American League West

* – indicates new to team
AVG – Batting Average
ERA – Earned Run Average
HR – Home Runs
RBI – Runs Batted In
SV – Saves

1. Los Angeles Angels
The best FA hitter & pitcher instantly put some life in a deep team
2. Texas Rangers
Their reign will be put to the test in a tough AL field
3. Seattle Mariners
They’ll need more than Montero to fix their hitting woes
4. Oakland Athletics
A few bright spots, but it’s another losing season

Player to Watch: P Yu Darvish Texas Rangers
Best Acquisition: 1B Albert Pujols LA Angels
New Kid on the Block: C Jesus Montero Seattle Mariners

Angels Lineup

1. SS Erick Aybar

.279 AVG 10 HR 59 RBI

2. 2B Howard Kendrick

.285 AVG 18 HR 63 RBI

3. 1B Albert Pujols*

.299 AVG 37 HR 99 RBI

4. RF Torii Hunter

.262 AVG 23 HR 82 RBI

5. LF Vernon Wells

.218 AVG 25 HR 66 RBI

6. DH Kendrys Morales

Did Not Play

7. 3B Mark Trumbo

.254 AVG 29 HR 87 RBI

8. C Chris Iannetta*

.238 AVG 14 HR 55 RBI

9. CF Peter Bourjos

.271 AVG 12 HR 43 RBI

Bench

OF/DH Bobby Abreu

.253 AVG 8 HR 60 RBI

INF Alberto Callaspo

.288 AVG 6 HR 46 RBI

INF Maicer Izturis

.276 AVG 5 HR 38 RBI

Rotation

1. Jered Weaver

18-8 2.41 ERA

2. Dan Haren

16-10 3.17 ERA

3. Ervin Santana

11-12 3.38 ERA

4. C.J. Wilson*

16-7 2.94 ERA

5. Jerome Williams

4-0 3.68 ERA

Setup

Scott Downs

6-3 1.34 ERA

Closer

Jordan Walden

32 SV 2.98 ERA

Mike Scioscia’s Job: Restore the bullpen

Most Important Player: P Jordan Walden

Rangers Lineup

1. 2B Ian Kinsler

.255 AVG 32 HR 77 RBI

2. SS Elvis Andrus

.279 AVG 5 HR 60 RBI

3. LF Josh Hamilton

.298 AVG 25 HR 94 RBI

4. 3B Adrian Beltre

.296 AVG 32 HR 105 RBI

5. DH Michael Young

.338 AVG 11 HR 106 RBI

6. RF Nelson Cruz

.263 AVG 29 HR 87 RBI

7. C Mike Napoli

.320 AVG 30 HR 75 RBI

8. 1B Mitch Moreland

.259 AVG 16 HR 51 RBI

9. CF Craig Gentry

.271 AVG 1 HR 13 RBI

Bench

OF David Murphy

.275 AVG 11 HR 46 RBI

C Yorvit Torrealba

.273 AVG 7 HR 37 RBI

OF Julio Borbon

.270 AVG 0 HR 14 RBI

Rotation

1. Colby Lewis

14-10 4.40 ERA

2. Derek Holland

16-5 3.95 ERA

3. Yu Darvish*

18-6 1.44 ERA (Japan)

4. Matt Harrison

14-9 3.39 ERA

5. Neftali Feliz

2-3 2.74 ERA

Setup

Mike Adams

5-4 1.47 ERA

Closer

Joe Nathan*

14 SV 4.84 ERA

Ron Washington’s Job: Build a rotation

Most Important Player: OF Josh Hamilton

Mariners Lineup

1. 3B Chone Figgins

.188 AVG 1 HR 15 RBI

2. 2B Dustin Ackley

.273 AVG 6 HR 36 RBI

3. RF Ichiro Suzuki

.272 AVG 5 HR 47 RBI

4. 1B Justin Smoak

.234 AVG 15 HR 55 RBI

5. DH Jesus Montero*

.328 AVG 4 HR 12 RBI

6. LF Mike Carp

.276 AVG 12 HR 46 RBI

7. C Miguel Olivo

.224 AVG 19 HR 62 RBI

8. CF Michael Saunders

.149 AVG 2 HR 8 RBI

9. SS Brendan Ryan

.248 AVG 3 HR 39 RBI

Bench

OF Casper Wells

.237 AVG 11 HR 27 RBI

3B Kyle Seager

.258 AVG 3 HR 13 RBI

OF Carlos Peguero

.196 AVG 6 HR 19 RBI

Rotation

1. Felix Hernandez

14-14 3.47 ERA

2. Jason Vargas

10-13 4.25 ERA

3. Hisashi Iwakuma*

6-7 2.42 ERA (Japan)

