League Preview-Part 3-Wrapping Up the AL East and starting the AL West

Tampa Bay Rays
Postseason Appearances: 1 (2008)
World Series Titles: 0
Best Season: 2008 (97-65)
Worst Season: 2006 (61-101)

Just a few years ago, the Rays appeared to the everyone's favorite punching bag and would have probably broken the Mets record for losses in a season if the All Time League had ended with the '06 season. What a difference a couple of years can make. Welcome to MLB, Rays-sorry it took so long.

Pitching-As you might expect with a team that has only been around for 12 years, there's not much depth. Scott Kazmir 2007 (13-9, 3.48, 239 K) is the ace, followed by James Shields 2008 (14-8, 3.56), Andy Sonnanstine 2008 (13-9, 4.38), Rolando Arrojo 1998 (14-12, 3.56) and Matt Garza 2009 (8-12 but a 3.95 ERA. Edwin Jackson 2008 (14-11) and Tony Saunders 1998 (6-15) add bodies if nothing else. Roberto Hernandez 1999 (43 saves) is the closer, aided by Grant Balfour 2008 (1.54 ERA), J.P. Howell 2008 (6-1-3, 2.22), Jim Mecir 1998 (7-2, 3.11) and Albie Lopez 2000 (11-13-2, 4.13) as the long man. A young David Price 2008 (1.93 ERA in 14 innings) and Danys Baez 2005 (41 saves) and a semblance of depth.

Catching-Pretty weak. Dioner Navarro 2008 (7, 54, .295) is the top catcher, with John Flaherty 1999 (14, 71, .278) as the backup. Mike DiFelice 1999 (.307) is the next in line if an injury strikes.

Infield-Much improved over the last two years. Carlos Pena 2007 (46, 121, .282) holds down first base, with the Crime Dog, Fred McGriff 1999 (32, 104, .310) serving as the DH. Jorge Cantu 2005 (28, 177, .286) adds pop while Akinori Iwamura 2008 (.274) adds D to the second base slot in the late innings. The left side of the infield has been strengthened significantly with the 2009 perfomances of shortstop Jason Bartlett (14, 66, .320, 30 SB) and third baseman Evan Longoria (33, 113, .281). Longoria especially may only get better. Aaron Ledesma 1998 (.324) and Brendan Harris 2007 (12, 59, .286) are the prime backups. Jose Canseco 1999 (34 HR) is the first in line for DH should McGriff get hurt, and Ty "Wiggy" Wigginton 2006 (24, 79, .275) is another jack of all trades.

Outfield-Carl Crawford 2007 (11, 80, .315, 50 SB) is the catalyst of this lineup; he holds down LF. Randy Winn 2002 (14, 75, .298) will play center, and Ben Zobrist 2009 (27, 91, .297) should hold down RF although he can play many positions. B.J. Upton 2007 (24, 82, .300) could get some PT in CF as well if Winn falters. Rocco Baldelli 2006 (.302, 16 HR in only 364 AB) can fill in on a limited basis.

Outlook-Still dismal and likely a cellar finish, but the Rays at least won't be an utter joke anymore.


Toronto Blue Jays
Postseason Appearances: 5 (1985, 1989, 1991-93)
World Series Titles: 2 (1992-93)
Best Season: 1985 (99-62)
Worst Season: 1979 (53-109)

The Blue Jays' existence can be neatly divided into 3 eras-a painful beginning (1977-82), a strong period of contention capped by back to back World Series titles (1983-93), and an era of indifference (1994-present). In between, some exciting but at times painful baseball. The Jays could have done a lot better during the 1983-93 period and if they had not won two titles in 1992 and '93, would have been regarded as the best team never to win a World Series.

Pitching-It starts with Dave Stieb 1985 (14-13 but a Jays record low 2.48 ERA). The rotation is filled out by Jimmy Key 1987 (17-8, 2.76), Roy Halladay 2003 (22-7, 3.25), Pat Hentgen 1996 (20-10, 3.22) and Doyle Alexander 1984 (17-6, 3.13). Juan Guzman 1992 (16-5, 2.64) and Jim Clancy 1982 (16-14, 3.71) add some depth. The pen is headed by the Terminator, Tom Henke 1987 (0-6-34, 2.49, 128 K in only 94 innings). One man setup crew Mark Eichhorn 1986 (14-6-10, 1.72 ERA in 157 innings) will get the games to Henke, helped by Duane Ward 1993 (45 saves, 2.13), Billy Koch 2000 (9-3-33, 2.63) and lefty Tony Castillo 1993 (3.38 ERA). Swingmen Kelvim Escobar 2001 (3.50) and Mike Timlin 1991 (11-6-3, 3.16) add some more depth.

