30 Teams in 30 Days: Texas Rangers (Day 14)

The second post of a blog "double header" covers the Texas Rangers. This is day 14 of the 30 Teams in 30 Days meaning the American League is done after this post and tomorrow, I will move onto the National League West. The Texas Rangers topped the AL West with 90 wins and won the division by 9 games. The Rangers went to the World Series for the first time in franchise history this past post season, but lost to San Francisco. This was not easy because Texas had to beat the Rays and the Yankees to get to the World Series. The Rangers had a stacked team in the 2010 season including: Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, Elvis Andrus, Nelson Cruz, Michael Young, Vladimir Guerrero, Neftali Feliz, and Cliff Lee. There were plenty of injuries between these players, such as Cruz, Kinsler, and Hamilton, but the Rangers were able to fight through them, and end up successful. In the off season, the Rangers had some ups and downs. They were unable to secure Cliff Lee, but were able to obtain Adrian Beltre and Mike Napoli. Both of which can really add to the team, since the Rangers can still keep Young as a DH, and Napoli is a much better catcher than Bengie Molina. Other news coming from Texas is that Michael Young requested a trade in the off season. Philadelphia is actually looking at Young due to an injured Chase Utley. Texas is definitely looking to repeat what they did in 2010, especially since they have almost all the same players. Whether or not that formula works, I'm not sure, but I do wish them luck in the 2011 season.

30 Teams in 30 Days: Oakland Athletics (Day 13)

Once again, this blog is late due to the lack of "Free Wifi" at my hotel. But now that I am back in my normal residency, I am able to blog freely. 30 Teams in 30 Days continues in the AL West with the Oakland Athletics. The Athletics finished 2nd in the division with a record of .500. They followed the same pattern as the Detroit Tigers with a mirrored home and away record of 47-34 and 34-47. The A's missed several opportunities this off season by not acquiring Adrian Beltre or Lance Berkman. Some have speculated that it's the enormous Coliseum is the reason that players don't want to go play in Oakland. Oakland was able to make a decent amount of pick ups, by obtaining: Josh Willingham, David DeJesus, and Hideki Matsui. With Kurt Suzuki, Kevin Kouzmanoff, and Coco Crisp still on the team, Oakland could win 82 games. This season could go either way for Oakland, especially with a revamped Los Angeles Angels team. But going back to Coco Crisp, he may experience some problems with the organization after receiving a DUI last week. Or he could become one of the best players in baseball like Miguel Cabrera. Dallas Braden is the Opening Day starter for Oakland and can I just say that I'm still looking for a "Get Off My Mound!" T-shirt? If you find one in a medium, please let me know. Braden didn't have much after he threw his perfect game, mainly because he spent some time on the DL. I do with Braden and the Athletics good luck in the 2011 season.

30 Teams in 30 Days: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Day 12)

First and foremost, I am very sorry that the 30 Teams in 30 Days did not continue yesterday, the hotel I was staying at does not have very good wifi and my computer would not connect. But regardless of that fact, there will hopefully be two posts today! Today/Yesterday's team is the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and who would have thought that they would finish under .500. The Angels finished 3rd in the AL West and won 80 games. Where would you place the blame on a team that in 2009 won 97 games and in 2008 won 100 games? Maybe on the fact that Kendrys Morales broke his leg when celebrating a walk-off win. Morales is the power hitter and cleanup man for the Angels, they lost a lot of offense when he went on the DL. And by the way, it took him 7 years to correct us, but "Kendry" Morales actually spells his name Kendrys Morales. But looking to this season, the Angels had a somewhat busy offseason, by losing some players and gaining more. Players returning to the field this year are: Kendrys Morales, Howie Kendrick, Erik Aybar, Jeff Mathis, Torii Hunter, Jered Weaver, and Bobby Abreu. With this returning squad of healthy players, the Angels should have no trouble winning more than 81 games. An aging Bobby Abreu now placed into the DH position, in my opinion, will contribute better to the team because there isn't as much of a physical toll on his body. Dan Haren and Vernon Wells are two of the biggest acquisitions that the Angels made in the offseason and hope to build off their talent. I wish the Angels luck in the 2011 season and hope they can bounce back from a sub par season.

30 Teams in 30 Days: Seattle Mariners (Day 11)

30 Teams in 30 Days continues as I start off coverage with the AL West. At the bottom at the AL West in the 2010 season was the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners have been lacking in the past few seasons, and last season went 61-101. That's pretty rough. The 2010 season looked to be a great year for the Mariners after obtaining Cliff Lee in the 2009 off season, but after Lee went "head hunting" in the 2010 preseason, he was suspended. Then around mid-season Lee went to the Rangers. Sometimes I feel like the Mariners aren't cut out for baseball, and Seattle always seems so depressing. And overcast. But going back to Seattle baseball, the Mariners still have "King" Felix, and Hernandez is without a doubt, an ace. He was in the AL Cy Young race, even with a record of 13-12. Other notable players on the Mariners are players like Ichiro Suzuki and Chone Figgins. Ichiro is one of the most consistent, and fastest ballplayers there are out there. He has 10 consecutive seasons with at least 200 hits, and just to let you know how talented he truly is: He has been voted Rookie of the Year and AL MVP in the same season, 9 All-Star Teams, 10 Gold Gloves, 6 hit streaks with 20 games or more (the highest being 27), an AL MVP in 2007, and the only player to hit an inside the park home run in an All-Star Game. With a player like that, why aren't the Mariners like what they were in the early 2000s? I'm sorry to say, but the Mariners do not have much of a chance to contend this year in the American League, but I do wish them luck in the 2011 season, and hope they have a better record.

