MLB Blockbuster Trade

The Texas Rangers and  the Detroit Tigers have agreed in principle on a HUGE trade. Second Baseman Ian Kinsler will be traded for First Baseman/Designated Hitter Prince Fielder. 
Prince Fielder will have a shot at a legitimate 60 homerun season, while the Detroit Tigers get Ian Kinsler, a legitimate leadoff hitter with some power and a good glove defensively.

My 2011 World Series Prediction

The World Series is set to get under way in just a few hours. The Texas Rangers have a repeat trip to the World Series thanks to their amazing bullpen, and the St Louis Cardinals have finished off an improbable rally in the standings just to get to the World Series.





Here is my prediction as to who will win:

I think the Texas Rangers are going to take advantage of their second trip to the World Series. The Rangers can score with any man in their lineup. Nelson Cruz had a historic ALCS with six homeruns. He will need to hit some homeruns with men on base in this series if the Rangers are to win this thing. I pick the Rangers to pull it out in five games.

2011 MLB On TBS Early Schedule

2011 Sunday MLB on TBS Schedule

Date Time (ET) Game
Sunday, April 3 2 p.m. Boston Red Sox @ Texas Rangers
Sunday, April 10 1:30 p.m. Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves
Sunday, April 17 1:30 p.m. Toronto Blue Jays @ Boston Red Sox
Sunday, April 24 2:15 p.m. Los Angeles Dodgers @ Chicago Cubs
Sunday, May 1 1 p.m. Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees
Sunday, May 8 2 p.m. New York Yankees @ Texas Rangers
Sunday, May 15 TBA Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves
Sunday, May 22 1 p.m. New York Mets @ New York Yankees
Sunday, May 29 1 p.m. Boston Red Sox @ Detroit Tigers

2010 World Series Preview

Well, the 2010 World Series is set to begin later tonight. The Rangers beat the Rays in five games to get to the ALCS, and then beat the Yankees in Six games to get to the World Series. The San Francisco Giants outlasted the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies to get to this point. Who has the edge? Let's start with the men on the mound.

GAME ONE: Cliff Lee vs Tim Lincecum
GAME TWO: C.J. Wilson Vs Matt Cain
GAME THREE: Johnathan Sanchez vs Colby Lewis
GAME FOUR: Madison Bumgartner Vs Tommy Hunter
GAME FIVE: LINCECUM VS LEE
GAME SIX & SEVEN: TBA

Cliff Lee has been a man among boys this postseaon. The man has command beyond his years,and a poise that you just don't see in a whole lot of pitchers. He lives for the big game, and has some of the most dominant stuff baseball has seen. For Lincecum, this is the second year that he led the National League in Strikeouts. "The Freak" will make Childs' Play with the Rangers batters! I fully expect Game one to be determined by the bullpen.

Game Two is a real intriguing matchup. Two guys who aren't as flashy as their game one counterparts, but they get the job done. One run may score, and that may be enough for that team to get the victory.

Game Three, the series shifts locations from San Francisco to Arlington. Colby Lewis pitched the best game of his life during Game Six of the ALCS. Lewis is a guy who spent some years down in Japan. Johnathan Sanchez threw a no-hitter for the Giants last year. Expect both offenses to hit the ground running. Expect a Slugfest.

Game Four, Madison Bumgartner is one of the pleasant suprises in baseball. Tommy Hunter is a capable starter. If the offense gets going, expect Hunter to shut the Giants down.

Game Five, The Repeat. Expect this one to be just as exciting as Game One, although the circumstances will be much different.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Elvis Andrus, Rangers: Elvis is the fastest man I have ever seen on a baseball field! The man is blessed with speed, and can go from first to third about as fast as you can blink an eye. He is in the leadoff spot for a reason. Tell The Giants to Watch for the bunt!

Cody Ross, Giants: Cody Ross was a giant suprise in the postseason to this Giants team. He hit two homeruns off Roy Hallday in Game One of the NLCS, and then homered off Roy Oswalt in Game Two! The Rangers had better pitch to him very carefully.

Who were you expecting, Josh Hamilton and Pablo Sandoval?

Finally, My World Series Prediction:

The Texas Rangers will make the first time they appear in the World Series count. This team is potent in all facets, pitching, defense, and Speed! Nelson Cruz has brought his "Boomstick" with him to the postseason. Sorry Giants fans, your misery since 1954 will have to continue. It will be a great series. I pick the Texas Rangers to win it all in six games.

