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Are the Houston Astros the Most-Improved AL West Team?

By Elliott Jenkins |
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Who is the most-improved AL West team so far this off-season?

Oct 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers won 9-2 and clinch the American League West division. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Winter Meetings have come and gone. They always seem to fly by so quickly after waiting all year for them. The flurry of free agent splashes, surprise landing spots, and tense Twitter refreshes has settled.  How do the Houston Astros’ improvements rank against their AL West foes? As we look to the New Year, we rank the most-improved AL West teams after a blizzard of off-season trades and signings.

5. Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers have yet to make any sort of a splash this winter. The additions of Tom Wilhelmsen, James Jones, and Patrick Kivlehan should make up for the losses of Leonys Martin, Anthony Bass, but the trade hardly shakes up the power struggle in the AL West. However, the Rangers are bringing back all of their key 2015 contributors and stand to benefit from a host of available big-name free agents.

Perhaps the Rangers are waiting for dominoes to fall before making a push for Chris Davis. The Rangers have Mitch Moreland at 1B, but Davis’s hazy market could facilitate a reunion between Davis and his hometown team. Many teams checked in on Moreland’s availability, and he could fetch the team a decent return.

Time will tell if the Rangers would come close to Davis’s asking price, but the idea of inserting him between a suddenly-potent Prince Fielder and an age-defying Adrian Beltre could make substantial waves in the AL West.

Next: 4. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

4. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Oct 2, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) reacts to hitting a triple in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Los Angeles won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Even after the Andrelton Simmons trade, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim quietly overhauled a substantial portion of their team. However, while all acquisitions appear to be good depth fits, the Angels are still in need of an OF, another starter, and a middle infielder.

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Recently-acquired Yunel Escobar is certainly an improvement over David Freese, and his versatility creates flexibility for the Angels at 2B and 3B. The Angels were briefly linked to Jason Heyward, but Yoenis Cespedes, Justin Upton, and Alex Gordon are more logical and reasonable fits. Albert Pujols and Mike Trout are desperate for additional significant bats in their lineup.

The Angels, like the Rangers, were contenders last year and have not lost any significant or irreplaceable components to free agency or trades. With a comfortable wallet and so many big names still on the market, expect the Angels to be tied to a host of big-name free agents.

Next: 3. Oakland Athletics

3. Oakland Athletics

Sep 25, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) throws to the San Francisco Giants in the second inning of their MLB baseball game at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

Regardless of team affiliation, the Oakland Athletics’ off-season moves are always fascinating. Who are they gunning for and why? After the still-stinging trade of Josh Donaldson and a disappointing finish to 2015, the A’s have been incredibly active on all fronts.

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They acquired immediate positional upgrades in Jed Lowrie and Yonder Alonso without giving away substantial talent. And, in classic Billy Beane fashion, the bullpen and starting rotation underwent a complete transformation.

Only Jesse Hahn, Sonny Gray, and Sean Doolittle return from the 2015 Opening Day pitching staff. Underrated acquisitions Liam Hendriks and Ryan Madson headline a bullpen that looks nothing like its 2015 iteration, which was 27th in the league with -0.1 WAR. Hendriks aside, the Athletics’ pitching acquisitions have a peculiar average age of 33.5 years old.

Perhaps they are betting on these veterans to bounce back and be dealt at the deadline, or if they are contending, to become key members of another charming Athletics team. Expect an additional move or two from Beane.

Next: 2. Seattle Mariners

2. Seattle Mariners

Oct 2, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma (18) adjusts his cap while on the mound after getting into a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Freshly-minted GM Jerry DiPoto has been one of the most active GMs of the off-season. Losing Hisashi Iwakuma hurts, but DiPoto responded with the acquisitions of Wade Miley and Nate Karns,who provide some much-needed depth to a very young pitching staff.

It is interesting to note that four out of five of DiPoto’s positional acquisitions at the Major League level are left-handed bats. Nori Aoki and Adam Lind will provide some much-needed contact hitting in what was a predominately power-focused lineup. Leonys Martin slides into the crowded outfield mix and would make a great platoon partner with Shawn O’Malley. Steve Clevenger and Chris Iannetta appear to share the catching duties for the Mariners, and they’ll have a slew of new arms to catch.

While many questioned his inclusion of Carson Smith in the deal that brought Miley, DiPoto answered with the signing of Steve Cishek. Joaquin Benoit, Evan Scribner, Justin De Fratus, and Anthony Bass round out the revamped bullpen that finished 2015 in 26th place with 1.1 WAR. All-in-all, DiPoto addressed team needs head-on and brought in some new faces to ensure that the Mariners’ 2015 was nothing more than a misstep.

Next: 1. Houston Astros

1. Houston Astros

All bias aside, the Houston Astros made the strides they needed towards becoming a perennial contender without overspending or giving up top organizational talent. After trimming the fat before the non-tender deadline, they tackled off-season needs one by one with careful trading and smart signings. Colby Rasmus is the interim corner outfielder they needed.

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It will be interesting to see how the Astros approach the position in preparation for next winter’s weak outfield free agent class, as the Astros have considerable OF depth in the minors. The re-signing of Tony Sipp is monumental, as the Astros get a stellar lefty specialist for a very reasonable price in a very shallow left-handed pitching market.

The Ken Giles trade is huge for the team both now and in the future, as the Astros finally landed a flame-throwing closer with excellent command and an extremely team-friendly contract. GM Jeff Luhnow mentioned that the team is still looking to add a starter and a bat of some sort.

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