2009 was a typical year for the short stack as the Angels won easily, outlasting Texas by 10 and Seattle by 12. There has been alot of changes on all 4 teams. So did the Halos put themselves in a position to win again?
Los Angeles Angels(or whatever they are called today) 97-65
Arrivals
Hideki Matsui and Fernando Rodney
Departures
Darren Oliver, Chone Figgins, John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar and Vladimir Guerrero
Free Agents
Rob Quinlan
To quote Bob Dylan the times they are a changin. Long time Angels Chone Figgins, John Lackey and Vlad Guerreo are now gone. Rodney after a great season closing will set up Brian Fuentes. And World Series MVP Hideki Matsui comes west. I'm skeptical. A step back.
Oakland As 75-87
Arrivals
Coco Crisp, Jake Fox, Aaron Miles, Michael Taylor, Lenny Dinardo and Ben Sheets
Departures
Bobby Crosby, Jeff Gray and Jay Marshall
Free Agents
Adam Kennedy, Brett Tomko and Nomar Garciaparra
A brief word about the As signing of Ben Sheets. On the surface it may seem surprising that a last place, very low budget team would shell out a reported $10 million dollars for a huge question mark. But this move is typical Billy Beane. If Sheets truly is healthy he will be dealt around the trading deadline. So the As probably will only have to pay around $5 mil. And will probably get some top prospects back. And if Billy Beane said he looked good and healthy I trust him. The As will be the worst team in the AL West this year. But they are amassing alot of young talent, especially pitchers. Haven't we seen this before?
Seattle Mariners 85-77
Arrivals
Brandon League, Milton Bradley, Yusmeiro Petit, Chone Figgins, Cliff Lee, Eliazor Alfonso, Cory Patterson, Josh Bard, Casey Kotchman and Chris Woodward
Departures
Brandon Morrow, Carlos Silva, Kenji Johjima, Justin Thomas, Chris Jakubauskas, Adrian Beltre and Bill Hall
Free Agents
Erik Bedard, Miguel Batista, Mike Sweeney, Russell Branyon and Endy Chavez
Wow thats alot of changes. I'll give Jack Zduriencik a A for effort. Actually it seems Seattle is the en vogue selection to win the AL West this year. The Cliff Lee-Felix Hernandez combo is much better than any duo in the division. I really liked almost everything they did except getting Milton Bradley. A few more wins this season for the Ms.
Texas Rangers 87-75
Arrivals
Rich Harden, Darren Oliver, Chris Ray, Joe Inglett, Matt Brown, Vladimir Guerreo and Khalil Greene
Departures
Kevin Millwood, Ivan Rodriguez, Omar Vizquel, Andruw Jones, Eddie Guardado and Marlon Byrd
Free Agents
Joaquin Benoit and Hank Blaylock
Alot has changed in Texas. Many vets are now gone and it seems the Rangers are ready to make a run with a nice mix of young talent are a very solid nucleus. Letting all vets go should also free up payroll so if the Rangers are close they may be able to pick up a player at the trading deadline(Ben Sheets, perhaps). With a group headed by Nolan Ryan poised to purchase the Rangers they should be in good hands. Just a hypothetical question. If Nolan Ryan activated himself who starts on opening day Ryan or Rich Harden?
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