Oak Hills Warriors (88 – 74) Owners: Paul Lane
2007: After a two year absence from the post-season the Waaaaaaaaaaarriors came out to plaaaaaaaaaaay in 2007. By winning 31 more games than in 2006 they finished in second place (one game out of first). J. Thome led the team in homeruns with 48 (the team hit a total of 256!). J. Santana led in wins with 20, but the team ERA of 5.36 was disappointing. The Oak Hills bunch were 12 outs away from winning their 2nd league championship when a late inning collapse ended their season and their hopes for a return to glory in 2008.
Strengths: The bullpen is without doubt the best in the AL and maybe the best in the “Bigs”. With B. Jenks closing and G. Sherrill, J. Accardo, R. Perez, and S. Casilla setting up, this Oak Hills bullpen won’t blow too many leads this year. The offense is nicely balanced and hit both righties and lefties. J. Thome (DH) and J. Morneau (1B) pound from the left side as A. Rios (RF), B.J. Upton (CF), M. Ordonez (RF) and recently acquired M. Lowell (3B) pound from the right.
Weaknesses: None really, the rotation is solid with J. Santana, M. Buehrle, and S. Kazmir from the port side and C. Wang and B. Bonser from the right side. Playing in a fairly neutral ballpark (Tampa Bay) shouldn’t have too much impact on this team. Certain AL teams destroy left-handed starters and some teams will struggle against them, it remains to be seen if the orientation of the rotation works out to be an asset or a weakness.
2008: With a solid rotation, killer bullpen, and a balanced offense, the Warriors should battle with the Orbits for first place and are a safe bet to go to the post-season again. They could maybe use a slight upgrade at second base, but otherwise this team tight from top to bottom and is the favorite to win the division. Prediction: 95 Wins
2009: Having been led by veterans J. Thome (37) and M. Ordonez (34) for the past few seasons, this roster now features a core of good young players including B.J. Upton (23), A. Rios (27), J. Lopez (24), J. Morneau (27), S. Kazmir (24), and B. Jenks (27). The Warriors are officially re-built and ready to go, they’ll be competing for the division crown year-in and year-out.
Key Trades:
12-6-2007 - The Warriors trade away A. Lind and their #1
to the Orbits for M. Lowell.
Glendale Orbits (87 – 75) Owner: Carlos Codina
2007: The Orbits finished 2 games out of first and 1 game away from the final play-off spot in what was probably the most exciting division race in league history. The offense was lead by A. Soriano (41 HR/ 113 RBI) and also included seven other players in double figures in HR. The pitching staff was headed by ace R. Halladay (15 wins).
Strengths: The rotation, with a staff made up of righties R. Halladay, rookie D. Matsuzaka, J. Shields, and veteran R. Clemens, and lefty C.C. Sabathia. This is the best group of starters in the division. The offense is very strong against right handers with A. Gonzalez (1B), A. Soriano (LF), G. Sizemore (CF), J. Cust (RF) and J. Posada (C) making up a potent line-up. The power potential of this group is as good as any in the AL.
Weaknesses: Probably the only potentially weak spot could be its line-up vs. lefties as it drops off to a little below league average. The only other concern is the lack of a dominant closer in the bullpen (which still features a solid group of relievers). The large ballpark (Oakland) could hurt this team’s power and scoring potential.
2008: The Orbits could return the top of the AL West, they last were division champs in 2004. The rotation is tops in the division and the infield of A. Gonzales (26), B. Roberts (30), T.Wiggington (30), and J. Peralta (30) are in their prime. With an outfield of A. Soriano (32), G. Sizemore (25), J. Cust (29), and veterans G. Anderson (36) and J. Dye (34), this team should stay focused and make the playoffs. Prediction: 90 Wins
2009: While this roster is among the oldest in the league it still has young players like G. Sizemore, A. Gonzalez, J. Shields (26), C.C. Sabatha (27), J. Chamberlin (22), and D. Matsuzaka (27) to ensure that Glendale will stay competitive in 2009 and continue orbiting around the top of the AL West.