Texas Rangers Trade For Cliff Lee

Baseball Tonight Breaks Down The Cliff Lee trade.

Wow! The Texas Rangers just pulled off one heck of a trade. I know that giving up Justin Smoak hurt a bit, but if this team can get past the Yankees this October, Cliff Lee will be the reason why.

This move is equivalent to when the Cubs traded for Rick Sutcliffe. He would go on to dominate the National League, winning the Cy Young Award.

The Rangers are gunning it for a shot at a World Series Championship. This is what teams that want to change their losing ways do.

Texas Rangers Manager Tested Positive for Cocaine

Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington failed a Major League Baseball test for cocaine last season, but has apologized and will keep his job

Hopefully Washington and the Rangers don't let this distract them entering the season. This team has a lot of potential.

Rudy Jaramillo Is The Cubs New Hitting Coach!

The Chicago Cubs have named former Texas Rangers hitting instructor Rudy Jamarillo their new batting coach.

The deal is reported to be worth $2.42 Million over three years.

Jaramillo has worked with current Cubs Alfonso Soriano and Milton Bradley when they were Rangers. Milton Bradley led the Major Leagues in On Base Percentage in 2008 under Jaramillo.

Jaramillo left the Rangers after only being offered a one year contract. The Rangers could not offer more due to their ownership situation.

If anybody can help turn around what was a real pathetic offense for the Cubs this past season, Rudy Jaramillo is that guy. He has worked with some premier talent when he was with Texas.

This is a fantastic move by Cubs GM Jim Hendry and new owner Joe Ricketts.

The MLB 2010 Master Schedule Is Out!

The 2010 MLB Master Schedule is out.

The New York Yankees will start and end the 2010 season playing the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The season begins April 4th with a TBA matchup. The opening Red-Sox Yankees series begins April 5th.

On April 12th, the Red Sox will be the first team to play against the Twins in the new Target Field.

May 21st could be Milton Bardley's first visit back to Arlington, as the Cubs will play the Rangers in an interleague matchup.

June 18th might be Manny Ramirez's first trip back to Fenway Park since he was traded to the Dodgers.

The 81st Annual All Star Game is going to be played July 13th at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

The final game between the Giants and Dodgers will be played August 1st.

The Atlanta Braves play host to their division rival Florida Marlins September 27-29th.

On October 1st through the third, Lou Piniella's Chicago Cubs will play their final series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

MLB Highlights 4-15-09

Athletics vs Red Sox 4-15-09


Padres vs Mets 4-15-09


Yankees Vs Rays 4-15-09


Orioles Vs Rangers 4-15-09


Angels Vs Mariners 4-15-09


Giants Vs Dodgers 4-15-09


Cardinals Vs Diamondbacks 4-15-09


Chicago White Sox vs Tigers 4-15-09


Blue Jays vs Twins 4-15-09


Marlins Vs Braves 4-15-09


Rockies vs Cubs 4-15-09


Astros Vs Pirates 4-15-09


Brewers Vs Reds 4-15-09


Indians Vs Royals 4-15-09

MLB Highlights 4-10-09

Here Are Your MLB Highlights from last night, April 10th!
Cubs vs Brewers 4-10-09


Diamondbacks Vs Dodgers 4-10-09


Mariners Vs Athletics 4-10-09


Giants vs Padres 4-10-09


Phillies Vs Rockies 4-10-09


Mets Vs Marlins 4-10-09


Nationals Vs Braves 4-10-09



Yankees Vs Royals 4-10-09


Blue Jays Vs Indians 4-10-09


Astros Vs Cardinals 4-10-09


Twins Vs White Sox 4-10-09


Rays Vs Orioles 4-10-09


Rangers Vs Tigers 4-10-09

MLB Highlights 4-8-09

Here Are Your MLB Highlights from last night courtesy of ESPN Video!

Colorado Vs Arizona 4-8-09


Yankees Vs Baltimore 4-8-09


Rays Vs Red Sox 4-8-09


Atlanta vs Philladelphia 4-8-09


San Diego vs Los Angeles Dodgers 4-8-09


Seattle Vs Minnesota 4-8-09


New York Mets Vs Reds 4-8-09


Chicago Cubs Vs Houston 4-8-09


Milwaukee Vs San Francisco 4-8-09


Kansas City vs Chicago White Sox 4-8-09


Cleveland Vs Texas 4-8-09


Detroit vs Toronto 4-8-09


Pittsburgh Vs St. Louis 4-8-09


Oakland Vs Angels 4-9-09

MLB Highlights 4/6/09

Here Are Your MLB highlights from last Night, April 6th, courtesy of ESPN Video!
A Word Of Note:
Two Teams did not play yesterday. The White Sox and Royals did not play due to snow in Chicago, they will try again today. The Rays and Red Sox did not play yesterday due to rain in Boston. They will try again today.

