Los Angeles Angels
Lineup & Defense
Mike Trout is a true manimal. He and Rickey Henderson are probably the two best bodies I've ever seen in the game.... You would think they'd have a firmer grip on a leftfielder. Craig Gentry is an extra guy, a platoon player. He couldn't play for an A's team last year that was terrible. I'd take Daniel Nava over the rest of their choices there, but how could they not sign Justin Upton?
Albert Pujols is saying he's healthy. He'll spend a lot more time at DH than first, and you have to do everything you can to protect him.... Johnny Giavotella turned it up with the bat last year. Defensively he can get a little erratic and look confused at times, but he's going to give you 120%.... Andrelton Simmons is one of the best defenders in the game: range, hands, feet, quick first step, a real good anticipator, always in the right position.
Rotation & Bullpen
There are question marks in the rotation. Garrett Richards can be unhittable, and then there are times where it just seems like nothing will work for the guy. But he has ace-type stuff.... Jered Weaver is pitching at 82–84 [mph], but he has more guts and guile than anyone. He's always been able to create deception and move the ball. Do I think that'll work this year? No.... The back of the rotation could go a couple of ways. Andrew Heaney is a guy they really like, Hector Santiago was an All-Star in 2015. Matt Shoemaker throws 87 and occasionally touches 90, but I think his good run last year was probably an aberration because his stuff is not great.
That farm system is very lean right now. Righty Victor Alcantara was probably their top prospect last year and he was nowhere near ready. At the Double A level, where prospects typically are, I don't think there's one guy on their team who's a better than average player.
Oakland A's
Lineup & Defense
Yonder Alonso is a much better first baseman than a lot of people thought. Real good hands, real good feet. The only knock is he doesn't hit for much power.... It's the same happy-go-lucky Billy Butler, jersey pulled out over the top of his pants so you can't see what bad shape he's in. But look at the back of his baseball card, it says he always hits.... Marcus Semien led the world in errors last year, so they brought in Ron Washington, one of the best defensive teachers in the game. Everyone you talk to raves about the great person that Semien is: very attentive, wants to get better, hard worker.... Josh Reddick is a different kind of cat, but he's a pro. Once he got healthy, recovered from his wrist problems, he started using the whole field again. I expect him to have a big year.
Rotation & Bullpen
This year what has always been their strength could be their biggest concern: their starting rotation. I call it Sonny Gray and the What-Ifs.... Rich Hill had only a small sample size in Boston last year when he was very good, but the A's do a great job of gambling on guys like that.... Jesse Hahn pitched well last year, but he had elbow issues, and that was attributed to him throwing the slider. He has a serviceable curveball and a changeup, but he's eliminating the slider, so will he be able to have the same level of success?
Kendall Graveman is a deceptive guy, long arms, real good feel for pitching, probably a legit No. 4 type, but another guy where health is a concern.... The ace in the hole is Henderson Alvarez, he's been throwing great on the side, he's ahead of schedule after shoulder surgery.... Until Sean Doolittle touches 96, I don't think you can say that he's back. They're talking about him adding a pitch, but what's made him successful is throwing that fastball by guys.
Complete list (SI.com)
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