2014 AL West Preview And Predictions

Oct 5, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics second baseman

(28) throws the ball to first base against the Detroit Tigers during the sixth inning in game two of the American League divisional series playoff baseball game at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

1) Oakland Athletics: 88-74

It’s hard to go against the A’s, Billy Beane, Moneyball, Nerd Power, etc. They have proven year after year that they cannot be counted out…..ever.

The recent losses in Spring Training give me pause, but this team always seems to find someone to step up and produce. If not, Beane will go out and work his magic and find some undervalued ballplayer that will fit his system.

I’m not going crazy, I don’t think any team in this division will crack 90 wins. The division is vastly improved across the board and they, much like SEC football, are just going to beat up on each other during the season.

Hopefully for the A’s – and visiting teams – we won’t have to worry about any backlog of sewage in the O.Co Coliseum this year.

Mar 11, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels first baseman

(5) hits an RBI double against the Seattle Mariners at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

2) Los Angeles Angels: 87-75 (Wild-Card)

1- Why will this team exceed expectations?

David Hill from Halo Hangout: The Angels will exceed expectations due to the improvements made by their lineup. To say that Josh Hamilton was a disappointment last season would be a grotesque understatement. Albert Pujols was injured, and lost for the year at the end of July. The Angels also improved their lineup this offseason by acquiring David Freese from the Cardinals, giving them a viable third baseman. With a healthy Pujols and an improved Hamilton (he can’t be that bad again, can he?) the Angels lineup could score a lot of runs this year.

2- Why will this team fall short of expectations?

The bullpen. Ernesto Frieri was not exactly dominant last season, and after excelling in 2012, it may be fair to wonder which pitcher he is. Dane de la Rosa went from a minor league journeyman to a surprisingly good option out of the Angels bullpen last year. Yes, they signed Joe Smith to supplement their bullpen depth, but is he going to be enough?

3- Look for the team to make (this trade)

Trading Joe Blanton is obvious, but who really wants him at this point? Instead, if Taylor Lindsey can prove that his power surge last season is legit, the Angels may look to trade Howie Kendrick. There are still a number of contenders with questions at second base (Yankees and Dodgers, I’m looking at you specifically) so Kendrick could be a hot commodity. After all, he was reportedly available this offseason. If Lindsey continues to develop, it may be time to part ways with Kendrick.

4- Watch out for the emergence of (prospect)

Zack Borenstein. While Lindsey, C.J. Cron and Kaleb Cowart are the Angels prospects that get the attention, Borenstein has done nothing but hit since being drafted in the 23rd round in 2011. However, he broke out last year in the California League, posting a .337/.403/.631 batting line with 28 home runs. He is expected to be promoted to AA for the 2014 season, so it will be interesting to see how he performs in Arkansas. If he can even approach those numbers, Borenstein may find himself as a top prospect for the Angels.

Mar 13, 2014; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers first baseman

(84) during his at bat in the third inning against the San Francisco Giants at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

3) Texas Rangers: 85-77

This was tough for me. On paper, this team looks prepared to pound their way to 95 wins and a spot in the World Series. But the numbers, projections and stats used in my formula just don’t back it up.

Ian Kinsler hopes that the Rangers go 0-162. While that would never happen with ANY team – I don’t care how bad the Astros are – this team could in theory be the best in baseball.

But again, the numbers just aren’t playing into their favor. And with such a tough division (playing 19 games each against the A’s, Mariners and Angels) it just doesn’t look as if they can coast at any point. But a few more moves by the front office and a little luck….we could be looking at the 2014 World champions.

Mar 11, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman

(22) at bat against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

4) Seattle Mariners: 82-80

Okay SodoMojo fans, here are your 2014 Seattle Mariners. You’ve been reading all offseason about the moves that would be made, the ones that weren’t and the ones we hoped for.

This team has A LOT of questions. I was asked by a fellow blogger to contribute to his preview of the Mariners. Here is the link to his post, but here are my answers to his questions:

1) How would you grade the offseason?

I would have to give the Mariners a C+ for the offseason, with the possibility of upgrading it to a solid B. The signing of Robinson Cano is huge. The Mariners needed a legit star hitter and they got it in Cano. But where the grade falls with the other additions. Corey Hart and Logan Morrison have A LOT of questions surrounding them. If they can contribute  anywhere near where they are capable of, this team could have a great year.

