2013 MLB Predictions: American League West

1st - Los Angeles Angels:

The Angels stole the offseason headlines for the second consecutive season with the signing of slugger Josh Hamilton to a five-year deal worth $125 million.  Besides signing Hamilton, the Angels improved their pitching staff.  The Angels signed Ryan Madson and Sean Burnett to bolster their bullpen, and acquired Joe Blanton, Tommy Hanson and Jason Vargas to fill the holes in their rotation.

The Angels are an extremely talented team, with one of the best lineups in baseball led by Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton.  On paper the Angels are one of the best teams in baseball and expect them to win close to 100 games this season.

2nd - Oakland Athletics:

The A's have a terrific young core of players returning from last year.  Even though they have lost some  contributors from last year, do not be surprised if they are an even better team with their offseason acquisitions.  Jed Lowrie and Chris Young (OF) were both acquired in trades, and Japanese import Hiroyuki Nakajima was signed to fill the hole at shortstop.

If the young pitchers are able to continue from where they left off last season, and Josh Reddick and Yoenis Cespedes do not struggle offensively, the A's will be in position to contend for a AL Wild Card.

3rd - Texas Rangers:

The Rangers had a very disappointing offseason, loosing many key players from last season and being unable to sign any big name players.

Josh Hamilton, Mike Napoli, Michael Young, Ryan Dempster, Mike Adams, and Koji Uehara have all signed with other teams this offseason.  Loosing all of these quality veteran players will hurt the Rangers this season.  

Aging veterans A.J. Pierzynski and Lance Berkman were brought in this offseason to replace some of the offensive production they lost.  These two players will help, but the Rangers will no longer have a dominating offense that they have had in previous years.

At some point Jurickson Profar will be contributing at the major league level, but the Rangers offense will struggle to much to help the Rangers make the playoffs.  The Rangers will finish just short of making the playoffs this season.

4th - Seattle Mariners:

This offseason the Mariners turned their focus to improving their dreadful offense.  Over the past three seasons the Mariners have scored the least amount of runs in the American League.  Both Kenrdys Morales and Michael Morse were acquired via trade this offseason, and they will make an immediate impact on their offense.

The Mariners have deep farm system with many talented prospects and some of them will help the Mariners this year.  The Mariners have a talented team, with even more talent in the minors, but they are still a year away from being a playoff contender.

5th- Houston Astros:

This will be the Astros first season apart of the American League, and they will have a grueling time winning games.  This offseason the Astros signed multiple low cost veterans, to go along with their young core of players.  Their biggest move was trading Jed Lowrie to the A's for young, slugger Chris Carter and pitching prospect Brad Peacock.

The Astros are in a rebuilding mode and are years from being a competitive team, and they will finish last in the AL West.  

Why the Milwaukee Brewers Should Sign LaTroy Hawkins

Last winter the Milwaukee Brewers let LaTroy Hawkins leave, as he signed a one year deal with the Los Angeles Angels.  The Brewers made an awful decision by letting him go after he was a key pitcher to the Brewers' bullpen success in 2011, when he had a 3-1 record with a 2.42 ERA and 20 holds in 52 appearance.  

LaTroy Hawkins, who will turn 40 years old in December, had a record of 2-3 last season with a 3.64 ERA, one save and six holds in 42 innings.  Even though his numbers weren't as good as 2011, the Brewers should strongly consider signing Hawkins.  With multiple holes in their bullpen, LaTroy Hawkins would be a good fit because he is a veteran pitcher who has had good success in the National League and as a Brewer.

The Los Angeles Angels Make the Biggest Trade at the Deadline

The Los Angeles Angels definitely won the trade deadline by acquiring one of the best pitchers in the game in Zack Greinke.  With Zack Greinke, the Angels now have two aces in their rotation, and the best top four starters in the American League.  To acquire Greinke they only gave up three prospects, that were all expendable because they won't help them in the near future, and since there is no guarantee that they will be good MLB players.  As long as the Angels continue to play well and stay healthy, they will have a great shot at making a deep run in the playoffs.