Oakland manager Ken Macha innocently was looking ahead to the season one day in December when he said, "The American League West, I really don't think it will be any different than any other year."
Less than two weeks later, Macha suddenly was without ace pitcher Tim Hudson (traded to Atlanta) and ace pitcher Mark Mulder (hello, St. Louis).
Uh, whoops. As the Athletics undergo another transformation to keep them competitive on a wing and a prayer (and not much cash), things will be vastly different for them this spring as they prepare for another hot summer in a rugged division. Anaheim, which won the division crown on the final Saturday of the season in Oakland last year, is better. Seattle should be much better. Texas, under GM John Hart and manager Buck Showalter, has its program in place.
No truth to the rumors, meanwhile, that the A's will ask Macha to hunt for recyclables in the stands following Cactus League games this spring. At least, we don't think there's any truth to them. ...
Winter Power Rankings
Disclaimer: These rankings are solely based on what clubs have done from Nov. 1 through now and are in no way predictions for the upcoming season. They are simply impressions of winter, not anticipation of the 2005 standings. So as our friend David Letterman would say, "Please, no wagering."
1. Anaheim Angels: Les Expos' reunion: Vladimir Guerrero and Orlando Cabrera. The only thing missing is Youppi!
2. Seattle: The good news: Mariners finally spend some dough. The bad news: Unfortunately, it's not July 2001 or July 2002.
3. Texas: Noticed they didn't name anybody captain this winter. Thanks a lot, A-Rod.
4. Oakland: Big Three melts to Big One. Good luck to you, Barry Zito.
Breaking it down
Best moves: Angels signing Steve Finley, Seattle signing Adrian Beltre. They're loading up in this division, and Anaheim moving in at the last minute to scoop up Finley was the division's move of the winter. It allowed defending champion Anaheim to keep Darin Erstad at first and move Garret Anderson back to left, which will not be as hard on his back as center. Finley is the Roger Clemens/Randy Johnson of position players: He's 40-something but still plays like he's 20-something. Beltre, meanwhile, infuses what was an aging team with a needed shot of youth. He will turn 25 in early April and is a star both offensively and defensively. Little-remembered fact about Beltre's breakout season in '04: He played most of it on one healthy foot, which shows the heart Beltre will bring to the Pacific Northwest.
Uh, whoops. As the Athletics undergo another transformation to keep them competitive on a wing and a prayer (and not much cash), things will be vastly different for them this spring as they prepare for another hot summer in a rugged division. Anaheim, which won the division crown on the final Saturday of the season in Oakland last year, is better. Seattle should be much better. Texas, under GM John Hart and manager Buck Showalter, has its program in place.
No truth to the rumors, meanwhile, that the A's will ask Macha to hunt for recyclables in the stands following Cactus League games this spring. At least, we don't think there's any truth to them. ...
Winter Power Rankings
Disclaimer: These rankings are solely based on what clubs have done from Nov. 1 through now and are in no way predictions for the upcoming season. They are simply impressions of winter, not anticipation of the 2005 standings. So as our friend David Letterman would say, "Please, no wagering."
1. Anaheim Angels: Les Expos' reunion: Vladimir Guerrero and Orlando Cabrera. The only thing missing is Youppi!
2. Seattle: The good news: Mariners finally spend some dough. The bad news: Unfortunately, it's not July 2001 or July 2002.
3. Texas: Noticed they didn't name anybody captain this winter. Thanks a lot, A-Rod.
4. Oakland: Big Three melts to Big One. Good luck to you, Barry Zito.
Breaking it down
Best moves: Angels signing Steve Finley, Seattle signing Adrian Beltre. They're loading up in this division, and Anaheim moving in at the last minute to scoop up Finley was the division's move of the winter. It allowed defending champion Anaheim to keep Darin Erstad at first and move Garret Anderson back to left, which will not be as hard on his back as center. Finley is the Roger Clemens/Randy Johnson of position players: He's 40-something but still plays like he's 20-something. Beltre, meanwhile, infuses what was an aging team with a needed shot of youth. He will turn 25 in early April and is a star both offensively and defensively. Little-remembered fact about Beltre's breakout season in '04: He played most of it on one healthy foot, which shows the heart Beltre will bring to the Pacific Northwest.
Worst move II: Seattle naming Mike Hargrove manager. Unimaginative and uninspired. Hargrove is a hollowed-out version of Lou Piniella: not as much fire, not as much personality, not nearly the relationship with the players. There were so many other qualified candidates, from Grady Little to Anaheim bench coach Joe Maddon. But Seattle's ultimate mistake came a few winters ago when the Mariners declined to even interview Dusty Baker and instead went the cheap route, hiring then-Arizona bench coach Bob Melvin. Baker, who ended up with the Chicago Cubs, would have jumped at the chance to stay West and take over the Mariners.
