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2009 MLB American League West - 09 Season Preview
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
2008 Record: 100-62
Pythagorean W/L: 88-74
Key Additions
Bobby Abreu, OF
Brian Fuentes, LHP
Key Losses
Garret Anderson, OF
Francisco Rodriguez, RHP
Jon Garland, RHP
Mark Teixeira, 1b
In recent history the Angels have been the class of the AL West. The team has won four of the past five division titles, and is the only member of the division to have won a World Series in recent history.
That could change in 2009. The Angels, who already compensated the Braves for their acquisition of Mark Teixeira, lost the free agent to the New York Yankees. The team will receive the Yankees first-round pick in the June amateur draft, but replacing Teixeira’s production will be a challenge.
Similarly, the team lost Francisco Rodriguez, who is coming off a record-setting campaign with the Halos. However, the team had to be wary of the wear put on Rodriguez’s arm. The young closer broke a record held by Bobby Thigpen, who tossed 57 saves in 1990, but only 53 for the rest of his career.
The team signed Brian Fuentes to be their new closer, which is a solid move, especially because if the lefty doesn’t pan out he’ll still have value as a left-handed reliever both for the Angels and on the trade market.
With the Angels regression, the AL West is wide open.
Prediction: 84-78
Oakland Athletics
2008 Record: 75-86
Pythagorean W/L: 76-85
Key Additions
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Nomar Garciaparra, INF
Jason Giambi, 1b
Matt Holliday, OF
Russ Springer, RHP
Michael Wuertz, RHP
Key Losses
Alan Embree, LHP
Dan Meyer, LHP
Greg Smith, LHP
Huston Street, RHP
The A’s quietly spent some serious money in a bad economy. The team re-united with Jason Giambi, who has managed to return to form after steroid allegations seemingly ruined his career in New York.
Nomar Garciaparra and Orlando Cabrera add to an already deep infield. Garciaparra is probably best suited as a corner infielder at this juncture in his career, he’ll probably split time with Giambi at first base and designated hitter, and may see some time at third base.
The Matt Holliday trade was huge. The team got rid of one-time first-round-pick Huston Street, but acquired a Type A free agent in waiting in Holliday. Holliday may be traded by the A’s at the deadline, if the market calls for it.
Billy Beane may have done himself a disservice by agreeing to be the subject of Moneyball, but he consistently puts at least a competitive product on the field.
Prediction: 79-83
Seattle Mariners
2008 Record: 61-101
Pythagorean W/L: 67-95
Key Additions
Russell Branyan, 1b/3b
Mike Carp, 1b
Ronny Cedeno, SS
Endy Chavez, OF
Ken Griffey Jr., OF
Franklin Gutierrez, CF
Garrett Olson, LHP
Tyler Walker, RHP
Key Losses
Willie Bloomquist, UTL
Sean Green, RHP
Aaron Heilman, RHP
Raul Ibanez, OF
Eric O’Flaherty, LHP
J.J. Putz, RHP
Jeremy Reed, OF
The Mariners had a busy offseason. The team hired a new manager and general manager, and the latter, Jack Zduriencik, quickly got to work.
Zduriencik traded J.J. Putz for a slew of prospects, and unloaded some broken parts in the process. Unfortunately, promising sinker-baller Sean Green also departed Seattle in the trade.
Perhaps Zduriencik’s biggest move of the offseason, or at least most sure-fire success was made in signing Ken Griffey Jr. Griffey will be a success at the turnstiles, no matter what he does on the field.
In acquiring Garrett Olson, Franklin Gutierrez, Ronny Cedeno, Tyler Walker and Mike Carp, Zduriencik added depth at positions of need, and also created competition at positions where there wasn’t any.
The Mariners took a major hit however, in learning that Brandon Morrow will no longer be a candidate for the starting rotation, however his replacement, Ryan Rowland-Smith, is undoubtedly an upgrade from Miguel Batista.
Prediction: 76-86
Texas Rangers
2008 Record: 79-83
Pythagorean W/L: 76-86
Key Additions
Andruw Jones, OF
Key Losses
Milton Bradley, OF
Gerald Laird, C
John Mayberry Jr., OF
Ramon Vazquez, INF
The Rangers sat on their hands for most of the offseason. The team went into the offseason with three sought after catchers: Gerald Laird, Taylor Teagarden, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
The team figured to have something of a log-jam at the position anyways, flirting with the idea of moving Saltalamacchia into the field. That still may occur, but trading Laird frees up innings for both Saltalamacchia and Teagarden behind the plate.
Losing Milton Bradley was a forgone conclusion. Though the free agent had a great offensive season, he’s very limited in the field and has an extensive injury history paired with a history of temper issues.
Signing Andruw Jones, albeit to a minor-league contract, could pay big dividends for the Rangers. Jones, one of the most sought after free agents going into the 2008 season, put on about as many pounds as batting average points lost. He’s a low-risk, potentially high-reward signing.
Prediction: 76-86
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