I apologize for having such a delay between the last preview (American League Central) to this one. It turns out that ripping your nail out by accident can making typing considerably more difficult.

But, following the Spring Training preview for the American League Central, we are moving to the American League West, what I would label as one of the least competitive division in baseball. The Astros are not quite the juggernaut they have been over the past decade.

This division has two of the worst teams in baseball manning the bottom of the standings with the Los Angeles Angels and Sacramento A’s (formerly Oakland A’s).

While those two teams might be bad, there is still some hope with the other three (Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, and Houston Astros). Let’s dive in and break down each team’s future outlook for 2025.

Houston Astros

Current Free Agents

Right Handed Pitcher Hector Neris, Right Handed Pitcher José Urquidy

Notable Acquisitions

First basemen Christian Walker (3 year deal, previously on Arizona Diamondbacks, Third Basemen Isaac Paredes (trade with Chicago Cubs), Right Handed Pitcher Hayden Wesneski (trade with Chicago Cubs), Brendan Rodgers (1-year MILB deal, formerly Colorado Rockies). 

Notable Departures

Outfielder Kyle Tucker (traded to Chicago Cubs), Third Basemen Alex Bregman (to Boston Red Sox), Left Handed Pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (to Los Angeles Angels), Right Handed Pitcher Justin Verlander (to San Fransisco Giants), Right Handed Pitcher Ryan Pressly (trade with Chicago Cubs), Left Handed Pitcher Caleb Ferguson (to San Diego Padres), Outfielder Jason Heyward (to San Diego Padres), Right Handed Pitcher Kendall Graveman (to Arizona Diamondbacks).

Analysis

Last year, your Houston Astros did what they’ve done so many times the past decade; Win the American League West. However, they did something they hadn’t done in over half a decade; Get knocked out before the American League Championship Series (ALCS).

Well, it’s safe to say this 2025 team isn’t the same roster Astros fans have grown to love through the years. The fan are accustomed to letting go of fan favorites such as George Springer, Carlos Correa, and Justin Verlander, but this offseason, they had what could be called “a changing of the guard”.

Houston traded its franchise player in Kyle Tucker, let Alex Bregman walk, let Justin Verlander walk, and traded its former closer to the Chicago Cubs. But the changing of the guard didn’t mean Houston intended to step back in the World Series race.

In came Christian Walker, a power slugging first baseman, another power threat in third baseman Isaac Paredes and a starter/reliever in Hatden Wesneski. But will it be enough? Only time will tell. With the Astros retooling, they also added prized third base prospect Cam Smith (via Chicago cubs). He helps boost a farm system that is considered around baseball media as one of the worst.

The Astros have consistently been ranked low in prospect rankings for the last few years, and they always seemed to find value in players that weren’t deemed as valuable from outside sources, but it’s getting to the point we begin to wonder what this farm system can produce to help supplement the team in 2025.

Most of Houston’s players from the two World Series winning years were homegrown, as the organization was a prime example of how to build from the ground up. Cam Smith is the only player from MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects, but expect to see a few guys come up during the year that could help the ball club. 

The questions are definitely there whether the juggernaut organization can find its way back to glory, but with a division as weak as the American League West is looking, the odds for the Astros to win the division are still considerably high. The questions of the team arise off the outfield uncertainty and pitching depth, but I would not be out on this world class organization yet. 

 

Record Prediction: 86-76

Los Angeles Angels

Free Agents

Outfielder Kevin Pillar, Right Handed Pitcher Hunter Strickland

Notable Acquisitions

Left Handed Pitcher Yusei Kikchi (3 year deal, previously Houston Astros), Outfielder Jorge Soler (trade with Atlanta Braves), Right Handed Pitcher Kenley Jansen (1 year deal, previously Boston Red Sox), Catcher Travis d’Arnaud (2 year deal, previously Atlanta Braves), Right Handed Pitcher Kyle Hendricks (1 year deal, previously Chicago Cubs), Third Baseman Yoán Moncada (1 year deal, previously Chicago White Sox).

Notable Departures

Left Handed Pitcher Patrick Sandoval (to Boston Red Sox), Right Handed Pitcher Griffin Canning (trade with Atlanta Braves), Infielder Eric Wagaman (to Miami Marlins).

