AL West report cards: Grading offseason moves
With spring training fast approaching, theScore's MLB editors hand out their offseason grades for each division. We continue our report cards with the American League West.
The AL West could be one of the most competitive divisions in baseball: Two of its teams made the playoffs last season, while another narrowly missed, and the remaining clubs improved during busy offseasons.
Whether it's Jerry Dipoto's revamped Mariners, the youthfully exuberant Astros, or the reigning division-champion Rangers, expect the AL West to be wide open for the taking.
Here is a breakdown of each club's offseason and how it's improved (or regressed) as the 2016 season approaches.
Houston Astros
Key Arrivals: Colby Rasmus (re-signed), Tony Sipp (re-signed), Ken Giles (trade), Doug Fister (FA)
Key Departures: Jed Lowrie (OAK), Chris Carter (MIL), Chad Qualls (COL), Oliver Perez (WAS)
140-character takeaway: The Astros gave up a ton to grab Giles, but their bullpen may be the best in the division after the deal. Letting Carter walk won't hurt.
Grade: B+
Los Angeles Angels
Key Arrivals: Andrelton Simmons (trade), Yunel Escobar (trade), Al Alburquerque (FA), Daniel Nava (FA), Craig Gentry (FA)
Key Departures: Erick Aybar (ATL), Trevor Gott (WAS), Chris Iannetta (SEA)
140-character takeaway: Simmons and Escobar are hardly upgrades over Aybar and David Freese. Still in need of a legit left fielder.
Grade: C-
Oakland Athletics
Key Arrivals: Rich Hill (FA), Liam Hendriks (trade), Jed Lowrie (trade), Yonder Alonso (trade), Marc Rzepczynski (trade), Ryan Madson (FA), John Axford (FA), Henderson Alvarez (FA)
Key Departures: Brett Lawrie (CWS), Drew Pomeranz (SD), Jesse Chavez (TOR), Evan Scribner (SEA)
140-character takeaway: The A's addressed a number of bullpen and rotation needs with a flurry of moves, but are they much better than 2015? Doesn't look like it.
Grade: C-
Seattle Mariners
Key Arrivals: Nathan Karns (trade), Franklin Gutierrez (re-signed), Joaquin Benoit (trade), Leonys Martin (trade), Iannetta (FA), Nori Aoki (FA), Wade Miley (trade), Scribner (trade), Adam Lind (trade), Steve Cishek (FA), Hisashi Iwakuma (re-signed), Dae-ho Lee (FA)
Key Departures: Logan Morrison (TB), Brad Miller (TB), Tom Wilhelmsen (TEX), Mark Trumbo (BAL), Carson Smith (BOS), Roenis Elias (BOS)
140-character takeaway: Jerry Dipoto's busy offseason makes the team look better on paper, but taking down the Astros and Rangers could be too hefty a task.
Grade: B-
Texas Rangers
Key Arrivals: Tom Wilhelmsen (trade), Colby Lewis (re-signed), Justin Ruggiano (FA)
Key Departures: Leonys Martin (SEA), Anthony Bass (Japan), Mike Napoli (CLE)
140-character takeaway: Will get full season of Cole Hamels and returning Yu Darvish. Still need everyday catcher if they plan to compete with Astros for division crown.
Grade: C