2018 AL West Season Preview
Dec 21, 2017 12:57:33 GMT -5
Commissioner Erick, friscoranger, and 1 more like this
Post by torontogm on Dec 21, 2017 12:57:33 GMT -5
1) Texas Rangers
2017: 88-74, 2nd AL West
Who they were: Texas was active on the trade market, but most of its trades focused around redirecting money. They were able to to shed contracts of Choo, Andrus, Lucroy, and later Myers, all while balancing their ML talent, taking on money at different positions, and boosting their farm. They spent all year chasing the Astros, and ended up losing to Houston in the deciding game in the ALDS.
Offseason Review: Offseason moves were fewer but focused much more heavily on acquiring “Win-Now” talent. Texas used their deep farm to acquire Kyle Seager, Segura, Verlander, and sign Santana to a one-year pact.
On the Farm: After this offseason, Texas’ farm remains average to above average in the league, and is Kyle Lewis. Lewis was acquired from Seattle for Wil Myers and epitomises the Rangers’ slick maneuvering to acquire talent. On the other side, Jason Groome is raw but immensely talented. He did not show much improvement this year at short-season A, and who can blame him for not wanting to leave Spokane?
Best case scenario: Texas’ “win-now” moves will pay off with a division title.
Worst case scenario: Groome retires to stay full time in Spokane. The team continues to grow older and an opportunity is lost.
Key questions: 1) You seem to move large contracts around more than any other GM in the league. Is there something you are looking for when acquiring or trying to dump money?
2) Veteran acquisitions can bring talent and excitement to the team for the short term, but cost often prevents them from being a long term solution. Which veterans are you most excited about? Are there any of whom you are still unsure?
2) Houston Astros
2017: 102-60, 1st AL West
Who they were: Houston boasted the top record in the AL last year. They were 2nd runs scored and 3rd in runs allowed. Jose Altuve is scattered among leaders at multiple metrics. The ‘Stros were rolling, until the ACLS, in which they were swept by the Cleveland Indians.
Offseason Review: Houston made their first trade! Overall, however, they have maintained a strategy that has worked for them: staying put, gaining fan interest, and using the talented roster they already have.
On the Farm: Houston is loaded at outfield positions, with Kyle Tucker and Derek Fisher to complement their already young OF core. David Paulino struggled in 2017 but still has the potential to bust out as a future ace.
Best case scenario: Houston continues to roll. They have a ton of talent, youth, and up-and-comers to continue their success for the long run.
Worst case scenario: Complacency isn’t always a bad thing, but there is a reason it can have negative connotations. Houston’s lack of activity could be outmatched by Texas’ efforts to catch them.
Key questions: 1) With a relatively small budget and a lot of young talent, how do you envision keeping around essential pieces, long term?
2) This team was on a roll until running into Cleveland in the postseason. What do you think led to that failure, and how will you prevent it from happening again?
3) Seattle Mariners
2017: 76-86, 3rd AL West
Who they were: The M’s struggled out of the gate, losing starting pitchers Paxton and Iwakuma for the year and spending much of the first half in last place. After some trading to acquire pitching and other small pieces, they finished a respectable 3rd in the AL West.
Offseason Review: The M’s were busy. In particular, they pulled off a rare in-division trade with their rival Rangers, sending Kyle Seager and Segura for younger, cheaper options. Also of note was trading ace King Felix Hernandez to the Reds in exchange for infielder Herrera and pitcher Stephenson. Adrian Beltre was brought back on board to serve as a veteran presence for 2018.
On the Farm: Despite the heavy activity trading veterans, Seattle’s farm is still about league-average. They acquired a lot of depth this offseason and got younger at the major league level, but their most interesting farm pieces are going to be arms such as Beede, Moore, and Whalen.
Best case scenario: The youth Seattle acquires develops well, they are able to claim a Wild Card spot, and have a ton of budget room to be more active next year.
Worst case scenario: Youth movement in Seattle fails, players poorly develop, fans lose interest, and the M’s are left with contracts of under-achieving players.
Key questions: 1) Matt Moore and Danny Duffy struggled last season, Hisashi Iwakuma is coming off elbow surgery, Robert Stephenson is young, and Dan Straily is Dan Straily. Do you see a top half rotation this year?
2) Your outfield is a little limited right now. Will you play Jurrickson Profar there this year to get more juice?
