Shouldn't surprise anyone. in 173 minor league appearances dating back to 1996, Duchscherer has made 155 starts (57-46, 3.51). Sure, he's been that rarest of players, an All-Star setup guy, but if you desperately need rotation help, you go with someone who's done it before, usually.

And he will be astoundingly successful. I know this because he was once a Ranger, until traded to the A's for Luis Vizcaino, who was traded five days later for Jesus Pena, who never appeared in the majors with Texas. Now Duke will be dominant in a division rival's rotation. That's how pitching "development" works out in North Texas.

Lackey an Escobar are both battling injuries, both are likely to miss April for starters and then who knows from there. While Seattle added an ace in Bedard. They also had Sexson put up a horrible year last year, a bounce back from him could help the offense. Oakland and Anahiem have shown that pitching wins this division, and right now I like Seattle's pitching(and health there of) a little more than i like Anahiem's