MLB Chatter: Trout for MVP, Strasburg Limit, Bobby V

Name your AL MVP candidates coming into this season: Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols or maybe a little Josh Hamilton? Probably not Angels outfielder Mike Trout. Trout, who turned 21 yesterday, is hitting .346 (top in the AL), has 60 runs batted in and has nailed 20 home runs. Not mentioning at all his amazing ability to field. So, forget AL Rookie of the Year, something he has basically locked down, let's start talking AL MVP. Hey, Justin Verlander won it last year as a pitcher, a rarity. It will be tough to beat Miguel Cabrera but Los Angeles is the market to do it. He has been the most impressive player on a championship contender if they can manage a Wild Card spot in a tough race. So, Trout for MVP? Well, yes.

Many things can derail a team from winning a title. Injury, player struggles and maybe road games. But, for the Nationals the thing that could pull them away from a championship may be worry. Stephen Strasburg, the team's ace, who is 12-5 this season with a 2.97 ERA will likely be shutdown at around the 150-160 innings pitched mark. The Nationals want to be careful with their future star who already has had health issues in his short career. This move would mean the likely playoffs rotation (if they get there) would consist of Ross Detwiler, Gio Gonzalez, Edwin Jackson and Jordan Zimmerman. Detwiler would replace Strasburg as the top pitcher and despite his 6-4 mark and a 2.99 ERA many people think it will be a significant drop off. GM Mike Rizzo has already said he will shut down Strasburg when he thinks it is right. It will be a tough decision one that could mean the difference between a World Series and a disappointing playoff exit.

Before you start saying how ridiculous it is for a team to fire their manager after just one season, a .500 season let me tell you what city this manager is in: Boston. That should explain it. Bobby Valentine made headlines when he stepped in for Terry Francona by his cockiness. He might talk the talk but unless something changes in a big way he hasn't been able to walk the walk. The traditional power Red Sox are currently 55-56 and 9 games out of first place in the AL East. Frustration is everywhere on this team and they should be as they have the talent to be right along with the Yankees in this divsion. So would it be so ridicolous if the Sox fired Bobby V after just one, disastrous season? Maybe, but hey, I'm not from Boston. In the end its not the organization's decision. In this city, the fans decide who stays or who goes.

Special Edition: AL West

The X Factors: Josh Hamilton(Rangers), Kendry Morales(Angels), Dallas Braden(Athletics), Chone Figgins(Mariners)
1. Texas Rangers Key Additions: 3B Adrian Beltre, C Mike Napoli, SP Brandon Webb
The former AL champs did lose their ace in Cliff Lee but they made an under-the-radar deal to snatch Brandon Webb, the 2006 Cy Young winner. He likely will never return to that form but he'll be a solid guy in the middle of your rotation. The offense is the most dangerous thing the Rangers have to offer. They have Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz and Chris Davis who can all hit for power. Then they have contact hitters that include Julio Borbon, Ian Kinsler and Michael Young. With these guys they could beat out the Yankees again for the AL crown.
2. Los Angeles Angels Key Additions: OF Vernon Wells
The Angels were the prize of the AL West the last few years but struggled last year. Part of it was the loss of first basmen Kendry Morales, who broke his ankle stomping on home plate last year. The rest of the infield needs production from Brandon Wood and Howie Kendrick. The outfield is aging (Bobby Abreu is 37, Torii Hunter is 35) so LA brought in Vernon Wells for fresh blood. The pitching staff is led by Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Scott Kazmir.
3. Seattle Mariners Key Additions: OF Jack Cust
Its amazing after last season's disaster that the Mariners even are thinking about climbing out of the cellar. But, they still have tons of talent, the problem is putting it into wins. Chone Figgins had a miserbale first year in Seattle and Jack Wilson didn't do much. Ichiro was a little bit off, Milton Bradley struggled and. . .Well, I won't continue. All of these guys should pick it up in 2011 and they did pick up Jack Cust. Cust will never be a star but he can be put in the starting lineup. The Mariners only bright spot was Felix Hernandez who won the AL Cy Young in '10 despite a dwindling record.
4. Oakland Athletics Key Additions: 1B-OF Conor Jackson, OF David DeJesus
The future is rich for the A's, who have been down in the dumps the last few years. Trevor Cahill(23), Dallas Braden(27), Brett Anderson(23) and Andrew Bailey(26) lead the young talent in Oakland. The outfield isn't too bad, as the A's brought in two veterans in Conor Jackson and David DeJesus who will play alongside star Hideki Matsui and Coco Crisp. Kevin Kouzmanoff and Daric Barton are great on the corners.

Speacial Edition: AL West

1. Los Angles Angels 97-65 Key Additions: DH Hideki Matsui, RP Fernando Rodney
No team has dominated a division as much as the Angels have the last couple of years. But, the Angels have to regroup after losing Jon Lackey and Vladimir Guerrero, two of the keys to the Angles success. They still have experienced Torii Hunter and Bobby Abreu in the outfield though. But to keep the Mariners or Rangers from winning the AL West they need a true number one starter.
2. Texas Rangers 87-75 Key Additions: DH Vladimir Guerrero, SP Rich Harden
One of the best offensive teams in '08 the Rangers didn't quite match it in '09. So they added Vladimir Guerrero who now has become a fulltime DH. The Rangers also have Josh Hamilton, Michael Young and Ian Kinsler all offensive skilled players. They added Rich Harden to improve their okay pitching staff.
3. Seattle Mariners 85-77 Key Additions: SP Cliff Lee, 3B Chone Figgins
Expectations are high in Seattle after they added former Cy Young winner Cliff Lee and talented third basemen Chone Figgins. Also, they added Milton Bradley, after a misrable one year stint with the Cubs. With Lee, the Mariners also have Felix Hernandez too make the most effective 1-2 pitching punch in the American League. So, on paper the Mariners look like a playoff team but the Angels and Rangers are just too good.
4. Oakland Athletics 75-87 Key Additions: SP Ben Sheets, 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff
Oakland added Orlando Cabrera, Jason Giambi and Matt Holliday last season. Now, none of them are on the A's roster. But, the A's added Ben Sheets which makes them a little more experienced in the staff. Kevin Kouzmanoff arrives from San Diego and matches what the A's like: young and talented.

Predicted Records: Los Angeles, 90-72, Texas, 88-74, Seattle, 85-77, Oakland, 77-85

SE:AL West

1.Oakland Athletics Key Editions:Matt Holliday,Jason Giambi,Orlando Cabrera
The A's added stars in LF Matt Holliday and former all-star Jason Giambi. And they still have underrated relief pitcher Brad Ziegler.
2.Los Angeles Angels Key Editions:Bobby Abreu
Even though the Angels lost Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira they still have Torii Hunter and Vladamir Guerreo(2007 Home Run Derby champ)and they added Bobby Abreu.
3.Texas Rangers Key Editions:None
The Rangers have a nice infield with SS Michael Young and 2B Ian Kinsler. Their O is nice and they have okay fielder in Marlon Byrd.
4.Seattle Mariners Key Editions:None
The M's lost J.J. Putz to the Mets and although they still have Ichiro,it won't be enough.