4. Blake Beavan

5-6 4.27 ERA

5. Kevin Millwood*

4-3 3.98 ERA

Setup

George Sherrill*

3-1 3.00 ERA

Closer

Brandon League

37 SV 2.79 ERA

Eric Wedge’s Job: Find the right lineup

Most Important Player: C Jesus Montero

Athletics Lineup

1. 2B Jemile Weeks

.303 AVG 2 HR 36 RBI

2. LF Coco Crisp

.264 AVG 8 HR 54 RBI

3. DH Seth Smith*

.284 AVG 15 HR 59 RBI

4. CF Yoenis Cespedes*

Did Not Play

5. RF Josh Reddick*

.280 AVG 7 HR 28 RBI

6. C Kurt Suzuki

.237 AVG 14 HR 44 RBI

7. 1B Brandon Allen

.200 AVG 6 HR 18 RBI

8. 3B Josh Donaldson

.261 AVG 17 HR 70 RBI (AAA stats)

9. SS Cliff Pennington

.264 AVG 8 HR 58 RBI

Bench

OF/DH Jonny Gomes*

.209 AVG 14 HR 43 RBI

1B Daric Barton

.212 AVG 0 HR 21 RBI

OF/DH Manny Ramirez*

.059 AVG 0 HR 1 RBI

Rotation

1. Brandon McCarthy

9-9 3.32 ERA

2. Bartolo Colon*

8-10 4.00 ERA

3. Tom Milone*

12-6 3.22 ERA (AAA stats)

4. Tyson Ross

3-3 2.75 ERA

5. Graham Godfrey

1-2 3.96 ERA

Setup

Grant Balfour

5-2 2.47 ERA

Closer

Brian Fuentes

12 SV 3.70 ERA

Bob Melvin’s Job: Make the most of what you have

Most Important Player: OF Yoenis Cespedes

National League West

* – indicates new to team
AVG – Batting Average
ERA – Earned Run Average
HR – Home Runs
RBI – Runs Batted In
SV – Saves

1. Arizona Diamondbacks
Can they continue to build off a stellar 2011 season?
2. San Francisco Giants
A healthy Buster Posey is a must for the Giants to contend
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
Kemp and Kershaw broke out at the right time
4. Colorado Rockies
A different look, but they will need a healthy Tulo and CarGo
5. San Diego Padres
More power for the offense, but it won’t result in more wins

Player to Watch: P Clayton Kershaw LA Dodgers
Best Acquisition: OF Melky Cabrera San Francisco Giants
New Kid on the Block: 1B Yonder Alonso San Diego Padres

