Post by Commissioner Erick on Nov 29, 2021 13:30:19 GMT -5
As is often the case, the AL West is wide open with a number of teams stating their case for being number one. It's also likely that most of the teams will be worse this year than last. How each team handles adverse conditions, from devastating injuries, to absentee management, will decide the division.
1) Texas Rangers
2026: 102-60, AL West Champion. Lost to Houston 4-3 in ALDS
Who They Were: The Rangers were a juggernaut, winning 102 games with an expect record of 107-55. They had the best offense, the second best run prevention, and were up 3-0 on Houston in the ALDS. Disaster struck, Texas lost four in a row, and the Rangers suffered the ignominy of being the first team in PBA history to blow a 3-0 lead.
Offseason Review: Texas lost three-fifths of its rotation last year, with Marcus Stroman, Kyle Hendricks, and Robert Stephenson departing in free agency. Jurrickson Profar had a huge year at Third Base and Kyle Lewis had a big year in Left Field. Neither will be on the team in 2027. Juan Monge and Jason Crabbe are some youngsters who can fill in, while Josh Butler, Mike Stangeland, and a returning Noah Syndergaard will add to the rotation.
On The Farm: There’s very little in the upper minors. Hamburger Torres is the best prospect in the system, but he’s only 17 and has only played one year professionally. He has big power and speed, but is nearly a decade away from reaching his potential. Diego Castillo is the best pitching prospect. He thorws hard, but still needs time as a 21-year-old to put things together. There isn’t much close to the majors.
Best Case Scenario: Texas stays healthy, mitigating a lack of depth, and wins the AL West.
Worst Case Scenario: Any significant injury and Texas has a losing record. There’s a huge gulf between possible outcomes for Texas.
Key Questions: Who will be your starting Third Baseman this year?
Are you concerned with how much talented pitching you have to replace this year?
2) Houston Astros
2026: 93-69, 3rd Place AL West. Defeated Seattle in Wild Card Game. Defeated Texas 4-3 in ALDS. Lost to Baltimore 4-0 in ALCS.
Who They Were: Houston arrived ahead of schedule last season, making the Wild Card Game, blowing out Seattle to reach the ALDS, and shocking Texas when going down 3-0 in the ALDS. Ichisake Ochiai followed up a stellar 2025 with a second consecutive massive year with 40 doubles, 43 homers, and a .290 average.
Offseason Review: Houston lost a pair of right-hand hitting corner infielders with Maikel Franco and Nick Senzel leaving in free agency. Each produced at least 3 WAR in 2026. They signed Mikey Polansky, who had a big 2025 with Atlanta, and will hope for production from power prospect Quasimodo Rivera to replace them. A young team last year, Houston will hope a year of development will help their staff take another step.
On The Farm: There are pitchers in the system, but not many position players. Ryan Cain is the best looking pitcher, but it’s a question whether or not he’ll be a starter. Tyler Charles has less upside, but with five pitches, he’ll be a definite starter. Both pitchers are in Double-A. Aaron Smith is a lefty that gets good movement on a mid-90’s fastball. They’ll provide depth to the rotation in a few seasons, while the offensive core will need to be supplemented from outside the organization.
Best Case Scenario: Playoff Sergio Murillo
Worst Case Scenario: Regular Season Sergio Murillo
Key Questions: With Antonio Santillan out half the year, do you feel your bullpen can be a top unit?
With Senzel and Franco no longer on the team, who will play the corners and DH for you?
3) Seattle Mariners
2026: 97-65, 2nd Place AL West. Lost to Houston in Wild Card Game
Who They Were: Seattle lost the face of the franchise before the season, tried to trade everyone else of note, and still managed to earn a playoff berth. They didn’t hit many homers, but they hit singles, stole bases, and had the best staff in the AL.
