Los Angeles Angels
Offense: Grade: B+ A very good offense got better with the addition of Torii Hunter. They won't out-slug often, but they have speed that will allow them to manufacture runs as well. Scoscia gets the most out of his lineup.
Defense: Grade: A Perhaps the best defense in baseball, particularly the OF. This is a sound defense.
Rotation: Grade: A- Even with Escobar missing a month of the season, this is still an outstanding staff. Weaver, Lackey, and newly acquired Garland make for a formidable rotation. Escobar's return makes them even more stout.
Bullpen: Grade: B Led by Rodriguez, this bullpen knows how to get outs. They're not automatic, but will not lose many games.
Bench: Grade: B- Woods, Willits, Aybar, and company make up an average bench.
Manager: Grade: A Scoscia is a winner. He's a master strategist, which helps this team win.
Outlook: 102-60 1st Place The best team in the league...bar none. They'll quietly win this division by at least 10 games. Their pitching will take them deep into the playoffs.

Seattle Mariners
Offense: Grade: B- This is a lineup that can hit homeruns. The bad news is that aside from Ichiro, they have poor on base percentages and strike out tons. Richie Sexson was a rally killer last season, and will need to improve big time. Overall, they'll score runs in bunches, but will also find themselves on the wrong end of shutouts due to their free swinging style.
Defense: Grade: C Outside of Ichiro again, there are no real glove men on this team. They are solid in spots, but not solid overall as a unit. .
Rotation: Grade: B For the Mariners to win, they'll have to rely on this rotation. On paper, it looks pretty good. Bedard was a great addition. He and Hernandez are a lethal 1-2 at the top of the rotation. Silva, Batista, and Washburn are respectable enough to keep the team in most games. They need .500 seasons from all three to remain in the mix.
Bullpen: Grade: D Putz was solid last season...but who else in that bullpen was solid?
Bench: Grade: B If Clement makes the team, he makes the bench better. Bloomquist can play anywhere on the field, which is a plus. The remainder of the bench is adequate.
Manager: Grade: C- John McLaren is still an unknown as far as managing a full season. Unfortunately, he did little to stop the free-fall last year.
Outlook: 92-70 2nd Place The rotation will keep this team in contention for much of the season. The bullpen and inconsistent lineup will knock them out of contention by Labor Day.

Texas Rangers
Offense: Grade: B Underrated lineup that could make some noise this season. Acquiring Hamilton was a great move by Texas. A big year from Jarrod Saltalamachia would really put this offense over the top.
Defense: Grade: C Average all-around defensive team.
Rotation: Grade: D Once again, this team has a sucky rotation. Millwood is a .500 pitcher at best...and he's the ace. Brandon McCarthy won't fulfill his potential while pitching in this stadium. Gabbard and Padilla aren't even .500 pitchers, and Jason Jennings will feel like he's pitching in Colorado before the humidor days. Jennings has the best chance of being halfway decent, but it won't be enough to help this team contend.
Bullpen: Grade: C Could be better...could be worse. Their closer, CJ Wilson is far from a sure thing in the 9th inning.
Bench: Grade: D+ Not a very impressive bench. No real guys capable of hitting a clutch pinch hit HR. Laird is a decent backup catcher...and that's about it.
Manager: Grade: C Ron Washington is well liked, but he's no miracle worker.
Outlook: 70-92 3rd Place Obviously, the Rangers don't believe in having a decent pitching staff. How many years have they put out a rotation as bad as this one. Try about ten straight years. The pitching will waste many decent offensive performances. Look for many 12-10 games on the losing end for the Rangers.

Oakland A's
Offense: Grade: C+ This lineup is not a weakness, but not a overwhelming strength either. They'll score some runs and hit for a halfway decent average. There's no real team speed, which will hurt this team manufacture any runs without hitting the long ball. Sure, they'll draw some walks, but could find those runners stranded due to the lack of speed. Cust, Crosby, and Chavez will be the big run producers. This team doesn't have a 30HR guy, but they have six or seven guys who may very well hit 20HR.
Defense: Grade: C Not much to write home about.
Rotation: Grade: C- Hardin and Blanton are still a formidable 1-2 in the rotation. After those two...it's anyones guess. Guys like Gaudin and DiNardo are not the answers...not for this team.
Bullpen: Grade: B Not bad if Street can stay healthy. Calero, Embree and Duchscherer are decent relievers, though Embree is always capable of falling apart, and Duchscherer could find his way to the rotation, depleting the bullpen. Talk of trading Street doesn't help. As of now, it's pretty good.
Bench: Grade: C+ Decent bench with Sweeney, Brown, and Gonzales (unless he starts in the OF).
Manager: Grade: C Bob Geren will have his hands full with this team. Difficult to say how he'll do with this cast. If he can keep them near .500, he'll have done one hell of a job.
Outlook: 70-92 4th Place Somewhat of a rebuilding year. They aren't awful, but this team is just very average as a unit. In past years, they could have been a .500 team, but with teams like Tampa, Texas, and KC all showing improvement, it will be difficult for this team to contend.