deep. Love Bedard, and with Carlos Silva has your 5 pitcher (being paid as a 2, but I digress), the pitching will be there. As will one of the best closers in the game, JJ Putz slamming the door. It all relies on the lineup. They will contend for the division or the wild card though, no doubt.

Oakland Athletics

Key Additions: Keith Foulke is back. Mike Sweeney (who is shockingly still in the league)
Key Subtractions: Dan Haren, Nick Swisher, Mark Kotsay

Player to Watch: Kurt Suzuki. This dude is the best catcher you never heard of. He is a dark horse candidate for rookie of the year and has already had good start to the season during the A's two Japanese games. Insert Suzuki being Asian joke here.

What Could Go Wrong: This team is young, has no pitching, and not much offensive power. Did I miss anything?

Predictions: I don't think its a secret, the A's rebuild. And they do it well. This is a young team, who just jettisoned their best pitcher and hitter. They have one of the best farms in the league and this season is all about giving those young prospects time and experience.

Texas Rangers

Key Additions: Josh Hamilton, Milton Bradley (look out!), Kazou Fukumori

Key Subtractions: Brad Wilkerson, Sammy Sosa, Kenny Loften

Player to Watch: Josh Hamilton. Last years most intriguing story of the first half get a second (third?) chance in the Lone Star state. Its obvious he has the power and talent to become a star. What's not so obvious is his capacity to stop getting injured so damn much. Odds are he will find the Ballpark at Arlington matches his hitting style perfectly. Odds are also that he will become very familiar with the Rangers training staff.

What Could Go Wrong: Tricky question. The Rangers are going to be bad. Their "ace" had a 5.16 ERA last year. They don't have much power in their lineup. They are the exact opposite of everything I said about the Angels.

Predictions: Ugly baseball and lots of blow outs. This team could lose 100 games. But hey, did you hear that the Cowboys might sign Pac-Man Jones?!