American League West preview capsules
Houston Astros
2017 101-61, first place, won World Series MANAGER A.J. Hinch (fourth season)
HE’S HERE RHP Gerrit Cole, RHP Joe Smith, RHP Hector Rondon HE’S OUTTA HERE DH Carlos Beltran, RHP Luke Gregerson, RHP Joe Musgrove, RHP Mike Fiers, RHP Michael Feliz, INF Colin Moran
OUTLOOK With almost everyone back from last year’s championship team, the Astros expect to contend for another title. They have a right to be confident with Altuve leading a potent lineup that includes Springer, the World Series MVP, and Correa, a young All-Star shortstop coming off his best season. Their rotation is one of the best in baseball, with Cy Young Award winners Keuchel and Verlander leading the group, and new acquisition Cole and young star McCullers following that 1-2 punch. Barring debilitating injuries, the Astros should win the AL West and have an excellent chance to repeat as World Series champs.
Los Angeles Angels
2017 80-82, second place
MANAGER Mike Scioscia (19th season) HE’S HERE RHP-DH Shohei Ohtani, RHP Jim Johnson, 3B Zack Cozart, 2B Ian Kinsler, C Rene Rivera, OF Chris Young
HE’S OUTTA HERE 3B Yunel Escobar, 1B C.J. Cron, 2B Brandon Phillips, RHP Ricky Nolasco, RHP Jesse Chavez, RHP Yusmeiro Petit
OUTLOOK The Angels made several apparently savvy offseason moves and are in position to end the big-budget franchise’s eight-year stretch without a playoff victory. They’ve assembled veterans Upton, Kinsler and Cozart around Trout and Pujols to create a potentially dangerous lineup, and they should be one of baseball’s best defensive teams with Gold Glove winners Simmons and Maldonado leading the way. The rotation is fairly deep if not spectacular, and the bullpen has a chance to be good. Yet the most compelling aspect of these Angels is Ohtani, who chose Orange County for his dramatic move stateside as he attempts to become the majors’ first significant two-way player in decades. Early returns from spring training aren’t promising, but the Angels are committed to investing the playing time and patience required for Ohtani’s rare talent to shine.
Seattle Mariners
2017 78-84, tied for third place
MANAGER Scott Servais (third season)
HE’S HERE CF Dee Gordon, 1B Ryon Healy, RHP Juan Nicasio, INF-OF Andrew Romine, OF Ichiro Suzuki, LHP Dario Alvarez
HE’S OUTTA HERE 1B Yonder Alonso, OF Jarrod Dyson, LHP Drew Smyly, 1B Danny Valencia, C Carlos Ruiz, RHP Yovani Gallardo, RHP Emilio Pagan
OUTLOOK The Mariners’ odd place in the AL was only amplified by what happened to them in spring training. Injuries illustrated the slim margin they have if they plan to contend for a playoff spot. They’re talented enough to compete for a wild card, but probably not good enough to catch the Astros in the division. Pitching will be the key. Seattle used a major league-record 40 pitchers last year and would like to avoid a repeat performance. The bullpen has promise, putting pressure on the rotation to stabilize and get deep enough into games. Right-handed reliever David Phelps needs Tommy John surgery and will miss the entire season, though. Offensively, the top of the lineup has a chance to be potent with the addition of a speedster in Gordon. Healy missed most of spring training after hand surgery, but if he’s productive Seattle could end up fielding its deepest lineup in years. That might be necessary with all the pitching questions.
Texas Rangers
2017 78-84, tied for third place
MANAGER Jeff Banister (fourth season) HE’S HERE LHP Mike Minor, LHP Matt Moore, RHP Doug Fister, RHP Jesse Chavez, 1B Tommy Joseph HE’S OUTTA HERE 1B-DH Mike Napoli, CF Carlos Gomez, RHP Andrew Cashner, RHP Jason Grilli, RHP A.J. Griffin, LHP Dario Alvarez
OUTLOOK AL West champs in each of Banister’s first two seasons, the Rangers are coming off their second losing season in nine years. With most of their everyday lineup back, they should be able to hit and score runs again. But in a division with the defending World Series champs and other improved teams, Texas must depend on a revamped rotation — maybe using six starters in some variation — and the hope that its bullpen will be drastically improved. The Rangers scored 799 runs last year and ranked third in the majors with 237 home runs. Seven returning players had at least 17. That group is led by Gallo, now the primary first baseman after playing three positions in his first full big league season. Hamels, the clear No. 1 starter now that Yu Darvish is gone, missed seven weeks in 2017 with an oblique strain and threw fewer than 200 innings for the first time since 2009. Perez could unexpectedly be ready for opening day after breaking his nonpitching elbow in a mishap on his ranch in Venezuela before Christmas. Fister didn’t pitch his first major league game last season until June, and Minor hasn’t started since 2014 with the Braves.
Oakland Athletics
2017 75-87, fifth place
MANAGER Bob Melvin (eighth season) HE’S HERE OF Stephen Piscotty, C Jonathan Lucroy, OF Dustin Fowler, RHP Trevor Cahill, RHP Emilio Pagan, RHP Yusmeiro Petit, LHP Ryan Buchter HE’S OUTTA HERE INF Ryon Healy, RHP Jesse Hahn, OF Jaycob Brugman
OUTLOOK The A’s have followed up three consecutive playoff appearances with last-place finishes the past three seasons. There are signs of a potential turnaround but rebuilding will take some time, especially in a division with the defending World Series champions and other possible contenders. The bullpen should be improved with the additions of Pagan, Petit and Buchter. The strength of the team is power. Davis leads the way with 85 home runs the past two seasons, ranking second in the majors during that span to Giancarlo Stanton’s 86. Olson made a big splash with 24 home runs in 189 at-bats, a rate topped over a whole season only twice — when Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds each set the single-season home run record. The A’s added depth to the lineup this spring by signing Lucroy. One of the most intriguing players will be Fowler, who played one inning in the majors for the Yankees before blowing out his knee and then getting traded to Oakland for pitcher Sonny Gray. Fowler adds needed athleticism and defense in the outfield as the A’s look to build a foundation for the future.