BCFP Spring Training Preview AL West

Angels

Lineup- Pujols will be the headline heading into 2012 but Spring Training will be focused on fitting 10 players into 8 spots. Peter Bourjos, Vernon Wells, Tori Hunter, and Bobby Abreu all play OF and all have fantasy value when in the lineup. Mark Trumbo and Kendry Morales both play 1B and have fantasy value when in the lineup. Problem is 6 into 4 doesn't equal one. Bourjos is the only legit CF from a defensive standpoint this will give him full time status. Hunter is the best all around option giving him the second OF job. It seems to me Abreu is the better fit for the Angels lineup over Wells yet the financial commitment almost forces the Halos hand and gives the nod to Wells. Trumbo is working out at 3B as well as the OF making him versatile enough to play a Super Utility role. This leaves Abreu and Morales battling for the majority of DHing duties. I seem to think Abreu's ability to get on base outweighs Morales's power potential. All six of these players will be drafted ouside of shallow leagues but two owners will likely be disappointed. Things will only get more clouded when the Halos decide to promote the top hitting prospect in baseball Mike Trout.

Rotation- The rotation is loaded 1-4 but heading into camp the 5th spot is up for grabs with Jerome Williams the front runner. Williams will try to hold off Garret Rhodes the Angels top pitching prospect. Neither will offer much fantasy value in 2012.


A's

Lineup- It's easier to name who is starting. Jemmile Weeks, Cliff Pennington, Kurt Suzuki and Coco Crisp all have everyday roles. Outside of these 5 the other four spots are up in the air. Should Yeonis Cespedes make the Opening Day roster you can expect to see his name in the lineup on a daily basis. However that is dependent on him making the squad out of camp. Seth Smith will likely be a platoon role having his name in the lineup vs. RH's which actually increases his value. This leaves Josh Reddick, Michael Taylor, Jonny Gomes and possibly Chris Carter fighting for leftovers and fantasy irrelevance. Speaking of Carter he is also in contention for the 1B and DH roles battling Daric Barton, Brandon Allen and Kila Ka ihue. From a fantasy standpoint Carter is the only one who offers any upside as Carter could press 30 HR in a full time role. To only compound upon the confusion Scott Sizemore the projected everyday 3B will miss the entire 2012 season. Josh Donaldson and Adam Rosales are the in house favorites for the job. Rosales offers nothing outside of a respectable AVG. Donaldson does have double digit HR pop and potential 10 SB speed.

Rotation- Heading into camp Brandon McCarthy is the only name in ink on the Openining Day rotation. Dallas Braden is expected to miss a few weeks but will have a spot upon his return. Therfore you have three spots to fill and a slew of canidates to fill them. Bartolo Colon figues to be a odds on favorite for one barring injury. Brad Peacock and Jarred Parker certainly have the inside track on the final two spots as both are among the top pitching prospects in baseball. Peacock has solid K potential and possess good control. Parker also has swing and miss stuff yet BB has been a problem in the past. Both could offer good deep mixed or AL-Only value. Tyson Ross and Tom Millone are also in the mix for a spot in the rotation.


Mariners

Rotation- Felix Hernandez and Justin Vargas are the lone shoe-ins. Hector Noesi, Blake Beaven, Charlie Furbush, Kevin Millwood and Hisashi Iwakuma will battle for the final three spots during the spring. A marginal spring should award both Millwood and Iwakuma with a permanent spot but neither should warrant consideration outside of Streaming/AL-Only options. Beaven, Noesi, and Furbush all conform to the previous statement as well. Beaven is more of a control specialist while Noesi and Furbush both have average K ability.


Rangers

Lineup- No real lineup questions outside of who will man CF more often than not. David Murphy is the best offensive option at this point yet that forces Hamilton into CF duty. Craig Gentry is more of the classic CF defensively yet his offense would be overlooked in fantasy. The best of both worlds would be prospect Leonys Martin who would at least bring plus speed to the table from the 9 hole.

Rotation- Lewis, Darvish, and Holland are set this leaves two spots for Alexi Ogando, Scott Feldman, Matt Harrison and Neftali Feliz. The initial plan is to move Feliz into the rotation and Ogando back to the pen. Somewhat puzzling considering the success of last season in reverse roles. Assuming a succesful transition for Feliz that leaves Harrison and Feldman for the final spot with Harrison holding a comfortable margin before game action begins.