Offseason Review: Seattle had terrible injury news in Spring Training with star Tomoyuki Sugano being forced to retire due to a complication in the surgery to repair his torn UCL. Jeifry Nunez and Tanner Burns are also injured for a length of time, weeks for Nunez, months for Burns. Franklin Barreto and Tomoyo Mori departed in free agency, with Jimmy Herron and Zach Britton coming on. Former All Star Reese McGuire will be elevated to a starting role, but it will be tough to replace the injured pitching production.
On The Farm: There’s not much on the farm outside of defense-oriented Pal Khan, but there are some useful pieces there. Chris Degenkolb is the best looking guy aside from Khan, a power arm with three pitches currently in High-A. Caleb Swift also looks like a player, a quick bat with big power that may play at first base.
Best Case Scenario: The staff pulls together a solid season and the team wins the division.
Worst Case Scenario: A poor pitching staff and lack of power has Seattle fall to 84 wins.
Key Questions: How will you make up for the loss of Sugano this year?
With no Barreto, or Mori, do you feel like you have the offense to be a top team this year?
4) Oakland Athletics
2026: 66-96, 4th Place AL West
Who They Were: After a strong and surprising 2025, Oakland regressed last year, losing 96 games. Outside of Juan Castoreno, the team didn’t have any position players that moved the needle. Likewise, the staff was a one-man show. A.J. Puk had 3.7 WAR and none of the other 23 pitchers who threw a pitch had more than 1.2.
Offseason Review: Oakland cleared money off their books by moving on from Jose Berrios. The only notable additions are good relievers Corey Knebel and Mike Morin though, portending a similar season this year to last.
On The Farm: There are some good pieces a couple of years away. Milt Pool is the biggest name of the group, a slow-developing prospect with huge power potential. Pool is 25 already, and still likely needs one more year in the minors before dependably grabbing a major league role. Steve Arb has the upside to slot in behind A.J. Puk in the rotation as a big arm with four pitches, but he also needs a couple of seasons to put things together. Their first round pick last year, Andy Longo, is in a similar camp. More of a control artist than Arb, he too can slot in behind an ace and be a key rotation contributor, but needs a couple of seasons to develop. Oakland also has some teenage lottery tickets that can pay dividends if they hit, but are eons away. In short, there’s talent on the farm, but not a player who will make an immediate impact this year.
Best Case Scenario: Rebound seasons from Jeter Downs and T.J. Collett lead the A’s to 73 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: The team has the same season it did in 2026.
Key Questions: Josh Shaw was awful last year. Do you feel confident in him being a starting Center Fielder this year?
You have older veterans playing throughout your high and mid minors. Why give so many opportunities to Quad-A types instead of taking chances on younger guys?
5) Los Angeles Angels
2026: 45-117, Last Place in AL West
Who They Were: The same moribund team they’ve been since 2021. Los Angeles lost 98 games for the sixth consecutive year, and 117 games for the second time in three seasons. First Baseman Matt Thais hit .207 with seven home runs, good for an unfathomable -2.8 WAR. Star Patrick Leonard was left to rot at Third Base, posting a -42.4 Zone Rating. That undercut his 30 home runs and led to a 0.6 WAR campaign. Position players collectively accounted for -10.9 wins. Foster Griffin was the only pitcher to have more than 0.7 WAR. Just a wreck of a team.
Offseason Review: Top pitcher Foster Griffin was let go in free agency, meaning the team will likely be worse this year. There aren’t many top prospects graduating soon, so things look just as bleak as ever for Angels fans.
On The Farm: Somehow the Angels have one Top 100 prospect despite their ineptitude, and it’s 19-year old Shalom Pronk, a player still in their International Complex. Adam Lyle can be a mid-rotation arm. He’s in double-A and had a strong year in Mobile last year. Luis Acosta is a potential power bat a few years from the majors. That’s not a deep list of names for a team picking in the top of the draft every year.
Best Case Scenario: The Marlins are even worse
Worst Case Scenario: Patrick Leonard plays the outfield
Key Questions: What’s the plan here? How do the Angels become a contender again?
