Who Will Come Out on Top in the Wild, Wild West?
Steven Corvino
Issue date: 4/5/06 Section: Sports
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Last year, the Los Angeles Angels won the American League West and were able to knock off the all mighty Yankees in the first round of the playoffs. However, they will have a much harder time having the success they had in the hardest division in Major League Baseball, the AL west.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim had a fantastic season last year and they got very little help from centerfield, first base, and third base. During the off-season they traded Steve Finley for Edgardo Alfonzo in hope that Alfonzo can rejuvenate his career as a part time designated hitter (DH). Chone Figgins is a playmaker and will now primarily play third base. Garret Anderson is Mr. consistent and Vladimir Guerrero is simply a monster, even with his poor performance in the playoffs. Also, because of the trade, Darin Erstad is able to move back to centerfield and the top prospect in the minor leagues, Casey Kotchman is able to step in and play first base.
The Angels wanted to get Vlad help but were unsuccessful in signing Paul Konerko and trading for Manny Ramirez. They didn't have the off-season they had hoped. In addition to not adding a partner for Vlad, the Angels lost Paul Byrd, who had the second most quality starts in the American League last year and gold glove catcher Benji Molina. However, they were not idle. They were able to bring in innings-eater Jeff Weaver and bolstered their bullpen with the addition of lefty J.C. Romero from the Twins. Their system is loaded with prospects and they'll be able to contribute this year. Los Angeles will rely on clutch hitting, good pitching, and a great bullpen to get them back into the playoffs. However, don't be surprised if they lose the AL west title to the Oakland A's when it is all said and done.
For the past five years the Oakland A's have come up short in going to the next level. This year the A's were more active than usual during the off-season. They spent money on a couple of key free agents.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim had a fantastic season last year and they got very little help from centerfield, first base, and third base. During the off-season they traded Steve Finley for Edgardo Alfonzo in hope that Alfonzo can rejuvenate his career as a part time designated hitter (DH). Chone Figgins is a playmaker and will now primarily play third base. Garret Anderson is Mr. consistent and Vladimir Guerrero is simply a monster, even with his poor performance in the playoffs. Also, because of the trade, Darin Erstad is able to move back to centerfield and the top prospect in the minor leagues, Casey Kotchman is able to step in and play first base.
The Angels wanted to get Vlad help but were unsuccessful in signing Paul Konerko and trading for Manny Ramirez. They didn't have the off-season they had hoped. In addition to not adding a partner for Vlad, the Angels lost Paul Byrd, who had the second most quality starts in the American League last year and gold glove catcher Benji Molina. However, they were not idle. They were able to bring in innings-eater Jeff Weaver and bolstered their bullpen with the addition of lefty J.C. Romero from the Twins. Their system is loaded with prospects and they'll be able to contribute this year. Los Angeles will rely on clutch hitting, good pitching, and a great bullpen to get them back into the playoffs. However, don't be surprised if they lose the AL west title to the Oakland A's when it is all said and done.
For the past five years the Oakland A's have come up short in going to the next level. This year the A's were more active than usual during the off-season. They spent money on a couple of key free agents.