Anaylsis

It is fair to say that the Angels organization has been in disfunction the past few years, especially since the decision to not trade Shohei Ohtani in 2023 and instead trade multiple top prospects for a season that ended with an under .500 record.

I understand that the owner, Arte Moreno, was trying to show Ohtani that the club wants to compete, but it set the team back years in development of the next generation. Los Angeles is looking at yet another rebuilding year in a division that could be considered the easiest in the American League.

Speaking of that farm system, the Angels system comes in last in most publications. Los Angeles called up a few prospects last year like Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel, but the last five years they were ranked in the bottom 10 in baseball.

There is a little hope, with two Top 100 prospects in second baseman Christian Moore and right handed pitcher Caden Dana. 

The Angels have signed a lot of free agent, stop-gap players that will fill out the roster but it won’t be a team with much of a chance of playoff aspirations. If Mike Trout has yet another injury-ridden season, the Angels will definitely have a top five draft pick next year. 

Record: 64-98

Sacramento A’s 

Free Agents Remaining 

Left Handed Pitcher Scott Alexander, Right Handed Pitcher Trevor Gott, Right Handed Pitcher Ross Stripling, Left Handed Pitcher Alex Wood.

Notable Acquisitions

Right Handed Pitcher Luis Severino (2 year deal, previously New York Mets), Left Handed Pitcher Jeffrey Springs (trade with Tampa Bay Rays), Third Baseman Gio Urshela (1 year deal, previously Atlanta Braves), Right Handed Pitcher José Leclerc (1 year deal, previously Texas Rangers), 

Notable Departures

None

Analysis

It’s pretty fair to say the Sacramento A’s organization is in complete disarray. Touted as the future Las Vegas A’s, their rent agreement with the Oakland Coliseum came to an end in 2024. However, the stadium they have planned is nowhere near completion so they had to find a place to play baseball.

Now, they play in a minor league stadium near downtown Sacramento. It’s a sad scene for baseball that a major league club has to play in a minor league stadium, but they’re not the only organization out of luck, with the Tampa Bay Rays playing at the Yankees Spring Training facility. 

Oakland was not as dreadful in 2024 as it has been in the past few years. The A’s improved their win total by 19 games and showed some good young talent for the fans (if there still are any) for the years to come. Sacramento holds a borderline top 10 farm system heading into the year, even with multiple players graduating in 2024.

Last year the A’s were in the bottom 10 of farm systems, but after a good draft, and some promise shown by multiple guys in the minors, the farm system has dramatically moved up. They only have 2 top 100 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline, but have plenty just outside the top 100 waiting to burst onto the scene.

The guys coming up would also be accustomed to playing in a minor league park too… 

After signing Luis Severino to the biggest contract in team history in terms of AAV, and picking up good vets in Jeffrey Springs (trade) and Geo Urshela/José Leclrec (signings), the A’s filled some gaps needed to see another year of improvement.

I would not count on this team to be competing for the playoffs come late September, but they should be a frisky team during that time. There is hope for any fans that they do have, until they trade all of their talent away again.

Record Prediction: 76-86

Seattle Mariners

Free Agents Remaining

None

Notable Acquisitions

Infielder Donovan Solano (1 year deal, previously San Diego Padres), Infielder/Outfielder Miles Mastrobuoni (trade with Chicago Cubs)

Notable Departures

Right Handed Pitcher Yimi García (to Toronto Blue Jays), Third Baseman Josh Rojas (to Chicago White Sox), First Basemen Justin Turner (to Chicago Cubs), Third Baseman Luis Urias (to Sacremento A’s)

Analysis

Free agency was full of the rumor mill for the Mariners but the moves did not correspond as much. A team needy of a good bat that has team control to pair with Julio Rodriguez, they seemed interested in selling one of their many young arms in return. Nothing came to fruition and instead, they only had two notable (and I say that lightly) moves this offseason. 

Did I mention Seattle has young talent in the organization? The farm system has dramatically improved from 2024, going from middle of the pack to comfortably in the top 10. The Mariners have seven Top 100 prospects according to MLB Pipeline, but it looks like only one of them will graduate in the 2025 season.

The good news is Seattle will have plenty of position player reinforcements the next three to five years, at pretty much every position you can think of in the field. Match that with their great pitching, and Seattle could have something brewing as early as 2026. 

