Western Division

While this division isn’t the same as the Texas it's still a tough division. All the owners are either actively trading or do a lot of homework. Either way it makes for lots of changes each year and this year no exception..

Arizona Desert Swarm

Josh went for it last year and came up short. Some say the lack of deadline deals hurt his chances and I agree it played a huge factor as injuries happened and the lack of depth proved costly. Will that change his thinking from here on out? With that said he moved his valuable contracts for draft pick and some how got Adrian to over pay for Kemp. With his 1st pick he took Wright. Can't go wrong there. Solid producer and should do well for the next few years with SB only area that should reduce. Right now has a 6x6 dream. Next pick he got an ACE in Price. Probably one of the few SP worthy of a 3 year. Kimbrel best RP but taking him round 2 hard for a 1 stat guy. Then Cueto I don't like because he doesn't k a lot and those types are later in draft. Rios a risk. If history holds this is a down year. Beltran is on the verge of breaking down and I avoided even though he did well for me. Escobar was a little high. Not sure why he went that early but pretty avg SS. Still he did well given what he started with but this is a rebuilding year. Power is less then avg. Runs down and SB solid. BA will struggle a bit. SP is decent. Like Romero gamble late. Given the rest of the league and division they could be in lottery position.

Julian Javelina

Hoyle is an active owner. Sometimes gets it right and other times crashes and burns. Last year was another crash and burn. Will this be different? Well they took Verlander and I am sure will slap a 3 year but I am leery of him like I was Bautista last year. His workload is going to catch up to him. 4 straight 200+ innings and now at the 30 barrier. I wouldn’t put a 3 on him. Choo his 2nd rounder. Though I like Choo but I think he overvalues him a bit to much. Zimmerman I like as a SP but not sure that was best for Hoyle's team. Peavy my last years 13th rounder. Now a 4th. Well I hope he does as well as last year but that IMO is full value. No room for improvement. Finally by round 6 took a power bat but an inconsistent one. Lower BA. Overall Hoyle has solid 20+ HR guys and maybe a 30 with Bautista. I don't see 40's again with him. Runs and RBI's are solid. Doesn't have a true SB guy and BA is solid. Overall offense should be top 5-6 teams. Pitching id decent. Is Wilson going to return? His wildness worries me. Verlander workload. Zimmerman growing and Peavy aging. Rivera still elite? How long will League hold closers job? Solid setup mean but they are just that. Look for Hoyle to stay active and make adjustments. He has a team that could contend but I think is on the outside right now.

Flying Squirrels

Will the Squirrels have enough to make another run? Elite SP were going early. Felix was solid pick if he’s healthy but they are already concerned. Traded a very valuable 2nd for Pence who was overpaid. In SF and struggled to produced. Best hopes are he is unaffected by the change to SF and still does well. Worst case he’s Melky Cabrera and power goes away along with his speed. Then he took Konerko on the decline and Jeter returning from injury and older. Most expect him to fall back to 2011 stats and Konerko's elite days are behind him. Still after the draft this is one of the better offenses in the league. On his bench there isn't a lot of depth. Stubbs platoon? Brown platoon? Chisenhall and Solano avg. Still even with some questionable picks this team is in solid contention. Felix Halladay and Wainwright should be solid. Having one closer will need to be addressed but there is time for that. They should be able to make moves throughout the year to keep this team near top of division.

North Texas Rangers

Adrian being Adrian making good moves and bad moves. Made some good moves by ripping Brent off and bad moves by over paying for Kemp. Jered Weaver solid 1st round selection and start of Adrian having a solid staff. Medlin a bit of a risk. Caught the league off guard will he continue? My thinking is no but if he does he did well round 2. Hmmm 3 straight SP picks. Then wasted a pick in Profar. Might be talented but not to start year. Morrow round 3. Not normal for people to avoid hitting this far. Then again this is Adrian.. Had a solid pick in Aoki. Slipped to far very talented. Then the RP run like everybody followed.. Even with Adrian picks of SP early his offense is solid. Runs and BA will be near leagues best. HR's ok and RBI ok but BB low. Drafting all those SP puts a lot of depth there but the last 2 Holland and Rodriguez will be on a constant rotation. 1 Closer and decent Holds guys. Overall Adrian has a decent team but will need to trade to fill in areas. He has zero depth. I think they are another team outside looking in.


Western Division

Flying Squirrels
Julian Javelina
North Texas Rangers
Arizona Desert Swarm