"At last we meet, for the first time, for the last time." It looks like Michael Young and Erick Aybar are getting to know each other a little better. "Not that there's anything wrong with that." Boom! One last division to discuss in our 2010 Prediction Special. In this edition we'll be targeting the American League West. It may be small, but it has a lot of punch. So let's get down to business.
In the past six seasons, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have won their division five times. With a history of doing just about everything right, from coaching, to pitching, to hitting, to baserunning, this team has been stacked for some time now, and has been the favorite to win the AL West for most of the decade. That, however, may be changing. Even though they had a spectacular 2009, despite a rash of injuries and a devastating loss with young Nick Adenhart, the Angels let a few key elements go. The front-office chose not to re-sign Vladimir Guerrero, Chone Figgins, or John Lackey. But lest we forget, this team is superbly managed, both on the field and off. Additions Hideki Matsui, Scott Kazmir, Joel Pinerio, and Fernando Rodney are out to show their new bosses that they can dominate the West. Young Brandon Wood takes over third-base, but can his bat keep up with his glove? Can Kazmir and his revitalized slider regain the magic of a few years ago? For the first time in a few seasons, the Angels are not the juggernauts of the West. Who will be contending?
Who won't be, is the better question. The Texas Rangers finished runner-up in the division for the second straight year, and owner Nolan Ryan has already made a public decree that his club should win at least 92 games, and take the division in 2010. And he has good reason to think this team can live up to the hype. If Josh Hamilton is fully healthy all year, he will lead one of the best offensive clubs in all of baseball. Outfielder Nelson Cruz had a breakout year, and second-baseman Ian Kinsler just keeps proving that he is one of the premiere players in the game. Prospect Julio Borbon will take over centerfield from Marlon Byrd, and perennial stud Michael Young will continue to man third-base. The young pitching of Scott Feldman, Brandon McCarthy, and Derek Holland will welcome helping-hand, and potential ace Rich Harden to the rotation. Harden won't eat a lot of innings, but if fully healthy, he could be a stopper-type pitcher. This club is dangerous to everyone in the American League, but 92 may not be enough to take the division. And in case anyone missed it, manager Ron Washington's recent troubles with a positive cocaine test from last year won't make it any easier for this club to stay out of the limelight when things aren't going too well.
The Seattle Mariners will try and make things difficult for the Rangers and Angels whenever possible. After crawling out of the basement last year, the M's are a darling team to watch in 2010. With newly acquired pitcher Cliff Lee, and the re-signed Erik Bedard who is hopeful to come back from surgery around mid-season, the Mariners rotation could be great. Lee has been suspended for a start already though, and is dealing with some shoulder issues. Ace hurler Felix Hernandez will hold down the fort as best he can until the cavalry arrives. Pitching isn't the only area the Seattle GM worked on. New bats Chone Figgins, Milton Bradley, and Casey Kotchman all hope to add to the depth of Seattle's lineup. Ichiro Suzuki is maybe the best contact hitter in the game, and centerfielder Franklin Gutierrez is on the verge of having a banner year. If the pitching lives up to its capabilities, this team will be a definite player come September.
Unfortunately for the Oakland Athletics, these three other teams will just be too much to contend with. The A's have tons of young talent coming through their system, as they always do. But pound-for-pound, they won't be able to pitch or hit on par with the big dogs of the division. Eric Chavez's move to first-base may work out, Ben Sheets could have a fantastic year, and Rajai Davis, Coco Crisp, and Jack Cust may all put up fine numbers. But making the playoffs is just not that realistic for this ballclub.
So who will take the division in the long run? Whoever succeeds, it will be a tough road. These clubs love to beat up on each other, and the division is almost certain to come down to the last few days of the season. But in the end, I think the depth and recent continued success of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, or whatever they want to be called nowadays, will lead them to repeat as American League West Champions in 2010. As with the AL Central, and the NL West, this division is hard to determine. Every team has some fantastic talent, and a definite right to say that this year is their time to shine. But the combined youthful and veteran talents of both the pitching staff and hitting lineup, under the gaze of Mike Scioscia, always seems to put the Halos just out of reach of the other teams. I think it will happen again in '10. But who knows, I've been wrong before.
Make sure and stay tuned to our final installment of our Prediction Special when we look at the Wild Card race in both leagues.
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