American League Preview - All Rolled Into One

Okay..so I'm cheating a little with my AL preview since the teams got in their first games Sunday and yesterday.

AL WEST

Anaheim Angels - They somehow manage to keep retooling and winning. One of the model franchises that is often overlooked. With perhaps the best 1 thru 5 rotation and it will only get better once Scott Kazmir returns from the DL. The power at the plate replaced one elder with another (Matsui for Guerrero).

Texas Rangers - After that walk-off win in the first game against the Jays could this be there year? Ace Scott Feldman will have to duplicate his 2009 season and Nelson Cruz, Josh Hamilton and Ian Kinsler will carry the load on offense.

Seattle Mariners - Although they made some power moves in the offseason, they kind of feel like the Washington Redskins. Make a big splash, but get no return for your dollars. Felix Hernandez is the undisputed ace and in my opinion the best pitcher in the AL now that Halladay is gone. Acquiring Cliff Lee was a nice touch. They have both speed and power on the base paths. If Ken Griffey Jr. can keep his weight under control he could have one last hurrah in the city where he started his career.

Oakland A's - The A's have turned into the feeding system for the rest of major league baseball. This year their project is Ben Sheets. If he performs well, just like Matt Holliday last year they will deal him to the highest bidder in September. Other than assigning Jack Cust to the minors, Eric Chavez coming back from injury and, wow...there is nothing else. Welcome to AAA.


AL CENTRAL

Minnesota Twins - The Twinkies have turned the corner. Not even 10 years ago they were tapped by MLB as one of two teams to contract. Now they are an AL power. Led by Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer and supported nicely by the speedy Denard Span in center field and the defensive wizard Orlando Hudson at second, these guys are good. The pitching staff is underated and new closer Jon Rauch has big shoes to fill with the loss of Joe Nathan for the year. If they don't win the division it might not happen as the wild card will probably come from the AL East.

Detroit Tigers - Another team that has spent some money the last couple of seasons, acquiring the likes of Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen, Miggy Cabrera and now Johnny Damon. If they can put it together along with rookie CF Austin Jackson, they could do some damage. The pitching staff has been brought along slowly and allowed to develop and the Tigers are finally having it pay off with Verlander, Porcello and Bonderman anchoring the rotation.

Chicago White Sox - Not even Barack Obama can bail these guys out. With the hot headed Ozzie Guillen as manager you never really know what to expect from the South Siders. Some good starting pitching with Jake Peavy and Mark Buehrle and closer Bobby Jenks will be able to close the door in late innings. The line-up is filled
with aging veterans (Andruw Jones, Alex Rios, AJ Pierzynski and Carlos Quentin), but if they can come through, they could challenge the top of the division.

KC Royals - Once an after thought in the division, they now boast one of the top pitchers in the game Zack Greinke. He carried this team last season and will need to repeat his Cy Young performance for the Royals to be contenders. In the field they are nothing special. The player to watch will be Rick Ankiel to see him continue his journey from pitcher to everyday player.

Cleveland Indians - Once the pride of the division, the Indians are now back to playing like they did in Major League the movie. Unfortunately for them ace Jake Westbrook can only start every 5th day. The offense will be carried by Grady Sizemore and DH Travis Hafner. Not much to cheer about.


AL EAST

NY Yankees - A murderer's row of hitters and pitchers await any team that has to face the Yankees this season. Whether you are facing their number 9 hitter or 5th starter it will be a test. I could name you all the players, but just wait for the All-Star game.

Tampa Bay Rays - With a good combination of speed and power, and a chip on their shoulder after missing the playoffs last season, look for a rejuvenated Rays squad. Led by Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford and BJ Upton this will be an exciting team to watch. Rafeal Soriano is the new closer coming over from Atlanta and he will need to adjust to the pressures of the AL East quickly. Also, the continued maturation of David Price will be important to their success.

Boston Red Sox - The Sox made the change from power to defense this year and although Baseball Prospectus people might applaud the move it will be interesting to see if the moves will pay off with wins. The signings of Mike Cameron and Marco Scutaro won't score runs but they will prevent them. Also preventing runs will be the pitching staff. Like the Yankees, starters 1 thru 5 will provide a tough test for opposition batters.

Baltimore Orioles - If they were in any other division they might be contenders, but playing Yankees, Rays and Red Sox 60+ times will give you more losses than you thought. Building around a young core, similar to what the Rays did just a few years ago look for them to compete day in and out. The outfield is one of the best in baseball with Nolan Reimhold, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis. Catcher phenom Matt Wieters is now in his second year and will be able to handle the pitching staff that much better. The pitching staff isn't their strength of the club, but Kevin Millwood is a solid rock at the top of the rotation. Better luck next year.

Toronto Blue Jays - I dread writing this review because they are the home town team. You want them to succeed, make the playoffs and win championships. Unfortunately, the Jays are far from all of those things, especially after trading away their best player in the off-season. Toronto has pitching depth, that is without question, but their starters are no better than a number 3 in most rotations (even with how good Shawn Marcum pitched opening day). The bullpen is stable and with three viable options at closer, manager Cito Gaston should be able to get saves out of one of them. The line-ups lacks real power even though Gaston believes that 6 Jays can hit 20 home runs. Although Gaston isn't known for giving young players much of a chance he needs to try to do that this season. The likes of Travis Snider, Randy Ruiz, Mike McCoy and most of the pitching staff needs to see if they can cut it in the big leagues. GM Alex Anthopolous will win executive of the year if he can find someone to take Vernon Wells of his hands, but this will probably only happen if Wells can repeat his 2006 season. Lyle Overbay, Tony Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion need to be the good veteran presence, while Adam Lind and Aaron Hill continue to play like all-stars. If everything comes together the Jays might be able to avoid 100 losses and 5th place, if not Jays fans will understand the plight of Leafs fans.