The 2010 A L West Thread

[robvols]

Welcome to the division thread where Angels, Mariners, Rangers and Athletics fans can meet and discuss about the happenings from within.

The 2010 Major League Baseball Season kicks off April 5 on Easter Monday. The Mariners had a huge off-season with upgrades at third base and on the mound. However there are four teams in the division so let us look at what each did this off-season.

THE LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM

The Angels hope World Series magic spread to the West Coast


SITE: http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=ana

http://mlbnetwork.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=7201937&topic_id=8187248

KEY ADDITION: OF/DH Hideki Matsui, SP Joel Pineiro, RP Fernando Rodney
KEY LOSS: 3B Chone Figgins, SP John Lackey, DH Vladimir Guerrero, SP Kelvim Escobar, RP Darren Oliver

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

Beane hopes Sheets can revive his career by the bay


SITE:http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=oak

http://mlbnetwork.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=7216551&topic_id=8187248


KEY ADDITION: SP Ben Sheets
KEY LOSS: 2B Adam Kennedy

SEATTLE MARINERS

Two big additions make the M's big offseason winners

SITE:http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=sea

http://mlbnetwork.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=7233807&topic_id=8187248

KEY ADDITION: SP Cliff Lee, 3B Chone Figgins
KEY LOSS: 3B Adrian Beltre, 1B Russell Branyan

TEXAS RANGERS

Rangers hope Vladdy has a little bit left in his bat.

SITE: http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=tex

http://mlbnetwork.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=7223471&topic_id=8187248

KEY ADDITION: SP Rich Harden, DH Vladimir Guerrero, RP Darren Oliver
KEY LOSS: SP Kevin Millwood, OF Marlon Byrd, 1B Hank Blalock, SS Omar Vizquel


Spring Training has started in the growing Cactus League so go ahead and talk about progress, releases, and signings that happens throughout the period.

So throughout the 2010 season, discuss the happenings in the AL WEST THREAD as the season unravels and takes shape, expect this to get exciting in the end.

 

[robvols]

Rangers OF Josh Hamilton leaves his first workout with a shoulder injury.

 

[robvols]

After dealing with offseason foot surgery, Mariners SP Cliff Lee throws for the very first time off the mound

 

[Heebs]

I've got the M's, Rangers, Angels, and A's in that order.

I honestly had no idea Vladdy went to the Rangers until just though. Weird.

 

[JTrainDavis]

I've got the M's, Rangers, Angels, and A's in that order.

I honestly had no idea Vladdy went to the Rangers until just though. Weird.

Sounds good, I'd swap Texas and California/Anaheim/LA, but that isn't relevant in the grand scheme.

 

[005]

The As won't be able to hang despite potentially incredible pitching, and I wanna see what harden can do healthy for a year with that run support. will i get to? eh...

 

[robvols]

Rangers OF Josh Hamilton leaves his first workout with a shoulder injury.

Practicing Through Pain

Hamilton practices despite soreness | MLB.com: News

 

[005]

A's sign brett tomko and Jason Jennings (former Rookie of the Year which i had forgotten about), and reports say that Ben Sheets impressed with velocity in his bullpen session today.

Oakland A's agree with Jason Jennings, Brett Tomko; Ben Sheets throws - ESPN

 

[VolBuck24]

If the Mariners don't win this division i'll be shocked.

 

[005]

They seem to be the favorite and had the best offseason, but it will be competitive. A's will be more competitive once Chris Carter and Michael Taylor are up and more developed, which might not be this year... both plus bats.

It will be an ultra competitive division... Mariners will have to live up to expectations at every position or other teams could take this division. Big hole possibly at catcher, 3-4-5spots in the rotation. I honestly wanna believe in good ole Milton for a bounceback year... but who knows.

 

[VolBuck24]

True. Maybe Bedard can actually produce as the 3rd spot in the rotation.

 

[005]

That would be big. Good article on the mariners from ESPN

Jerry Crasnick: New mood emerges with the Seattle Mariners - ESPN

 

[VolBuck24]

I'm a big Griffey fan. I want him to go out with a ring or at least a legit shot at one.

 

[robvols]

The great Nolan Ryan, team president and soon to be co-owner of the Texas Rangers, expects the team win 92 games this year. This coming off the heels of last season's 87 win campaign.

 

[005]

I could see it. Harden healthy I could definitely see it. They are improved from last year big time.

 

[robvols]

Angels starting pitcher Scott Kazmir's old pitching coach returned to Mike Scioscia's staff during the offseason. He has gone back to basics with the pitcher and stressed the importance of regaining his nasty stuff.

Kazmir reunited with his nasty stuff | angelsbaseball.com: News

 

[005]

I like it. Read another article on how he's kicked his own tail in workouts all offseason.

