2012 AL West Predictions

[Cathy]

Predict the order in which you think the AL West Teams will finish in 2012.


Texas Rangers
Seattle Mariners
Los Angeles Angels
Oakland Athletics

[scooterbracy]

Texas Rangers
Seattle Mariners
Los Angeles Angels
Oakland Athletics

Mariners over the Angels...interesting. I just don't see the talent in Seattle, but I don't like the glut of DH/1B/over-the-hill outfielders in Anaheim, er...LA either.

For me the Rangers and Angels are heads and shoulders above the A's and Mariners.

Rangers and Angels with 85+ wins; the A's and Mariners with 85+ losses.

[WilsonC]

Current projections:
Angels (95-67)
Rangers (95-67)
A's (77-85)
Mariners (76-86)

A definite two tiered division here.

The Angels and Rangers are close, but I really like the Angels' depth this year. There's a bit of a glut at the corners, which from a roster construction standpoint is suboptimal, but it also helps make them one of the deepest teams in baseball (especially if the Trumbo experiment at third works to any degree). Consider their depth chart right now:
C - Ianetta, Conger
1B - Pujols, Morales, Trumbo
2B - Kendrick, Izturis, Callaspo
SS - Aybar, Izturis
3B - Callaspo, Trumbo?, Izturis
OF - Bourjos, Wells, Hunter, Trout, Abreu, Morales, Kendrick, Trumbo,
DH - Morales, Abreu, Trumbo

They're not all stars, but there's not a position on the field where they don't have an MLB caliber back up player. Add that to a strong rotation and potentially a good bullpen (I really like Walden), and they're on par with the Beasts in the East.

And a lot of what I said about the Angels is true with the Rangers. They don't have quite as much offensive depth, but they've got a strong offense with both stars and versatility. Pitching-wise, they've got serious depth. They don't have the front of the rotation the Angels have, but they're as able to absorb pitching injuries as anyone, with at least one able starter moving to the bullpen, and multiple quality relievers who'd make able closers.

The A's and Mariners both have talent in the minors, but they'll struggle to score runs this year and barring breakout performances by prospects, I see both of them as behind the Rangers and Angels even in pitching this year.

[cpgrad08]

Mariners win the divison. Texas lose in the playoffs. Oakland is just there. The angels move ans become MLB first Alsakian team.