Catching-Not a team's strong point, but they can make do with a platoon of Greg Myers 2003 and Buck Martinez 1983 (combined 25 HR, 85 RBI). Gregg Zaun 2006 (.272, 12 HR) and Randy Knorr 1994 (10 HR in just 175 AB) form another platoon further down the depth chart.

Infield-John Olerud 1993 (.363, 24, 107) holds down first base, relegating all time Jays slugger Carlos Delgado 2000 (41, 137, .344) to the DH position. Roberto Alomar 1992 (8, 76, .310, 49 SB) is at second, Tony Fernandez 1987 (.322, 32 SB) is at SS and Kelly Gruber 1990 (31, 118, .274) holds down third base. Lyle Overbay is the defensive sub at first, and Garth Iorg 1985 (.313) and Bob Bailor 1977 (.310) are the backups on the infield. Randy Ruiz 2009 (.313, 10 HR in just 115 AB) is the pinch hitting specialist.

Outfield-George Bell 1987 (47, 134, .308) is in left, Devon White 1991 is in center (17, 60, .282, 33 SB) brings speed and power to CF, and Jesse Barfield 1986 (40, 108, .289) brings power and a cannon arm to RF. Shannon Stewart 2000 (21, 69, .319, 20 SB) adds speed to the outfield depth, and two start CF's, Lloyd Moseby 1987 (26, 96, .282) and Vernon Wells 2003 (33, 177, .317) lie in wait if Devo struggles.

Outlook-The Jays won't contend, but at least should finish above the Rays.

Predicted order of finish for the AL East: 1. Yankees 2. Red Sox 3. Orioles 4. Tigers 5. Indians 6. ABC's 7. Blue Jays 8. Rays


American League West

Anaheim Angels
Postseason Appearances: 9 (1979, 1982, 1986, 2002, 2004-05, 2007-09)
World Series Titles: 1 (2002)
Best Season: 2008 (100-62)
Worst Season: 1980 (65-95)

Regardless of what they are called, the last eight years have been the best of times for the Angels with six post season berths and a WS crown since 2002-this after just 3 postseason appearances in the first 41 seasons of the team;s existence. Sure, some think their biggest legacy is the Rally Monkey and the Thunderstix, but they have had some talented players too.

Pitching-While Nolan Ryan first made a name for himself here, he will be firing his fastball for another team in this division. The starting rotation will consist of Dean Chance 1964 (20-9-4, 1.65 ERA), John Lackey 2007 (19-9, 3.01), Frank Tanana 1975 (16-9, 2.63, 269 K), Mike Witt 1986 (18-10, 2.84) and Chuck Finley 1990 (18-9, 2.40). Clyde Wright 1970 (22-12, 2.83) and Kirk McCaskill 1986 (17-10, 3.36) add depth. The bullpen has been a strength throughout the Angels history, from Bob Lee 1964 (6-5-15, 1.51) to Dave Laroche 1971 (5-1-9, 2.50) to Troy Percival 1996 (36 saves, 2.31) to Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez 2004 (4-1-12, 1.82, not his 62 save season of 2008 as he is more effective in 2004) and Scot Shields 2006 (2.87). Brendan Donnelly 2003 (1.58) and Ken Tatum 1969 (22 saves, 1.36) add solid depth.

Catching-Brian Downing 1979 (12, 75, .326) starts behind the dish, with Bengie Molina 2003 (14, 71, .281) backing him up with late inning defense. Shawn Wooten 2001 (.312, 8 HR) and Bengie's brother Jose 2004 (.261) are next on the depth chart.

Infield-It's hard to remember when a young first baseman captivated the nation with his slugging, but Wally Joyner did just that in his first two years. His 1987 version (34, 117, .285) gets the call at first. Bobby Grich 1981 (32, 95, .304) plays second, Jim Fregosi 1970 (22, 82, .278) is at SS and Troy Glaus 2000 (47, 102, .284) is at third. Utility men Chone Figgins 2005 (.290, 62 SB), Spike Owen 1994 (.310) and Rex Hudler 19966= (.311, 16 HR) add infield depth. Kendry Morales 2009 (34, 108, .306) and the 2002 champion double play combo of Adam Kennedy (.312) and David Eckstein (.293) add depth, and Steve Bilko 1961 (20, 59, .279 in only 294 AB) adds pop from the right side.

Outfield-Darin Erstad 2000 (25, 100, .355) is in left, Jim Edmonds 1995 (37, 120, .290) is in CF and Tim Salmon 1995 (38, 117, .330) is around in RF. Don Baylor 1979 (36, 139, .296) is the DH, with Garret Anderson 2002 (29, 123, .306) as the top outfield backup. Albie Pearson 1961 (.419 OBP) and Alex Johnson 1970 (.329) add more outfield depth.

Outlook-if they had Nolan Ryan, maybe they could climb to third-as it is, they will likely finish in the middle of the pack.

Next time-continuing the AL West preview.