Diamondbacks Lineup

1. SS Stephen Drew

.252 AVG 5 HR 45 RBI

2. 2B Aaron Hill

.246 AVG 8 HR 61 RBI

3. RF Justin Upton

.289 AVG 31 HR 88 RBI

4. C Miguel Montero

.282 AVG 18 HR 86 RBI

5. 1B Paul Goldschmidt

.250 AVG 8 HR 26 RBI

6. CF Chris Young

.236 AVG 20 HR 71 RBI

7. LF Jason Kubel*

.273 AVG 12 HR 58 RBI

8. 3B Ryan Roberts

.249 AVG 19 HR 65 RBI

Bench

OF Gerardo Parra

.292 AVG 8 HR 46 RBI

1B Lyle Overbay*

.234 AVG 9 HR 47 RBI

INF/OF Willie Bloomquist

.266 AVG 4 HR 26 RBI

Rotation

1. Ian Kennedy

21-4 2.88 ERA

2. Trevor Cahill*

12-14 4.16 ERA

3. Daniel Hudson

16-12 3.49 ERA

4. Joe Saunders

12-13 3.69 ERA

5. Josh Collmenter

10-10 3.38 ERA

Setup

David Hernandez

11 SV 3.38 ERA

Closer

J.J. Putz

45 SV 2.17 ERA

Kirk Gibson’s Job: Don’t be complacent

Most Important Player: P Ian Kennedy

Giants Lineup

1. CF Angel Pagan*

.262 AVG 7 HR 56 RBI

2. LF Melky Cabrera*

.305 AVG 18 HR 87 RBI

3. 3B Pablo Sandoval

.315 AVG 23 HR 70 RBI

4. C Buster Posey

.284 AVG 4 HR 21 RBI

5. 1B Aubrey Huff

.246 AVG 12 HR 59 RBI

6. 2B Freddy Sanchez

.289 AVG 3 HR 24 RBI

7. RF Nate Schierholtz

.278 AVG 9 HR 41 RBI

8. SS Brandon Crawford

.204 AVG 3 HR 21 RBI

Bench

1B/OF Brandon Belt

.225 AVG 9 HR 18 RBI

INF Mike Fontenot

.227 AVG 4 HR 21 RBI

INF Ryan Theriot*

.271 AVG 1 HR 47 RBI

Rotation

1. Tim Lincecum

13-14 2.74 ERA

2. Matt Cain

12-11 2.88 ERA

3. Madison Bumgarner

13-13 3.21 ERA

4. Ryan Vogelsong

13-7 2.71 ERA

5. Barry Zito

3-4 5.87 ERA

Setup

Sergio Romo

3-1 1.50 ERA

Closer

Brian Wilson

36 SV 3.11 ERA

Bruce Bochy’s Job: Back to the basics

Most Important Player: C Buster Posey

Dodgers Lineup

1. SS Dee Gordon

.304 AVG 0 HR 11 RBI

2. 2B Mark Ellis*

.248 AVG 7 HR 41 RBI

3. CF Matt Kemp

.324 AVG 39 HR 126 RBI

4. LF Juan Rivera

.258 AVG 11 HR 74 RBI

5. RF Andre Ethier

.292 AVG 11 HR 62 RBI

6. 1B James Loney

.288 AVG 12 HR 65 RBI

7. 3B Juan Uribe

.204 AVG 4 HR 28 RBI

8. C A.J. Ellis

.271 AVG 2 HR 11 RBI

Bench

OF Tony Gwynn Jr.

.256 AVG 2 HR 22 RBI

INF/OF Jerry Hairston Jr.*

.270 AVG 5 HR 31 RBI

INF Adam Kennedy*

.234 AVG 7 HR 38 RBI

Rotation

1. Clayton Kershaw

21-5 2.28 ERA

2. Chad Billingsley

11-11 4.21 ERA

3. Ted Lilly

12-14 3.97 ERA

4. Aaron Harang*

14-7 3.64 ERA

5. Chris Capuano*

11-12 4.55 ERA

Setup

Kenley Jansen

5 SV 2.85 ERA

Closer

Javy Guerra

21 SV 2.31 ERA

Don Mattingly’s Job: Stay focused

Most Important Player: OF Andre Ethier

Rockies Lineup

1. CF Dexter Fowler

.266 AVG 5 HR 45 RBI

2. 2B Marco Scutaro*

.299 AVG 7 HR 54 RBI

3. LF Carlos Gonzalez

.295 AVG 26 HR 92 RBI

4. SS Troy Tulowitzki

.302 AVG 30 HR 105 RBI

5. 1B Todd Helton

.302 AVG 14 HR 69 RBI

6. RF Michael Cuddyer*

.284 AVG 20 HR 70 RBI

7. C Ramon Hernandez*

.282 AVG 12 HR 36 RBI

8. 3B Casey Blake*

.252 AVG 4 HR 26 RBI

Bench

1B Jason Giambi

.260 AVG 13 HR 32 RBI

OF/INF Eric Young Jr.