 

[005]

Robvols, I got ya...

AL WEST'S TOP PROSPECTS BY ORGANIZATION

Los Angeles/Anaheim/California Angels: Hank Conger, Catcher.
Mike Trout and Peter Bourjos not far behind. I am a Tyler Skaggs fan, but it may just be the name.

Oakland Athletics: Chris Carter, 1B. A big bat.
Michael Taylor is #2, ranked in the top 10 position players by some scouts. Grant Green not far behind.

Seattle Mariners: Dustin Ackley, 1B, 2B, OF
Pure hitter. Kid can absolutely rake... and is incredibly flexible as far as positions go. Michael Saunders is another good prospect.

Texas Rangers: Loaded top to bottom. Neftali Feliz, Justin Smoak are the top tier at this point, only because they have a little more experience.
Martin Perez at 19 is a freak, as well as Tanner Scheppers, despite some shoulder issues.
What i was shocked to see is Jurickson Profar at number 5... anyone watched the LLWS in the past and remember him from Curacao?

None of the Athletics young pitchers qualify at this point I'm guessing, but a good majority of their staff, save Sheets and Duchsherer, just made the leap from prospects to major league regulars last year.

Rangers are overflowing with young talent.

 

[robvols]

Robvols, I got ya...

AL WEST'S TOP PROSPECTS BY ORGANIZATION

Los Angeles/Anaheim/California Angels: Hank Conger, Catcher.
Mike Trout and Peter Bourjos not far behind. I am a Tyler Skaggs fan, but it may just be the name.

Oakland Athletics: Chris Carter, 1B. A big bat.
Michael Taylor is #2, ranked in the top 10 position players by some scouts. Grant Green not far behind.

Seattle Mariners: Dustin Ackley, 1B, 2B, OF
Pure hitter. Kid can absolutely rake... and is incredibly flexible as far as positions go. Michael Saunders is another good prospect.

Texas Rangers: Loaded top to bottom. Neftali Feliz, Justin Smoak are the top tier at this point, only because they have a little more experience.
Martin Perez at 19 is a freak, as well as Tanner Scheppers, despite some shoulder issues.
What i was shocked to see is Jurickson Profar at number 5... anyone watched the LLWS in the past and remember him from Curacao?

None of the Athletics young pitchers qualify at this point I'm guessing, but a good majority of their staff, save Sheets and Duchsherer, just made the leap from prospects to major league regulars last year.

Rangers are overflowing with young talent.

Showed a shutdown mentality towards the hitters last season in relief that he had an ERA under .50 at one point last season.

 

[robvols]

Robvols, I got ya...

AL WEST'S TOP PROSPECTS BY ORGANIZATION

Los Angeles/Anaheim/California Angels: Hank Conger, Catcher.

Mike Trout and Peter Bourjos not far behind. I am a Tyler Skaggs fan, but it may just be the name.

Oakland Athletics: Chris Carter, 1B.

A big bat. Michael Taylor is #2, ranked in the top 10 position players by some scouts. Grant Green not far behind.

Seattle Mariners: Dustin Ackley, 1B, 2B, OF
Pure hitter. Kid can absolutely rake... and is incredibly flexible as far as positions go. Michael Saunders is another good prospect.

Texas Rangers:

Loaded top to bottom. Neftali Feliz, Justin Smoak (pic) are the top tier at this point, only because they have a little more experience.
Martin Perez at 19 is a freak, as well as Tanner Scheppers, despite some shoulder issues.
What i was shocked to see is Jurickson Profar at number 5... anyone watched the LLWS in the past and remember him from Curacao?

None of the Athletics young pitchers qualify at this point I'm guessing, but a good majority of their staff, save Sheets and Duchsherer, just made the leap from prospects to major league regulars last year.

Rangers are overflowing with young talent.

ENHANCED with logos and player images. Info courtesy of DBake005

 

[robvols]

Thanks to the throwing incident against DBacks catcher Chris Synder, M's starter Cliff Lee is suspended for 5 games. He would make his M's debut against the Rangers. He plans to appeal the ruling.

 

[robvols]

Ichiro's 'unbelievable' grab recalls Mays | MLB.com: News

 

[robvols]

After dealing with offseason foot surgery, Mariners SP Cliff Lee throws for the very first time off the mound

There's a 50/50 chance he may start the season on the DL due to an abdominal strain suffered in the same game that cost him 5 games to start the season

 

[robvols]

If you didn't catch your team during its initial run on the MLB Network or want to see it again, feel free to catch it on the starter post of this thread. The feature will also be available on the active fan threads.

 

[robvols]

A new ace, and a converted closer
Rangers tab Feldman as opening day starter - MLB - Yahoo! Sports