AL West

For the next six weeks, I’ll be breaking down all 30 MLB teams, division by division. In this week’s initial installment, I’ll be taking a look at the AL West (that’s the Mariners’ division, for all of you non-baseball fanatics other there.)

In my opinion, the AL West is the best division in the American League. With three teams that won over 85 games last season (the only division in the AL that did so), and looking to do the same again this year, the AL West is a division that not only is full of teams that are ready to win now, but teams that are ready to win in years to come.

• Texas Rangers (88-74): The Rangers really came out of nowhere to stun a lot of baseball-folk last year, especially after losing their ace Yu Darvish before the season even started. Their rotation somehow got them to the ALDS, which was definitely aided by an explosive offense that boasted the likes of Shin-Soo Choo, Elvis Andrus, and the rejuvenated pair of Adrian Beltre and Prince Fielder. Mid-season, there were a lot of odds and ends with the team, without a true superstar—and then they acquired Cole Hamels from the Phillies. His E.R.A. was a bit too high for what you want to see in an ace—3.65—especially compared to other aces in the division, like Oakland’s Sonny Gray and Houston’s Dallas Keuchel. But if Darvish is healthy, the Rangers will have a fairly potent one-two-three punch at the top of the rotation with Darvish, Hamels, and Derek Holland. And let’s not forget about rookie-sensation Joey Gallo either, who we will most definitely be seeing more of in 2016. If this team can stay healthy, they’ll be a driving force in a formidable division.

• Houston Astros (86-76): If the Rangers came out of nowhere last year, then it’s fairly likely that the Astros’ 2015 season came from outer space (*snickers*). The team was founded on a great pitching staff, led by Cy Young award winner Dallas Keuchel and Scott Kazmir, and was only improved on by the young players on the team: Rookie of the Year Carlos Correa, All Star Jose Altuve, and a myriad of strong outfielders (Springer, Rasmus, Gomez.) This team is my favorite to win the division because even though they’ve lost Kazmir to the Dodgers, they’ve improved their bullpen, which was their weak spot last year, with the additions of Ken Giles from the Phillies. Tony Sipp was also strong last year, pitching in 60 games with an E.R.A. of just under two. This team is built perfectly: Ready to compete now, but still filled with young talent that will do them well in the coming years. They also aren’t strapped down with a lot of big contracts, which gives them some good payroll flexibility, if they need to add some pieces down the stretch.

• Los Angeles Angels (85-77): The Angels will be an interesting team this year, just like they were last season. They will no doubt be a mix in the race for first, with the best player in baseball (take that, Bryce Harper) Mike Trout ready for another MVP caliber season. Albert Pujols also played well last season, with surprises Kole Calhoun in the outfield and Johnny Giavotella in the infield. They’ve made a big improvement at shortstop, adding defensive-phenom Andrelton Simmons. The biggest question mark for the Angels will be pitching: they’ve got a somewhat underdeveloped bullpen, as well as a somewhat shaky rotation. If their tops three of Garrett Richards, C.J. Wilson, and Jered Weaver can preform, then the Angels will be a force to be reckoned with. But while they may be interesting, they’re also uncertain; if even one of the dominoes fall, the Angels will be looking at another near-postseason berth.

• Seattle Mariners (76-86): Oh, the Mariners. Every year, like clockwork, when the season starts anew, I always hear, “This is the Mariners year!” And, just like always, it will not be. Don’t get me wrong, they’ve got a good starting two in Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma, plus James Paxton looks to have a promising future. But the Mariners strength is pitching, which makes it even more painful that they traded away Roenis Elias and Carson Smith to the Red Sox, for a pitcher who’s, at best, a three. Taijuan Walker looks to be a bust, Vidal Nuno isn’t helping anyone out, and Mike Montgomery wasn’t the prospect everyone hoped he’d be. With Robinson Cano, Kyle Seager, and Nelson Cruz looking to be the Mariners’ only run producers, it’s gonna be quite the challenge to put up runs. They still haven’t addressed how their catchers can’t hit above .200, how they have no real shortstop or first-baseman, and how their outfield is one of the least athletic in the league. But I mean, besides all of those things, this is definitely their year.

• Oakland Athletics (68-94): Ever since what I am dubbing the second-worst trade in baseball history that sent MVP, All-Star, face-of-the-franchise Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays in exchange for Brett Lawrie (who? you may be asking, which is an entirely valid question) and Kendall Graveman (who? you are most definitely asking, which is also a valid question) the Athletics have been on a downward spiral. It wasn’t too long ago that the A’s were one of the most fear teams in baseball. But this is a team that shows what happens when you trade poorly: First, Yoenis Cespedes for Jon Lester all the way back in 2014, which resulted in a Wild Card loss to the Royals and the loss of Lester anyway. Then, the Donaldson trade, and, just to top everything off, sending Scott Kazmir down to Houston. The A’s may very well have one of the better farm systems in baseball, but this team isn’t going to be doing much of anything in 2016.

Predicted Overall Standings:

1.) Houston Astros 

2.) Texas Rangers

3.) Los Angeles Angels

4.) Seattle Mariners

5.) Oakland Athletics