Mariners to the playoffs, but this year?
Beltre, Silva, Hannahan, Chavez, Morrow, Johjima. These are the names that are gone. The Mariners added Cliff Lee, Chone Figgins, Kaneokoa Texiera, Adam Moore, Brandon League, Milton Bradley and Casey Kotchman. Look at those two lists and it is clear that the Mariners are a better team in 2010.
Meanwhile, the Rangers' offensive power was only marginally changed by the addition of Vladimir Guerrero, while the Texas starting rotation has no ace with an array of number-three starters. Neftali Feliz may throw 100 m.p.h., but the team's bullpen remains undistinguished.
Oakland has great pitching potential without a proven ace (who is not recovering from shoulder surgery). Ben Sheets may be the signing of the year, but his Spring Training ERA of 11.28 doesn't bode well.
Finally, the Angels remain a force to be reckoned with. Hideki Matsui is a marginal upgrade from Guerrero, now DHing in Texas. The infield is questionable with Brandon Wood learning on the job at third while Howie Kendrick remains middling at second. The rotation is, essentially, a string of number-two starters without John Lackey. Ervin Santana's no shoe-in for comeback player of the year, though he needs to be if the Angels are going to repeat their 2009 record of 97-65.
Will the Angels give up 12 wins? Not likely. They are a 92 to 95 game winner, which will keep them at the top of the AL West. Seattle will likely pick up five wins this season, ending at 90-72, which will keep them in the Wild Card running until the end of the season. The question is whether New York, Boston or Tampa Bay, playing against one another in the toughest division in baseball, will earn more wins to take the Wild Card from Seattle. The odds say "yes."
The M's are the third-youngest team in the majors. This squad—with or without Cliff Lee—will make it to the play-offs, but probably not in 2010.
