By Jonathan Lee

The Rangers have dominated the AL West the past two seasons winning the division by a combined 19 games each time reaching the World Series.  The Angels this offseason initiated a baseball arms race to combat this hegemony signing the best player of this generation in Albert Pujols as well as left-handed pitcher C.J. Wilson, former ace for Texas.  The Rangers responded by signing coveted Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish and shifting flame-throwing closer Neftali Feliz into the rotation.

Despite their offseason additions, the Angels are still forecasted as just the second best team in the American League West this season.  Texas still leads by a healthy six game margin with Darvish projected to be more than capable of replacing Wilson, and being one of the best pitchers in the league.  Feliz also projects to make a smooth transition aided by pitching coach Mike Maddux.  Texas has recently been successful shifting relievers into starting roles.  Alexi Ogando was very good last season as a starter as Wilson was before him.  The real question mark for Texas is at closer where former All-Star Joe Nathan was signed as a free agent.  Nathan is now two years removed from major surgery, and likely needs only to stay healthy to support what is otherwise a strong bullpen.  The lineup is again one of the best in baseball with first base really being the only position manned by a player with a less than average bat.

The team from Anaheim probably has the superior starting rotation than Texas even if Darvish and Feliz perform up to expectations.  The Angels have two true aces in Dan Haren and Jered Weaver, and back that duo up with Wilson and Ervin Santana.  The real concerns are in the lineup even with the presence of Pujols in the middle.  No other player aside from Pujols is currently projected to hit more than 23 home runs although 3 others do project for at least 20.  However, one of those is Mark Trumbo who is currently a player without a position with his glove likely providing a net minus anywhere other than first base.  His low OBP (projected .285) also weighs down the benefits of his pop.  Another one of the forecasted power sources is Vernon Wells who need to have a very large bounce back season to hit 20 home runs.  Even if he does succeed this season his presence in the outfield blocks one of the brightest prospects in all of baseball in Mike Trout.  Kendry Morales could help solve some of these power problems, but he is just coming back from multiple injuries that have caused him to miss the past two seasons.

While the Angels made the biggest splash this offseason adding Pujols, the Rangers are still the clear team to beat in the AL West.  Oakland and Seattle are severe longshots winning the division just 3.2 percent of the time according to simulations.  With the expanded playoff format expect both Texas and Anaheim to reach the postseason, but for the Rangers to do so as division winners.