WEST DIVISION

1| ANGELS 2011 | 86-76, 2nd in West

Last year in playoffs | 2009

The acquisition of Albert Pujols and the return of Kendrys Morales give the Angels a potent middle of the order, and the addition of C.J. Wilson turns a very good rotation into a great one. The Angels don’t appear greatly strengthened in the bullpen, however; closer Jordan Walden led the majors with 10 blown saves in 2011.

2| TEXAS 2011 | 96-66, 1st in West

Last year in playoffs | 2011

The Rangers are much the same team that came within an out of a World Series title last fall. C.J. Wilson is gone, but he’s been replaced by Japanese sensation Yu Darvish. And after acquiring closer Joe Nathan, Texas moved Neftali Feliz back to the rotation. The bullpen isn’t deep, which could be a problem in the Texas heat.

3| SEATTLE 2011 | 67-95, 4th in West

Last year in playoffs | 2001

The Mariners were last in the majors in most significant offensive categories last season, a problem that figures to persist this year. And though Seattle has some talented pitching prospects in its system most are at least a year away from the majors, meaning it will be another long summer.

4| OAKLAND 2011 | 74-88, 3rd in West

Last year in playoffs | 2006

Oakland traded away two top starters and its closer over the winter, lost slugger Josh Willingham as a free agent, and then third baseman Scott Sizemore went down with a torn ACL. Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes may add some excitement to a moribund offense, but probably won’t add enough production to save the A’s.

Lenny Ignelzi Associated Press THE ADDITION of pitcher Yu Darvish fills a void in the Rangers’ rotation left by C.J. Wilson and strengthens a team that has won back-to-back AL pennants.

Christian Petersen Getty Images THE ANGELS signed pitcher C.J. Wilson away from AL West rival Texas, rounding out what could be the strongest rotation in the American League.