Mets Vs Reds 4-6-09


Rockies Vs Diamondbacks 4-6-09


Indians Vs Rangers 4-6-09


Yankees Vs Orioles 4-6-09


Pirates Vs Cardinals 4-6-09


Nationals Vs Marlins 4-6-09



Cubs Vs Astros 4-6-09


Dodgers Vs Padres 4-6-09


Tigers Vs Blue Jays 4-6-09


Mariners Vs Twins 4-6-09


Angels Vs Athletics 4-6-09

2009 MLB Preview: AL West

The 2008 AL West was simply: The Los Angeles versus everyone else. The Halos blew the rest of the AL West away, as nobody else even finished above .500.

What's in store for 2009? Let's take a look.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS
The Los Angels Angels blew out the rest of the AL West in 2008, thanks to star players like Mark Teixiera, and Francisco Rodriguez, who ended up shattering the record for saves in a single season. Both players are now in New York. However, like every good team must do, the Angels have "replaced" those players. Offensively, the Angels signed Bobby Abreu to a one year contract, and Brian Fuentes is the Angels new closer, coming over from the Colorado Rockies.


TEXAS RANGERS
There is optimism for the Rangers this season.They snared pitching coach Mike Maddux from the Milwaukee Brewers. In the offseason, The Rangers asked Michael Young to move from Shortstop to Third base so the Rangers could bring Phenom shortstop Elvis Andrus to the Rangers. He obliged. The Rangers have Ian Kinsler at Second Base. Can he stay healthy for a full season? Chris Davis will play first base rhis season. Rangers fans are excited to see what he can do for a full season. Josh Hamilton will continue to Crush the ball this season. Perhaps the biggest surprise to come out of Rangers Camp was the news that Texas had released Frank Catallanatto, replacing him with Andruw Jones.

Perhaps this Rangers club is getting ready for 2010, as players like Derek Holland and Nefetali Feliz continue to impress scouts with their Radar gun readings, and Justin Smoak could really crush the ball. Expect him to come up Mid-season, depending on how the Rangers are faring in the division.


OAKLAND ATHLETICS
For the other AL West teams, Old is new again. Jason Giambi returnd to the Bay Area after a few years in The Bronx. Matt Holliday joins the Atletics after coming over from Colorado. Don't expect his numbers to increase now that he has left Coors Field. The brightest spot in the Athletics rotation is Sean Gallagher.

SEATTLE MARINERS
More proof that old is new again in Seattle. Ken Griffey Jr is back with the Mariners after spending time with the Reds and White Sox. The Mariners rotation is Aced by "King Felix" Felix Hernandez. Erik Bedard will look to bounce back after a mediocre last season.

My Division Projections
1. LOS ANGELES ANGELS
The Angels may have lost Texiera and K-Rod, but Abreu and Fuentes make the Angels this division's best team again.
2. Texas Rangers
Elvis Andrus will shine in his debut season. Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla will have to pitch well for Texas to hang around this season.
3.Oakland Athletics
Jason Giambi is back, but the Athletics still have too many questionmarks to be competitive.
4.Seattle Mariners
They are just hoping that Ken Griffey Jr will cause them to sell extra tickets.

In our next MLB Preview, we will look at the NL Central. Will Milton Bradley help the Cubs? Can St. Louis depend on someone other than Alber Pujols? Are the Astros too old to be competitve? Find out in the next MLB Preview.

Joey Gathright Heading To Wrigley Field

The Chicago Cubs have not found a Swattin' Southpaw yet, but they did sign a Speedin' Southpaw.

The Cubs signed former Kansas City and Tampa Bay Outfielder Joey Gathright to a one year contract.


Gathright has speed, and he can use it to beat out infield singles and steal many bases. I think the Cubs will end up putting him in Center Field with Reed Johnson, allowing Felix Pie to fine tune his skills in the Minor Leagues.

The Cubs are still looking for a left handed outfielder with some pop, and they are looking at former Texas Ranger Milton Bradley.

On a second note...

