(Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)
Pat Neshek was, but he is out for the year. This team would be well served to add an arm or two to the bullpen.
American League West
1. L'Anaheim Angels
The other teams in this division simply are not ready to compete at the level of the Angels. While they aren't the team they were in 2008 (which was a very lucky team), they are still the class of a weak division. The Angels don't really have any strengths, but they also lack that glaring weakness.
The addition of Bobby Abreu was an excellent one for a team that lacked on-base percentage and power. Abreu isn't going to win another home run derby, but he still has fine power.
Missing Lackey and Santana has started the Angels off on the wrong foot, but they should be able to sustain the losses, as long as they don't go too far into May.
I suppose this is as good of a time as any to mention the loss of Nick Adenhart. As someone who lost a friend at an early age to tragic incident, there really isn't anything that can be said that hasn't been said, or that will add some comfort to what happened.
What the Halos Need? To play this game with Adenhart on their minds. It has to be impossible to go about regular business, but that is what the club needs to do. They need to play this year for Adenhart.
2. Seattle Mariners
I know, crazy, right? Well I don't think so. This team shed a lot of bad weight and has fine hitters and quality defenders around the diamond.
I can't understand why they didn't swoop in and scoop up Dallas McPherson, however, the M's may have their sights set on the No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft, maybe hoping that Strasburg is too difficult to sign?
That said, the Mariners are in a division with holes. The Angels aren't really that good, and both the A's and Rangers are without reliable starters.
This would be quite the improvement, but there are still a lot of things that I like about this team. Don't forget the duo at the top of the rotation, one that is arguably as good as any in the American League.
What the Mariners Need? Depth/Power. The outfield is defense first. Griffey Jr. adds some power and should be an adequate designated hitter, but first base is a black hole, and their left fielder is more of a bench player then a guy who deserves 600+ plate appearances.
3. Oakland Athletics
If this club had even one pitcher that could be relied on, say Joe Blanton, then I might have them atop the division. I like what they have, specifically in the bullpen, and offensively they are solid, but the rotation is a year away.
I'm typically not a "names" guy. I am, however, concerned about what a player has done, and what I believe they are capable of doing.
Trevor Cahill, for example, has a fine career ahead of him. But how can a team expect a pitcher that has walked nearly four hitters per nine innings to at the lower levels of the minors to succeed at the big league level?
What the A's Need? You guessed it, pitching. Find some cheap, "reliable" pitching, and this club could make some noise. Stand pat, and I have a feeling they are in for some major trouble.
4. Texas Rangers
The Rangers have a plan, one that seems very positive. Unfortunately the pitching is a year behind. The club has nothing to worry about, however, as the next two or three years should have them standing alone in the division.
Offensively the Rangers are stacked. This lineup is dangerous, one that has me sitting my starting pitchers when they go up against the Rangers in fantasy baseball.
Defensively the club is fine, not spectacular, but fine. The pitching, however, is dreadful...for now.
What the Rangers Need? Time. They may be tempted to rush things with Holland and Feliz, and they may be justified in doing so.
However, if the club is not going to make a legitimate run at the playoffs, there isn't any need to push up the service clock of those two.
As I did last year, I will be reflecting on these projections at the All-Star Break and season's end.
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