Post by Commissioner Erick on Jan 31, 2020 17:24:24 GMT -5
The AL West was such a close division last season, it took until the day after the season to decide. This year, the Athletics and Rangers should be neck-and-neck again, with the rest of the division a little bit better than last year. Still, at the top, Texas had a quiet offseason and Oakland lacks the money to improve. The winner of the AL West may have the worst record of any division winner.
1) Oakland Athletics
2022: 88-75, AL West Champions. Lost to Tampa Bay 4-2 in ALDS
Who They Were: Oakland built a team with a bunch of decent hitters, A.J. Puk, and a bunch of solid arms around him to get to a tie of the AL West. They through Norge Ruiz in Game 163, combining with three relievers on a one-hitter to make the postseason.
Offseason Review: With no financial ability to get better, Oakland didn't do anything over the offseason. The same team that won the division last year will be back trying to do the same this year. The majority of the team is in the mid-to-late 20s, so it's hard to expect much growth from the core, but it's also hard to see a huge drop.
On the Farm: Miguel Hiraldo may start the season as Oakland's Shortstop, and the rest of the farm doesn't move the needle. The Bat Masterson, Phil Logozzo hasn't developed, David Hamilton doesn't hit, and neither Dingo Gagen or Francisco A. Morales are guaranteed starters. Their best prospects are in the low minors, which makes them more trade bait than players to depend on this year, but as Oakland can't take on salary, that avenue is foreclosed to them.
Best Case Scenario: Texas fails to add depth and ages out of contention
Worst Case Scenario: The team struggles early and ends up in a fire sale.
Key Questions: You have a lot of solid options on your team. Any chance you move some of them to help ease your financial pressures?
Who will get the final two spots of your rotation after A.J. Puk, Jose Berrios, and Frankie Montas?
2) Texas Rangers:
2022: 84-76, 2nd Place AL West.
Who They Were: Texas hit the second most home runs and had the second best bullpen, but a weak staff and lack of offensive depth kept them a game shy of the playoffs.
Offseason Review: Like Oakland, Texas hasn't made any meaningful additions. However, they lost their starting Third Baseman in Kyle Seager, plus star reliever Mauricio Cabrera., and in-season additions Anthony DeSclafani.
On the Farm: Texas has some excellent relief prospects in the mid-to-upper minors, plus some interesting starting pitching prospects in the lower minors. The offensive side of the ball is pretty barren.
Best Case Scenario: John Fisher has a chat with his accountants.
Worst Case Scenario: Rick Porcello and Paul Goldschmidt continue to decline with age.
Key Questions: Who will start the season as your starting Third Baseman?
How confident are you in your rotation after Stroman?
3) Seattle Mariners
2022: 81-81, 3rd Place AL West.
Who They Were: Seattle took the next step in its rebuild, with Lucius Fox and Aramis Ademan having strong seasons at 24-years-old and 23-years old, plus Francisco DeJesus looking like a superstar with a 48-home-run campaign.
Offseason Review: Seattle swapped out Taylor Trammel and Dakota Hudson for Steven Duggar, a good baserunner and defender. The Mariners should grow internally due to age as the team is one of the youngest in baseball, and they already should possess one of the best defenses in baseball. If their offense picks up, they can be a surprise team.
On the Farm: There's good pitching depth throughout the organization, with Tomito Kawamoto, and Kodi Medeiros being the best options. Medeiros should be ready this year. There's also good Center Fielder depth throughout the organization, though it won't help this year. Jonathan Capellan was a Rule-V pick who may start the year as the Center Fielder.
Best Case Scenario: There's a lot of upside here. If the offense outside of DeJesus produces, the team can win 87 games and get in the hunt for the playoffs.
Worst Case Scenario: There isn't a ton of starting pitching talent outside of an aging Chris Sale, and Seattle was second from the bottom in average last year. A repeat and the team may finish with only 73 wins.
Key Questions: You have a lot of options for your outfield. Who will start and why?
