Post by Rockies GM (Alex) on Nov 10, 2011 22:32:19 GMT -5
2012 AL West Preview
Oakland Athletics
GM: Noah
2011: 4-9
The Oakland Athletics seem to be the team forever headed towards mediocrity and it sure seemed like the trend would continue in the 2011 season. The team only won four games while losing nine. The offense lacked any production and pitching couldn’t carry the team in the competitive AL West. With an inevitable rebuilding tag slapped to the front of the Oakland franchise, the GM will look rebuild as the league switches gears into the off-season. In a mid off-season move, the Athletics got off on the right foot by dealing ace Gio Gonzalez for top prospects Jurickson Profar and Carlos Martinez as well as a future first round draft pick. Although a lot of MLB talent left the ball club, the young players should be able to help the team in the near future. Along with Profar and Martinez, the Athletics also have up-and-coming pitcher Kyle Drabek, speedster Jemile Weeks, and young slugger Chris Carter. Even though the team isn’t headed for a division crown anytime soon, the future looks bright for the Athletics.
Grade: D+
Texas Rangers
GM: Rick
2011: 10-3
The Texas Rangers suffered a devastating blow in the 2011 playoffs last year when they lost a hard fought battle to the Baltimore Orioles in the first round. After a terrific season, the team has no choice but to continue building for a championship run. Following the former GM’s departure, new leadership took over in Texas to bring the great franchise to the top. The overall strength of this team is the offense. Outfielders Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz both had huge statistical seasons and infields Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus were key contributors. A sleeper in this lineup may be the young Cuban Leonys Martin, who was signed by the team early last season. He should start and could produce big numbers for the already solid lineup. In the pitching staff, huge questions remain. The first problem is the GM’s ability to keep ace C.J. Wilson in Texas. The star pitcher’s contract is up and it will take a lot of money to keep him on the Rangers. After taking care of Wilson, the rest of the rotation is a mess. The GM will need to vastly ameliorate the team’s pitching to have a shot to win the American League’s birth in the World Series.
Grade: B+
Los Angeles Angels
GM: Derrick
2011: 9-4
The magical ride in Los Angeles fell one game short as the Angels lost in a thrilling World Series to the champion Philadelphia Phillies. The team kept it close against the slugging Phillies, but couldn’t come through as Philly pulled away in the end. However, the show won’t stop in LA this year. The team boasts one of the most balanced teams in the league. Big bats Mark Trumbo, Hanley Ramirez, and Mike Trout are all young and will continue to produce for years to come. In a great off-season move, the Angels acquired superstar outfielder Justin Upton who will give this team a boost in the middle of the lineup. The team also has an above-average pitching staff lead by flame-thrower Jared Weaver. Ervin Santana and Matt Garza compliment the ace perfectly. Above all, perhaps the greatest asset to this team is its bullpen that almost carried it to a World Series title. With young closers Drew Storen and Jordan Walden putting up huge save numbers. The team will score high almost every week. What surprises many is the quality of the farm in LA. The team boasts top prospects Martin Perez and Matt Dominguez and also drafted well by selecting Archie Bradley, Danny Hultzen, George Springer, and Jackie Bradley Jr., and Josh Bell. Look for the Angels to be dominant now and in the future. A repeat World Series matchup would be hard to find surprising.
Grade: A
Seattle Mariners
GM: Nate
2011: 8-5
The Mariners raised a few eyebrows by going 8-5 last year and barely missing the post-season. The team quietly has one of the better rotations in the league led by ace Felix Hernandez. The King is almost a lock for high fantasy totals week-in and week-out. Up-and-coming starter Michael Pineda also has great potential and veterans Erik Bedard and Doug Fister balance out the rotation. The offensive, however, is a bit of a question mark. The team lacks a quality top bat, but has difference makers in Ichiro Suzuki, Justin Smoak, and Dustin Ackley. To compete in the tough AL West next year, the team will need to make a few big signs come the opening of Free Agency in 2012. Even if the team chooses to continue with a more conservative approach, the Mariners have the prospects that make future look bright. Young arms Taijuan Walker and Gerrit Cole could be starting in the majors soon and hitters Nick Franklin, Austin Hedges, and Preston Tucker should be making an impact in the majors in a few years. Again, using the famous saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” however, if the team does want to compete with the top teams, it will have to make improvements to the offense.
