AL WEST
1) Seattle Mariners

General manager: Bill Bavasi
Manager: John McLaren (first full season; second overall, 43-41)
2007: 88-74, second place

Outlook: You could write off their 2007 success as fluky, given that their won-loss record far exceeded their run differential (794 runs scored, 813 allowed). But the M's made a significant pickup in the offseason, acquiring Erik Bedard from Baltimore, and they added back-of-the-rotation stalwart Carlos Silva via free agency. Add in the projection that Felix Hernandez should continue to grow, and you might just have a division winner here. The departure of Adam Jones for Bedard hurts, yet what Seattle lacks in offense, it may compensate in defense, with Yuniesky Betancourt and Adrian Beltre particularly strong.

Parting shot: Richie Sexson's numbers declined from his first Mariners season to his second, and from his second to his third. Now, in the fourth and final year on his deal, can he make a contract run?

Projected lineup
C: Kenji Johjima
1B: Richie Sexson
2B: Jose Lopez
SS: Yuniesky Betancourt
3B: Adrian Beltre
LF: Raul Ibanez
CF: Ichiro Suzuki
RF: Brad Wilkerson
DH: Jose Vidro

Projected rotation
Erik Bedard
Felix Hernandez
Carlos Silva
Jarrod Washburn
Miguel Batista
CL: J.J. Putz
SU: Brandon Morrow
SU: Sean Green