MLB PICKS 2008 AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST
 
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
MANAGER: MIKE SCIOSCIA
2007 RECORD: 94-68
 
KEY ADDITIONS:
TORI HUNTER OF
JON GARLAND RHP
 
KEY LOSSES:
ORLANDO CABRERA
 
HELP IS ON THE WAY:
NICK ADENHART RHP
 
OUTLOOK:
The Angels should again have the best pitching in the West. Garland is a nice No. 3 starter and he should fit in nicely. Hunter gives them another big bat which is what they needed most and his defense is a plus. Their Bullpen is solid and this team should again put up over 90 wins.


 
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
MANAGER: Bob Geren
2007 RECORD: 76-86
 
KEY ADDITIONS:
CARLOS GONZALEZ OF
RYAN SWEENEY OF
GIO GONZALEZ LHP
 
KEY LOSSES:
NICK SWISHER OF
DAN HAREN RHP
MARCO SCUTARO IF
 
HELP IS ON THE WAY:
CARLOS GONZALEZ OF
 
OUTLOOK:
The A’s look to be rebuilding once again and it could be a long season. It would not surprise if Kotsay, Crosby and Chavez are dealt before the trade deadline as the A’s need to restock the system with some big arms. Lots of unproven arms in the A’s rotation and not a very lethal offense, the A’s will have a hard time duplicating the 76 wins they got last year.
 
SEATTLE MARINERS
MANAGER: JOHN McLAREN
2007 RECORD: 88-74
 
KEY ADDITIONS:
CARLOS SILVA RHP
TUG HULETT IF
R.A. DICKEY RHP
ERIC BEDARDLHP
 
KEY LOSSES:
BEN BROUSSARD 1B
ADAM JONES OF
 
HELP IS ON THE WAY:
JEFF CLEMENT C
 
OUTLOOK:
The Mariners made a huge move getting Eric Bedard. They came close last year, but the pitching faded at the end, and this moves puts them right there with the Angels. Betancourt and Beltre is about the best left side of the infield as any team. If Felix Hernandez has a big year, the M’s could overtake the Angels.
 
TEXAS RANGERS
MANAGER: RON WASHINGTON
2007 RECORD: 75-87

KEY ADDITIONS:
JOSH HAMILTON OF
KAZUO FUKIMORI RHP
MILTON BRADLEY OF
BEN BROUSSARD 1B
CHRIS SHELTON 1B
 
KEY LOSSES:
SAMMY SOSA DH
BRAD WILKERSON OF
AKINORI OTSUKA RHP
 
HELP IS ON THE WAY:
ERIC HURLEY RHP
 
OUTLOOK:
Pitching is always the problem for the Rangers and will be again. They just lack the quality, depth, and consistency needed to contend. They don’t appear to be much different from last year’s team that won 75 games, but may have enough to overtake the A’s and finish 3rd.
 
PREDICTED FINISH
1. SEATTLE
2. LA ANGELS
3. TEXAS
4. OAKLAND