I am glad the Chicago Cubs did not get Jake Peavy. It was obvious from the start that San Diego was asking too much to get him, and we were walking a tightrope as we were trying to get three or four teams to make a deal for us to land Peavy. Jake is a great pitcher, but I firmly believe that his numbers are inflated due to him playing inside the ultimate Pitcher's Park, PetCo Park. I do not think Jake would have done as well in Wrigley Field.

Hopefully our regular rotation gets the job done this season.

Josh Hamilton Discusses Baseball&'Beyond Belief'

The AP's Ben Walker interviews Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers. In his new book "Beyond Belief," the former No. 1 draft pick of the Tampa Bay Rays discusses his remarkable comeback from drug addiction back to the Major Leagues.

Josh Hamilton has an incredible story. Now America will get to read about it in his new book.

Josh knows what it's like to hit rock bottom and then rise to the top.

My Account Of The Rangers-Angels Game

On Friday, September 19th, I went to Rangers Ballpark In Arlington to watch the Texas Rangers play their division rival Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The first thing that struck me was how close Rangers Ballpark In Arlington was to the new Cowboys Stadium. They are right next to each other! That's no joke!

I went into the ballpark and found out my seats were in Center Field, with both bullpens on my right and left.

Onto the actual game, Torri Hunter hit a three run homerun to make it 3-0 Angels. Two doubles and a homerun later, Mike Napoli crushed a ball out to the left field seats to make the score 7-0 Angels in the third. In the bottom of the third, Texas had a wild and crazy inning, as they scored nine runs. Chris Davis put the exclamation point on the inning as he hit a two run homerun to make the score 9-7 Rangers. After Chris Davis hit that homerun, everyone, including myself, went crazy! And why not? We just saw the Texas Rangers score nine runs in one inning!

In the fourth, The Angels came back to tie the game. In the fifth, they took the lead thanks to a five run inning, making it 13-9 Angels. The Rangers had a three run inning, making the score 13-12.
After two Angel Runs already scored in the eighth inning, Mike Napoli hit a two run triple into right center field, making the score 15-12 Angels.

In the bottom of the ninth, all of us was hoping Texas would be able to tie it up or win the game in the bottom of the ninth. With nobody out, Nelson Cruz hit a solo homerun to deep centerfield, making the score 15-13 Angels. Kevin Gregg would survive, ending the game with a strikeout to end that wild slugfest.

After that game was over, I went over to the groundscrew who was cleaning up the Angels bullpen mound and I asked them for a ball. I begged and pleaded for a ball, and the grounds crew man went and retrieved for me an official Major League Baseball! He flipped it into my glove. I told him thanks and began walking around the ballpark.

I saw the stage where Rangers Live is filmed before and after every Texas Rangers game, and after the game was over, Mark McLemore, a former Ranger and current Rangers Analyst, signed my ball that I had just begged and pleaded to get from the grounds crew!

That ball has smudges on it like somebody in the Angels bullpen used it and then disregarded it. It worked out for me.

The Los Anegles Angels looked impressive in that game. All of us that was there that day were amazed by the offense both clubs scored. The Angels never gave up, they just kept hitting the ball. That's why Los Angeles has a great shot at not only 100 wins, but a shot at the World Series as well. The Angels have been the most consistent team in the American League all season long.

Mike Napoli was a single shy of the cycle! Unreal! They say a single is the easiest one to get, but it somehow eluded Mike Napoli.

There was 40 hits in that game for both teams! That is the definition of a slugfest!

I'm Going To Arlington!

I am heading to the Texas Rangers Baseball Game tonight against the division winning Los Angeles Angels.

The pitching matchup will be fantastic. Matt Harrison pitching for the Rangers against Jon Garland, who is pitching for the Angels.

Here's The scoop From Rangers.com:

TEX: LHP Matt Harrison (8-3, 5.06 ERA)
Harrison's shutout in his last start was the first by a Rangers rookie in five years. It took Harrison seven Major League starts to strike out more batters than he walked in a game, but since Aug. 16, he has 27 strikeouts and nine walks. Harrison earned his first career victory against the Angels in his debut, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk in seven innings.

LAA: RHP Jon Garland (14-8, 4.47 ERA)
Garland worked around another poor first inning to throw a quality start Saturday against the Mariners, yielding just two first-inning runs on six hits in six frames. Garland has given up nine first-inning runs on 14 hits in his last four starts, but he has not allowed a run in any other inning of his last two outings. Garland retired nine straight batters at one point on Saturday, and he did not give up a hit after the first until Ichiro Suzuki tripled in the fifth.

