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

A Resurgence at Mile High

I for am thankful the coverage on ESPN can stop now. Watching the NFL Network’s coverage before today’s press conference got underway I also realized that they were talking about Peyton Manning even more than ESPN did. And that’s saying something.

With all that said it truly has been a fascinating process to watch. Right from the beginning when Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay let Peyton Manning go out on his terms. Now you can argue whether or not they both still like each other is one thing, but Irsay showed enough respect for Peyton to let him go out by thanking the city and its fans.

During the free agent tour when he was immediately wooed by Denver, then the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins. There was a sense that only a few would be able to sign him. Not for financial reasons, but because Peyton would be sizing them up.

I thought right from the beginning that every team except the New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers would at least whisper amongst themselves about bringing in Peyton Manning. The reason why I picked those four teams is because they have four of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL right now with Peyton Manning.

Now it isn’t wrong for those other twenty seven teams (not including Indianapolis) to consider signing Peyton Manning. But when the choices came to either Denver, Miami or Arizona. All of a sudden Tennessee and San Francisco jumped into the mix. Everyone seemed surprised that more teams would jump into the mix in an attempt to put more hype into their coverage.

Slowly, but surely Peyton said thanks, but not thanks to Arizona and Miami once the Titans and 49ers got involved. Everyone, including myself knew that San Francisco had the better team than Denver or Tennessee. But thinking about it I figured the 49ers weren’t a possibility for Peyton.

Why? I believe it would be too much pressure for him. They were on game away from reaching the Super Bowl last year. The same reason can be said for why he didn’t choose Tennessee. After all he is a football God in that state. Remember he did play for the University of Tennessee before playing in the NFL. If he chose San Francisco or Tennessee, the pressure to win now would have been too great.

Looking at Denver minus the Tim Tebow media coverage last year they were flying under the radar. You put Peyton Manning in the mix in a winnable AFC West with Oakland, San Diego and Kansas City. It’s a much easier path to win.

Former Broncos QB John Elway, now executive VP of football operations for them had an easy time I’m sure convincing Peyton to come to Denver. Yes, it doesn’t look good to the fans who wanted Tim Tebow to start, but how often do you get the chance to bring in a Peyton Manning? The answer is only once.

They still have some work to do. Mainly putting together enough receivers for Peyton to throw to and more importantly an offensive line that will protect him. In the meantime the Broncos are the talk of the free agent frenzy, but construction is still under way at Mile High.

2012 NCAA Tournament Bracket

Take it as you will. I haven’t had the greatest luck in picking the tournament winner the last few years. I’ve had some good years in which I’ve picked quite a few first round upsets, but none to brag about.

This year I played it safe. I went with a Kentucky vs. North Carolina title game. But what may surprise you is seeing Florida State in the Final Four. They have been an impressive team in my mind this year and it wouldn’t surprise me if they won the title.

In my view North Carolina has been the best team all year. Yes, Kentucky has a future NBA team, but the Tar Heels are heating up at the right time. They nearly defeated Florida State in the ACC tournament championship and have the biggest frontcourt in the country.

Look out for North Carolina hoisting their third championship banner under head coach Roy Williams.

Bounty System

Do you remember Super Bowl 44? Of course you do. Who could have forgotten the New Orleans Saints beating the Indianapolis Colts. What you probably forgot about was what was said before the game started.

Saints defensive coordinator went on a Nashville radio station and said his defense was going to get after Colts QB Peyton Manning. And when they did get to him they would give him some ‘remember me’ shots. At the time it was a topic of discussion as to what Williams meant by his comments. Was it an issue for the NFL? Hardly.

Fast forward to today. Former Saints defensive coordinator and the new defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams, Gregg Williams is in some hot water. The NFL became aware that he had set up a ‘bounty system’ as the defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints. An accusation that he doesn’t deny. Neither does Saints head coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis.

The NFL also says that Gregg Williams was doing it as far back as his days with the Washington Redskins (2004-07) as their defensive coordinator. And when he was the head coach of the Buffalo Bills (2001-03).

Now what is a ‘bounty system’? Simply put Williams was paying his players when they knocked opposing players out of a game. Now with this knowledge lets go back to that Super Bowl year for the Saints. Remember the knockout shot the Saint put upon Arizona Cardinals QB Kurt Warner in the divisional playoff game? Remember the beating Minnesota Vikings QB Brett Favre took in the NFC Championship game?

Now with all this said I’m not surprised by any of this. I have made it known that I find the NFL’s stance on player safety a little suspect. They have been promoting big hits ever since they started to gain national notoriety. I’m not saying the NFL shouldn’t take player safety into account. I’m just looking at it with a skeptical eye.

Are the New Orleans Saints the only team to have a system like this in place? No. Are the Saints the only team this past season to have a system like this in place? Absolutely not. They are the first ones to have been caught though. And with that there will be a huge precedent when commissioner Roger Goodell hands down punishment for the Saints franchise.

With the emphasis now on player safety and the many lawsuits by former players coming at the NFL. They know they must make it clear that this is wrong on every level. Suspensions, taking draft picks, fines, you name it. All forms of punishment should be taken into account.

That includes the Saints head coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis. Both had to have known about this at some point over the three seasons Gregg Williams was there. We all wondered why they didn’t sign QB Drew Brees to a long-term contract before they gave him the franchise tag. Now we know. They were distracted by this NFL investigation.

The only thing that does surprise me is the participation of the players. Yes the league is setup in a way where only a certain few players make a lot of money. But to inflict that kind of injury on another player knowing full well that not just his career, but his life could be at stake down the line is surprising to me.

It’s a wake up call for the NFL. They know full well that 10, 20, 30 years down the road a lot of potential football players will go play a different sport with the fear of long-term health problems in the back of their minds. Whether that happens or not it’s best that we remember the NFL isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.