Seattle Mariners (96-66): Some may call this "buying into the hype," but when an 85-win team gets as much better on paper as the Mariners did this off-season, you have to recognize it in the overall record. Add to that the fact that the only other team in the division that legitimately got better was Oakland, and it just HAS to be Seattle's year....right?
Los Angeles Angels (93-69): Anyone who is counting out the Angels for 2010 needs to take a closer look. True, they lost Lackey, Figgins and Guerrero. But consider that they still have a number of breakout stars from last season, including Kendry Morales who hit .306 with 34 HR and 108 RBI. With an added year of experience his plate discipline should improve and he will only get better. Also consider that their pitching staff is not lost without Lackey. They have three pitchers in the rotation with 15 or more wins in 2009, and Scott Kazmir who posted a 1.73 ERA in 6 starts with the Halos. This team can take the division. No doubt.
Texas Rangers (88-74): I know this is probably an unpopular number among most baseball fans but I just can't see the Rangers making a DRASTIC improvement from their 2009 season. If they had gone out and addressed starting pitching in this year's free agent market or through trades then I would be raving about the squad. The fact of the matter is, however, that they did no such thing. Their offense will be potent and their defense will be above average. Even their bullpen is going to be fairly solid. However, even after years of dealing with this the hard way, the Rangers still don't seem to realize that you cannot get anywhere without a rotation.
Oakland Athletics (80-82): This team is one of the most intriguing in all of baseball. No one will look at their team and think anything of the roster on paper, but as usual Billy Bean has put a squad in place that is fronted by great young starting pitchers and a viable (but not great) offense. They fall into the San Francisco category in terms of a power threat, but it's not for lack of effort (see: Matt Holliday, first half of 2009). With this team's pitching, they can compete and win games. Look for the A's to hang around throughout the first half and maybe make a move at the deadline to become a legitimate contender. These A's could be next year's cinderella. Time will tell.
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