I know it\u2019s still February and those of you on the Eastern Seaboard are nowhere close to a spring thaw but baseball is just around the corner. Pitchers and catchers have already started to report to Spring Training with dreams of a championship season stuck in their minds.<\/p>\n
\nMLB Lines & Matchup Insight<\/h3>\n
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Some teams have made huge strides in the offseason while others seemingly took a step back \u2013 the AL West<\/strong> is probably the best example of how a few offseason moves can take a team from a favorite to a doormat overnight.<\/p>\n
So, without further adieu, let\u2019s take a look at the AL West and the teams that should emerge in one of the more intriguing divisions in Baseball.<\/p>\n
Los Angeles Angels +160<\/h3>\n
The Angels<\/strong><\/a> won 98 games last year. They shouldn\u2019t take a major step backward this year either considering that they have the best player in baseball, Mike Trout and names like Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols acting as tremendous complimentary players.<\/p>\n
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That said the Angels did little to improve this past offseason, unlike other teams that will be chasing them within their own division. The top of the rotation has shown some wear and tear \u2013 Jared Weaver\u2019s work load seems to be catching up to him and CJ Wilson\u2019s control issues are well documented.<\/p>\n
Anaheim will score some runs but the fear is that the pitching staff isn\u2019t quite as elite as many think they are \u2013 90 wins sounds about right. The Angels should make the playoffs again but will fall to second in the division behind\u2026<\/p>\n
Seattle Mariners +180<\/h3>\n
No team in the division improved as much as the Seattle Mariners<\/strong><\/a> did \u2013 Nelson Cruz brings a ton of pop to the lineup, Ricky Weeks can destroy left handed pitching and JA Happ should be a quality #3 starter behind Felix Hernandez and potential break-out star Taijuan Walker in what is a very good rotation.<\/p>\n
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Any team with Robinson Cano and King Felix will be good but now there is a good supporting cast around these guys. Seattle allowed the second least runs in the AL last year and now has a solid offense to compliment their staff.<\/p>\n
The Mariners looks to be about as complete a team as there is in the AL West right now \u2013 watch them take the next step this season and edge out Anaheim for the Division crown \u2013 91 wins.<\/p>\n
Oakland Athletics +400<\/h3>\n
No team lost more pieces to the puzzle than the Oakland Athletics<\/strong><\/a> to absolutely nobody\u2019s surprise. 10 players are gone from last year\u2019s squad including Jeff Samardjiza, Jon Lester, Josh Donaldson, Jedd Lowrie and Brandon Moss. The additions of Ben Zobrist, Yunel Escobar are OK but not enough to compensate for what the A\u2019s lost.<\/p>\n
Oakland is a team poised to take a huge step backward this year \u2013 their two best pitchers and their MVP are gone from the fold. A team that relies on chemistry has lost a ton of it. To me, a .500 season for Oakland would be a success this year.<\/p>\n
Texas Rangers +600<\/h3>\n
The Texas Rangers<\/strong><\/a> should be a whole lot better than their 67 wins last year \u2013 Yu Darvish, Adian Beltre and a finally healthy Prince Fielder alone make this team a .500 club. The Rangers win 80 this year \u2013 not close to a playoff spot.<\/p>\n
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Houston Astros +1600<\/h3>\n