Most off-the-wall moves: Oakland trading Hudson and Mulder. You expected something else? The pre-emptive strikes were gutsy moves on GM Billy Beane's part. Tired of losing premier free agents such as Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon and Miguel Tejada for nothing, Beane, who signed third baseman Eric Chavez to a long-term deal last spring, traded Hudson to Atlanta and Mulder to St. Louis for a bevy of prospects, including young pitchers Danny Haren and Danny Meyer. Ultimately, Beane is attempting to position the A's to be competitive for another several years rather than keeping Hudson and Mulder for a strong run this year and next and then settling for an extended rebuilding process. Trust him. The man knows what he's doing.
Even Spam doesn't last forever: Goodbye to Edgar Martinez. For the first time since the other George Bush was president, Seattle had to spend part of its winter thinking of a designated hitter. It was a terrific run for Martinez, a borderline Hall of Fame candidate, and great fun while it lasted. It was always worth paying extra attention (or running to the TV from the fridge) when Martinez stepped into the box. Especially if you lived in the Pacific Northwest.
Most underrated move: Angels signing Cabrera. There was an outcry in Anaheim (Los Angeles? Santa Ana? San Clemente? What's their name today?) when the Angels cut ties with the wildly popular David Eckstein, but looking at this objectively, Cabrera is an upgrade.
On the rise: Texas. The Rangers had a quiet winter, but that's not a bad thing after the circus that was their last offseason given the Alex Rodriguez talks with Boston and the Yankees. Moving A-Rod obviously turned out to be a very good thing for the Rangers. Adding outfielder Richard Hidalgo this winter will make stronger a lineup that ranked fourth in the league in runs last season. Sandy Alomar Jr. will help the pitching staff in the backup catcher role. The Rangers could use more pitching -- it's difficult to imagine them ranking fifth in the AL again in ERA with Chan Ho Park in the rotation and with Kenny Rogers in the No. 1 slot.
On the decline: Oakland. It's a statistically proven fact -- the Athletics missed the playoffs last season for the first time in five years. Take that, subtract Hudson and Mulder, and the A's have a pretty big challenge ahead for this year. Given their makeover -- the subtractions of Hudson and Mulder, the additions of Kendall, Japanese pitcher Keiichi Yobu and Haren and Meyer -- the A's will remain one of the more intriguing teams to watch this summer.
Keep an eye on: Seattle. Difficult to imagine the Mariners making a serious run in the AL West despite the strong additions of Beltre and Sexson, based mostly on their pitching. Had they snagged Carl Pavano, they would be in much better shape. Jamie Moyer can't slip, Joel Pineiro, Gil Meche and Ryan Franklin must step it up and Bobby Madritsch must impress if the Mariners are to compete in a tough -- and rich -- division.
CBS Sportsline
Less than two weeks later, Macha suddenly was without ace pitcher Tim Hudson (traded to Atlanta) and ace pitcher Mark Mulder (hello, St. Louis).
Uh, whoops. As the Athletics undergo another transformation to keep them competitive on a wing and a prayer (and not much cash), things will be vastly different for them this spring as they prepare for another hot summer in a rugged division. Anaheim, which won the division crown on the final Saturday of the season in Oakland last year, is better. Seattle should be much better. Texas, under GM John Hart and manager Buck Showalter, has its program in place.
No truth to the rumors, meanwhile, that the A's will ask Macha to hunt for recyclables in the stands following Cactus League games this spring. At least, we don't think there's any truth to them. ...
Winter Power Rankings
Disclaimer: These rankings are solely based on what clubs have done from Nov. 1 through now and are in no way predictions for the upcoming season. They are simply impressions of winter, not anticipation of the 2005 standings. So as our friend David Letterman would say, "Please, no wagering."
1. Anaheim Angels: Les Expos' reunion: Vladimir Guerrero and Orlando Cabrera. The only thing missing is Youppi!
2. Seattle: The good news: Mariners finally spend some dough. The bad news: Unfortunately, it's not July 2001 or July 2002.
3. Texas: Noticed they didn't name anybody captain this winter. Thanks a lot, A-Rod.
4. Oakland: Big Three melts to Big One. Good luck to you, Barry Zito.
Breaking it down
Best moves: Angels signing Steve Finley, Seattle signing Adrian Beltre. They're loading up in this division, and Anaheim moving in at the last minute to scoop up Finley was the division's move of the winter. It allowed defending champion Anaheim to keep Darin Erstad at first and move Garret Anderson back to left, which will not be as hard on his back as center. Finley is the Roger Clemens/Randy Johnson of position players: He's 40-something but still plays like he's 20-something. Beltre, meanwhile, infuses what was an aging team with a needed shot of youth. He will turn 25 in early April and is a star both offensively and defensively. Little-remembered fact about Beltre's breakout season in '04: He played most of it on one healthy foot, which shows the heart Beltre will bring to the Pacific Northwest.
Uh, whoops. As the Athletics undergo another transformation to keep them competitive on a wing and a prayer (and not much cash), things will be vastly different for them this spring as they prepare for another hot summer in a rugged division. Anaheim, which won the division crown on the final Saturday of the season in Oakland last year, is better. Seattle should be much better. Texas, under GM John Hart and manager Buck Showalter, has its program in place.
