2012 AL West Preview

Part 2 of a 6 part series regarding the upcoming MLB season. Today I focus on the AL West.

LA ANGELS
One team that created alot of noise during the offseason was the LA Angels. The Angels decided to be creative in the offseason, shocking everyone on December 8th when they signed first-baseman Albert Pujols to a 10-year, $254M contract and pitcher C.J. Wilson to a 5-year, $77.5M deal. The Halos also extended 2B Howie Kendrick's contract and acquired catcher Chris Iannetta, while sending former catcher Jeff Mathis to Toronto. Pujols joins a lineup containing Torii Hunter, Kendrick, Vernon Wells and Kendrys Morales. C.J. Wilson will anchor a top-notched pitching staff that includes Dan Haren, Jered Weaver and Ervin Santana. This team is gonna be strong and tough for this season and in the future.

OAKLAND A'S
The A's, continuing their Moneyball ways by trading pitchers Craig Breslow to Arizona, Trevor Cahill to Arizona, Gio Gonzalez to Washington and Josh Outman & Guillermo Moscoso to Colorado (got OF Seth Smith). The A's signed pitcher Bartolo Colon to a 1-year deal and signed outfielder Manny Ramirez to a contract, but if he makes the team, will have to serve a 50-game suspension for banned drugs substance abuse. The big signing however was that of Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes to a 4-year, $36M deal. The revamped A's pitching staff includes Bartolo Colon, Dallas Braden and Brandon McCarthy.

SEATTLE MARINERS
The Mariners had a disappointing 2011 season and looks to bounce back in 2012. The big story would be what Felix Hernandez will do. King Felix decided to stay in Seattle. The lineup will include Jesus Montero (former NY Yankee prospect), Chone Figgins, Justin Smoak and Ichiro. The pitching features King Felix, Hector Noesi and Jason Vargas.

TEXAS RANGERS
The Rangers are a team that continues to be strong after being unable to re-sign C.J. Wilson. Neftali Feliz will join the starting rotation after the team signed Joe Nathan to a 2-year deal. The big pitching signing was that of Japanese righty Yu Darvish for a contract worth 6-years, $60M. Darvish, Feliz Colby Lewis and Alexi Ogando make up a very good pitching rotation. The lineup is also stacked with outfielder Josh Hamilton, catcher Mike Napoli, infielder Ian Kinsler and outfielder Nelson Cruz. Ron Washington has done a great job managing this team and will be competing w/ LAA for another division title.

I'm gonna take LA to win the AL West division.