For the NL East preview, click here.
Today I continue my series of previews by division for the upcoming Major League Baseball season. I've already gone over the two divisions out east, and now I'm heading for the West Coast before returning back to cover the Central. Lets me prolong the inevitable verbal preparation for a horrible Cubs year.
Honestly, the way I set this up turned out pretty well. I had totally forgotten that Seattle and Oakland are opening the season tomorrow morning at about 6 AM Chicago time. So conveniently, I get to preview those two teams as well as their rivals in time for the start of the season!
I think the Angels might have had the best offseason, though an argument can be made for the Marlins. This team now has an extremely deep starting rotation with the addition of C.J. Wilson, who becomes the #3 or #4 starter. You combine him with Jered Weaver and Dan Haren, plus Ervin Santana, and this rotation is scary good. They will also be able to hit the ball well this year. Guys like Erick Aybar and Howie Kendrick will be able to get on base for the big boppers, including some slugger they picked up in December by the name of Pujols. Word on the street is he's pretty good.
Take C.J. Wilson away, then add in Yu Darvish, and this rotation isn't bad either. Colby Lewis and Derek Holland aren't bad pitchers, and assuming Neftali Feliz can make a seamless transition to the rotation, they'll compete with the Angels, especially with veteran closer Joe Nathan coming on to pitch the 9th for Texas. As for offense, we all know this team can score in bunches. I'd be nervous seeing an upcoming 3-7 in the order of Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, Adrian Beltre, Mike Napoli, and Nelson Cruz. The latter two hit really well in the playoffs, so we know they can hit when it matters. And this team will play plenty of games that matter.
This spot was harder to project, and I was originally tempted to go with Seattle here before remembering that Oakland was able to add Yoenis Cespedes to play in the outfield. I know one guy doth not a team make, but they have a lot of speed at the top of the order in Jemile Weeks and Coco Crisp (if he can figure out how to hit) that can help with some runs, but the pitching just doesn't wow anyone. They will have some rookies developing on the job, and this team will contend again within a few years.
The more I look at this team, the more I see why I can't quite put them over Oakland. They still don't really have any offensive threats since Ichiro is on the downside of his career and the only real impact bat they brought in is catcher Jesus Montero. If by some miracle they happen to score some runs, the pitching staff is still in need of a little patchwork (though it sounds like help is on the way in the minors) other than King Felix. This team is also a few years from contention.
Good luck to Seattle and Oakland across the Pacific as they kick off the season way early (in more ways than one). I'll be back late again tomorrow for word on the NL West.
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