First base was a position of weakness for the American League West B.A.
But now that Albert Pujols is playing for the Angels, not only does the West have a lock for the All-Star Game, but the division has arguably the best player in baseball playing first base.
It's a good thing too because besides Pujols, there is still some uncertainly at first in the West. Here are the division rankings and breakdowns for first base.
1. Los Angeles — Every other team in the West would have liked to have had the production the Angels got from first base last season in Mark Trumbo. One of the top rookies in the AL, Trumbo had 29 homers and 87 RBIs in his first full season. That's what Pujols calls an off year. Pujols had his streak of 100 RBI seasons snapped last season at 10 when he had only 99. He still hit 37 home runs. The three-time National League MVP has played in at least 147 games in each of his 11 years. He might not want to be referred to as El Hombre in Los Angeles, but he's certainly The Man when it comes to first base in the AL West. That's the reason the Angels are giving him $240 million over the next 10 years. The versatile Howie Kendrick can play first in a pinch, and Trumbo is also an option but he is making the transition to third base. Neither of those figures to see much time at all though if Pujols stays healthy.
Team production in 2011: .261 average, 32 home runs, 96 RBI, .778 OPS
Expected production in 2012: .310 average, 40 home runs, 110 RBI, .950 OPS
2. Texas — The Rangers could have given the Angels a run for their money at first if they would have signed Prince Fielder. But Texas was adamant that Mitch Moreland would be given the chance to be the everyday starter at first and nothing has changed. Moreland was slowed by a right-wrist injury in the second half of 2011 and his numbers tailed off (.241, five homers after All-Star break). The good news for Texas is that it had Michael Young and Mike Napoli to pick up the slack. That's going to be the case again this year. Moreland, who is healthy after offseason wrist surgery, will get a chance to be the starter. But if he falters, that could open up more time for Young as well as Napoli at first. The Rangers still plan to play Napoli some at first when he's not catching. Brad Hawpe and Conor Jackson are both in camp with the Rangers and give Texas some security if Moreland struggles.
Team production in 2011: .271 average, 18 home runs, 71 RBI, .753 OPS
Expected production in 2012: .280 average, 25 home runs, 95 RBI, .800 OPS
3. Seattle — The Mariners are finally hoping to get the production out of Justin Smoak they were hoping for in 2010 when he was the centerpiece of the Cliff Lee deal with the Rangers. Smoak wasn't awful last season (.234, 15 home runs, 55 RBIs) but that's not the kind of production a team wants from a position that's supposed to be an offensive leader. Smoak hasn't hit better than .239 in any season yet. The lefty with a long swing worked on his diet in the offseason, and the Mariners hope that helps. The pool behind Smoak is pretty shallow. Mike Carp started 30 games at first last year but is going to get the chance to be a starter this season in left. He had a better season than Smoak last season. Alex Liddi, who is a third baseman by trade, is also getting some work at first this spring.
Team production in 2011: .253 average, 26 home runs, 90 RBI, .760 OPS
Expected production in 2012: .260 average, 30 home runs, 80 RBI, .750 OPS
4. Oakland — Remember the old Abbott and Costello routine that started with Who's On First? The Athletics are living out that comedy routine, and there's nothing really funny about it. The best first baseman they had last year was Conor Jackson and he had four homers and 23 RBI. Oakland hasn't done a lot to upgrade the position heading into this season either. It's hoping that internal prospect Brandon Allen can handle the job. If not Allen, then maybe Kila Ka'aihue gets the call. He couldn't make it in Kansas City and is hoping to land a spot with the Athletics. Daric Barton made more starts at first than anyone else with the Athletics last season, but he had right shoulder surgery and has been slowed this spring and might not be ready for Opening Day. Allen has already had a seven RBI game this spring, which would have been considered a good month for Oakland at first last season.
Team production in 2011: .219 average, 7 home runs, 59 RBI, .610 OPS
Expected production in 2012: .240 average, 20 home runs, 75 RBI, .650 OPS