Archie Bradley went 2-11 last year, and is still on the books for several more seasons. Is he still a starting pitcher for you?
1) Texas Rangers
2026: 102-60, AL West Champion. Lost to Houston 4-3 in ALDS
Who They Were: The Rangers were a juggernaut, winning 102 games with an expect record of 107-55. They had the best offense, the second best run prevention, and were up 3-0 on Houston in the ALDS. Disaster struck, Texas lost four in a row, and the Rangers suffered the ignominy of being the first team in PBA history to blow a 3-0 lead.
Offseason Review: Texas lost three-fifths of its rotation last year, with Marcus Stroman, Kyle Hendricks, and Robert Stephenson departing in free agency. Jurrickson Profar had a huge year at Third Base and Kyle Lewis had a big year in Left Field. Neither will be on the team in 2027. Juan Monge and Jason Crabbe are some youngsters who can fill in, while Josh Butler, Mike Stangeland, and a returning Noah Syndergaard will add to the rotation.
On The Farm: There’s very little in the upper minors. Hamburger Torres is the best prospect in the system, but he’s only 17 and has only played one year professionally. He has big power and speed, but is nearly a decade away from reaching his potential. Diego Castillo is the best pitching prospect. He thorws hard, but still needs time as a 21-year-old to put things together. There isn’t much close to the majors.
Best Case Scenario: Texas stays healthy, mitigating a lack of depth, and wins the AL West.
Worst Case Scenario: Any significant injury and Texas has a losing record. There’s a huge gulf between possible outcomes for Texas.
Key Questions: Who will be your starting Third Baseman this year?
Are you concerned with how much talented pitching you have to replace this year?
2) Houston Astros
2026: 93-69, 3rd Place AL West. Defeated Seattle in Wild Card Game. Defeated Texas 4-3 in ALDS. Lost to Baltimore 4-0 in ALCS.
Who They Were: Houston arrived ahead of schedule last season, making the Wild Card Game, blowing out Seattle to reach the ALDS, and shocking Texas when going down 3-0 in the ALDS. Ichisake Ochiai followed up a stellar 2025 with a second consecutive massive year with 40 doubles, 43 homers, and a .290 average.
Offseason Review: Houston lost a pair of right-hand hitting corner infielders with Maikel Franco and Nick Senzel leaving in free agency. Each produced at least 3 WAR in 2026. They signed Mikey Polansky, who had a big 2025 with Atlanta, and will hope for production from power prospect Quasimodo Rivera to replace them. A young team last year, Houston will hope a year of development will help their staff take another step.
On The Farm: There are pitchers in the system, but not many position players. Ryan Cain is the best looking pitcher, but it’s a question whether or not he’ll be a starter. Tyler Charles has less upside, but with five pitches, he’ll be a definite starter. Both pitchers are in Double-A. Aaron Smith is a lefty that gets good movement on a mid-90’s fastball. They’ll provide depth to the rotation in a few seasons, while the offensive core will need to be supplemented from outside the organization.
Best Case Scenario: Playoff Sergio Murillo
Worst Case Scenario: Regular Season Sergio Murillo
Key Questions: With Antonio Santillan out half the year, do you feel your bullpen can be a top unit?
With Senzel and Franco no longer on the team, who will play the corners and DH for you?
3) Seattle Mariners
2026: 97-65, 2nd Place AL West. Lost to Houston in Wild Card Game
Who They Were: Seattle lost the face of the franchise before the season, tried to trade everyone else of note, and still managed to earn a playoff berth. They didn’t hit many homers, but they hit singles, stole bases, and had the best staff in the AL.
Offseason Review: Seattle had terrible injury news in Spring Training with star Tomoyuki Sugano being forced to retire due to a complication in the surgery to repair his torn UCL. Jeifry Nunez and Tanner Burns are also injured for a length of time, weeks for Nunez, months for Burns. Franklin Barreto and Tomoyo Mori departed in free agency, with Jimmy Herron and Zach Britton coming on. Former All Star Reese McGuire will be elevated to a starting role, but it will be tough to replace the injured pitching production.
