The smallest division in baseball, the American League West has been dominated by the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels in recent seasons. The pair have won the last five division crowns and seven of the last eight. Unfortunately for the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners, that does not figure to change in 2012. The Rangers lost C.J. Wilson to the rival Angels, but added Japanese phenom Yu Darvish. Wilson was not the only headline addition either, as Albert Pujols joined the Halos as well. 2011 Standings (Offensive Rank/Pitching Rank) 1. Texas: 96-66 (3rd/13th) 2. Los Angeles: 86-76 (17th/6th) 3. Oakland: 74-88 (20th/10th) 4. Seattle: 57-95 (30th/15th) The Rangers The Rangers were 10 games better than the Angels last season, but that gap figures to close significantly, if not completely disappear, in 2012. While the team is coming off back-to-back World Series appearances (both defeats), they lost Wilson to their rival and have question marks surrounding Josh Hamilton. Talk went from when and for how much they would extend Hamilton to if his recent alcohol relapse will rob him of some production at the plate. Texas has a strong enough pitching staff to withstand a less explosive Hamilton, but they will also have to count on significant contributions from Mike Napoli, Michael Young and Adrian Beltre, who were all exceptional last season. The Question Mark: Yu Darvish -- how quickly will he make the transition? The Key: Neftali Feliz -- he has a transition of his own to make. The Lock: Nelson Cruz -- averaged 28 HRs just 120 games (last three years). The Angels If the Angels are going to miss out on the division title for a third-straight season, they certainly are not going to do so quietly. After making an underrated acquisition in catcher Chris Iannetta, first-year general manager Jerry Dipoto struck gold with Pujols and Wilson. Pujols will bolster their middling offensive, while Wilson will reinforce an already strong rotation. The organization believes they can stack up against any rotation in the game and it is hard to disagree with a group that includes Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, Wilson, Ervin Santana and the improved Jerome Williams. If Pujols can give them the few timely hits they so often missed in 2011, the rotation will lead the way past the Rangers and into first place. The Question Mark: Vernon Wells -- new swing, better results? The Key: Jordan Walden -- closer had a 4.35 ERA in September. The Lock: Albert Pujols -- if healthy, 30 HRs, 100 RBIs easily. The Athletics Billy Beane made plenty of headlines since Oakland last played a game. He graced the red carpet at the Academy Awards on Sunday night while Moneyball went 0-for-6 and made three of his signature "forward-thinking" trades, dealing pitchers Andrew Bailey (Red Sox), Gio Gonzalez (Nationals) and Trevor Cahill (Diamondbacks) to fill holes and add prospects before the trio became too expensive. The signing of Manny Ramirez is cute, but he will not be able to help the Athletics for 50 games – if he is worthy of doing so anyway. Despite perceived pitching depth, Oakland came back down to earth a bit after a hot start in 2011. The offense will be hit-or-miss, but if they want to make waves they will have to pitch incredibly. That is not going to happen with Bailey, Gonzalez and Cahill out of town. The Question Mark: Manny Ramirez -- common sense says it will end badly. The Key: Jarrod Parker -- if he lives up to expectations, Cahill deal is a winner. The Lock: Billy Beane -- at midseason, he will make them relevant with trades. The Mariners Felix Hernandez lost his No. 2 in Michael Pineda, but he may have gained some much-needed run support in the process. Jesus Montero, the prize for Pineda, took New York by storm in a partial season and he will have time to endure growing pains on the worst offensive team in baseball. The addition of Hector Noesi has flown under the radar as well. He could become more than their fifth starter by midseason. Montero joins a group of young hitters that includes Dustin Ackley and Franklin Gutierrez (when healthy). Seattle will continue to be led by 11-year veteran Ichiro Suzuki, who slides to the third hole. The question is: will the career leadoff man stick in his new role? The Question Mark: Jason Vargas -- can he take over as the No. 2 starter? The Key: Ichiro Suzuki -- he must stir the offense in a new slot. The Lock: Felix Hernandez -- 30 or more starts in six straight seasons. The Projected Finish 1. Los Angeles: Pujols will bring, at the very least, a division title. 2. Texas: Too many question marks to hold off the much-improved Halos. 3. Seattle: The offense should be better, but Pineda may be missed. 4. Oakland: Unless Beane knows something we all do not, 2012 will be rough.