Angels
Strengths
Peter Bourjos is a useful major leaguer. That makes one useful major leaguer in the lineup. There are trades that I'm proud of, and then there are trades I'm not, and the Alex Cobb for Manny Ramirez deal is probably one I'd like to have back... who woulda thunk that the team with Taillon, Cole, and Bundy would actually front the rotation with Alex Cobb in 2014? Take that Baseball America. Cole is going to be decent this year and Taillon projects as usable. That's 3 real starting pitchers, perhaps a record for Stephen's iteration of the Angels (or Dave Taylor's for that matter...)
Weaknesses
Like I said, there's one useful major leaguer in the lineup. Chew on that.
Bottom Line
Another year in the cellar for Stephen, but at least he's not Z!
Astros
Strengths
Fertility, congrats on the new baby Nate! There's an interesting collection of moderately useful players on the Astros. I'm not sure exactly what direction this team is trying to take, but Masterson, Arroyo, Scheppers (today's start notwithstanding), and Henderson Alvarez are the makings of a decent rotation.
Weaknesses
I count 3 legitimate hitters in this lineup (looking at the roster, since Nate doesn't have an updated lineup, feel free to speculate on who I missed in the comments). In this division that isn't going to get it done.
Bottom Line
Nate will be better than Stephen and possibly Ropers, but he's not catching me or Brett
Gritty Gutty Uncrowned IBC Champion Oakland Athletics In the future please refer to us by our full name
Strengths
This is probably the best lineup I've ever had going into a season, with a legitimate guy everywhere except maybe left field, and we won't be replacement level there either. The bullpen, assuming Ryan Cook is activated early like we expect, should be another monster. Also, the park cannot be ignored here, as it turns just about anyone into an ace (see DiFelice, Mark; Saunders, Joe; House, T.J;, etc.).
Weaknesses
We're going to need that park, with Marcum out (what else is new?) Edwin Escobar is the #3 starter after McCarthy and Kluber, and he'll be number 2 when B-Mac goes on his annual injury sabbatical. Really expected better from Roark's projection. Rooting like crazy for a Johan Santana ace-like rebound year.
Bottom Line
Should be nip and tuck down to the finish with Brett again. What else is new?
Mariners
Strengths
Jose Abreu looks fucking legit. It broke my heart I wasn't in a position to draft him. Enjoy that guy. Assuming he isn't traded anytime soon Headley makes for a strong 1-2 punch with Abreu, and if Kendrys Morales ever signs he can hit too. Also, as I may have mentioned earlier, Byron Buxton is here. But he got hurt. So ha!
Weaknesses
So given that Ropers is in something of a fire sale mode I'm thinking there's no point in mentioning any/all of the weaknesses here. There's actually less here than I thought, I'm demoting Seattle below Houston
Bottom Line
Should be a photo finish with Anaheim for the bottom spot
Rangers*BOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!*
Strengths
Thunder na na na na na na THUNDER! (Sorry, Thunderstruck doesn't really lend itself to typed out fantasy baseball preseason preview form). That being said, HanRam/Cabrera/Fielder speaks for itself as the heart of the order, and the park doesn't hurt. Brett is finally moving Fielder to DH, and giving Cecchini a chance at 3rd, so there aren't obvious glaring defensive holes either. When Darvish gets healthy the rotation is also in better shape than it's been in years.
Weaknesses
Darvish isn't healthy. Something is weird about that situation. I hope he's OK because he's really fun to watch, but something is weird here. That matters because Globe Life Ballpark (that's what it's called now) has had the opposite effect on Ranger pitching that O.co has had, so we oughta be careful before we get too excited.
Bottom Line
On paper Brett looks like the favorite, but his GAGAR (grit and gut above replacement) is well below mine. Let's go A's!
Projected Standings
1. Athletics - Stealing a division win, losing in round 1
2. Rangers - WC, but winning the world series anyway
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3. Astros - Top 15 pick
4. Angels - Top 10 Pick
5. Mariners - Top 5 Pick
And with that, we finished this year. Gillespie and d'Esterhazy will have to come up with some other snarky thing to say about me in 2014