4) Oakland A’s
2017: 64-98, 5th AL West
Who they were: The struggle was real in Oakland in 2017. The team finished last in their division, the American League, and completely sputtered offensively. As Oakland all too often is, they were strapped with a low budget and a lot of inexperience on the field.
Offseason Review: Due to a poor 2017 and small budget, the A’s were quiet this offseason. Their biggest move was the acquisition of Jorge Mateo in the Rule V draft.
On the Farm: Oakland likely has the best system in their division, and much of the talent is major league ready or close to it. Expect to see a lot from a young, talented infield this year. Raul Alcantara is an arm to watch, and A.J. Puk will not likely reach the majors in 2018, but is their top prospect overall.
Best case scenario: The farm develops and produces, Oakland plays to their strengths, finishes 3rd in division and gets a boost in budget for 2019.
Worst case scenario: They accidentally lock themselves in the basement, and 2017 repeats itself.
Key questions: 1) New acquisition Jorge Mateo can play all over the diamond. What kind of an impact do you see him having in 2018, and where will he play?
2) In a division full of older talent and larger budgets, how do you position yourself for long-term success against other teams that seemingly have the upper hand?
5) Los Angeles Angels
2017: 73-89, 4th AL West
Who they were: The Angels hovered around the bottom of the AL West for most of 2017. They are blessed with the best player in the game, Mike Trout, but like their rivals the A’s and M’s, struggled hitting the ball overall. They finished 14th in the AL in 2017, right in between the aforementioned teams.
Offseason Review: For much of 2017 and this offseason, the Angels have been pretty quiet. They were able to use their large budget to have minimal losses in free agency and to take on some talent, such as Edinson Volquez.
On the Farm: Overall, the farm in Los Angeles is bland. There are a few interesting arms in Campos and Almonte who could make some major league noise in 2018, and Ward offers an interesting option behind the dish. Otherwise, there is little to be excited about it.
Best case scenario: Mike Trout wins MVP, Pujols has a career ending injury.
Worst case scenario: Mike Trout has a career ending injury, Pujols signs extension.
Key questions: 1) Mike Trout is in his prime and one of the best players in the game. How do you intend on taking advantage of his talent?
2) It is challenging to be stuck with some large contracts and a below-average farm. Where do you see the biggest need for your team and how do you plan to address it?
2017: 88-74, 2nd AL West
Who they were: Texas was active on the trade market, but most of its trades focused around redirecting money. They were able to to shed contracts of Choo, Andrus, Lucroy, and later Myers, all while balancing their ML talent, taking on money at different positions, and boosting their farm. They spent all year chasing the Astros, and ended up losing to Houston in the deciding game in the ALDS.
Offseason Review: Offseason moves were fewer but focused much more heavily on acquiring “Win-Now” talent. Texas used their deep farm to acquire Kyle Seager, Segura, Verlander, and sign Santana to a one-year pact.
On the Farm: After this offseason, Texas’ farm remains average to above average in the league, and is Kyle Lewis. Lewis was acquired from Seattle for Wil Myers and epitomises the Rangers’ slick maneuvering to acquire talent. On the other side, Jason Groome is raw but immensely talented. He did not show much improvement this year at short-season A, and who can blame him for not wanting to leave Spokane?
Best case scenario: Texas’ “win-now” moves will pay off with a division title.
Worst case scenario: Groome retires to stay full time in Spokane. The team continues to grow older and an opportunity is lost.
Key questions: 1) You seem to move large contracts around more than any other GM in the league. Is there something you are looking for when acquiring or trying to dump money?
2) Veteran acquisitions can bring talent and excitement to the team for the short term, but cost often prevents them from being a long term solution. Which veterans are you most excited about? Are there any of whom you are still unsure?
2) Houston Astros
2017: 102-60, 1st AL West
Who they were: Houston boasted the top record in the AL last year. They were 2nd runs scored and 3rd in runs allowed. Jose Altuve is scattered among leaders at multiple metrics. The ‘Stros were rolling, until the ACLS, in which they were swept by the Cleveland Indians.
Offseason Review: Houston made their first trade! Overall, however, they have maintained a strategy that has worked for them: staying put, gaining fan interest, and using the talented roster they already have.
On the Farm: Houston is loaded at outfield positions, with Kyle Tucker and Derek Fisher to complement their already young OF core. David Paulino struggled in 2017 but still has the potential to bust out as a future ace.