No truth to the rumors, meanwhile, that the A's will ask Macha to hunt for recyclables in the stands following Cactus League games this spring. At least, we don't think there's any truth to them. ...
Winter Power Rankings
Disclaimer: These rankings are solely based on what clubs have done from Nov. 1 through now and are in no way predictions for the upcoming season. They are simply impressions of winter, not anticipation of the 2005 standings. So as our friend David Letterman would say, "Please, no wagering."
1. Anaheim Angels: Les Expos' reunion: Vladimir Guerrero and Orlando Cabrera. The only thing missing is Youppi!
2. Seattle: The good news: Mariners finally spend some dough. The bad news: Unfortunately, it's not July 2001 or July 2002.
3. Texas: Noticed they didn't name anybody captain this winter. Thanks a lot, A-Rod.
4. Oakland: Big Three melts to Big One. Good luck to you, Barry Zito.
Breaking it down
Best moves: Angels signing Steve Finley, Seattle signing Adrian Beltre. They're loading up in this division, and Anaheim moving in at the last minute to scoop up Finley was the division's move of the winter. It allowed defending champion Anaheim to keep Darin Erstad at first and move Garret Anderson back to left, which will not be as hard on his back as center. Finley is the Roger Clemens/Randy Johnson of position players: He's 40-something but still plays like he's 20-something. Beltre, meanwhile, infuses what was an aging team with a needed shot of youth. He will turn 25 in early April and is a star both offensively and defensively. Little-remembered fact about Beltre's breakout season in '04: He played most of it on one healthy foot, which shows the heart Beltre will bring to the Pacific Northwest.
Worst move II: Seattle naming Mike Hargrove manager. Unimaginative and uninspired. Hargrove is a hollowed-out version of Lou Piniella: not as much fire, not as much personality, not nearly the relationship with the players. There were so many other qualified candidates, from Grady Little to Anaheim bench coach Joe Maddon. But Seattle's ultimate mistake came a few winters ago when the Mariners declined to even interview Dusty Baker and instead went the cheap route, hiring then-Arizona bench coach Bob Melvin. Baker, who ended up with the Chicago Cubs, would have jumped at the chance to stay West and take over the Mariners.
Most off-the-wall moves: Oakland trading Hudson and Mulder. You expected something else? The pre-emptive strikes were gutsy moves on GM Billy Beane's part. Tired of losing premier free agents such as Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon and Miguel Tejada for nothing, Beane, who signed third baseman Eric Chavez to a long-term deal last spring, traded Hudson to Atlanta and Mulder to St. Louis for a bevy of prospects, including young pitchers Danny Haren and Danny Meyer. Ultimately, Beane is attempting to position the A's to be competitive for another several years rather than keeping Hudson and Mulder for a strong run this year and next and then settling for an extended rebuilding process. Trust him. The man knows what he's doing.
Even Spam doesn't last forever: Goodbye to Edgar Martinez. For the first time since the other George Bush was president, Seattle had to spend part of its winter thinking of a designated hitter. It was a terrific run for Martinez, a borderline Hall of Fame candidate, and great fun while it lasted. It was always worth paying extra attention (or running to the TV from the fridge) when Martinez stepped into the box. Especially if you lived in the Pacific Northwest.
Most underrated move: Angels signing Cabrera. There was an outcry in Anaheim (Los Angeles? Santa Ana? San Clemente? What's their name today?) when the Angels cut ties with the wildly popular David Eckstein, but looking at this objectively, Cabrera is an upgrade.
On the rise: Texas. The Rangers had a quiet winter, but that's not a bad thing after the circus that was their last offseason given the Alex Rodriguez talks with Boston and the Yankees. Moving A-Rod obviously turned out to be a very good thing for the Rangers. Adding outfielder Richard Hidalgo this winter will make stronger a lineup that ranked fourth in the league in runs last season. Sandy Alomar Jr. will help the pitching staff in the backup catcher role. The Rangers could use more pitching -- it's difficult to imagine them ranking fifth in the AL again in ERA with Chan Ho Park in the rotation and with Kenny Rogers in the No. 1 slot.
On the decline: Oakland. It's a statistically proven fact -- the Athletics missed the playoffs last season for the first time in five years. Take that, subtract Hudson and Mulder, and the A's have a pretty big challenge ahead for this year. Given their makeover -- the subtractions of Hudson and Mulder, the additions of Kendall, Japanese pitcher Keiichi Yobu and Haren and Meyer -- the A's will remain one of the more intriguing teams to watch this summer.
Keep an eye on: Seattle. Difficult to imagine the Mariners making a serious run in the AL West despite the strong additions of Beltre and Sexson, based mostly on their pitching. Had they snagged Carl Pavano, they would be in much better shape. Jamie Moyer can't slip, Joel Pineiro, Gil Meche and Ryan Franklin must step it up and Bobby Madritsch must impress if the Mariners are to compete in a tough -- and rich -- division.
CBS Sportsline
