2012 AL West Preview: Heavenly Expectations

Now the biggest move of the off season involved a team from this division. Albert Pujols going to Angels made them a top pick of many throughout the country but are they my pick for the AL West?

The Angels do seem well suited for the upcoming season. Despite the fact that he's coming off career low numbers from last year, Pujols still looks very good with a .299 avg., 37 homers, and 99 RBI's. The thought will be, of course, that last year's numbers were partly affected by injury which was true to an extent. On top of Pujols, the team has added CJ Wilson to a seemingly impressive rotation of Dan Haren, Ervin Santana, and Jared Weaver. All four mentioned had ERA's under 3.5 last season with Weaver and Wilson being the two with ERA's actually under 3. If the rotation lives up to last season and Kendry Morales stays healthy, the Angels will no doubt take the Al West.

But don't ever count out the Rangers. They've managed to make it to the World Series two years in a row against the odds and just because they lose another solid pitcher from their rotation doesn't mean they are out of the running. They still have a great hitting line up and solid rotation with Derek Holland and Matt Harrison leading the way. Whether they will take the division or not away from the Angels will largely depend on Neftali Feliz and Yu Darvish. Feliz is transitioning from the Bullpen to a starting role and recent history involving these kinds of career moves doesn't bode well for him (or Daniel Bard for that matter). As for Yu Darvish, he'll have a tough time too considering he's coming from a different league, heck, country for that matter. If one of these two plays well this year, look for the Rangers to contend for the division. If they both do well, look for another trip to the World Series.

As for the other two teams in the division, I get confused. The A's made a lot of interesting moves this off season trading prospect talent away and getting aging talent like Manny Ramirez and Bartolo Colon. It just seems like that franchise is already looking forward to the next season... and the one after that, and the one after that... In Seattle, the Mariners once again look like the weak link in the division with just a bright spot in Felix Hernandez. I'd be surprised if they take the #3 spot in the division away from the A's.

So who am I picking? While I want to be a bit risky and say the Rangers for a second year in a row, I have to pick the Angels. I wouldn't be surprised if the Rangers make a fool of me come October but I'd be the fool right off if I didn't pick the team with Albert Pujols to win the division.

P.S. I still see the Rangers contending for the Wild Card and being involved in the first ever Wild Card playoff game. I see Red Sox winning that, though.