Best case scenario: Houston continues to roll. They have a ton of talent, youth, and up-and-comers to continue their success for the long run.
Worst case scenario: Complacency isn’t always a bad thing, but there is a reason it can have negative connotations. Houston’s lack of activity could be outmatched by Texas’ efforts to catch them.
Key questions: 1) With a relatively small budget and a lot of young talent, how do you envision keeping around essential pieces, long term?
2) This team was on a roll until running into Cleveland in the postseason. What do you think led to that failure, and how will you prevent it from happening again?
3) Seattle Mariners
2017: 76-86, 3rd AL West
Who they were: The M’s struggled out of the gate, losing starting pitchers Paxton and Iwakuma for the year and spending much of the first half in last place. After some trading to acquire pitching and other small pieces, they finished a respectable 3rd in the AL West.
Offseason Review: The M’s were busy. In particular, they pulled off a rare in-division trade with their rival Rangers, sending Kyle Seager and Segura for younger, cheaper options. Also of note was trading ace King Felix Hernandez to the Reds in exchange for infielder Herrera and pitcher Stephenson. Adrian Beltre was brought back on board to serve as a veteran presence for 2018.
On the Farm: Despite the heavy activity trading veterans, Seattle’s farm is still about league-average. They acquired a lot of depth this offseason and got younger at the major league level, but their most interesting farm pieces are going to be arms such as Beede, Moore, and Whalen.
Best case scenario: The youth Seattle acquires develops well, they are able to claim a Wild Card spot, and have a ton of budget room to be more active next year.
Worst case scenario: Youth movement in Seattle fails, players poorly develop, fans lose interest, and the M’s are left with contracts of under-achieving players.
Key questions: 1) Matt Moore and Danny Duffy struggled last season, Hisashi Iwakuma is coming off elbow surgery, Robert Stephenson is young, and Dan Straily is Dan Straily. Do you see a top half rotation this year?
2) Your outfield is a little limited right now. Will you play Jurrickson Profar there this year to get more juice?
4) Oakland A’s
2017: 64-98, 5th AL West
Who they were: The struggle was real in Oakland in 2017. The team finished last in their division, the American League, and completely sputtered offensively. As Oakland all too often is, they were strapped with a low budget and a lot of inexperience on the field.
Offseason Review: Due to a poor 2017 and small budget, the A’s were quiet this offseason. Their biggest move was the acquisition of Jorge Mateo in the Rule V draft.
On the Farm: Oakland likely has the best system in their division, and much of the talent is major league ready or close to it. Expect to see a lot from a young, talented infield this year. Raul Alcantara is an arm to watch, and A.J. Puk will not likely reach the majors in 2018, but is their top prospect overall.
Best case scenario: The farm develops and produces, Oakland plays to their strengths, finishes 3rd in division and gets a boost in budget for 2019.
Worst case scenario: They accidentally lock themselves in the basement, and 2017 repeats itself.
Key questions: 1) New acquisition Jorge Mateo can play all over the diamond. What kind of an impact do you see him having in 2018, and where will he play?
2) In a division full of older talent and larger budgets, how do you position yourself for long-term success against other teams that seemingly have the upper hand?
5) Los Angeles Angels
2017: 73-89, 4th AL West
Who they were: The Angels hovered around the bottom of the AL West for most of 2017. They are blessed with the best player in the game, Mike Trout, but like their rivals the A’s and M’s, struggled hitting the ball overall. They finished 14th in the AL in 2017, right in between the aforementioned teams.
Offseason Review: For much of 2017 and this offseason, the Angels have been pretty quiet. They were able to use their large budget to have minimal losses in free agency and to take on some talent, such as Edinson Volquez.
On the Farm: Overall, the farm in Los Angeles is bland. There are a few interesting arms in Campos and Almonte who could make some major league noise in 2018, and Ward offers an interesting option behind the dish. Otherwise, there is little to be excited about it.
Best case scenario: Mike Trout wins MVP, Pujols has a career ending injury.
Worst case scenario: Mike Trout has a career ending injury, Pujols signs extension.
Key questions: 1) Mike Trout is in his prime and one of the best players in the game. How do you intend on taking advantage of his talent?
2) It is challenging to be stuck with some large contracts and a below-average farm. Where do you see the biggest need for your team and how do you plan to address it?
