Sorts of Sports

MLB 2011 Preview: AL WEST

Editor's Note: The season starts today, we continue our MLB Preview with the AL WEST

First: Athletics (88-74)

Oakland has quietly rebuilt itself quite nicely – there’s a new “Big Four” in town, the lineup is well balanced from top to bottom (and adheres to Moneyball strategy) and the bullpen is deep. Plus you get Andrew Bailey back at some point. And is Rich Harden actually on the Athletics again? He’s on the DL too, but if there’s one place he’ll magically find himself, it’s Oakland. This is a chaotic division, and when that happens, you have to take the most well balanced team available. That’s the A’s.

Second: Rangers (84-78)

Oh boy will this team hit. Nelson Cruz, Josh Hamilton, Michael Young and Ian Kinsler are joined by Adrian Beltre, making an already feared lineup even more impressive. I can’t see Beltre putting up his walk year numbers, but the standard Ballpark at Arlington effect will keep him above average. Problem is, I can’t see the Texas pitching staff holding up. CJ Wilson is due for an overuse injury, and everyone else was kind of lightning in a bottle last year. Capturing that again would be a miracle. They’ll hang for awhile, but ultimately lack of depth will get them.

Third: Angels (79-83)

The Angel dynasty is a thing of the past, and it’s time to get past the idea that their early 2000s mystique has any weight. There’s little to no pop left in LA (either team, really), and the Angels just don’t back that up with enough pitching. Jered Weaver’s a stud, but after that we’ve got a boatload of question marks. Dan Haren is a league average pitcher in the AL, Ervin Santana is in the same boat… and Scott Kazmir is a corpse. Joel Pineiro and Kendry Morales will start the year on the DL… meaning there’s no fifth starter and the infield may combine for 10 homers… by August. Stay away.

Fourth: Mariners (71-91)

Seattle’s on again/off again success (winning seasons in 2007 and 2009) ends in 2011. Despite arguably having the deepest resources in the division, the M’s haven’t been able to build any kind of consistent winner, and part of that is because they keep convincing themselves that they’re one or two guys away. It’s time to trade King Felix for a small army of prospects and start from absolute scratch.

Fantasy Sleep: Mitch Moreland, Rangers 1B

A pretty potent hitter in the ultimate hitter’s park, Moreland could be a great late round value on the corner.