TSN.ca MLB Preview: AL West

Will the Los Angeles Angels be able to hold on to their perch on top of the division or can the Oakland Athletics or Seattle Mariners steal the crown? Where will the Texas Rangers finish and how improved are the Houston Astros? TSN.ca previews the American League West.

Los Angeles Angels (98-64, 1st in AL West)

With the imminent suspension of Josh Hamilton hanging over them, the best team in baseball last year returns almost the exact same lineup to take another run at the title.

After two runner-up finishes in his first two full seasons in the MLB, Mike Trout was finally awarded the Most Valuable Player award for the massive numbers he has posted. His 111 RBIs led the league and for the third straight year, he scored more runs than anyone in the American League.

Trout does his damage from the number two position in the order and the lumber behind him comes with bonafide credentials. Matt Joyce Albert Pujols and David Freese slot behind the AL MVP, providing strong protection.

As far as arms go, Jered Weaver is the ace of the staff and though he won 18 games last season, he’s seen his ERA rise year to year since 2011. The four men behind him, including lefty C.J. Wilson, will need to be at their best to lead this team into the playoffs.

A lot is expected out of the Angels this season after getting brushed aside by the Kansas City Royals in the ALDS last year. They have more than enough talent to find themselves as one of the last teams standing again in 2015.

In: OF Matt Joyce (trade - TB), P Cesar Ramos (trade - TB), IF Josh Rutledge (trade - COL).

Out: Gordon Beckham (free agent - CWS),C Hank Conger (trade - HOU),  P Jason Grilli (free agent - ATL), P Kevin Jepsen (trade - TB).

Oakland Athletics (88-74, 2nd AL West)

The 2014 campaign was just another year for Billy Beane’s Oakland Athletics. They made the playoffs via the Wild Card spot before losing to the Kansas City Royals in extra innings. After that success, the offseason wheeling and dealing began.

MVP candidate Josh Donaldson was shipped off to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Brett Lawrie and pitching prospects Sean Nolin and Kendall Graveman. Ben Zobrist, Billy Butler, and Ike Davis have also been added to the Athletics roster as they will take another shot at progressing deep into the playoffs.

Scott Kazmir has resurrected his career and is now a top of the line starter and Sonny Gray has emerged as a legitimate staff ace that could ride a devastating curveball to a 20-win season.

Closer Sean Doolittle is working his way back from injury but shouldn’t miss too much time and Tyler Clippard has already done the job for the Washington Nationals and could steal the position given enough time finishing ninth innings.

The Athletics will contend, it’s what they do, but will they finally break through and win the pennant, is a question that probably won’t be answered till October.

IN: DH Billy Butler (free agent - KC), P Tyler Clippard (trade - WSH), Ike Davis (trade - PIT), P Kendall Graveman (trade - TOR), Brett Lawrie (trade - TOR), P Sean Nolin (trade - TOR), C Josh Phegley (trade - CWS), IF Marcus Semien (trade - CWS), Ben Zobrist (trade - TB).

OUT: 3B Josh Donaldson (trade - TOR), OF Jonny Gomes (free agent - ATL), P Luke Gregerson (free agent - HOU), P Jesse Hahn (trade - SD), P Jason Hammel (free agent - CHC), C John Jaso (trade - TB), P Jon Lester (free agent - CHC), Jed Lowrie (free agent - HOU), Derek Norris (trade - SD), P Jeff Samardzija (trade - CWS).

Seattle Mariners (87-75, 3rd AL West)

Robinson Cano struggled out of the gate in his first season on the west coast before he finally found his legs and finished strong for the Seattle Mariners. While the team made some major strides towards contention, they had trouble overall offensively and were not able to catch the division heavyweights.

The addition of both Nelson Cruz and Seth Smith as well as a full season of Austin Jackson should go a long way towards solving that problem and with Kyle Seager and Logan Morrison in support; the Mariners should see those offensive numbers improve.

As far as arms go, they have two of the best, one at the top of the rotation and the other as the anchor of a solid bullpen.

Ace starter Felix Hernandez led the American League in ERA with a stellar 2.14, good enough for a second place finish in the Cy Young Award race. It was his fourth top five finish, including the 2010 season, when he captured the award.

Fernando Rodney collected a league-leading 48 saves last season and fired more than 200 imaginary arrows into the outfield in celebration.

Hisashi Iwakuma and James Paxton will be important arms in the starting rotation and their success will determine how much damage this team can do in the AL West.

In: OF Nelson Cruz (Free agent - BAL), P J.A. Happ (trade - TOR), OF Justin Ruggiano (Trade - CHC), OF Seth Smith (Trade - SD), 2B Rickie Weeks (Free Agent - MIL).

Out: OF Chris Denorfia (free agent - CHC), DH Corey Hart (free agent - PIT), P Brandon Maurer (Trade - SD), 1B Kendrys Morales (free agent - KC), OF Michael Saunders (trade - TOR).

Houston Astros (70-92, 4th in AL West)

There is a lot to like about the 2015 Houston Astros coming off their best season since 2010. Their 70 wins in 2014 helped them break a string of three consecutive 100-loss seasons.

Jose Altuve, last year’s AL batting champion, is one of the most exciting young players in the Majors and he’ll be a fixture at the top of the Astros lineup, as well as one of their defensive anchors at second base.

Chris Carter blasted 37 home runs as he announced himself a legitimate power threat in the middle of the order.

Colby Rasmus and Evan Gattis have been added to provide veteran leadership both at the plate and in the field, though the latter might find himself doing the majority of his damage from the DH position.

Dallas Keuchel posted strong numbers last season, 12-9, 2.93, especially when you consider the team surrounding him was very young and struggled for consistency all season.

The name of the game is growth once again for the Astros, though, as they will spend their first season under manager A.J. Hinch, following the dismissal of Bo Porter last season.

The team has been rebuilding since they moved from the NL Central to the AL West but with young roster talent and a strong farm system, they are trending in the right direction.

IN: Hank Conger (trade - LAA), C Evan Gattis (trade - ATL), P Luke Gregerson (free agent - OAK), SS Jed Lowrie (free agent - OAK), Pat Neshek (free agent - STL), OF Colby Rasmus (free agent - TOR), P Dan Straily (trade - CHC), 3B Luis Valbuena (trade - CHC).

OUT: P Mike Foltynewicz (trade - ATL), OF Dexter Fowler (trade - CHC), P Nick Tropeano (trade - LAA)

Texas Rangers (67-95, 5th in AL West)

After four consecutive 90 win seasons, everything went wrong in 2014 for the Texas Rangers. They took a chance in trading Ian Kinsler for Prince Fielder, only to see their prized slugger have season ending neck surgery in May.

Optimism was high heading into 2015, only to have another major injury; this time to starter Yu Darvish cast a shadow over the beginning of their season. Worst yet, Tommy John surgery will mean that the ace will still be working his way back to full strength next year during Spring Training.

The middle of the order combo of Fielder and Adrian Beltre could cause problems for opposing pitchers but outside of those hitters, the Rangers will struggle to produce offence at a high level and with Darvish done for the year the starting rotation lacks that true number on threat.

For the Rangers to avoid another  tough season like the one they suffered through last year they are going to need career years across the board and that is going to be a tough ask out of the squad they have assembled.

In: P Ross Detwiler (trade - WSH), P Kyuji Fujikawa (free agent - CHC), P Yovani Gallardo (trade -MIL).

Out: C J.P. Arencibia (free agent - BAL), P Neal Cotts (free agent - MIL), P Alexi Ogando (free agent - BOS).