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Astros: Gauging the AL West as the offseason simmers

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HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 16: (L-R) Manager AJ Hinch, Justin Verlander #35, and Joe Smith #38 of the Houston Astros talk in the outfield during batting practice before Game Three of the American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 16: (L-R) Manager AJ Hinch, Justin Verlander #35, and Joe Smith #38 of the Houston Astros talk in the outfield during batting practice before Game Three of the American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – SEPTEMBER 16: Khris Davis #2 of the Oakland Athletics jogs off the field with teammates Matt Joyce #23, Matt Chapman #26 and Nick Martini #38 after hitting a grand slam in the ninth inning to make the score 5-4 in the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on September 16, 2018 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett Jr./Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – SEPTEMBER 16: Khris Davis #2 of the Oakland Athletics jogs off the field with teammates Matt Joyce #23, Matt Chapman #26 and Nick Martini #38 after hitting a grand slam in the ninth inning to make the score 5-4 in the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on September 16, 2018 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett Jr./Getty Images) /

Athletics Outlook

Following a last place finish in 2017, the A’s caught the baseball world by storm in 2018 with 97 wins. Although their season ended on a disappointing note to the Yankees in the AL Wild Card game, the future is bright for Oakland. Matt Chapman finished the season as one of the best players in baseball. Blake Treinan was incredible as the A’s best reliever. While the starting rotation fell apart towards the end of the season, it did an admirable job keeping their team in ballgames.

Areas to address: Starting pitcher, middle infielder

When the 2018 season ended, there wasn’t one A’s pitcher who was considered a qualifying starter. Only three pitchers topped 100 innings for Oakland: Sean Manaea, Daniel Mengden, and Trevor Cahill. And the A’s front office led by Billy Beane may not have the financial backing to spend big dollars on a starter like Keuchel or Patrick Corbin. Instead, I’d look for Oakland to find some cheaper alternatives that offer upside. If Manaea and a few other starters within the organization progress, the starting rotation may not remain an issue in 2019. Another area for the A’s to address could likely be the middle infield as Jed Lowrie is now a free agent.

The A’s lineup should remain a quality one, even if Lowrie signs elsewhere. Like all of the teams in the AL West this offseason, the pitching staff is likely Oakland’s top priority.

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