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AL West

AL West

Seattle Mariners 2009 Year in Review: Tears and Cheers

A recent study from the New York Times concluded that air traffic controllers suffer the most stress than any other job. I beg to differ. Without a doubt, I confidently believe that being a Seattle Mariners fan is the most stressful "occupation" known to man.

Seattle Mariners: Sign First Baseman Adam LaRoche

After the markets best slugger was plucked off the table when the New York Mets signed Jason Bay to a five year contract, teams are now going to have to dive into the second tier of bats, (excluding Matt Holliday, whom I fully expect to re-up long term with the Cardinals), to fill their needs.

The best remaining bat on the market (excluding Russell Branyan, whom I expect to re-sign with the Seattle Mariners), appears to be former Atlanta first baseman Adam LaRoche.

Todd Wellemeyer: The Forgotten Free Agent

Over the next couple of days, Jorge Says No! will be highlighting some of the forgotten free agents. You know, the guys that aren't getting much publicity or action on the open market even though they could have a lot to bring to the table.

Opportunity Finally Knocks for Brandon Wood

I have always tried to learn something from each job I have had. For example, I have learned two things from last job.
First, I learned that even one of the biggest companies in the world can be dysfunctional. Then again, here is a life lesson for all you kids who are reading this who are still in college or just graduated—all companies in Corporate America are dysfunctional.
The second thing I learned is how to deal with change. People at my last  company were being laid off or quitting daily.

How the Oakland Athletics Can Sign Adrian Beltre

One of the most fascinating rumors to come to life over the past few weeks has been the Adrian Beltre to the A's rumor. The normally frugal Athletics are taking a "serious look" at signing Beltre, who at just 30 years old, is one of the best free agents left on the market and by far the best free agent third baseman. As ESPN's Buster Olney writes:

The “Duke Of Hurl” Returns to Oakland

The Oakland A’s bolstered their rotation on Thursday by bringing back one of their own. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle , the A’s have signed RHP Justin Duchscherer to a one-year, $2 million contract.

Risk/Reward of the Justin Duchscherer Signing

And in a classic Billy Beane signing, it looks like the Athletics have found their ace:

 

Risk/Reward of the Fernando Rodney Signing

The Angels made their second big free agent signing by coming to terms with Fernando Rodney on a two year/$11 million dollar contract:

Coco Crisp Heads To Oakland Athletics

If you need any further proof that baseball is making a dramatic shift from building a team with slugging DH-types to pitching and defense, all you need to do is look into what the A’s are doing in Oakland.

As we all know, A’s GM Billy Beane was the focal point of the book Moneyball. The “Moneyball” philosophy was to build a team around sluggers, who walked a lot and of course, hit for power. Speed and defense was not part of the equation.

Angels Miss in the Bullpen Again, Sign Fernando Rodney


In my opinion there are five divisions for closers.

There is the Dennis Eckersley division which is your very top-tier closers like Mariano Rivera and Joe Nathan.

There is the Tom Henke division which are just under the top-tier closers, but are very solid like Francisco Cordero.

There is the Jeff Montgomery division which are your no frills and no thrills closers, but usually get the job done like Huston Street.

Poll

Best of the American League
Tampa Bay
19%
Boston
19%
Chicago
7%
Minnesota
10%
Los Angeles
17%
Texas
27%
Total votes: 270

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