.247 AVG 0 HR 10 RBI

OF Tyler Colvin*

.150 AVG 6 HR 20 RBI

Rotation

1. Jhoulys Chacin

11-14 3.62 ERA

2. Jeremy Guthrie*

9-17 4.33 ERA

3. Guillermo Moscoso*

8-10 3.38 ERA

4. Drew Pomeranz

2-1 5.40 ERA

5. Juan Nicasio

4-4 4.14 ERA

Setup

Matt Belisle

10-4 3.25 ERA

Closer

Rafael Betancourt

8 SV 2.89 ERA

Jim Tracy’s Job: Win on the road

Most Important Player: OF Dexter Fowler

Padres Lineup

1. CF Cameron Maybin

.264 AVG 9 HR 40 RBI

2. SS Jason Bartlett

.245 AVG 2 HR 40 RBI

3. 1B Yonder Alonso*

.330 AVG 5 HR 15 RBI

4. LF Carlos Quentin*

.254 AVG 24 HR 77 RBI

5. 3B Chase Headley

.289 AVG 4 HR 44 RBI

6. C Nick Hundley

.288 AVG 9 HR 29 RBI

7. 2B Orlando Hudson

.246 AVG 7 HR 43 RBI

8. RF Will Venable

.246 AVG 9 HR 44 RBI

Bench

OF Chris Denorfia

.277 AVG 5 HR 19 RBI

OF/1B Mark Kotsay*

.270 AVG 3 HR 31 RBI

1B Jesus Guzman

.312 AVG 5 HR 44 RBI

Rotation

1. Tim Stauffer

9-12 3.73 ERA

2. Clayton Richard

5-9 3.88 ERA

3. Edinson Volquez*

5-7 5.71 ERA

4. Cory Luebke

6-10 3.29 ERA

5. Dustin Moseley

3-10 3.30 ERA

Setup

Luke Gregerson

3-3 2.75 ERA

Closer

Huston Street

29 SV 3.86 ERA

Bud Black’s Job: Ballpark aside, score more runs

Most Important Player: OF Cameron Maybin

Baseball’s Image Crisis

It seems like I’ve talked about this topic for far too long. This time instead of a fading superstar going towards the end of his career. An All-Star in the prime of his career has tested positive for PEDs (performance enhancing drugs). At this point I could care less if it was a supplement that triggered a positive test or an actual steroid. The bottom line with me is that you tested positive.

Brewers OF Ryan Braun, this past seasons National League MVP no less has now been put into a new category. A performance enhancer. A cheater. Whether he can successfully appeal the 50 game suspension coming his way, public opinion will not change.

I find it hard to believe that the majority of fans don’t care about guys testing positive for PEDs. There was a lot of pressure from the media, congress and fans to clean up the sport. Now that the sport is testing players, suddenly the fans don’t care if a star player tests positive?

The big picture here is that Ryan Braun is still going to get paid. He’ll be making $127.5 million dollars for the next nine years in Milwaukee. Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez is still the highest paid player in baseball. OF Manny Ramirez will be looking for a new team to play for this year. Heck Mark McGwire was welcomed back with open arms as a hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals.

It’s not right in my opinion, but it goes with risk now in baseball. You’d have to think that everyone isn’t cheating now. These guys are being tested through the minor league system before they even get into the majors. What will be interesting though is how many are using HGH (human growth hormone). That test won’t go into effect until next season. Things could get worse.

You can’t assume anything anymore in baseball. I admit that this news isn’t shocking to me anymore. You’re always wondering if that once in a lifetime season was done without any help from PEDs. It’s unfortunate, but it has become the reality. I love this sport, but I also know that in the post steroid era we are going to have more guys testing positive. Even if it has nothing to do with steroids.

2011 Winter Meetings Recap

First things first. I didn’t expect to be writing about the Winter Meetings in baseball. Nothing epic usually happens during the meetings. There’s always chatter, but most of the time deals aren’t made until afterwards. Not the case this year.

Only two teams made some moves, well major ones at this years meetings in Dallas, Texas. The Florida … I mean Miami Marlins were making most of the major moves. First they signed closer Heath Bell to a 3 year deal. It makes sense for a team that hasn’t had a legitimate closer since Armando Benitez in 2004 when he saved 47 games for the Marlins. Then they followed that up with the signing of the best leadoff hitter in the game today in SS Jose Reyes for 6 years. He brings the Marlins instant speed at the top of the lineup. That should bode well for their best hitters. Namely Hanley Ramirez, Logan Morrison, Mike Stanton and Gaby Sanchez. They signed a starting pitcher in former Chicago White Sox ace Mark Buehrle for 4 years. He has history with Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen in Chicago. Both won a World Series together and Buehrle brings some stability at the top of the rotation with Josh Johnson.

Now the Marlins would be the lone topic of conversation had they signed the pair above in Albert Pujols (left) and C.J. Wilson (right). However, the Marlins were turned down by both of them for another suitor. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Their new general manager Jerry DiPoto swooped in at the last minute to reel in Pujols. The Angels were talking with Wilson for almost the entire offseason, but he agreed to sign with the Halos after Pujols said yes. Some will say that signing a player for 10 years is a very bad investment. I would agree. I don’t like being tied down to one player, but what else were the Angels going to do?