Mark Vientos is a Rule-V pick. Will he start at Third Base?
4) Houston Astros
2022: 58-104, Last Place AL West
Who They Were: Despite some offensive talent, Houston posted the worst batting average in the American League. Paired with a disastrous pitching staff, Houston lost 104 games.
Offseason Review: Houston signed Dansby Swanson to be their Shortstop for the next 10 years, which will help a lineup big on power get some better averages. Collin McHugh left in Free Agency, making an already bad rotation even worse.
On the Farm: Nicknamed deGrominator, Jorge Cotto's slider was modeled after the right-handed ace. He could be ready in a couple of years. Sergio Muurillo could join him as a potent one-two punch. Both are extremely young though, and need patience and development reps. Rogelio Mendizabal bleached his skin, but despite his sickly appearance, has huge power behind the plate. He could be up sooner rather than later.
Best Case Scenario: There's enough offense to win 76 games.
Worst Case Scenario: The pitching is even worse and the Astros lose 105 games.
Key Questions: You have some veterans on the team. Do you plan to sell them off, or build around them?
Of the pitchers on your roster right now, who do you envision will be in the rotation of the next Houston playoff team?
5) Los Angeles Angels
2022: 64-98: 4th Place AL West
Who They Were: Los Angeles had the worst pitching staff and the second worst amount of home runs in the AL, leading to another underwhelming season. The worst part was that it was a veteran roster so there isn't the hope of growth due to aging into production.
Offseason Review: The Angels had a quiet offseason, losing closer Kelvin Herrera and signing Lourdes Gurriel to be their Third Baseman. They'll role out with the rest of their undertalented 2022 roster for one more season.
On the Farm: Their First Round pick from 2020, Mounds Ramos, looks like a good power hitter already, but there's little else in the system, and most of anyone worth a second look are located in Rookie Ball.
Best Case Scenario: The offense is competent and the Angels win 67 games.
Worst Case Scenario: The 1st Pick in the 2024 Draft
Key Questions: What's the overall plan here in building the Angels into a competitive team?
Will Nicholas Castellanos or Jeremy Vasquez be your Designated Hitter this season?
1) Oakland Athletics
2022: 88-75, AL West Champions. Lost to Tampa Bay 4-2 in ALDS
Who They Were: Oakland built a team with a bunch of decent hitters, A.J. Puk, and a bunch of solid arms around him to get to a tie of the AL West. They through Norge Ruiz in Game 163, combining with three relievers on a one-hitter to make the postseason.
Offseason Review: With no financial ability to get better, Oakland didn't do anything over the offseason. The same team that won the division last year will be back trying to do the same this year. The majority of the team is in the mid-to-late 20s, so it's hard to expect much growth from the core, but it's also hard to see a huge drop.
On the Farm: Miguel Hiraldo may start the season as Oakland's Shortstop, and the rest of the farm doesn't move the needle. The Bat Masterson, Phil Logozzo hasn't developed, David Hamilton doesn't hit, and neither Dingo Gagen or Francisco A. Morales are guaranteed starters. Their best prospects are in the low minors, which makes them more trade bait than players to depend on this year, but as Oakland can't take on salary, that avenue is foreclosed to them.
Best Case Scenario: Texas fails to add depth and ages out of contention
Worst Case Scenario: The team struggles early and ends up in a fire sale.
Key Questions: You have a lot of solid options on your team. Any chance you move some of them to help ease your financial pressures?
Who will get the final two spots of your rotation after A.J. Puk, Jose Berrios, and Frankie Montas?
2) Texas Rangers:
2022: 84-76, 2nd Place AL West.
Who They Were: Texas hit the second most home runs and had the second best bullpen, but a weak staff and lack of offensive depth kept them a game shy of the playoffs.
Offseason Review: Like Oakland, Texas hasn't made any meaningful additions. However, they lost their starting Third Baseman in Kyle Seager, plus star reliever Mauricio Cabrera., and in-season additions Anthony DeSclafani.
