American League Preview

Seattle Mariners Ken Griffey Jr. (courtesy of Flickr.com)

by Joseph Landini

With Spring Training already underway, projections and predictions have already gotten underway, and questions will start to be answered. Especially in the American League, such as will the Yankees repeat?  Can the Angels recover after revamping their core? Can Seattle become a force? Here is a division by division analysis.

American League East
The American League East is arguably the best division in the league. It features the defending World Series champion New York Yankees, who have only gotten better with the acquisitions of starter Javier Vazquez and outfielder Curtis Granderson. The best seem to have only gotten better. Their rival Boston Red Sox, have also bolstered up with their own major moves. The Red Sox signed a top of the line starter in John Lackey, which only makes their rotation even more of a nightmare. The lineup also got better with Mike Cameron and Adrian Beltre joining the squad.  Tampa Bay is the real wild card of the division, as they are again healthy, not to mention stability in the end of the bullpen. Rafael Soriano should add to the already impressive young Ray team. The Baltimore Orioles have made some surprising moves, in hope to contend with the beasts of the AL East. Adding veterans Garret Atkins and Kevin Milwood should improve this team to at the least compete. The Blue Jays of Toronto lost their only major piece after trading away Roy Halladay. All they have to look forward to is the future. Fail.

Projected Division Standings
1- New York Yankees
2- Boston Red Sox
3- Baltimore Orioles
4- Tampa Bay Rays
5- Toronto Blue Jays

American League Central
After the late season rally the Minnesota Twins look young and strong. The pitching staff will be healthy, but with no proven number 1 starter. The major plus on their side is from behind the plate, Joe Mauer. The Detroit Tigers have had an offseason of loss and gain. They lost their closer in Fernando Rodney, leaving them with uncertainty in the closer spot.  The Tigers gained the veteran services of Jhonny Damon, who is coming of a World Series year with the Yankees. Chicago White Sox fans have something to be excited for, as they have a legitimate one-two starter combo in Jake Peavy and Mark Buehrle. The dynamic duo could be the cause of major havoc within the division. The Kansas City Royals have youth on their side, but not quite be ready to compete, while the Cleveland Indians are set to be at the bottom of the barrel.

Projected Division Standings
1- Detroit Tigers
2- Minnesota Twins
3- Chicago White Sox
4- Kansas City Royals
5- Cleveland Indians

American League West
The smallest division in baseball, might hold the tightest and most entertaining playoff race of the year. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim might have met their match with the up and coming Seattle Mariners. The Angels are coming off an offseason in which they had departures, but reloaded. They lose the services of John Lackey and Vlad Guerrero, but gain Joel Pinero and Fernando Rodney. Seattle has a case to have the best front three starters in the rotation with Felix Hernandez, Cliff Lee and Erik Bedard. The Angels loss was Texas gain as Guerrero signed with them, giving the Rangers another power threat. Oakland put all their eggs in one basket this offseason, by adding an injury prone Ben Sheets.

Projected Division Standings
1- Seattle Mariners
2- Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
3- Texas Rangers
4- Oakland Athletics

Keep reading the exchange for the national league preview next week.