Owner Arte Moreno had lost out of the top free agents the last two offseasons. That was in large part to the involvement of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. They have been dormant so far this offseason and the Angels took advantage of that. Also getting a 3 billion dollar local TV contract with Fox helps too. It was a brazen move on the Angels part. And it reminded me of their 2004 free agent frenzy. They surprised everyone with their signing of Vladimir Guerrero for the bargain price of $70 million. Pujols and his $250 million price tag isn’t a bargain, but considering the Red Sox and Yankees weren’t apart of the discussion it is.

Getting Wilson at 5 years and just over $75 million was a bargain as well. The Marlins offered 6 years at well over the Angels offer. Wilson couldn’t resist being apart of one of the best rotations in baseball in Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana. Also it helps that Wilson grew up in Orange County as well. This is perhaps a bigger signing than Pujols because it puts their division rival the Texas Rangers in a tough spot. They have now lost Cliff Lee and C.J. Wilson in consecutive seasons. Who will be their top starter now?

It was a breathe of fresh air for the baseball community. Like I said at the beginning of this post, these meetings don’t offer much in storylines. A lot of here-say and rumors, but hardly anything major happens during these get togethers. Maybe this is a sign of things to come from now on. Or it’s just a freak occurrence in which two teams were ready and able to bring in the best free agents on the market. Either way it looks to be a very interesting season. And we’re only in December.

Labor Peace in Major League Baseball

It’s amazing isn’t it? Who would have thought that in all four major sports that baseball would be the one shining example of labor negotiations? Kudos to everyone involved on both sides for getting together and realizing that the mistakes of the past are never to be made again. Not when your popularity and finances are at an all-time high.

In the midst of a NBA lockout that will most likely end their upcoming season. And the NFL now recovering from their long drawn out squabble. Commissioner Bud Selig and MLBPA leader Michael Weiner should be commended for a relatively painless process. Once the owners came to an agreement amongst themselves on the revenue sharing aspect, everything else began to fall into place.

The biggest change will be to the postseason. Two more Wild Card teams will be added into the mix next season. The top two teams that clinch the Wild Card spots in both leagues will play each other in a one game playoff to determine who moves on to the Division Series. I’ve always felt that less is more with the baseball postseason. However, I’m not going to say it’s the worst idea ever. It should put a bigger emphasis on winning your division rather than playing a one game playoff.

The MLB draft and free agent compensation are getting overhauled starting next year. There will be spending limits on how much a draft pick will receive depending on where they’re selected. Free agency will no longer be separated into ‘Type A’ and ‘Type B’ free agents. That will drastically change how trades will be made and how teams build their teams for the future.

Instant replay will now be expanded to fair/foul calls and whether a ball was caught or trapped by the fielder. It’s pending approval with the umpires, but you’d have to think they won’t shoot this down. I hope. Players will be required to attend the All-Star game. Unless they are truly hurt i.e, on the disabled list or excused by the commissioner’s office. Concussion proof helmets will be implemented for the 2013 season. Assuming they don’t look like ‘The Great Gazoo’ from the Flintstones.

HGH testing will begin this upcoming season. Baseball, not football, basketball or hockey is the first major North American professional sport to implement blood testing for HGH. That’s startling considering how far they’ve come from those congressional hearings. Also players who are arrested for DWI will be required to undergo mandatory evaluation. What that evaluation is remains to be seen, but it certainly would be more than what the Detroit Tigers did with Miguel Cabrera.

Also in this labor agreement all players, managers and coaches may not use smokeless tobacco products during televised interviews and may not carry them in their uniforms. Thankfully baseball did not cave to the ridiculous notion that it should be banned altogether. Yes, it isn’t allowed in the minor leagues, but even I find a problem with that.

The stuff is bad for you. There’s no doubt about it. But just like cigarettes, the government who now wants to ban smokeless tobacco in the major leagues, taxes cigarettes and people are still smoking. You would think it would be more the responsibility of the adults to tell their kids that chewing tobacco isn’t the greatest thing in the world not the government. But I digress.

And last, but not least the American League will have a new member in 2013. The Houston Astros will be moving from the National League Central to the American League West. What would have made more sense to me is if all the baseball teams had realigned, but you can’t always have it your way. Also being put into place is year round interleague play which puts less strain on teams traveling schedules.

It’s amazing to think that all of this could be accomplished with relative ease. And to think that there are still billionaire owners and millionaire players arguing right now over the same kind of issues that baseball has just agreed to without any lockout. I’m glad the NFL figured it out when they did, but it took way too long to get it done. The NBA is right back where they were in 1999. Some progress. But baseball has shocked us all with what is going to be over 20 years of labor peace. Who saw that coming?