Looking to bounce back after having statistically the worst lineup in baseball, the pitcher friendly T-Mobile Park is hoping to see some offense come out of their top hitters this year.

A bounce back season for Julio Rodriguez, mixed with Cal Raleigh crushing the ball and Randy Arozarena giving great production at the top of the lineup could spell great things. With a wide open AL West, the Mariners could shock some people in 2025, as I would not rule them out for the division. 

Record Prediction: 82-80

Texas Rangers

Free Agents Remaining

Left Handed Pitcher Andrew Chafin, Third Basemen Matt Duffy, Left Handed Pitcher Andrew Heaney, Outfielder Travis Jankowski, Right Handed Pitcher David Robertson, Right Handed Pitcher José Ureña

Notable Acquisitions

Designated Hitter Joc Pederson (2 year deal, previously Arizona Diamondbacks), First Baseman Jake Burger (trade with Miami Marlins), Catcher Kyle Higashioka (2 year deal, previously San Diego Padres), Right Handed Pitcher Chris Martin (1 year deal, previously Boston Red Sox), Right Handed Pitcher Jacob Webb (1 year deal, previously Baltimore Orioles), Left Handed Pitcher Hoby Milner (1 year deal, previously Milwaukee Brewers), Right Handed Pitcher Shawn Armstrong (1 year deal, previously Chicago Cubs), Robert Garcia (trade with Washington Nationals).

Notable Departures

Nathaniel Lowe (trade with Washington Nationals), C Carson Kelly (to Chicago Cubs), Right Handed Pitcher Grant Anderson (trade with Milwaukee Brewers), Right Handed Pitcher José Leclerc (to Sacramento Athletics), Right Handed Pitcher Kirby Yates (to Los Angeles Dodgers), Right Handed Pitcher Max Scherzer (to Toronto Blue Jays). 

Analysis

Coming off a World Series winning year in 2023, the 2024 Rangers certainly disappointed their fan base, not really even coming close to making the playoffs with a 78-84 record. The Rangers season was injury ridden, with players like Evan Carter, Josh Jung, Jonah Heim and Leody Taveras all having down seasons.

Texas let some pretty big name guys go, like their former top relievers, first ballot Hall of Famer Max Scherzer, and a former All-Star first baseman. However, they certainly retooled. 

In 2024, having playoff standouts Wyatt Langford and Evan Carter still deemed prospects made their prospect rankings among the top five in baseball. Losing those guys bounced their standings back in the prospect rankings a considerable amount, looking like a middle of the pack organization for 2025.

The Rangers currently have three Top 100 prospects according to MLB Pipeline, all within the top 50 and expected to be moved up to the bigs by the end of the season or beginning of the 2026 season. They also had a few prospects breakout in 2024 so they could definitely see multiple prospects hit the bigs in 2025, especially if the injury bug continues to rid them.

The Rangers are certainly in win mode for 2025, with a mouthful of moves made via trades and signings. With good seasons from Josh Jung, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Wyatt Langford, and Josh Smith, Texas could easily be competing for the American League West division title.

They retooled their bullpen and beefed up their lineup, especially with power for this upcoming year. While Texas might not be considered a favorite for the World Series, the Rangers are certainly a team I wouldn’t want to see in October. 

 

Record Prediction: 87-75

Overview

It is pretty clear that there are two win-now teams (Houston Astros and Texas Rangers), one win now and build for the future (Seattle Mariners), and two rebuilding squads (Sacramento A’s and Los Angeles Angels) in this division.

The Astros and Texas Rangers both won World Series within the past three years, but lost a lot of contributors from those seasons. The squads are formidable enough to make it to October, but we will see if those players are ready to stand up to the task.

The monster of the American League West still is hungry and ready to compete (Houston Astros), but a bounce back season from Seattle or Texas could give the Astros a run for their money. It will be a tight race to the end, but I could definitely see a division winner and runner up sneak into the playoffs. 

Division Record Standings Prediction

1. Texas Rangers (87-75)
2. Houston Astros (86-76)
3. Seattle Mariners (82-80)
4. Sacramento Athletics (76-86)
5. Los Angeles Angels (64-98)