All Star Break: Team and Divisional Breakdowns. Part 3/3, West Teams

AL West

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Angels have gotten off to a much slower start this season than in years past, but still find themselves in 1st place in the AL West. They're going to have to keep it up this season though, as tougher competition has arrived in the West in the form of the Giants and Mariners. This added pressure, I believe, will help them if and when they do make the playoffs.

Recommendation: You need another starting pitcher, as you only have one w/ a sub-4.0 ERA (Weaver, 3.22). Your help won't come from the AL, as no one is going to deal you a player that may come back to haunt them in the playoffs. You might look across the state, however, and try to pry the most recent player with a no-hitter, Jonathan Sanchez, away from the Giants. They are in contention as well, however, so you'll have to pay for an arm like his.

1st Half MVP: Chone Figgins
The only player on the team with more than 100 hits and 60 runs, Figgins is the fire for this team. When he gets on base, things get interesting. His versatility is undervalued as well. He is a 3b-by-necessity this season, but has played all over the infield and in CF.

Texas Rangers
The Rangers are one of the biggest surprises thus far in the season. They were supposed to be good, but they weren't supposed to actually be competitive. The find themselves with a 48-39 record and just 1.5 games out of first place. Their offense is legit, but they need some pitching to make it to the playoffs.

Recommendation: You have no real limits here. All the top tier starters from Halladay to Doug Davis to Maholm should be in play, as well as a reliever such as Russ Springer or John Grabow.

1st Half MVP: Frank Fancisco
There are a lot of players that could be deserving of the honor for this team, but Francisco's been nearly lights out as a closer. His 2.28 ERA is more than good, and with an all-offense, no pitching team, it's a luxury to have a light's out closer.

Seattle Mariners
The Mariners have exceeded pretty much everyone's expectations, including their own most likely. At four games over .500 and 4 games back, they are leaps and bounds ahead of where they were at this point last year (37-58). This is in large part due to their pitching staff, but their offense will need to step up if they're going to continue contending.


Recommendation: Bench Griffey and find a corner OFer. Maybe Luke Scott can fit in here. Look, you've got a good story in Griffey, but good stories don't win pennants.


1st Half MVP: Washburn, Bedard, and Hernandez
For the first time, we've got multiple winners for the 1st half MVP on one team. But really, all three of these guys are deserving. Washburn has the highest ERA on the team, sporting a 2.96 ERA. They need to stay healthy, but with a little offense this team could be scary.

Oakland Athletics
Oakland has gone in the wrong direction this year. They had high expectations after trading for Matt Holliday and signing Orlando Cabrera, but neither move has paid off. The A's should be sellers again, but you never know with Billy Beane.

Recommendation: It is time for Billy to sell off his assets and build for the future...again. Get what you can for Holliday, and you might even consider dealing Dallas Braden. Also, whenever the contracts of Mark Ellis, Bobby Crosby and Eric Chavez end, make sure you don't talk to them anymore.

1st Half MVP: Dallas Braden
Braden leads the team in Wins, Innings Pitched, and ERA. Honestly, he's probably a number 2 starter at best, but on this team, he's the best player.


NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers
The best team in baseball has done just about everything. They have proven they can pitch, they can hit, and they can adapt to change. With Manny back, this team has just about locked up the best record in the NL by mid-July. The Dodgers made arguably the best Free Agent signing by bringing in All-Star 2nd Baseman Orlando Hudson late in the off-season.

Recommendation: You don't need much. However if you can pry either Doc Halladay or Cliff Lee away from their current clubs, you'd be odds-on favorites to win the World Series.


1st Half MVP: Juan Pierre
For years, we've heard how Pierre is over-paid. Some of those years it may have been true. This year, however, Pierre stepped in and stepped up when Manny was suspended. He is batting .328 with 23 steals, 39 runs and 25 RBIs on the season.


San Francisco Giants
The Giants are, in this blogger's opinion, the best story in baseball. They've not had a winning season since 2004, but are currently 10 games over .500 and have a good lead on the Wild Card spot. Their pitching has been dominant, and their offense has done just enough. They may be one player away from seriously contending for an NL Crown.


Recommendation: A corner outfielder with some pop would do this team a lot of good. Perhaps Luke Scott or, less likely, Alex Rios.

1st Half MVP: Tim Lincecum
I had a hard time not sharing this one between Lincecum and Catcher Pablo Sandoval. However, Lincecum has been dominant in every aspect. He leads the Giants in most pitching stats, and this 170 lb. man strikes fear into every batter that comes up to bat against him.

Colorado Rockies
The Rockies have been very good this season, but I personally think it's a mirage. The winning streak they went on was amazing, but they may have used it up a little too soon. They are nine games behind the Dodgers, two behind the Giants, and will still need to make some moves in order to stay competitive. Marquis has been amazing, but typically slows down in the 2nd half.


Recommendation: This is another team that could use some outfield help, and Luke Scott's name comes up here again. He would be a very solid addition for your team.


1st Half MVP: Jason Marquis
Marquis leads the team Wins, IP, and ERA. He will have to keep this up for the Rockies to make the playoffs.

Arizona Diamondbacks
A team with so much potential, and so few results. No one expected the D'Backs to contend with LA, but the Wild Card spot was supposedly attainable at the start of the season. With a record of 38-51, it's time to sell what you can. If you want to blame anything at all for this, blame the health of Brandon Webb.


Recommendation: Sell your good players, hold on to the great ones. Justin Upton and Dan Haren shouldn't go anywhere, for anybody. Most other players, including some starting pitchers, will draw some interest, and you should listen.


1st Half MVP: Dan Haren
If not for Mark Reynolds low batting avg. (.253) he would get a look here. But you cannot overlook Haren's performance to this point. Nine wins and an ERA of 2.01 nets you a lot of money when it's time for a new contract.

San Diego Padres
The Padres did not expect to contend this year, but 20 games out at the all-star break was more than they expected. The lack of health by starter Jake Peavy is a cause, but this team has too many holes at the moment, and may not contend for another three or so years.

Recommendation: Trade everyone you can, other than Adrian Gonzalez. No one else on this team is untouchable. Get a good haul of prospects, and hope they pan out in the next few years.

1st Half MVP: Adrian Gonzalez
His batting average is terrible (.250), but he leads the team in HR, RBI and Runs. He's the only piece to this puzzle that currently fits.