Rating the A.L. West
1. Houston Astros
Last year: 101-61, first place (won World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers) Key losses: Carlos Beltran, Joe Musgrove, Mike Fiers, Luke Gregerson, Cameron Maybin Key newcomers: Gerrit Cole, Joe Smith, Hector Rondon
Best-case scenario: Cole adds depth to the rotation, Justin Verlander retains his top form for at least another year, and Jose Altuve maintains his American League MVP-level form.
Worst-case scenario: Verlander’s run of dominance comes to an end, Dallas Keuchel again battles injury issues, and the lineup suffers from a lack of depth.
Hot prospect: Right-hander Forrest Whitley had a 2.83 ERA across three levels in 2017 but has to sit out 50 games for violating MLB’s drugprevention program.
2. LA Angels
Last year: 80-82, second place Key losses: Yunel Escobar, Bud Norris, Yusmeiro Petit, Brandon Phillips, Huston Street, Ricky Nolasco
Key newcomers: Shohei Ohtani, Ian Kinsler, Jim Johnson, Zack Cozart Best-case scenario: Infused with talent after also re-signing Justin Upton to an extension, they make the postseason for just the second time in Mike Trout’s career. Worst-case scenario: Cozart’s standout 2017 proves a fluke, Kinsler shows his age, Ohtani is a bust, and injuries again derail the starting staff.
Hot prospect: Ohtani. The top overall prospect in MLB Pipeline’s top 100 projects well as a hitter and a pitcher.
3. Seattle Mariners
Last year: 78-84, tied for third place
Key losses: Drew Smyly, Yonder Alonso, Jarrod Dyson, Danny Valencia
Key newcomers: Dee Gordon,
Juan Nicasio, Ryon Healy
Best-case scenario: The Mariners, who used the most pitchers in baseball last season, finally get some health upgrades to boost the bats of Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager.
Worst-case scenario: Health again befalls the pitching staff, and Cano and Cruz show signs of aging.
Hot prospect: Kyle Lewis moved to Class A ball in his first full professional season last year.
4. Texas Rangers
Last year: 78-84, tied for third place Key losses: Carlos Gomez, Andrew Cashner, Mike Napoli
Key newcomers: Bartolo Colon, Doug Fister, Darwin Barney, Matt Moore Best-case scenario: The Rangers’ core of Rougned Odor, Elvis Andrus and Nomar Mazara continue to improve. Worst-case scenario: The Rangers take another step back, falling into the bottom of the division. Hot prospect: Willie Calhoun is looking like the favorite to claim the left-field job.
5. Oakland A’s
Last year: 75-87, fifth place Key losses: Jesse Hahn, Ryon Healy Key newcomers: Stephen Piscotty, Yusmeiro Petit
Best-case scenario: Khris Davis keeps putting up power numbers, and Matt Olson, Dustin Fowler and Franklin Barreto show signs of rounding into a foundational core for the organization.
Worst-case scenario: The youngsters fail to come through, the A’s finish with one of the worst records in baseball.
Hot prospect: Left-hander A.J. Puk could make the roster before the season ends.
Justin Verlander helped power the Astros to their first World Series title last season. Can newcomers Shohei Ohtani of the Angels and Dee Gordon of the Mariners do the same for their teams?