AL West
Texas Rangers
I really like the Rangers to win this division. They completely changed the identity of this team this offseason, and I don’t think people are fully realizing it yet. They lost some big names, but I think they replaced them with a more balanced and complete roster.
Adding MacKenzie Gore to a rotation that already has Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi gives them a legit top end, and I think Jack Leiter takes a big step forward this year. That is a staff that can really carry you. They also added Brandon Nimmo, Danny Jansen, and Jordan Montgomery to round things out. This team may be less flashy than previous versions, but I think it is better as an overall baseball team. I’ve got Texas winning the AL West.
Oakland Athletics
Here’s where I’ll get bold. I like the A’s to finish second in this division. No, they do not have star power, but they’ve got young talent and a roster that actually makes more sense than people think. They added Jeff McNeil and Aaron Civale to raise the floor, and this doesn’t feel like a team that is just going to roll over every night anymore.
This feels like one of those annoying teams that hangs around all year and makes people look up and realize they are still there. I think they surprise people and finish second in the West.
Seattle Mariners
This is where I think people are going to be disappointed. Seattle is good. Seattle has been good. But at some point you actually have to get better, and I don’t think they did enough this offseason.
They lost pieces, added some depth, and now we’re all supposed to believe this is the leap year. I don’t see it. Same story again. Solid team, but nothing about them really scares you. I think the Mariners take a step back and finish third.
Houston Astros
The Astros just don’t feel like the Astros anymore. They’ve aged, they lost Framber Valdez, and there is just less certainty across the board. That aura they had for years is starting to fade.
I love Hunter Brown. I think he can absolutely compete for the AL Cy Young this year. But outside of that, I don’t think this team is what it used to be. Still competitive enough on some nights, sure. Real threat in this division. I don’t see it. Fourth place.
Los Angeles Angels
And then there’s the Angels. They made some moves to try to look like a competent baseball team, but it just doesn’t move me at all.
This is a team that always finds a way to disappoint, and until they prove otherwise, I’m not buying in. They can shuffle the deck chairs all they want, but I still think the lowly Angels check in last.
AL West Prediction
Rangers
Athletics
Mariners
Astros
Angels
