The 2008 AL West was simply: The Los Angeles versus everyone else. The Halos blew the rest of the AL West away, as nobody else even finished above .500.
What's in store for 2009? Let's take a look.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
The Los Angels Angels blew out the rest of the AL West in 2008, thanks to star players like Mark Teixiera, and Francisco Rodriguez, who ended up shattering the record for saves in a single season. Both players are now in New York. However, like every good team must do, the Angels have "replaced" those players. Offensively, the Angels signed Bobby Abreu to a one year contract, and Brian Fuentes is the Angels new closer, coming over from the Colorado Rockies.
TEXAS RANGERS
There is optimism for the Rangers this season.They snared pitching coach Mike Maddux from the Milwaukee Brewers. In the offseason, The Rangers asked Michael Young to move from Shortstop to Third base so the Rangers could bring Phenom shortstop Elvis Andrus to the Rangers. He obliged. The Rangers have Ian Kinsler at Second Base. Can he stay healthy for a full season? Chris Davis will play first base rhis season. Rangers fans are excited to see what he can do for a full season. Josh Hamilton will continue to Crush the ball this season. Perhaps the biggest surprise to come out of Rangers Camp was the news that Texas had released Frank Catallanatto, replacing him with Andruw Jones.
Perhaps this Rangers club is getting ready for 2010, as players like Derek Holland and Nefetali Feliz continue to impress scouts with their Radar gun readings, and Justin Smoak could really crush the ball. Expect him to come up Mid-season, depending on how the Rangers are faring in the division.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
For the other AL West teams, Old is new again. Jason Giambi returnd to the Bay Area after a few years in The Bronx. Matt Holliday joins the Atletics after coming over from Colorado. Don't expect his numbers to increase now that he has left Coors Field. The brightest spot in the Athletics rotation is Sean Gallagher.
SEATTLE MARINERS
More proof that old is new again in Seattle. Ken Griffey Jr is back with the Mariners after spending time with the Reds and White Sox. The Mariners rotation is Aced by "King Felix" Felix Hernandez. Erik Bedard will look to bounce back after a mediocre last season.
My Division Projections
1. LOS ANGELES ANGELS
The Angels may have lost Texiera and K-Rod, but Abreu and Fuentes make the Angels this division's best team again.
2. Texas Rangers
Elvis Andrus will shine in his debut season. Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla will have to pitch well for Texas to hang around this season.
3.Oakland Athletics
Jason Giambi is back, but the Athletics still have too many questionmarks to be competitive.
4.Seattle Mariners
They are just hoping that Ken Griffey Jr will cause them to sell extra tickets.
In our next MLB Preview, we will look at the NL Central. Will Milton Bradley help the Cubs? Can St. Louis depend on someone other than Alber Pujols? Are the Astros too old to be competitve? Find out in the next MLB Preview.
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