AL West

The American League West is the only division in baseball with four teams. In baseball, size of your division is no matter, and the AL Champion Texas Rangers proved that in 2010.

Even though they are small, the AL West provides no fewer dramatics than other divisions, and they provide more than most. Three of the four teams in the AL West came within 10 games of each other for the division crown.

The AL West belonged to the Texas Rangers in 2010, but did the offseason shift the balance of power?

For the first time since Richard Nixon was president, no big league team will break spring training camp with a Ken Griffey on its roster—Senior or Junior.

Every April from 1974 through 2010, there was a Ken Griffey in the majors. First it was the original Griffey—Senior—who broke into the bigs with the Cincinnati Reds and who kept playing until his baby boy grew up and was old enough to be his teammate with the Seattle Mariners in 1990.

Julio Borbon is second in all off baseball in committing errors thus far in Spring Training. The league leaders in errors typically are infielders who have many more opportunities than outfielders. Borbon has five errors this Spring, he has a total of seven errors in his career in the regular season.

In 2009 Ian Kinsler was just the fifth second baseman to complete a 30/30 season since 2000. Think about that—During those heady days of crazy power numbers he was only the fifth second baseman to accomplish this feat. That should give you a pretty good idea of just how good this young man is capable of becoming.

Below are Kinsler’s stats for the last three seasons:

In 2010, the Oakland Athletics took strides in the right direction, posting an 81-81 record to snap a streak of three consecutive losing seasons.  Though Oakland's pitching kept them competitive, lack of offensive production counteracted a solid rotation and kept the A's out of the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.

Ten months removed from the freak accident that caused Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim first baseman Kendry Morales to miss the remainder of the season, and he is still not 100% recovered and ready to return to game action. His status on the Opening Day roster is now in question.

In a strange twist of fate in Texas Rangerville, outspoken franchise CEO Chuck Greenberg is on his way out of town, and disgruntled star Michael Young—he of the trade demands and vitriolic accusations aimed at team management—is apparently staying in Arlington.

Young, angered after the team had ousted him yet again from his position with the team, sounded off on Rangers' management, especially GM Jon Daniels, accusing Texas brass of misleading him and treating him unfairly.

Brett Anderson had a bit of a coming-out party in 2010, though injuries didn’t allow him to fully put his talents on display. You can see by his numbers what could be possible:

Seven Wins
112.1 Innings
2.80 ERA
1.19 WHIP
75 Strikeouts (6.01 K/9)
22 Walks (1.76 BB/9)
.294 BABIP

The Angels have had many great pitchers throughout their 50-year history. This slideshow ranks the top 20 pitchers to ever wear an Angels uniform.

Did I leave anyone off? Do you agree or disagree with the order? Please share your comments below.

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This is one of the things Mariners fans such as this writer look forward to most every spring.

The Mariners commercials.

From the classics like Edgar installing "The Clapper" for late night BP, and the garage door opener that opened Safeco's roof to Jay Buhner using his bald head to reflect light into opposing batter's eyes, there have been some great ones. Every year, the crop of Mariners ads are viewed as some of the best in baseball.

Hey, you have to be good at something.