The AL West All Star Team

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OAKLAND, CA - MAY 23: Jack Cust #32 of the Oakland Athletics is congratulated by Matt Holliday after Cust hit a two-run home run that scored Kurt Suzuki #8 in the first inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at the Oakland Coliseum on May

A lot of people say that the AL west is the weakest division in baseball. But, what if you combined all 4 teams into one. It would be called the AL West All Star team. That team would boast some perennial all stars, but also some breakout young stars. These players were picked based on their performance this year. The team will have both starting pitchers and a reliever.

Catcher: Kurt Suzuki, Oakland

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 07: Kurt Suzuki #8 of the Oakland Athletics catches against the Texas Rangers during a Major League Baseball game on May 7, 2009 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

So far Suzuki is having a breakout 2009 year. As of Tuesday he was hitting .290 and playing solid defense. He throws out almost 50% of runners trying to steal and is managing a young and inexperienced pitching staff like a veteran. Suzuki may even be an AL all star this year and deserves consideration for the gold glove.

Honorable Mention: Mike Napoli, LAA

First Base: Russel Branyan, Seattle

SEATTLE - MAY 21: Russell Branyan #30 of the Seattle Mariners bats against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during the game on May 21, 2009 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Branyan has also had a huge 2009. He has pretty much single handedly lead the M's offense while Ichiro was on the DL. So far this year he is hitting .305 with 10 homers and 25 runs scored.

Honorable Mention: Kendry Morales, LAA

Second Base: Ian Kinsler, Texas

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 07: Ian Kinsler #5 of the Texas Rangers bats against the Oakland Athletics during a Major League Baseball game on May 7, 2009 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Kinsler wins this one hands down. So far this year he has 12 homers, 33 RBIs, 10 SBs and 32 runs scored. Oh, and he hit for the cycle a few weeks ago. If the country did not already know who Kinsler is, they do now.

Honorable Mention: Adam Kennedy, Oakland

Shortstop: Elvis Andrus, Texas

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 07: Elvis Andrus #1 of the Texas Rangers fields a ball against the Oakland Athletics during a Major League Baseball game on May 7, 2009 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Yet another Texas middle infielder. When Andrus made the big league team this spring, everyone thought he was just there for his glove, and that it would be a few years before he developed into a solid hitter. Well, they were wrong about the hitting part. So far this year Andrus is hitting .285 with 3 HRs and 23 runs scored.

Honorable Mention: Eric Aybar, Angels, Orlando Cabrera, A's

3rd Base: Michael Young, Texas

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 07: Michael Young #10 of the Texas Rangers bats against the Oakland Athletics during a Major League Baseball game on May 7, 2009 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Michael Young another Texas infielder. He hasn't missed a beat moving from Short to 3rd. He is currently hitting .337 with 7 homers and 27 runs scored. He also has 18 RBIs and 3 SBs.

Honorable Mention: Chone Figgins, Angels

Left Field: Matt Holliday, Oakland

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 10: Matt Holliday #5 of the Oakland Athletics bats against the Toronto Blue Jays during a Major League Baseball game on May 10, 2009 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Matt Holliday. The key part of the biggest trade of the off season started off slow, but has really heated up in May. So far this month he is hitting .291 with 5 homers. And he plays solid defense in the outfield.

Honorable Mention: Bobby Abreu, LAA

Center Field: Tori Hunter, LAA

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 23: Torii Hunter #48 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run off pitcher Randy Wolf of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning of the baseball game at Dodger Stadium on May 23,

Tori Hunter has had one of the most surprising seasons in all of the MLB. So far this year he is hitting .323 with 11 homers and 40 RBIs. He is on pace to set many personal career bests in offensive categories.

Honorable Mention: Ryan Sweeney, Oakland

Right Field: Nelson Cruz, Texas

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 15: Nelson Cruz of the Texas Rangers runs after hitting a grandslam while wearing jersey #42 to commemorate Jackie Robinson day during a game against the Baltimore Orioles on April 15, 2009 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas.

How many Rangers players can possibly be on this team? As much as I considered Ichiro, I had to go with Cruz. So far this year he is hitting .296 with 12 homers and 35 RBIs. Not to mention his 9 SBs.

Honorable Mention: Ichiro, SEA, Cust, OAK

Starting Pitcher: Joe Saunders, LAA

SEATTLE - MAY 21: Joe Saunders #51 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the game on May 21, 2009 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Saunders has held down the LAA rotation throughout all of their struggles so far this year. He is 6-3 with a 3.26 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. He has been terrific so far for LA.

Starting Pitcher: Felix Hernandez, Seattle

SEATTLE - MAY 24: Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners delivers the pitch during the game against the San Francisco Giants on May 24, 2009 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Hernandez is no surprise here. He has been a great pitcher the last few years. So far this year he is 5-3 with a 1.30 WHIP. He has really been the only solid Seattle starter.

Starting Pitcher: Kevin Millwood, Texas

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 6: Pitcher Kevin Millwood #33 of the Texas Rangers throws against the Cleveland Indians during the home opener at Rangers Ballpark April 6, 2009 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Millwood is finally having a good year for the Rangers. So far this year he has 4 wins and a 3.25 ERA. Plus he has a WHIP of 1.24. And he is pitching in Texas. Who would have thought a Rangers pitcher could get out to a start like this.

Starting Pitcher: Dallas Braden, Oakland

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 10: Dallas Braden #51 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during a Major League Baseball game on May 10, 2009 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Even though he is only 3-5 Braden still deserves to make this team. He has had extremely low run support from a weak A's offense. He has a 3.69 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. Overall he has pitched very well this year.