On The Farm: There’s not much on the farm outside of defense-oriented Pal Khan, but there are some useful pieces there. Chris Degenkolb is the best looking guy aside from Khan, a power arm with three pitches currently in High-A. Caleb Swift also looks like a player, a quick bat with big power that may play at first base.
Best Case Scenario: The staff pulls together a solid season and the team wins the division.
Worst Case Scenario: A poor pitching staff and lack of power has Seattle fall to 84 wins.
Key Questions: How will you make up for the loss of Sugano this year?
With no Barreto, or Mori, do you feel like you have the offense to be a top team this year?
4) Oakland Athletics
2026: 66-96, 4th Place AL West
Who They Were: After a strong and surprising 2025, Oakland regressed last year, losing 96 games. Outside of Juan Castoreno, the team didn’t have any position players that moved the needle. Likewise, the staff was a one-man show. A.J. Puk had 3.7 WAR and none of the other 23 pitchers who threw a pitch had more than 1.2.
Offseason Review: Oakland cleared money off their books by moving on from Jose Berrios. The only notable additions are good relievers Corey Knebel and Mike Morin though, portending a similar season this year to last.
On The Farm: There are some good pieces a couple of years away. Milt Pool is the biggest name of the group, a slow-developing prospect with huge power potential. Pool is 25 already, and still likely needs one more year in the minors before dependably grabbing a major league role. Steve Arb has the upside to slot in behind A.J. Puk in the rotation as a big arm with four pitches, but he also needs a couple of seasons to put things together. Their first round pick last year, Andy Longo, is in a similar camp. More of a control artist than Arb, he too can slot in behind an ace and be a key rotation contributor, but needs a couple of seasons to develop. Oakland also has some teenage lottery tickets that can pay dividends if they hit, but are eons away. In short, there’s talent on the farm, but not a player who will make an immediate impact this year.
Best Case Scenario: Rebound seasons from Jeter Downs and T.J. Collett lead the A’s to 73 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: The team has the same season it did in 2026.
Key Questions: Josh Shaw was awful last year. Do you feel confident in him being a starting Center Fielder this year?
You have older veterans playing throughout your high and mid minors. Why give so many opportunities to Quad-A types instead of taking chances on younger guys?
5) Los Angeles Angels
2026: 45-117, Last Place in AL West
Who They Were: The same moribund team they’ve been since 2021. Los Angeles lost 98 games for the sixth consecutive year, and 117 games for the second time in three seasons. First Baseman Matt Thais hit .207 with seven home runs, good for an unfathomable -2.8 WAR. Star Patrick Leonard was left to rot at Third Base, posting a -42.4 Zone Rating. That undercut his 30 home runs and led to a 0.6 WAR campaign. Position players collectively accounted for -10.9 wins. Foster Griffin was the only pitcher to have more than 0.7 WAR. Just a wreck of a team.
Offseason Review: Top pitcher Foster Griffin was let go in free agency, meaning the team will likely be worse this year. There aren’t many top prospects graduating soon, so things look just as bleak as ever for Angels fans.
On The Farm: Somehow the Angels have one Top 100 prospect despite their ineptitude, and it’s 19-year old Shalom Pronk, a player still in their International Complex. Adam Lyle can be a mid-rotation arm. He’s in double-A and had a strong year in Mobile last year. Luis Acosta is a potential power bat a few years from the majors. That’s not a deep list of names for a team picking in the top of the draft every year.
Best Case Scenario: The Marlins are even worse
Worst Case Scenario: Patrick Leonard plays the outfield
Key Questions: What’s the plan here? How do the Angels become a contender again?
Archie Bradley went 2-11 last year, and is still on the books for several more seasons. Is he still a starting pitcher for you?