30 Teams in 30 Days: Minnesota Twins (Day 10)

30 Teams in 30 Days is a third of the way through and today features the Minnesota Twins. The Twins had a great season in 2010 and were able to win the AL Central by 6 games. This was no easy feat, but the Twins had the best home record in the American League going 53-28. And that home record was achieved in the brand new Target Field (pronounced Tar-jay). Despite the great home record, the Twins once again were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Minnesota was all able to succeed without their star closer, Joe Nathan, who underwent Tommy John surgery before the 2010 season. Even without Nathan, the Twins lineup was stacked in 2010 and many of those faces are returning to Minnesota in 2011. They are: Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel, Denard Span, Delmon Young, Alexi Casilla, and Jim Thome. Unfortunately, Orlando Hudson "O-Dawg" (a favorite of mine) left the Twins to go to the Padres. The starting rotation is still strong, just as it was in 2010, and the bullpen will be even stronger with Nathan back. The Twins have reported that Nathan has to prove himself to obtain the closing position, because it is rightfully Matt Capps' position. Which is only fair to Capps. I do believe that the Twins are once again going to make it into the playoffs, whether it be by winning the AL Central or the AL Wildcard. Hopefully they will make it past the first round, they deserve it. Especially with Joe Mauer still on the team. I'm not sure if you follow video games, but Joe Mauer has been on the cover of MLB The Show for the past two years! Which is unheard of, I'm sorry but I had to say it. Tomorrow starts the coverage of the AL West, so be prepared. I wish the Twins and Joe Mauer luck with success in the 2011 season and hopefully the 2011 postseason.

30 Teams in 30 Days: Chicago White Sox (Day 9)

Welcome back to another day of 30 Teams in 30 Days! Moving on up the AL Central is the Chicago White Sox who finished 2nd in the division at the end of the 2010 season. The White Sox finished the season with 88 wins and 74 losses, a winning percentage of .543. The White Sox had a strong end of the season, but suffered some setbacks throughout the entire season. One of them being losing ace pitcher Jake Peavy, who suffered on of the worst injuries imaginable. The muscle in his shoulder became detached. Ouch. Also, the White Sox acquire Manny Ramirez, who did practically nothing with the White Sox. Regardless, the White Sox have an overall solid team this year and really will be in contention and may even take the AL Central from the Twins. Juan Pierre, Alex Rios, and Carlos Quentin are in the outfield. Three solid players who can hit, run, steal, and field the ball well. Second baseman Gordon Beckham had an amazing finish to the 2010 season and would even be a good fantasy choice. Shortstop Alexi Ramirez will be back with the White Sox this season after extending his contract in the 2010 off season. A.J. Pierzynski will be backing up the plate once again and Paul Konerko will be at first. The White Sox lineup is very similar to their 2010 lineup. But the biggest move the White Sox did in the off season was the signing of Adam Dunn. Dunn will be the White Sox's DH and posts great numbers and averages 40 home runs per season. I wish the White Sox luck in the 2011 season and I think that all other teams are "Dunn." (I couldn't resist the pun.)

30 Teams in 30 Days: Detroit Tigers (Day 8)

30 Teams in 30 Days continues with the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers finished 3rd in the AL Central and were able to complete the season at .500. With 81 wins and 81 losses, the Tigers also had a mirrored home and away record with a 52-29 home record, and went 29-52 on the road. At Comerica Park, the Tigers look to have a better season this year and hoping to not face the "drop off" that occurred. In September of 2010, Miguel Cabrera seemed like the only player on the team who was contributing, mainly because he was still in the race for the AL MVP. This year the Tigers acquired Victor Martinez from the Boston Red Sox for their 19th draft pick. Martinez signed for 4 years, $50 million and will likely be the Tigers full time DH. With Austin Jackson, Ryan Raburn, and Magglio Ordonez in the outfield, the Tigers will keep a very similar outfield from what they had last year. Justin Verlander is the Tigers ace, and is a one of the largest assets to the Tigers. Over the past 5 seasons, Verlander has recorded 83 wins with the Tigers, something that is quite impressive. One of the biggest questions coming from the Tigers organization is what are they going to do with Miguel Cabrera's drinking problem. Last month was the second incident within the last 17 months which Cabrera was improperly using alcohol. Both occurrences happened while he was playing for the Tigers. I believe that the AL Central will be a little tighter this year and it could be anyone's game. The Tigers could finish anywhere from first to 4th. I wish them luck in the 2011 season.