Key Trades:
12/5/2007 - Interleague deal: The Obrbits send B. Molina
to the Bombers for J. Cust.
10/31/2007
- The Menace trade J. Posada & their #6 to the Orbits for S.
Baker & H. Kendrick.
10/30/2007 -
Glendale
trades A. Pettitte to the BlueSox for the BlueSox #3, & #4
round picks.
Gateway Grizzlies (89 – 73) Owner: Bob Burnett (Formerly: Culver City Gamecocks)
2007: The Gamecocks caught many by surprise in ‘07 as they won their first division title, finishing one game ahead of the Warriors. Led by a powerful offense that featured F. Thomas, M. Thames (35 HR ea.), and batting champ J. Mauer (.353), this team could hit with anybody. The pitching staff was solid with a 4.61 team ERA and the pen was anchored by veteran M. Rivera (25 saves). Unfortunately for the “Cocks” they didn’t catch anybody by surprise in the play-offs and were promptly sent home in three.
Strengths: This year’s club has a strong offense once again and really smacks lefties. F. Thomas (1B), T Glaus (3B), Y. Betancourt (SS), and M. Cameron (CF) will put a hurtin’ on from the right side. Against righties the big bats are C. Lee (LF), P. Polanco (2B), and J. Mauer(C). The bullpen is headed by closer M. Rivera and the defense is pretty solid.
Weaknesses: Starting pitching is a tad below average with righties F. Hernandez, C. Young, J. Contreras, and J. Litsch getting hit hard by lefty bats. The offense is lacking any real left handed power and will have trouble scoring against righty starters. The big home field (Minn.) will help the pitching staff but will take its share of homeruns away from the Grizzlies as well.
2008: The starting pitching is solid and will keep this team close in most games. The set-up crew better than most and Mariano is as dependable as they come. While the offense is very strong against left-handed pitching, the lack of power against righties will cause the team to struggle. This team is at a junction where they could go full throttle for a play-off spot or stay with the young guys and have an outside shot at the playoffs (while eyeing the #1 overall draft pick). Prediction: 80 Wins
2009: Despite having three owners over the past three years, the Grizzlies have had surprising success and the roster is filled with a wealth of good young players like J. Mauer (25), Y. Betancourt (26), J. Weaver (25), A. Miller (23), J. Litsch (23), D. Barton (22), and F. Hernandez (22). The Grizzlies have a strong core to build around and with the right moves could set themselves up for a return to the top of the division as soon as next season.
Key Trades:
11-27-2007 - Bob Burnett is the newest GM to join the LCSB. He
will be taking over the Gamecocks (AL) & Mud Hens (NL)
Pacific Blue Sox (66 – 96) Owner: Eric Johns
2007: The Sox finished in fifth place last season as they waited for their younger players to develop. The offense was spearheaded by N. Swisher (25 HR), A. Hill (.292 AVE.), and O. Vizquel (who contributed with 23 stolen bases). The pitching staff held its own and posted a team ERA of 4.44; the bullpen was headed by F. Rodney’s and his 15 saves. With the AL West being the best division in baseball in 2007, the Blue Sox took their lumps last season.
Strengths: The bullpen looks to be one of the best in the AL. With new addition J. Soria closing games and set up men like F. Rodney, M. Timlin, J. Frasor and E. O’Flaherty pitching the 6th through 8th innings, the Blue Sox will convert most leads to W’s. The offense hits lefties very well with J. Fields (3B/LF), J. Guillen (RF), and N. Swisher (CF/1B) leading the attack. An impressive up the middle defense is anchored by veteran O. Vizquel at shortstop, A. Hill at 2nd, G. Laird behind the dish and Melky Cabrera in CF.
Weaknesses: The starting rotation is solid but young and not likely ready to compete with the division’s best. The offense vs. righties is low on power and may not be ready to take advantage of playing in a homerun park (Toronto).
