1. Los Angeles Angels
Hitting: What a terrible division. Still, the Angels remain the class of the West, although injuries have certainly made it closer. Kendry Morales should be a fine option at first, and Bobby Abreu was a great bargain signing. Vladimir Guerrero is in decline, but Mike Napoli will provide plenty of pop from the catcher's slot as soon as he returns to the lineup. Howie Kendrick is the new human hamstring pull, but he could still win a batting title someday on the off chance a hang nail doesn't cost him a month of playing time. Gary Matthews Jr. is the fifth-highest paid outfielder in baseball. He'll also act as the team's fifth outfielder this season.
Pitching: As if losing John Lackey and Ervin Santana to injury wasn't bad enough, Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders have both battled some health issues this spring as well. The Angels are lucky to be in a division that can afford them some time to get healthy, but this rotation is a big question mark, especially with the certainty of Saunders falling back to earth. At least Kelvim Escobar should be a reinforcement at some point.
2. Oakland A's
Hitting: The highest batting average by an Oakland infielder last year was Bobby Crosby's .237. Still, the team clearly upgraded its offense by adding Jason Giambi, Orlando Cabrera and Matt Holliday during the offseason. Healthy returns by Mark Ellis and Travis Buck would go a long way as well. Unlike all the seasons in recent memory, the offense figures to be better than the pitching in 2009.
Pitching: Oakland's projected starters are an average age of 23 - the youngest of any rotation in baseball by three years. In fact, all five projected starters are 25 or younger – and according to Jeff Fletcher, "there has never been a team in baseball history (since 1901, anyway) to give the ball to five starters 25 or younger at least 25 times in a season." No doubt, this rotation has a very bright future, but for 2009, it figures to be the team's weakness. Injuries to Justin Duchscherer and Joey Devine certainly don't help.
3. Texas Rangers
Hitting: The offense could be the best in the division, and that's not even counting two blue chip catcher prospects and Justin Smoak. Michael Young is going to be overpaid as a third baseman, and Elvis Andrus isn't ready to be much of a help with the bat, but Chris Davis and Nelson Cruz are two of the more hyped bats entering 2009. Ian Kinsler is a top-15 fantasy commodity, while Hank Blalock could rake if he ever stayed healthy. Jarrod Saltalamacchia should take the next step forward in 2009, and you've got to love Josh Hamilton still tinkering with his swing after a fantastic 2008. Don't be shocked by a .300-40-140 type season.
Pitching: As good as the offense looks, the pitching looks equally as bad. At least Brandon McCarthy showed a pulse this spring. And Frank Francisco could become a dominant closer. But this staff could have the highest ERA in baseball. Can Neftali Feliz live up to his potential while pitching in Texas?
4. Seattle Mariners
Hitting: As crazy as it sounds and despite this last place prediction, it wouldn't be shocking if Seattle hung around the top of the AL West late into summer. No one really stands out on offense, but there are plenty of decent bats in the lineup. Russell Branyan and Ken Griffey Jr. should be productive against righties, and for what it's worth, Adrian Beltre is entering another contract year. Still, the offense is hardly a strength.
Pitching: It's highly unlikely to happen, but Felix Hernandez and Erik Bedard have the upside to form one of baseball's best duos. Hernandez needs to show improved command, while Bedard needs to stay off the DL. At least he's pitching for a contract. The rest of the rotation is bad, and while the fact diabetes maybe played a role makes it a bit more understandable, Seattle became noticeably worse when Brandon Morrow was announced as a full-time reliever instead of a starter.