1. Los Angeles Angels
Positives: Easily the most stacked pitching staff in the division, both starting and coming out of the bullpen, guys who can hit for power (Rivera, Morales, Hunter), guys who can hit for average and steal bases (Aybar and Abreu) and the steady leadership of Mike Scioscia. Don't buy into the Seattle hype, this is still the Angels' division to lose.
Negatives: Tough to find a whole lot here, other than a lot of their key everyday players are advancing in age. That said, the roster should be able to stay healthy enough to run away from the rest of the division.
X-Factor: Will Brandon Wood make an impact in his first full season in the majors? If he doesn't get off to a hot start with the bat, he may not be there very long.
Record Prediction: 92-70
2. Seattle Mariners
Positives: You have to love the Chone Figgins signing, as it not only adds a huge boost to their infield defense and overall OBP, but it directly takes those things away from your biggest rival. As always, they have professional hitting machine Ichiro, and Felix Hernandez, who should be a Cy Young candidate for many years to come. Their defense and small ball will keep them in the race for most of the season.
Negatives: Their starting pitching (and bullpen, for that matter) lacks depth to say the least. And why, why, would any team that hopes to contend bring in Milton Bradley?
X-Factor: David Aardsma had a terrific, if not surprising, season as the team's closer last year, posting 38 saves. The Mariners' defense will keep a lot of games close, so Aardsma's ability to have an encore performance this year will be critical to their success.
Record Prediction: 88-74
3. Texas Rangers
Positives: Their bullpen is solid, and they have a true on-field general in Michael Young. Texas can also boast a few young sluggers, namely Nelson Cruz, Chris Davis, and Josh Hamilton, that can take advantage of the Ballpark at Arlington.
Negatives: Although some of the rotation showed flashes of promise in '09, the only starter with an ERA below 4.00, Kevin Millwood, is gone and has been replaced by the oft-injured Rich Harden. Look for the staff's overall production to take a step back in 2010.
X-Factor: Texas will need Ian Kinsler to return from the D.L. quickly, and not go back too often, to be able to slug their way into wild card contention.
Record Prediction: 81-81
4. Oakland Athletics
Positives: I love what Rajai Davis can do in all facets of the game, it's just a shame that he's almost invisible on such an underwhelming team. They have, however, made some nice upgrades to their roster by bringing in veterans Kevin Kouzmanoff and Gabe Gross.
Negatives: They signed Ben Sheets to be their top starter, in spite of the fact that he didn't pitch in '09, their closer will most likely be unavailable when the season starts, and they just cut last year's team leader in home runs. Nothing about this screams "contender" to me.
X-Factor: Young starters like Gio Gonzalez and Brett Anderson need to show that they can be centerpieces of the team's rebuilding process.
Record Prediction: 70-92
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