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Current Video:MLB Preview: AL West|
FOXSports.com previews the AL West. How many wins will Vernon Wells bring to the Halos? Our analysts offer their take.
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Welcome back to foxsports.com. MLB season preview twentieth eleven Bryan Webber rejoined by Kevin Kennedy. Jim -- my apartment were just getting started that was just one division. We I don't like in depth with what eleven so let's move now to the Al west -- there's a buzz around baseball that the a's could be a sleeper team could win this division you buying it. I'll -- their sleeper team almost anywhere in the division but anytime you have Trevor Cahill. Gino Gonzales and Brett Anderson of the topic irritation Dallas Braden in the all of this rotation is good as any young rotation in baseball. They can play defense with a best -- And they keep I mean this site is very strong rotation is the fact that it rained out and David DeJesus when they traded for. From the Kansas City Royals and -- Mets series but they signed as a free agent from the Angels. And Josh Willingham were required to deal with the nationals that got to score more runs is enough to overtake the Angels and the Rangers probably not. But can they be a sleeper team application and absolutely. Yeah thank goodness they added in the bullpen giving her Grant Balfour had a great year with the race last year start throwing his secondary pitches more more curve balls and sliders. As opposes power and a fastball and he and Brian Fuentes -- -- going to be some closing. Before Andrew Bailey gets back what's. Fantasy take casual fans don't know -- lot of guys on the while the -- they were jumping on was in fact -- but the big question was was he gonna make it through season so you were drafting him a little bit later potential upside explosive arm while an also exploded said doc I don't wanna see anymore -- love yet. Now we we don't like -- James Sanders name in any report which also look at at the rest of the the bullpen as -- -- -- -- you've got three other potential closers Fuentes worked can also slide in their -- was once they're closer so definitely depth in the bullpen Willingham a guy everybody's got their -- -- wondering if -- can stay healthy 2009 played over 130 games at 24 home -- got lucky one in Oakland Alameda county stadium fly balls go to die so we're not expecting a 3035 home run -- but if he lets you stay healthy. There's some upside. My final point they play good defense on him all the names and their running now under Bob -- and running into the billions velocity running out running Oakland a's team. We're showed it when you need to -- 170. At all on the -- is -- but -- -- -- ditty out. Last year's offense in Seattle wins historically bad you have to be better this year right well I don't. They are going to be a lot better for Bulger is out right now he's got some ailment with his stomach Justin -- is gonna get a -- full time no question about that illegal behind where it will be an upgrade listen. -- catchers just did not hit. A year ago at figgins has to be better future will be neutral they'll be a little bit better not enough together. -- -- West -- are gonna be contenders but -- watch king Felix that he still -- the best pitchers in the game watching short right field what a treat to watch him have to order it every single right area but Brendan -- shortstop Cardinals people told me it was addition. By subtraction Jack Wilson now being moved to second base. I don't think the Mariners are gonna be good enough to to even contend in this today. And at all while -- to see the other kids that they brought into the rotation banana obviously am not not one that you wanna see forced him he's not gonna get a ton of support as we're talking. Maybe smoke may be illegal to come back and fantasy asked Ichiro is he's -- Ted or Z 350. But what's made us look into that big ballpark might give you some value in the. Later rounds of the draft and Erik Bedard has been very well this spring in their opening comeback that would give them a shot in the arm. They're still gonna finish of last OK let's move on to the halos we have a tweak hit us up on Twitter at fox sports -- me directly. BW -- -- stead in Garden Grove, California did the Angels settle for Vernon Wells because they miss the marquee -- is like Carl Crawford. Given that they actually -- And I mean Tony riggins will tell you in fact they didn't make the wells deal until Adrian Beltre signed -- contract with the Texas Rangers look at the pecking order right. They didn't afford proper. They've played in Crawford didn't get them they plated Beltran they didn't get them. They didn't give up much all the get well you talk about Juan Rivera who'd been so for this spring. But they put him at the age they gave up Napoli who is already spun around the Texas Rangers self. A lot of money but I think wells gives them twenty homers eighty RBIs and gives in the third center fielder in the outfield I think that's gonna be key. For the Angels would board Joseph center. And wells and left and -- right that. That's gonna pitching Tucker Tony riggins a week and a half -- -- for entry says we have the money money's not an issue so I wanna today on the money. Could -- a bit more -- Crawford but I like to Vernon Wells move Ira I really do outfit yeah I saw last year the American League east. A lot eighteen times this guy had a great year he's a great guys -- -- in my -- scheme it -- him to a few more bases to one of the best defensive outfield in baseball. I had contract how does hit Howie Kendrick at second is the second base and David C is the top of -- -- you secondarily you I don't think that would like. I play and it's in my first you do might welcome aboard thank you and -- put no -- early. Because I'm like there's no on second -- knowledge shortstop but you don't get the first first two rounds you're done. But how does catnip I don't I took out leaders from the net he's -- nine -- Well I don't know if they don't have to drive I don't know. 1415 -- meeting for the batting titles everybody hoped but solid you know you've got questions abound -- that the rest of the position -- Dustin Pedroia coming off the Floyd. If he's sound sure potential MVP numbers in that lineup but Aaron Hill last year coming off concussion. Big power low batting average and go on down the line every one of those Rickie Weeks the Chase Utley mystery that will talk about loving I don't really get to know Rangers fresh off their run to the World Series but a lot of changes in the off season overall what you take. On what happened in the lone stars. I didn't like the game plan overall once they didn't sign Cliff Lee I'd I didn't get it from afar I mean -- I like the Beltre and move everybody talked about Michael Young not they'll play defense let your eyes and her -- broadcasting. With Tampa Bay from their broadcasters. And you know that wasn't a secret that they're gonna look to upgrade their best. Not resigning gladly okay we did that now -- Michael -- PH but really it was more about the starting rotation I think there was some. Misunderstanding there was what what we're gonna do it left college athletes that's the biggest story the team out of spring and right now we don't expect hold. Yeah I think the other thing besides that to Kevin is I think when you look at the Texas Rangers they're good in this Latimer grows leadership especially with a Latin players in the clubhouse. Now -- 47 drive a hundred but he was a leader in there. And then -- the Michael Young incident this offseason with general manager Jon Daniels you know he's the leader and all of a sudden he had some problems they -- so the -- Not great but my biggest concern with the Rangers -- the rotation. You've got Matt Harrison Derek Holland Alexio Condo and you're trying to repeat the division that's gonna be -- I like all the arms but is it that a result into winning we'll find out in time. Okay let's continue our conversation. On the reigning American League champs were pleased to be joined by Rangers broadcaster Steve Busby part of the broadcast team. -- fox sports southwest Steve how do you think the team handled the off season coming up -- trip to the October classics. Well I think I think there -- a lot of disappointments -- a lot of high points -- and I think you know the Cliff Lee thing obviously was the biggest. Problem going into the Rangers had answer it was answered and they moved on from there. I think you you know like getting third base taken care of and signing Adrian Beltre went a long way to make in this ballclub better. Not only offensively but I think good defensively they have become a plus team now it's David -- boat and I want ask you about not tally believes because from a far. He said I don't wanna start that the clubs that we want to start that he started anyone at the start of the clubs that know we want it back in -- bullpen what with. Just thought about it what was the conclusion that. How good if you know that. That was that was kind of a strange -- -- -- -- he went back and forth and back and forth to my way of thinking the way it ended up with the wage should of ended up by. You know I think if you take police who is a great talent there's no doubt about that. But if you put him in the rotation now. This spring you have to question marks you've got a question Marcus who's gonna close and we have a question mark is will Napa -- become my number -- -- number one starter for. He probably will down the road. But they need to answer the question of who's gonna close -- you before they make that jump I think. Davis Kevin Kennedy good at Todd -- again it's been awhile I was told our guys all about yeah W it's gonna do and a game back today when I was man and my questions are gone a little bit and -- the rotation we we've seen the other guys those of us and haven't seen Albano actually as a starter. I know -- we're gonna split when we were down there couple weeks ago. A divot so much inside and a elect you gotta what is gonna provide their rotation. Like you know god is going to be kind of a stopgap until Tommy hunter gets healthy again and and I don't look for election to be in the rotation much past say the middle of may he'll go back and probably and be the of this set up guy the eighth inning guy for -- but you know he'd bring something that Neftali Feliz couldn't bring to the rotation right now. And that's the ability to command three different pitchers he has electric arm just like police and tops out at 9798. Which is not too shabby but you mentioned this quarter Kevin and that's turned into a great out pitch for a night I think. It is gonna surprise a lot of people in how well -- adjust to being a starter right away. Stayed my -- quick question about the DH position and the -- rotation and trying to get off days for Hamilton and Cruz who missed so much time. Last season is -- going to be a rotation with Michael Young getting Napoli some at bats there how are they gonna handle that situation. Well I think trading Matt Treanor made it went a long way toward settling that I think Mike Napoli will get a lot of his at bats now as a catcher probably catching. A couple of days a week and that'll take some of the pressure off Ron Washington as to how to handle the DH spot I think Michael Young would get most of the bat at bats. At DH and Napoli will get some at bat catching also at first base. They're gonna try to find a way to get David Murphy and another 400. 450 at bats bat by spelling cruise. And Hamilton in the outfield so it's going to be kind of a four man rotation in the outfield. But the DH spot really is gonna rotate between Michael young and Mike Napoli.