Offseason grades: Everything you need to know about the AL West
Welcome to theScore's MLB offseason grades, in which we look at where each team stands heading into the 2022 season. Payroll is calculated by AAV for competitive balance tax purposes. Record projections courtesy FanGraphs.
AL EAST | NL EAST I AL CENTRAL I NL CENTRAL I NL WEST
Los Angeles Angels
Projected 2022 record: 83-79
Projected 40-man payroll: $202M
Key departures: Dylan Bundy (MIN), Steve Cishek (WSH), Alex Cobb (SF), Dexter Fowler (TOR), Junior Guerra (Mexico), Juan Lagares (FA)
Key additions: Archie Bradley, Matt Duffy, Michael Lorenzen, Aaron Loup, Noah Syndergaard, Ryan Tepera, Andrew Velazquez, Tyler Wade
Injuries: Griffin Canning
Grade: C+
Projected lineup
ORDER | PLAYER | POSITION | AGE |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Shohei Ohtani (L) | DH | 27 |
2 | Mike Trout | CF | 30 |
3 | Jared Walsh (L) | 1B | 28 |
4 | Anthony Rendon | 3B | 32 |
5 | Max Stassi | C | 31 |
6 | Brandon Marsh (L) | LF | 24 |
7 | Jo Adell | RF | 23 |
8 | Tyler Wade | 2B | 27 |
9 | David Fletcher | SS | 28 |
It's pretty much the same complaint about the Angels since Trout became a star a decade ago: The lineup is top-heavy and lacks depth. Ohtani certainly helps that, especially when weaponized so aggressively last year, appearing in 158 games as a hitter. A lot of their success will come down to which version of Rendon shows up. Between 2017-20, only Trout and Mookie Betts accrued more WAR. In an injury-plagued campaign last year, the two-time Silver Slugger struggled over 58 games. They'll need him to be an elite impact bat if they hope to win the division. If Rendon can deliver, then the club can turn its attention to counting on Walsh, Stassi, and Fletcher to recapture some form or at least play above their role. They are also hoping for a step forward from Adell, who has struggled early in his career.
Projected rotation
ROLE | PITCHER | THROWS | AGE |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Shohei Ohtani | R | 27 |
2 | Patrick Sandoval | L | 25 |
3 | Noah Syndergaard | R | 29 |
4 | Jose Suarez | L | 24 |
5 | Michael Lorenzen | R | 30 |
6 | Reid Detmers | L | 22 |
If there's one area that's really let the Angels down over the last decade, it's the pitching staff. However, GM Perry Minasian's most interesting offseason acquisition should help that. Stealing Syndergaard away from the Mets on a one-year deal that cost $20 million and a compensatory draft pick is quite the coup. Not only does it afford Syndergaard a platform to showcase that he's fully healthy, and capable of being an ace worthy of earning nine-figure overtures next winter, but it also gives the Angels some flexibility. This might be a decisive year for the Halos. Trout isn't getting any younger, while Ohtani's trade value will never be higher, and the latter is likely due for an extension soon. Will they simply keep retooling and wallowing in mediocrity, or can they actually build a winner around their two MVP-caliber stars?
Houston Astros
Projected 2022 record: 91-71
Projected 40-man payroll: $192M
Key departures: Carlos Correa (MIN), Yimi Garcia (TOR), Marwin Gonzalez (NYY), Kendall Graveman (CWS), Zack Greinke (KC), Brooks Raley (TB)
Key additions: Nico Goodrum, Hector Neris
Injuries: Lance McCullers Jr., Jake Meyers
Grade: D
Projected lineup
ORDER | PLAYER | POSITION | AGE |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Jose Altuve | 2B | 32 |
2 | Michael Brantley (L) | LF | 35 |
3 | Alex Bregman | 3B | 28 |
4 | Yordan Alvarez (L) | DH | 25 |
5 | Yuli Gurriel | 1B | 38 |
6 | Kyle Tucker (L) | RF | 25 |
7 | Chas McCormick | CF | 27 |
8 | Jeremy Pena | SS | 24 |
9 | Martin Maldonado | C | 35 |
Losing Correa is a huge blow. However, the Astros suddenly find themselves with a new group of stars to build around. Sure, Altuve and Bregman are familiar faces, and either could challenge for MVP next year, but don't sleep on Alvarez or Tucker also making waves in that race. Completely untouched by sign-stealing discourse, both Alvarez and Tucker became key bats for the AL champs. Tucker, in particular, dominated the second half of last season, posting an otherworldly 177 wRC+ after the All-Star break. That mark trailed only Juan Soto and Bryce Harper. Don't underestimate the Astros just because they might have Pena playing shortstop. He certainly isn't Correa, but he might be a better prospect than he's gotten credit for.
