Offseason previews: AL West

*Photo from Logo Design Love*

   After completing the AL central yesterday, let's look at the AL west. 

*Photo from 1000 logos*

Houston Astros

   In Houston, the main goal this offseason is to keep the 2019 team together. But, how will that goal affect the payroll? They don't seem to have the financial flexibility to re-sign Cole, as he will probably ask for around $300 million. The Astros also need to address the catching, as Robinson Chirinos is a free agent, and the bullpen, with Will Harris being a free agent. The Astros don't have a lot of flexibility before hitting the $208 million luxury tax threshold, so it will be difficult. The Astros do have reinforcements on the way in the farm system, but they're still about a year or so away. It seems they'll lose Cole, but Houston won't suffer that badly, they're still loaded. 

*Photo from Money Inc*

Oakland Athletics

   After consecutive wild card losses, things seem bleak in Oakland. This offseason, they will try and cut into the Astros division dominance. Ownership is unwilling to spend big bucks, so they'll have to try and do it the way they always do: Through trades and secondhand free agents. They fixed some of their pitching by getting Jake Diekman and Homer Bailey at the deadline, and that's probably what they'll resort to again. Their pitching has looked strong, and top prospect Jesus Luzardo is here for a full season now, so it may become a strength. The hitting game doesn't need much help, so Oakland should focus on signing some pitching depth at low cost this offseason, an Oakland special. 

*Photo from Money Inc*

Texas Rangers

   Something the Rangers could look to do in the offseason is land a superstar to generate some excitement as they move into their new park. They have a roster that could compete, as they did at the start of last season, but a star would thrust them back into the picture. They've been most connected to Anthony Rendon, which makes sense as he's from Texas and they have a hole at third base. He's the ideal candidate, but his market will be strong, so they could go to Josh Donaldson or Mike Moustakas instead. They also need pitching. Lance Lynn and Mike Minor were the only guys they could trust last season, and if they don't add anyone, they'll be the only pitchers to trust this season. They also need a catcher who can hit, as their catchers were awful with the bat last season. Texas could either shake up the offseason picture, or do nothing. We'll have to find out. 

*Photo from Money Inc*

Los Angeles Angels

   The Angels have a new manager in Joe Maddon, and they've expressed an interest in raising payroll, so can they net a superstar? It's definitely possible, since pitchers Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg are both from Southern California, so that alone could lure them to Anaheim. They don't have many enticing prospects in the farm system outside of Jo Adell, so they'll have to add in free agency. Pitching is definitely the big need, so they could go after Cole and Strasburg, or some secondary names such as Hyun-Jin Ryu, Madison Bumgarner, and Zack Wheeler. Third base is something they can address as well, so they could chase after Donaldson or Moustakas. Expect the Angels to spend this winter, they'll have some nice new faces in the spring.

*Photo from Larry Brown Sports*

Seattle Mariners

   The Mariners are in the midst of a full scale rebuild, so the wonder is if GM Jerry Dipoto, who loves to trade, will be patient this offseason. It seems unlikely, since Dipoto made several trades while hospitalized last winter. He has said that it's time to bring up the young guns in the minors, despite the lack of game changing talent they have down there. Since they are rebuilding, don't expect much coming from Seattle this winter.