I will be sitting in the bleacher seats with a glove trying to catch one of these:

I will also try to get some autographs as well.

Every three years, I get the chance to head to a Baseball game. It's been three years since I've been to the Ballpark In Arligton.

Here's a summary of the Baseball games I have been to:
August 14, 2002: Cubs Vs Astros: Wrigley Field: Chicago
Astros Beat Cubs 4-3

August 31, 2002 Rangers Vs White Sox: Rangers Ballpark: Arlington
Rangers Beat White Sox 9-2. I ran the bases when the game was over.

I won't Be Blogging this weekend, but I will let all of you know how it went!

Eddie Guardado Traded For Hamburger

No Joke!

The Texas Rangers traded closer Eddie Guardado to the Minnesota Twins for a Hanburger.

Minor League Pitcher Mark Hamburger.

The Rangers have now made Frank Francisco, a man with zero career saves, their new closer.

My Baseball Thoughts...

Sorry Folks. I have not been able to update this blog in a while. My internet's down and this library won't let me go to youtube for Nba videos, but here are my thoughts on Baseball and the start of the season.

BOSTON RED SOX HAVE TOUGH ROAD TO REPEAT
If the Red Sox want to repeat as World Series Champions, they are going to have to rely on the old veterans (Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz) while riding on some new former rookies (Jacoby Ellsbury, Clay Bucholz.) OManny Ramirez won the MVP Award for the first game played in Japan (Boston won 6-5), Manny won A Million Yen, which equates to about $10,000 on this side of the pond. Ramirez considered using the money for gas or giving the money to his mother!

Manny Being Manny...You've Gotta Love It!

Oakland Beat Boston 5-1 in Game Number Two as a Manny Ramirez homerun in the sixth stopped Boston from being shutout.

TEXAS RANGERS DECIDE JARROD SALTALAMACCHIA NEEDS TRIPLE-A SEASONING
Gerald Laird won the job as Rangers starting Catcher today after the Rangers decided to send Jarrod Saltalamacchia to their Minor League Camp. Jarrod will start the season catching every day in Triple-A Oklahoma.

Good move for both teams, as Laird keeps his catching job (for now) and Texas hopes that Jarrod works on improving his hitting and defense in Oklahoma. The Rangers realized that Jarrod is the Rangers catcher of the future, and the future doesn't need to happen right away.

KERRY WOOD TO CLOSE FOR CUBS, DEMPSTER IN ROTATION, LIEBER IN BULLPEN
The Chicago Cubs have finally sorted out their rotation. Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Rich Hill, and Jason Marquis all keep their starting spots from last year. Starting in the rotation this year is former closer Ryan Dempster. Dempster was a starter until 2005 when he was converted to a reliever. Pinella last year said Dempster would start, but later changed his mind. Lou won't be changing his mind this year.

Good move by the Cubs to give the Fireballer Wood the job in the ninth, as Carlos Marmol and Bob Howry will back him up in the eighth inning. If Wood can handle the load and stay healthy, the Cubs could be dangerous in the late innings.


CENTER FIELD BATTLE TAKES UNEXPECTED TURN
The battle for the backup center field job in Chicago just got very interesting. Felix Pie will start the year in Center Field. Backup Sam Fuld got sent to the minor leagues. To take his place, the Cubs signed former Toronto Blue Jay Left Fielder Reed Johnson. Johnson doesn't have a whole lot of experience in Center Field, but he can hit right handed pitching, something Felix Pie is trying to figure out.

There will growing pains for Pie, but Reed Johnson will be there to help Felix along the way.

JOE CREDE NAMED WHITE SOX STARTING THIRD BASEMAN
Joe Crede was named White Sox starting Third Baseman, as the Sox sent young slugger Josh Fields to Triple-A Charlotte. Crede will no longer be mentioned in trade rumors with the Dodgers (who need a third baseman after both Nomar Garciaparra and Andy La Roche are injured) Manager Ozzie Guillen likes to reward players for their hard work so, despite the face that he described Crede's hitting in Spring as a word I can't mention, Crede was an ungrade defensively. Chicago needs the best defense to win ballgames, and Crede is their best option.

MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE PLAYERS IN 2008
Ryan Howard and Prince Fielder will be battling for the National League Lead in Homeruns. it will not get into "Mark McGwire-Sammy Sosa 1998" territory (nothing will. That will never happen again.) but it will be fun to watch.