Projected rotation
ROLE | PITCHER | THROWS | AGE |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Framber Valdez | L | 28 |
2 | Jake Odorizzi | R | 32 |
3 | Justin Verlander | R | 39 |
4 | Jose Urquidy | R | 27 |
5 | Luis Garcia | R | 25 |
Verlander's return is the headline here, but how the 39-year-old bounces back from late-career Tommy John surgery is a huge question mark. Next in line are a trio of really solid mid-rotation starts with McCullers, Valdez, and Garcia. McCullers has the longest history and seemingly the highest ceiling, but he continues to walk too many and will start the year on the IL. Meanwhile, Valdez doesn't miss many bats but finds other ways to limit runs, while Garcia had an impressive debut season, finishing runner-up in AL Rookie of the Year voting. From top to bottom, it's a solid rotation that would give most lineups a chance to win on any given day, but clear questions remain.
Oakland Athletics
Projected 2022 record: 69-93
Projected 40-man payroll: $57M
Key departures: Chris Bassitt (NYM), Mark Canha (NYM), Andrew Chafin (DET), Matt Chapman (TOR), Khris Davis (FA), Mike Fiers (Mexico), Yan Gomes (CHC), Josh Harrison (CWS), Sean Manaea (SD), Starling Marte (NYM), Mitch Moreland (FA), Matt Olson (ATL) Sergio Romo (MIN), Trevor Rosenthal (FA), Burch Smith (Japan)
Key additions: Brent Honeywell, Sheldon Neuse, Adam Oller, Christian Pache, Kevin Smith, Kirby Snead, Eric Thames, Stephen Vogt
Injuries: Honeywell, James Kaprielian, Ramon Laureano (suspended)
Grade: F
Projected lineup
ORDER | PLAYER | POSITION | AGE |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Tony Kemp (L) | 2B | 30 |
2 | Stephen Vogt (L) | 1B | 37 |
3 | Sean Murphy | C | 27 |
4 | Seth Brown (L) | LF | 29 |
5 | Jed Lowrie (S) | DH | 38 |
6 | Stephen Piscotty | RF | 31 |
7 | Elvis Andrus | SS | 33 |
8 | Kevin Smith | 3B | 25 |
9 | Cristian Pache | CF | 23 |
The front office decided to ship off both Chapman or Olson, which makes the team much, much worse in 2022. Murphy and Kemp - who broke out last year - are the only impact bats in the lineup, with Andrus, Piscotty, and Pinder mostly struggling to maintain even league-average performance these days. There will be plenty of opportunity for newcomers Smith and Pache to make an impact.
Projected rotation
ROLE | PITCHER | THROWS | AGE |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Frankie Montas | R | 29 |
2 | Cole Irvin | L | 28 |
3 | Daulton Jefferies | R | 26 |
4 | Paul Blackburn | R | 28 |
Montas is the last man standing after Manaea joined the mass exodus of high-impact talent from the Bay Area. Although he has multiple years of club control remaining, it's hard to envision Montas staying put for very long if a team makes an aggressive offer. 2016 first-round pick A.J. Puk could be a candidate for a rotation spot following the Manaea deal, and Oakland should give him a long runway to see if he can emerge as a legitimate option.