As for the pitching staff, this also docks their grade because they really didn’t do anything to help the staff, outside of signing Fernando Rodney to lock down the 9th. With injuries to Hisashi Iwakuma and Taijuan Walker in the spring, the Mariners are relying on non-roster invitees and minor leaguers to step up and fill in the rotation.

I like the addition of Lloyd McClendon to run this group. I think that was the right choice.

Finally, where is all the money? The Mariners were very vocal in the fact that they would push their payroll to or even over the $100 million mark in 2014 with the addition of their new TV deal. Even after signing Cano and all of their other minor moves, this team’s payroll is at $73.5 million, only about $5-6M more than last year.

2) What does it mean for the organization to land probably the biggest free agent of the offseason in Robinson Cano?

It gives the Mariners that marquee name that had been missing for quite some time. Not to say that Felix Hernandez isn’t a marquee name, but it’s hard to rally a fan base around one player that plays every five or six days.

Now we have that in Cano. A guy who, presumably, will be on the field every day. A guy to lead the troops into battle each night. It also made a statement to the rest of the league that the team was serious about winning. A statement that was quickly revoked by their refusal to sign any other top free agents this offseason.

3) Which roster battle will be the most intriguing during spring training?

I would say the battle at shortstop between Brad Miller (last year’s SS) and Nick Franklin (last year’s 2B who is out of a job now with the Cano signing). But with all of the trade rumors surrounding Franklin, I don’t think it’s gonna be much of a battle.

Instead, the interesting story lies in the outfield. Specifically centerfield. The job was presumably going to be Michael Saunders‘ job to lose. When the team re-signed Franklin Gutierrez to a one-year deal, many thought that they would split time in center. But with Guti sitting out the season, the team has been giving Abraham Almonte a lot of time in center this spring. In fact, Saunders has spent all of his time playing in right – a spot we presume will go to Corey Hart.

As it stands now, it appears that Dustin Ackley will be in left, Corey Hart will be in right with Logan Morrison spending some time there as well (and they will both DH) and it appears that Almonte may get the starting nod in center and a crack at the leadoff spot. That leaves Saunders as the odd man out. Retained as either a fourth outfielder, or dangled as trade bait.

4) What rookie, if any, will make the most impact on the team in 2014?

The popular answer would be either Almonte or Taijuan Walker, the team’s No. 1 prospect. I’m gonna say James Paxton. He was solid in his limited duty last September (3-0, 1.50 ERA, 21 K, 249 ERA+). He has impressed so far this spring as well (13 IP, 3 ER, BB, 8 K).

The Mariners are right-handed heavy in the rotation (Felix, ‘Kuma, Walker, Erasmo Ramirez, Brandon Maurer) and need that lefty as either the number three or number four man in the rotation. If he can continue to perform, I think he has a shot at 13-15 wins and a legitimate look as potential Rookie of the Year. Even over Walker, who may struggle with this shoulder issue.

5) What will be the final record of the team and where will they finish in the division?

In my personal prediction pieces I do for SodoMojo.com, I have the Mariners with an 82-80 record, but 4th in the AL West. The Rangers and Angels are both going to be better than last year. You can never count the A’s out. Even the Astros won’t lose as many games this year.

I think they will be in the wild-card hunt well into September, but will fall short. If they sign Kendrys Morales and/or make some trades by the July 31 deadline (Matt Kemp, David Price both still possible) then this team could push up over the edge and surprise some people. But if the young players don’t step up, if Morrison and Hart don’t perform to expectations, if Ackley can’t hit, if Justin Smoak can’t hit….it’s gonna be another year under .500 and another “wait until next year” kind of year.

6) Which player from your team do you most enjoy watching?

It’s really hard to peg one. I have been following Dustin Ackley since his days in North Carolina. I was a college baseball blogger back then and I loved what Ackley brought to the table. He has been having a rough go of it the past few seasons (mostly because I feel the organization rushed him) but I think this year he finds his stride and justifies his No. 2 overall pick.

A close second goes to catcher Mike Zunino. As a former catcher, I love watching the little things that catchers do to help their pitchers. Zunino has that “it” factor when it comes to catching a staff. He is a genuine classy guy, a hard-worker and I think he will have a breakout year this year.

Mar 16, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros shortstop

(84) catches the ball above Washington Nationals right fielder

(7) during the game at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

5) Houston Astros: 62-100

Sorry Astros fans, I don’t have much to say here. It’s gonna be another long year and after picking first in the draft again this June, you will pick first again in the draft next June.

The good news is, if they keep developing these young players, the Astros could be in the hunt for the playoffs in 2016.