Joe Girardi will have an easier time managing the Yankees than Joe Torre will have manging the Dodgers. I really feel like this one will come true. The Yankees may be old, but they are experienced. They have a shot to win the American League East this season, but only if they stay healthy and play to their full potential.

For Joe Torre, he's walking into a Hornet's Nest in Los Angeles. The Dodgers have Andruw Jones but not much else. They had better hope Nomar, Kent, Jason Schmidt, and Juan Pierre stay healthy. Matt Kemp and Andre Eithier can play any of the outfield positions, i'm not worried there.

I'm worried about the Dodgers because they are playing in the National League West, the Toughest division in the National League. Two of the four teams (Colorado and Arizona) made the playoffs last season and may make it again, leaving San Francisco and Los Angeles as odd men out.

Hopefully my internet starts working so I can update this soon.

EVERYBODY ELSE's OPENING DAY STARTS MONDAY!
Don't Miss It!

MLB Preview: AL West

Can Jarrod Saltalamacchia help Texas win the AL West?

The Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim have the longest team name in The History Of Baseball. Jarrod Saltalamacchia has the longest player name in The History Of Baseball. The Mariners have a Young Ace in Felix Hernandez, and Oakland, in a rebuilding state, has lots of Young Players.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM
The Angels have a Track Record of Success. They won The 2002 World Series against Dusty Baker's San Francisco Giants from the NL West. These Angels had Troy Glaus (2002 World Series MVP Now With The St. Louis Cardinals) and David Eckstein (2006 World Series MVP with The Cardinals, Now With The Toronto Blue Jays) and won the World Series. The 2008 Angels have Garret Anderson, Vladamir Guererro, who will torch the NL West. Add to that the newest Angel In The Outfield,Torii Hunter. The Angels Rotation is also set. They May Not Have Bartolo Colon anymore, but they do have John Lackey, Jared Weaver, and Jon Garland. Garland,acquired from the White Sox for Shortstop Orlando Cabrera, should have more wins and a lower ERA, considering he is no longer in the competitive AL Central.

SEATTLE MARINERS
The Seattle Mariners have a great one, two punch in the rotation in "King Felix" Felix Hernandez and Erik Bedard. Bedard, acquired from the Baltimore Orioles for Outfielder Adam Jones. Offensively, Ichiro Suzuki will carry Seattle from the Lead Off Spot. Richie Sexon, if healthy, will hit a lot of homeruns and provide stability at First Base. If Sexon isn't healthy, expect Brad Wilkerson, Former Expo and Ranger, to see time at First Base. The Loss of Jose Vidro and Adam Jones leaves a hole in the outfield that may be replaced by Wilkerson.

TEXAS RANGERS
You've Heard of a Quarterback Controversy, but have you ever heard of a Catcher Controversy? Both Gerald Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia are vying for the starting Catcher position. Texas has never had a catcher like Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Jarrod is a Switch Hitting Catcher Who's Capable Of Hitting 25-30 Homeruns, which is unheard of for a catcher! If The Season Started Today, Jarrod would win the starting job, meaning Gerald Laird would have to play another position (Like First Base, where the Rangers have little depth), he would be traded.

Pitching Wise, Kevin Milwood and Vicente Padilla form an adequate 1-2 punch in the rotation. Brandon McCarthy, the former White Sox Ace of the Future, forms a solid number three. Kason Gabbard, acquired from Boston for Eric Gagne, forms a good number four in his first full season in the rotation. Kameron Loe will vie for the final rotation spot.

Offensively, Texas is hoping Josh Hamilton keeps up with the sucess he had in Cincinatti. Texas was hoping for more offense in Right Field, which is why Sammy Sosa was not re-signed. Hamilton could reach the thirty homer plateau this season.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS
The Athletics are young, trading away Ace Dan Haren to the Diamondbacks in the hope that Rich Harden can be an Ace. Rob Bowen will mature behind the plate, and Ryan Sweeney will play hard out in right field.

Oakland will through growing pains, but General Manager Billy Beane is getting ready for the future.

MY PROJECTED ORDER:
LOS ANGELES
SEATTLE
TEXAS
OAKLAND

That Concludes this MLB Preview. In Our Next MLB Preview, we will head back to the National League, analyzing the National League West. Can Joe Torre bring Chavez Ravine the Same Sucess he had in The Bronx? Can Matt Holliday and Troy Tulowitski carry Colorado to the NL Pennant Again? Will San Francisco Lose 100 Games without Barry Bonds? Find Out in the next MLB Preview.