Grade: C+
2012 Projected AL West Standings:
1. Angels
2. Rangers
3. Mariners
4. Athletics
Oakland Athletics
GM: Noah
2011: 4-9
The Oakland Athletics seem to be the team forever headed towards mediocrity and it sure seemed like the trend would continue in the 2011 season. The team only won four games while losing nine. The offense lacked any production and pitching couldn’t carry the team in the competitive AL West. With an inevitable rebuilding tag slapped to the front of the Oakland franchise, the GM will look rebuild as the league switches gears into the off-season. In a mid off-season move, the Athletics got off on the right foot by dealing ace Gio Gonzalez for top prospects Jurickson Profar and Carlos Martinez as well as a future first round draft pick. Although a lot of MLB talent left the ball club, the young players should be able to help the team in the near future. Along with Profar and Martinez, the Athletics also have up-and-coming pitcher Kyle Drabek, speedster Jemile Weeks, and young slugger Chris Carter. Even though the team isn’t headed for a division crown anytime soon, the future looks bright for the Athletics.
Grade: D+
Texas Rangers
GM: Rick
2011: 10-3
The Texas Rangers suffered a devastating blow in the 2011 playoffs last year when they lost a hard fought battle to the Baltimore Orioles in the first round. After a terrific season, the team has no choice but to continue building for a championship run. Following the former GM’s departure, new leadership took over in Texas to bring the great franchise to the top. The overall strength of this team is the offense. Outfielders Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz both had huge statistical seasons and infields Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus were key contributors. A sleeper in this lineup may be the young Cuban Leonys Martin, who was signed by the team early last season. He should start and could produce big numbers for the already solid lineup. In the pitching staff, huge questions remain. The first problem is the GM’s ability to keep ace C.J. Wilson in Texas. The star pitcher’s contract is up and it will take a lot of money to keep him on the Rangers. After taking care of Wilson, the rest of the rotation is a mess. The GM will need to vastly ameliorate the team’s pitching to have a shot to win the American League’s birth in the World Series.
Grade: B+
Los Angeles Angels
GM: Derrick
2011: 9-4
The magical ride in Los Angeles fell one game short as the Angels lost in a thrilling World Series to the champion Philadelphia Phillies. The team kept it close against the slugging Phillies, but couldn’t come through as Philly pulled away in the end. However, the show won’t stop in LA this year. The team boasts one of the most balanced teams in the league. Big bats Mark Trumbo, Hanley Ramirez, and Mike Trout are all young and will continue to produce for years to come. In a great off-season move, the Angels acquired superstar outfielder Justin Upton who will give this team a boost in the middle of the lineup. The team also has an above-average pitching staff lead by flame-thrower Jared Weaver. Ervin Santana and Matt Garza compliment the ace perfectly. Above all, perhaps the greatest asset to this team is its bullpen that almost carried it to a World Series title. With young closers Drew Storen and Jordan Walden putting up huge save numbers. The team will score high almost every week. What surprises many is the quality of the farm in LA. The team boasts top prospects Martin Perez and Matt Dominguez and also drafted well by selecting Archie Bradley, Danny Hultzen, George Springer, and Jackie Bradley Jr., and Josh Bell. Look for the Angels to be dominant now and in the future. A repeat World Series matchup would be hard to find surprising.
Grade: A
Seattle Mariners
GM: Nate
2011: 8-5
The Mariners raised a few eyebrows by going 8-5 last year and barely missing the post-season. The team quietly has one of the better rotations in the league led by ace Felix Hernandez. The King is almost a lock for high fantasy totals week-in and week-out. Up-and-coming starter Michael Pineda also has great potential and veterans Erik Bedard and Doug Fister balance out the rotation. The offensive, however, is a bit of a question mark. The team lacks a quality top bat, but has difference makers in Ichiro Suzuki, Justin Smoak, and Dustin Ackley. To compete in the tough AL West next year, the team will need to make a few big signs come the opening of Free Agency in 2012. Even if the team chooses to continue with a more conservative approach, the Mariners have the prospects that make future look bright. Young arms Taijuan Walker and Gerrit Cole could be starting in the majors soon and hitters Nick Franklin, Austin Hedges, and Preston Tucker should be making an impact in the majors in a few years. Again, using the famous saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” however, if the team does want to compete with the top teams, it will have to make improvements to the offense.
Grade: C+
2012 Projected AL West Standings:
1. Angels
2. Rangers
3. Mariners
4. Athletics