On the Farm: Texas has some excellent relief prospects in the mid-to-upper minors, plus some interesting starting pitching prospects in the lower minors. The offensive side of the ball is pretty barren.
Best Case Scenario: John Fisher has a chat with his accountants.
Worst Case Scenario: Rick Porcello and Paul Goldschmidt continue to decline with age.
Key Questions: Who will start the season as your starting Third Baseman?
How confident are you in your rotation after Stroman?
3) Seattle Mariners
2022: 81-81, 3rd Place AL West.
Who They Were: Seattle took the next step in its rebuild, with Lucius Fox and Aramis Ademan having strong seasons at 24-years-old and 23-years old, plus Francisco DeJesus looking like a superstar with a 48-home-run campaign.
Offseason Review: Seattle swapped out Taylor Trammel and Dakota Hudson for Steven Duggar, a good baserunner and defender. The Mariners should grow internally due to age as the team is one of the youngest in baseball, and they already should possess one of the best defenses in baseball. If their offense picks up, they can be a surprise team.
On the Farm: There's good pitching depth throughout the organization, with Tomito Kawamoto, and Kodi Medeiros being the best options. Medeiros should be ready this year. There's also good Center Fielder depth throughout the organization, though it won't help this year. Jonathan Capellan was a Rule-V pick who may start the year as the Center Fielder.
Best Case Scenario: There's a lot of upside here. If the offense outside of DeJesus produces, the team can win 87 games and get in the hunt for the playoffs.
Worst Case Scenario: There isn't a ton of starting pitching talent outside of an aging Chris Sale, and Seattle was second from the bottom in average last year. A repeat and the team may finish with only 73 wins.
Key Questions: You have a lot of options for your outfield. Who will start and why?
Mark Vientos is a Rule-V pick. Will he start at Third Base?
4) Houston Astros
2022: 58-104, Last Place AL West
Who They Were: Despite some offensive talent, Houston posted the worst batting average in the American League. Paired with a disastrous pitching staff, Houston lost 104 games.
Offseason Review: Houston signed Dansby Swanson to be their Shortstop for the next 10 years, which will help a lineup big on power get some better averages. Collin McHugh left in Free Agency, making an already bad rotation even worse.
On the Farm: Nicknamed deGrominator, Jorge Cotto's slider was modeled after the right-handed ace. He could be ready in a couple of years. Sergio Muurillo could join him as a potent one-two punch. Both are extremely young though, and need patience and development reps. Rogelio Mendizabal bleached his skin, but despite his sickly appearance, has huge power behind the plate. He could be up sooner rather than later.
Best Case Scenario: There's enough offense to win 76 games.
Worst Case Scenario: The pitching is even worse and the Astros lose 105 games.
Key Questions: You have some veterans on the team. Do you plan to sell them off, or build around them?
Of the pitchers on your roster right now, who do you envision will be in the rotation of the next Houston playoff team?
5) Los Angeles Angels
2022: 64-98: 4th Place AL West
Who They Were: Los Angeles had the worst pitching staff and the second worst amount of home runs in the AL, leading to another underwhelming season. The worst part was that it was a veteran roster so there isn't the hope of growth due to aging into production.
Offseason Review: The Angels had a quiet offseason, losing closer Kelvin Herrera and signing Lourdes Gurriel to be their Third Baseman. They'll role out with the rest of their undertalented 2022 roster for one more season.
On the Farm: Their First Round pick from 2020, Mounds Ramos, looks like a good power hitter already, but there's little else in the system, and most of anyone worth a second look are located in Rookie Ball.
Best Case Scenario: The offense is competent and the Angels win 67 games.
Worst Case Scenario: The 1st Pick in the 2024 Draft
Key Questions: What's the overall plan here in building the Angels into a competitive team?
Will Nicholas Castellanos or Jeremy Vasquez be your Designated Hitter this season?