2008: It looks like it could be a middle of the pack finish for the Blue Sox. Veterans A. Pettitte (SP), and O. Vizquel (SS) provide team leadership. Up-and-comers R. Garko (1B), A. Hill (2B), A. Iwamura (3B), M. Cabrera (CF), and the future face of this franchise N. Makakis (RF) should lead this team up the divisional ladder and the team could approach .500 this season. The lack of power (in a power park) will hurt as they will struggle against the teams with greater homerun potentials. Prediction: 75 Wins
2009: The Blue Sox have a very strong core of young pitchers and everyday players and they look to continue to improve. J. Garland (28), S. Marcum (26), D. McGowan (26), and K. Loe (26) look to be developing into a top rotation soon. Veterans such as A. Pettitte (36), O. Vizquel (41), and M. Timlin (42) are starting to show their age but the majority of the roster is approaching their prime and the youngsters should be ready to evolve into a powerful Blue Sox team by 2009/10.
Key Trades:
10/30/2007 -
Glendale
trades A. Pettitte to the BlueSox for the BlueSox #3, & #4
round picks.
Cleveland Steamers (87 – 75) Owner: Charles Tinkler
2007: The Steamers came up two games shy of winning their third straight division title in ‘07. They also missed second place (and the play-offs) by one game. The team balanced a solid offense, M. Teixeria (29 HR), R. Ibanez (27 HR, 103 RBI), and R. Johnson (.309 AVE), with a consistent pitching staff, J. Bonderman (13 W), T. Jones (30S), and a team ERA of 4.35. It was a disappointing finish to a “what could have been” type of season.
Strengths: A young and developing rotation. J. Bonderman (25), Z. Greinke (24), B. McCarthy (24), P. Hughes (22), E. Volquez (24), and C. Buchholtz (23) are the primary strength of this team and should evolve into a top starting staff. The offense is led by K. Youkilis (1B), C. Guillen (SS), R. Ibanez (LF), and J. Damon (CF). The bullpen has dependable closer T. Jones and a solid set up crew of J. Walker, D. Wheeler, and K. Snyder.
Weaknesses: The offense lacks punch, and the line-up vs. lefties is the leagues worst (and in this division that could be deadly). The attack vs. right handers is a little stronger but still doesn’t have the power to play with the other teams in this division. While the young pitchers should develop over the next few years they are not ready to keep this club from struggling this season.
2008: With a rotation and bullpen ranking toward the middle of the pack and an offense at the bottom, this year’s team is going to run low on steam (Haha). Hopefully youngsters A.Gordon (3B), K. Suzuki (C), D. Pedroia (2B), and D. Young (RF) will continue to improve and help the pitching staff to try and get this club a decent draft pick. Prediction: 75 Wins
2009: It’s obvious that Cleveland management saw the writing on the wall and decided to go into a rebuild mode. By dealing their big bat M. Teixeira and ace J. Beckett, they are going for a complete revamp. With youngsters A. Gordon (24), K. Suzuki (24), D. Pedoria (24), D. Young (22), F. Gutierez (25), K. Morales (22), and possible future superstar C. Maybin (21) joining the young pitching staff, it looks like a solid foundation has been poured.
Key Trades:
10/14/2007 Interleague deal: The Steamers trade M.
Teixiera to the Oysters for J. Beckett.
12/5/2007 Cerritos acquires J. Beckett and Cleveland's #13, #14, #15, &
#16 picks for The Big Guys #1, #2 and the Dragons #1
12/11-2007 - The Big Guys trade away their #1 (2008) to the Steamers for
J. Guthrie.
Official 2008 AL West Prediction:
1. Oak Hills Warriors
2. Glendale Orbits
3. Gateway Grizzlies
4. Pacific Blue Sox
5. Cleveland Steamers
Notes: In a close division race the Warriors should beat out the Orbits for the division title with both teams making the play-offs. The Grizzlies, Blue Sox and Steamers should all battle for 3rd place, a .500 record and the first overall pick in the 2009 AL draft.