Seattle Mariners
Projected 2022 record: 80-82
Projected 40-man payroll: $121M
Key departures: Tyler Anderson (LAD), Jake Bauers (CIN), Sean Doolittle (WSH), Justin Dunn (CIN), Jake Fraley (CIN), Yusei Kikuchi (TOR), Jose Marmolejos (Japan), Keynan Middleton (ARI), James Paxton (BOS), Kyle Seager (Retired), Joe Smith (MIN)
Key additions: Adam Frazier, Robbie Ray, Eugenio Suarez, Jesse Winkler
Injuries: Ken Giles, Kyle Lewis
Grade: A-
Projected lineup
ORDER | PLAYER | POSITION | AGE |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Adam Frazier (L) | 2B | 30 |
2 | Ty France | 1B | 28 |
3 | Jesse Winker (L) | DH | 28 |
4 | Mitch Haniger | RF | 31 |
5 | Eugenio Suarez | 3B | 30 |
6 | Julio Rodriguez | CF | 21 |
7 | Jarred Kelenic (L) | LF | 22 |
8 | Tom Murphy | C | 31 |
9 | J.P. Crawford (L) | SS | 27 |
Could it be that the Mariners are finally the dark horse, up-and-coming club? Bringing in Frazier, Winker and Suarez certainly helps. The electric Rodriguez will elevate the ceiling of the lineup and make the Mariners even more difficult for opposing pitchers to navigate. With more protection in the order, Kelenic could be primed for a sophomore surge after an up-and-down debut campaign.
Projected rotation
ROLE | PITCHER | THROWS | AGE |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Robbie Ray | L | 30 |
2 | Logan Gilbert | R | 25 |
3 | Marco Gonzales | L | 30 |
4 | Chris Flexen | R | 28 |
5 | Matt Brash | R | 24 |
The addition of reigning AL Cy Young winner Ray is huge. After finding his form over the past two seasons with the Blue Jays, the lefty could be a crucial veteran example for an up-and-coming staff that'll invariably face adversity as their careers progress. That starts with Gilbert, who was considered a top pitching prospect before his decent but underwhelming rookie campaign last year. After that, Ray could act as a mentor to Dunn and even George Kirby or Emerson Hancock, who might make their debuts this year. Not to mention, Ray will be doing this all while providing ace-level performance as an elite strikeout guy. Home runs remain an issue, but T-Mobile Park plays quite a bit bigger than Toronto's Rogers Centre.
Texas Rangers
Projected 2022 record: 75-87
Projected 40-man payroll: $150M
Key departures: Mike Foltynewicz (FA), Brock Holt (FA), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (MIN), Jordan Lyles (BAL)
Key additions: Kole Calhoun, Mitch Garver, Jon Gray, Greg Holland, Brad Miller, Martin Perez, Garrett Richards, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien
Injuries: Jonathan Hernandez, Jose Leclerc
Grade: A-
Projected lineup
ORDER | PLAYER | POSITION | AGE |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Brad Miller (L) | LF | 32 |
2 | Marcus Semien | 2B | 31 |
3 | Corey Seager (L) | SS | 28 |
4 | Mitch Garver | C | 31 |
5 | Nathaniel Lowe (L) | 1B | 27 |
6 | Adolis Garcia | CF | 29 |
7 | Kole Calhoun (L) | RF | 34 |
8 | Willie Calhoun (L) | DH | 27 |
9 | Andy Ibanez | 3B | 29 |
The additions of Seager and Semien are unquestionably huge, but they alone don't make a 102-loss team into a contender. Progression from any of Willie Calhoun, Garcia, Lowe, and Solak would certainly help. It will depend on how much money the front office and ownership are still willing to continue to dole out after spending $500 million on Seager and Semien. But the team is conceivably one good bat away from having arguably the best lineup in the division, and that might be enough in a transitional AL West.
Projected rotation
ROLE | PITCHER | THROWS | AGE |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Jon Gray | R | 30 |
2 | Martin Perez | L | 31 |
3 | Dane Dunning | R | 27 |
4 | Taylor Hearn | L | 27 |
5 | Spencer Howard | R | 25 |
This is where it gets tricky for the Rangers. The lineup might be able to pummel opposing pitching staffs. But will that be enough given the limited run suppression of the rotation and bullpen? Gray is an interesting breakout candidate who landed a four-year, $56-million deal after struggling in Colorado despite decent strikeout-to-walk numbers. If he can put it together in the pitcher haven of Globe Life Field, perhaps he can be a No. 1. Dunning is also noteworthy, struggling by ERA standards but posting an impressive FIP thanks to limited homers. Maybe he can capture some of the strikeout form that made him an elite prospect. Beyond that, though, it's not great. Howard was a fascinating prospect with the Phillies but has altogether failed to find any success in the majors so far.