The A’s shouldn’t have hope. They lost Barry Zito and Frank Thomas – and yet they maintain confidence. If Rich Harden, right, is healthy, they win the division. But the Angels’ resources and improved bullpen figure to be too much to overcome, particularly when Bartolo Colon and Jered Weaver rejoin the rotation. The Rangers and Mariners, while intriguing, are playing for winning records, not a division title.
1. Los Angeles Angels | 89-73, second
LINEUP (’06 average)
CF G. Matthews Jr. .313
SS Orlando Cabrera .282
RF Vladimir Guerrero .329
LF Garret Anderson .280
DH Shea Hillenbrand .277
1B Casey Kotchman .152
2B Howie Kendrick .285
C Mike Napoli .228
3B Maicer Izturis .293
ROTATION (’06 ERA)
RHP John Lackey 3.56
RHP Kelvim Escobar 3.61
RHP Ervin Santana 4.28
LHP Joe Saunders 4.71
RHP Dustin Moseley 9.00
CLOSER (’06 saves)
Francisco Rodriguez 47
MANAGER
Mike Scioscia
IN FOCUS
The Angels added offense, but appear to have overspent for embattled Gary Matthews Jr. and Shea Hillenbrand. Team’s pitching can camouflage other weaknesses, though it depends largely on the return of Jered Weaver (mid-April) and Bartolo Colon (sometime in May).
IN DARKROOM
First baseman Casey Kotchman looks the part of a future star. It’s time for him to break through, joining Howie Kendrick as cornerstones for years to come.
PERFECT IMAGE
The development of Mike Napoli frees up GM Bill Stoneman to trade Jeff Mathis or Erick Aybar for an impact bat (such as, say, Alex Rodriguez). Colon and Weaver don’t return to the DL after coming off.
2. Oakland Athletics | 93-69, first
LINEUP (’06 average)
C Jason Kendall .295
LF Shannon Stewart .293
CF Milton Bradley .276
DH Mike Piazza .283
3B Eric Chavez .241
RF Nick Swisher .254
SS Bobby Crosby .229
1B Dan Johnson .234
2B Mark Ellis .249
ROTATION (’06 ERA)
RHP Dan Haren 4.12
RHP Esteban Loaiza 4.89
RHP Rich Harden 4.24
RHP Joe Blanton 4.82
LHP Joe Kennedy 2.31
CLOSER (’06 saves)
Huston Street 37
MANAGER
Bob Geren
IN FOCUS
Get beyond the fact Bob Geren is a close friend of GM Billy Beane’s, and he is qualified to manage. His personality should mesh well with a loose clubhouse that lost faith in Ken Macha. The season, however, depends largely on Rich Harden turning in a Cy Young Award performance.
IN DARKROOM
Bobby Crosby’s career is symbolized by an Ace bandage. If Crosby stays on the field, he and Mike Piazza can ease the loss of Frank Thomas.
PERFECT IMAGE
Dan Haren, Esteban Loaiza and Harden post 50 victories, allowing a mediocre offense to consistently win low-scoring games. Beane swings an under-radar trade – getting outfielder Lastings Milledge from Mets? – to provide depth.
3. Texas Rangers | 80-82, third
LINEUP (’06 average)
CF Kenny Lofton .301
LF F. Catalanotto .300
SS Michael Young .314
1B Mark Teixeira .282
DH Sammy Sosa N/A
3B Hank Blalock .266
RF Nelson Cruz .223
C Gerald Laird .296
2B Ian Kinsler .286
ROTATION (’06 ERA)
RHP Kevin Millwood 4.52
RHP Vicente Padilla 4.50
RHP B. McCarthy 4.68
RHP Robinson Tejeda 4.28
RHP Jamey Wright 5.19
CLOSER (’06 saves)
Akinori Otsuka 32
MANAGER
Ron Washington
IN FOCUS
Anyone who has met Ron Washington likes him, with his former players rooting for him to succeed. The lack of pitching makes his first job difficult. Brandon McCarthy could ease concerns if he blossoms in new surroundings.
IN DARKROOM
Two years ago, penciling Eric Gagne into the ninth inning came with an exclamation point. Now Gagne is a huge question mark. He must reinvent himself, relying less on power and more on his changeup.
PERFECT IMAGE
Sammy Sosa doesn’t fade away by May, providing pop against left-handed pitching, and Mark Teixeira avoids a protracted slump as young pitching slowly gains traction.
4. Seattle Mariners | 78-84, fourth
LINEUP (’06 average)
CF Ichiro Suzuki .322
3B Adrian Beltre .268
DH Jose Vidro .289
LF Raul Ibañez .289
1B Richie Sexson .264
RF Jose Guillen .216
C Kenji Johjima .291
2B Jose Lopez .282
SS Y. Betancourt .289
ROTATION (’06 ERA)
RHP Felix Hernandez 4.52
LHP J. Washburn 4.67
RHP Jeff Weaver 5.76
RHP Miguel Batista 4.58
LHP Horacio Ramirez 4.48
CLOSER (’06 saves)
J.J. Putz 36
MANAGER
Mike Hargrove
IN FOCUS
Mike Hargrove and GM Bill Bavasi have no margin for error left, meaning pink slips will greet a slow start. The Mariners rolled the dice on two expensive offseason additions: Jose Vidro and Jeff Weaver. How those two perform could go a long way in how the Mariners perform.
IN DARKROOM
Felix the King has barely been a prince. His talent is undeniable. Now it’s time for consistency to match his electric arsenal.
PERFECT IMAGE
No team has paid more for mediocrity – though the Cubs could change that this season – than the Mariners. Weaver, Jarrod Washburn, Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson are cashing paychecks worthy of stardom. They need to earn them.
