AL West

Sunday February 27th marks the first "real" game of spring training for the Oakland athletics. The pitcher, at least for an inning or so, is likely to be Trevor Cahill. He is also likely to be on the mound against the Mariners on April 1st. Anderson, Braden, and Gonzalez are surely to follow in some order.

Everybody knows two things about Dallas Braden. He threw a Perfect Game last year, and he is not intimidated by anyone. Bravado aside, the question remains whether or not he should be part of your fantasy team. A look at his career record of 25-35 would suggest not, but we know how wins can be a tricky measure to gauge a pitcher.

With the beginning of Spring Training now a week gone, the focus shifts to opening day. What will the roster look like? How will the team avoid injuries during Spring Training? Who will be the opening day starter?

And most importantly, how will the team do this season?

All the other questions pale in comparison to the last one. How will the team perform? Will they be contenders or pretenders?

The A's, as always will depend on their pitching, and while the fifth starter spot is probably going to take a while to determine, the first four are already a certainty.

C.J. Wilson has been named the opening-day starter, Brandon Webb is being set back and Neftali Feliz is getting his crack at the rotation. In the first week of spring training, there's already been a lot of movement among the starting rotation candidates. Its time for a look at what the Rangers themselves will be looking at in regards to starting pitching options in Surprise, Arizona.

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Legendary New York Yankees Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle was without a doubt one of the best center fielders that ever played the game of baseball. His five-tool skills, combining hitting for average, hitting for power, base running skills and speed, throwing ability and fielding abilities were matched only by Willie Mays and Ken Griffey Jr.

Michael Young has told Texas he wants out. He told the press he wants out.

One would think he has earned the right to leave with dignity after Texas told him they wouldn't try to deal him, as they were trying to, and then told him they would deal him, after they had severed negotiations. 

That being said, this isn't the NBA. No player has ultimate power over ownership. Young will stay in Texas, and will play the season out like the consummate professional that he is. 

But why does Texas need him? 

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim made a significant move in the offseason by signing to what should be considered to be an overly inflated contract and an incredibly bone-headed move.

What makes this move bone-headed is the simple fact that the Angels not only gave up two wonderful players in Juan Rivera and Mike Napoli, but also the fact that the Halos are hoping Vernon Wells will duplicate his 2010 performance, which isn’t likely.

The long wait is finally over. The Texas Rangers will finally be flying a pennant in their ballpark following their first ever American League title.

The Rangers fell short in the World Series against the San Francisco Giants, but that can’t dampen the enthusiasm following their sensational 2010 campaign, and most observers seem to feel they’re bound to be in the 2011 pennant mix as well.

I’m not so sure.

Angels right-hander Matt Palmer feels like a new man after undergoing successful knee surgery last October. 

Palmer was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2002, and started his career by having a 1.83 ERA while with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. He spent three years in Double-A before being promoted to Triple-A Fresno in 2006. 

Palmer was called up by the Giants in August 2008, and after making three starts was sent back down to Triple-A. 

Prior to 2010, Chone Figgins was viewed as a viable third-base option, bringing speed to a position that rarely brings any.  Of course, that was before he signed with the Mariners, who promptly moved him to second base and saw him struggle at the plate. 

However, from 2005-2010 (not including Figgins in ’10 since he played 2B), there were seven seasons where a third baseman posted 25 SB or more: