Post by Commissioner Erick on Sept 14, 2019 21:52:55 GMT -5
The AL West may be the strongest division in baseball. Left for dead, the Astros have assembled a ferocious lineup, while the Mariners young prospects will be paired with several veteran arms as they begin their ascent. At the top, the Athletics have built a resilient roster, while the Rangers are part of baseball's innermost circles. It wouldn't be a surprise if the division fielded five teams with at least 75 wins.
1) Texas Rangers
2021: 97-65, AL West Champion. Defeated Tampa Bay 4-1 in ALDS. Lost to New York Yankees 4-2 in ALCS.
Who They Were: Unlike in prior seasons, Texas started strong, needing every one of their 97 wins to avoid the Wild Card Game. The team clubbed the second most home runs in the league, the pitching staff saw Marcus Stroman and Rick Porcello combine for 30 wins, and the club continued to torment the Tampa Bay Rays, eliminating them from the postseason for the third time in four years.
Offseason Review: Always willing to make major additions, Clayton Piper added Ozzie Albies and Carlos Correa to what will be a spectacular middle infield. The team lost Giancarlo Stanton and Jackie Bradley Jr., leaving the team a built light in the outfield. No major additions were made for the staff, which could hurt the club if the A's are close. If not, the team will count on midseason additions of Rick Porcello and Mitch Keller returning from injury to bolster a second half charge.
On the Farm: Raimfer Salinas is the team's best prospect, an international amateur the team paid $5 million for in 2017. A quick-twitch athlete who's gotten stronger with age, Salinas may be the team's starting center fielder as a 21-year-old. There's not much else of note in the system, though 28-year-old reliever Tyler Ferguson may help the bullpen in a pinch.
Best Case Scenario: Tampa Bay makes the ALCS.
Worst Case Scenario: A slow start catches up with them.
Key Questions: Are you confident your pitching staff can hold up while your injured starters mend?
With Albies and Correa on board, Rougned Odor becomes the odd man out. What will his role be?
2) Oakland Athletics
2021: 96-66, 2nd Place AL West. Lost to New York Yankees in AL Wild Card Game.
Who They Were: The A's had the second best average, the most stolen bases, and the best bullpen ERA in the American League, coming a Jorge Polanco home run away from their second straight ALDS. A.J. Puk emerged as a frontline starter with 14 wins and a 3.47 ERA, while Franklin Barreto began turning some of his doubles into home runs.
Offseason Review: Creig McBride took the reins from Sam East, and budget constraints forced him to lose several top relievers. Otherwise, the team will look very similar to last year. Miguel Sano's departure will provide an opening in the lineup that could go to displaced thumper Ryon Healy, or young defensive wizard Miguel Hiraldo.
On the Farm: It's a terrific system, though most of the talent is still off in the future. Dingo Gagen and Phil Loggozo the Bat Masterson could be frontline anchors of a staff, but that won't be for a few years. In the present, Hiraldo could be the team's starting shortstop this year, and Alex Scherff could pitch a few innings should injuries befall the rotation.
Best Case Scenario: Adam Hasely and Blake Rutherford take further leaps and the A's win 98 games.
Worst Case Scenario: The offense stalls with a lack of Platinum Stick-caliber hitters, and the A's win 87 games.
Key Questions: After Puk, Jose Berrios and Jharrel Cotton, who will round out your rotation?
Will Hiraldo be on the team's opening day lineup or in Triple A?
3) Houston Astros
2021: 77-85, 3rd Place AL West
Who They Were: The Astros hit, but the lack of strong management that has plagued the franchise saw the team produce a 6.24 ERA from its starting staff, an egregious number. The team put up the fourth most runs in the league and finished eight games under .500.
Offseason Review: Andrew Sutphin has come aboard and changed around the entire roster. Virtually everybody of note is gone, but instead of aiming entirely for youngsters, some veterans have been acquired as well. As a result, Houston could have a pretty good offense if they don't make any other moves. The Astros specifically targeted high character players, which will produce a harmonious locker room should the disastrous pitching staff produce a lot of losses.
On the Farm: Houston's acquired a terrific farm system as a result of their dealings, with talent and depth at all levels. The best of the bunch is Jorge "deGrominator" Cotto. Acquired from Texas in the Carlos Correa trade, Cotto handled Short-Season ball well last year and will make his first foray into full-season ball this season.
Best Case Scenario: Nobody wants to trade with Sutphin and the offense leads the team to 85 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: The pitching staff is a disaster and the veterans are sold off, leading to 95 losses.
Key Questions: You're in a rebuild, but you have so many veterans on your roster. Will your veterans get the majority of the playing time early, or they take a back seat to prospects?
Anthony Rizzo hasn't hit for average in two seasons, and cost a draft pick to sign. Why did you bring him aboard your club?
4) Seattle Mariners
2021: 54-108, Last Place AL West
Who They Were: In the midst of a total rebuild, Seattle was non-competitive last year. Starter Dakota Hudson and Japanese legend Tomoya Mori were the only players with at least 2.0 WAR. An amazing 11 players had 42 at bats or more and produced negative WAR, bested only by the 12 pitchers that worked double-digit innings and produced negative WAR. Despite the rough roster, Tyler O'Neill managed to club 42 home runs—while only driving in 83 runs.
Offseason Review: Seattle added several veterans, the process alone making the team more competent. Jeifry Nunez, Eric Skoglund, and especially Chris Sale will bolster the rotation, while Ryan Dull, Michael Lorenzen, and Michael Feliz should make the bullpen respectable. With prospects graduating from the farm to bolster the lineup, Seattle should win much more than 54 games.
On the Farm: Many of Seattle's top prospects graduated to the majors. The team has good young talent, but won't appear on top system lists, especially as their first four draft picks from last year won't be rated until Opening Day. Josh Simpson and Pete Dailey were both college graduate picks, meaning it won't take too long until they can contribute in the majors.
Best Case Scenario: Francisco DeJesus and Chris Sale have spectacular seasons and the Mariners win 77 games.
Worst Case Scenario: DeJesus and O'Neill are the only players who hit, and the team finishes last.
Key Questions: Your team has a number of middle infield options. Who will start at second and third base this year?
It's unlikely your team will make the playoffs this year, yet you don't have a lot of financial flexibility. What's your financial strategy going forward?
5) Los Angeles Angels
2021: 62-100, 4th Place AL West
Who They Were: The Angels had an underwhelming staff and a deplorable offense, scoring the second fewest runs in the American League. No hitter had more than 21 home runs, and only two hitters had a wRC+ over 100. With only a .317 OBP and 20 home runs, Daniel Murphy's 96 wRC+ was exceptionally disappointing.
Offseason Review: The Angels offered qualifying offers to a number of free agents expecting to gain a number of draft picks in the supplemental round. Instead, the free agents accepted the offers, leaving the team's finances tied up in mediocre veterans. As a result, the Angels couldn't bring on any new players and will return the same 100-loss roster.
On the Farm: The Angels have only one top-100 prospect and didn't sign any of their top five picks from last year, leaving their system barren. Edrick Agosto, Elvin M. Rodriguez, and Christian Martinek are low-ceiling arms in the upper minors who can provide decent depth this season, both for the rotation and the bullpen.
Best Case Scenario: Players refuse qualifying offers this offseason
Worst Case Scenario: 103 losses.
Key Questions: You have a number of third base options. Who will start this season?
Who will get your fifth starter spot and why?
1) Texas Rangers
2021: 97-65, AL West Champion. Defeated Tampa Bay 4-1 in ALDS. Lost to New York Yankees 4-2 in ALCS.
Who They Were: Unlike in prior seasons, Texas started strong, needing every one of their 97 wins to avoid the Wild Card Game. The team clubbed the second most home runs in the league, the pitching staff saw Marcus Stroman and Rick Porcello combine for 30 wins, and the club continued to torment the Tampa Bay Rays, eliminating them from the postseason for the third time in four years.
Offseason Review: Always willing to make major additions, Clayton Piper added Ozzie Albies and Carlos Correa to what will be a spectacular middle infield. The team lost Giancarlo Stanton and Jackie Bradley Jr., leaving the team a built light in the outfield. No major additions were made for the staff, which could hurt the club if the A's are close. If not, the team will count on midseason additions of Rick Porcello and Mitch Keller returning from injury to bolster a second half charge.
On the Farm: Raimfer Salinas is the team's best prospect, an international amateur the team paid $5 million for in 2017. A quick-twitch athlete who's gotten stronger with age, Salinas may be the team's starting center fielder as a 21-year-old. There's not much else of note in the system, though 28-year-old reliever Tyler Ferguson may help the bullpen in a pinch.
Best Case Scenario: Tampa Bay makes the ALCS.
Worst Case Scenario: A slow start catches up with them.
Key Questions: Are you confident your pitching staff can hold up while your injured starters mend?
With Albies and Correa on board, Rougned Odor becomes the odd man out. What will his role be?
2) Oakland Athletics
2021: 96-66, 2nd Place AL West. Lost to New York Yankees in AL Wild Card Game.
Who They Were: The A's had the second best average, the most stolen bases, and the best bullpen ERA in the American League, coming a Jorge Polanco home run away from their second straight ALDS. A.J. Puk emerged as a frontline starter with 14 wins and a 3.47 ERA, while Franklin Barreto began turning some of his doubles into home runs.
Offseason Review: Creig McBride took the reins from Sam East, and budget constraints forced him to lose several top relievers. Otherwise, the team will look very similar to last year. Miguel Sano's departure will provide an opening in the lineup that could go to displaced thumper Ryon Healy, or young defensive wizard Miguel Hiraldo.
On the Farm: It's a terrific system, though most of the talent is still off in the future. Dingo Gagen and Phil Loggozo the Bat Masterson could be frontline anchors of a staff, but that won't be for a few years. In the present, Hiraldo could be the team's starting shortstop this year, and Alex Scherff could pitch a few innings should injuries befall the rotation.
Best Case Scenario: Adam Hasely and Blake Rutherford take further leaps and the A's win 98 games.
Worst Case Scenario: The offense stalls with a lack of Platinum Stick-caliber hitters, and the A's win 87 games.
Key Questions: After Puk, Jose Berrios and Jharrel Cotton, who will round out your rotation?
Will Hiraldo be on the team's opening day lineup or in Triple A?
3) Houston Astros
2021: 77-85, 3rd Place AL West
Who They Were: The Astros hit, but the lack of strong management that has plagued the franchise saw the team produce a 6.24 ERA from its starting staff, an egregious number. The team put up the fourth most runs in the league and finished eight games under .500.
Offseason Review: Andrew Sutphin has come aboard and changed around the entire roster. Virtually everybody of note is gone, but instead of aiming entirely for youngsters, some veterans have been acquired as well. As a result, Houston could have a pretty good offense if they don't make any other moves. The Astros specifically targeted high character players, which will produce a harmonious locker room should the disastrous pitching staff produce a lot of losses.
On the Farm: Houston's acquired a terrific farm system as a result of their dealings, with talent and depth at all levels. The best of the bunch is Jorge "deGrominator" Cotto. Acquired from Texas in the Carlos Correa trade, Cotto handled Short-Season ball well last year and will make his first foray into full-season ball this season.
Best Case Scenario: Nobody wants to trade with Sutphin and the offense leads the team to 85 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: The pitching staff is a disaster and the veterans are sold off, leading to 95 losses.
Key Questions: You're in a rebuild, but you have so many veterans on your roster. Will your veterans get the majority of the playing time early, or they take a back seat to prospects?
Anthony Rizzo hasn't hit for average in two seasons, and cost a draft pick to sign. Why did you bring him aboard your club?
4) Seattle Mariners
2021: 54-108, Last Place AL West
Who They Were: In the midst of a total rebuild, Seattle was non-competitive last year. Starter Dakota Hudson and Japanese legend Tomoya Mori were the only players with at least 2.0 WAR. An amazing 11 players had 42 at bats or more and produced negative WAR, bested only by the 12 pitchers that worked double-digit innings and produced negative WAR. Despite the rough roster, Tyler O'Neill managed to club 42 home runs—while only driving in 83 runs.
Offseason Review: Seattle added several veterans, the process alone making the team more competent. Jeifry Nunez, Eric Skoglund, and especially Chris Sale will bolster the rotation, while Ryan Dull, Michael Lorenzen, and Michael Feliz should make the bullpen respectable. With prospects graduating from the farm to bolster the lineup, Seattle should win much more than 54 games.
On the Farm: Many of Seattle's top prospects graduated to the majors. The team has good young talent, but won't appear on top system lists, especially as their first four draft picks from last year won't be rated until Opening Day. Josh Simpson and Pete Dailey were both college graduate picks, meaning it won't take too long until they can contribute in the majors.
Best Case Scenario: Francisco DeJesus and Chris Sale have spectacular seasons and the Mariners win 77 games.
Worst Case Scenario: DeJesus and O'Neill are the only players who hit, and the team finishes last.
Key Questions: Your team has a number of middle infield options. Who will start at second and third base this year?
It's unlikely your team will make the playoffs this year, yet you don't have a lot of financial flexibility. What's your financial strategy going forward?
5) Los Angeles Angels
2021: 62-100, 4th Place AL West
Who They Were: The Angels had an underwhelming staff and a deplorable offense, scoring the second fewest runs in the American League. No hitter had more than 21 home runs, and only two hitters had a wRC+ over 100. With only a .317 OBP and 20 home runs, Daniel Murphy's 96 wRC+ was exceptionally disappointing.
Offseason Review: The Angels offered qualifying offers to a number of free agents expecting to gain a number of draft picks in the supplemental round. Instead, the free agents accepted the offers, leaving the team's finances tied up in mediocre veterans. As a result, the Angels couldn't bring on any new players and will return the same 100-loss roster.
On the Farm: The Angels have only one top-100 prospect and didn't sign any of their top five picks from last year, leaving their system barren. Edrick Agosto, Elvin M. Rodriguez, and Christian Martinek are low-ceiling arms in the upper minors who can provide decent depth this season, both for the rotation and the bullpen.
Best Case Scenario: Players refuse qualifying offers this offseason
Worst Case Scenario: 103 losses.
Key Questions: You have a number of third base options. Who will start this season?
Who will get your fifth starter spot and why?
