2017 American League West Preview
Texas Rangers
2016: 95-67 (AL West Champs, lost in ALDS to Toronto)
Key additions: 1B/DH Mike Napoli, RHP Andrew Cashner, RHP Tyson Ross,
Key subtractions: OF Ian Desmond, RHP Shawn Tolleson, 1B Mitch Moreland,OF/DH Carlos Beltran
Path to the playoffs: Yu Darvish is a free agent at the end of the year and he and Cole Hamels will have to anchor the rotation in a big way that has some depth and injury concerns behind it already. They'll need Gomez to prove that his rebound after signing with the Rangers late in the year wasn't a fluke and for Adrian Beltre to keep fighting off father time. Napoli should be an offensive upgrade over Moreland and is coming off his first fully healthy season in a long time. The bullpen looks to be in solid shape as does the offense, so they just need starters 3-5 in the rotation to find a way to contribute.
X-factor: In the two seasons prior, albeit less than full season's work for him, Martin Perez posted FIP's in the mid-3's. Now 26, the Rangers need Perez to post similar numbers over a full season to help the back half of the rotation, lessen the load on Darvis and Hamels and potentially the bullpen.
Seattle Mariners
2016: 84-76 (2nd in AL West)
Key additions: LHP Drew Smyly, RHP Yovani Gallardo, RHP Chris Heston, LHP Marc Rzepcynski, INF Jean Segua, 3B Danny Valencia, C Carlos Ruiz
Key subtractions: 1B Adam Lind, C Chris Iannetta, OF Seth Smith, SS Ketal Marte, RHP Taijaun Walker, OF Nori Aoki, RHP Drew Storen
Path to the playoffs: The Mariners made a late push for the Wild Card and they did it with a declining Felix Hernandez who was also dealing with a calf issue. If Hernandez is healthy and can learn to pitch with some diminished velocity, this rotation should be pretty good along with a step forward from James Paxton and the addition of Smyly. The bullpen looks good and GM Jerry DiPoto was busy with trades all offseason trying to remake the shape of the roster by adding some speed and contact. If they can get a better season out of King Felix in 2017, there's no reason they can't compete for the division and at least a Wild Card.
X-factor: It would be easy to say Hernandez is the key to the season, but that's always been the case. But he is probably no longer the true King Felix, so getting health and consistency from Paxton could be the key to keeping this rotation great as opposed to just pretty good.
Houston Astros
2016: 84-78 (3rd in AL West)
Key additions: C/DH Brian McCann, OF/DH Carlos Beltran, RHP Charlie Morton, OF Nori Aoki
Key subtractions: INF Luis Valbuena, OF Colby Rasmus, C Jason Casto, RHP Pat Neshek
Path to the playoffs: They'll need a healthy Dallas Keuchel, first and foremost. If they had that a year ago and didn't get off to a poor start, they might have earned another playoff trip. The lineup promises to be one of the best in baseball and the bullpen is deep. If the rotation clicks, they should be playoff bound one way or another.
X-factor: Keuchel probably won't repeat his 2015 season again, but if he's healthy, he can come close and that should anchor a rotation that has plenty of talent and some depth, but just not a ton of experience or track record of health.
Los Angeles Angels
2016: 74-88 (4th in AL West)
Key additions: INF Luis Valbuena, OF Ben Revere, OF Cameron Maybin
Key subtractions: RHP Jered Weaver, Jhoulys Chacin,
Path to the playoffs: The three teams above them are pretty legit contenders, but the Angels have quietly put some interesting position player pieces around Mike Trout. Maybin and Revere solidify the corner outfield spots way better than they have in years past. If Garrett Richards elbow holds up, Matt Shoemaker can come back from a nasty comeback liner to the head and Tyler Skaggs breaks out, they could be an interesting Wild Card contender. The bullpen isn't bad and this lineup is their best since their last playoff appearance.
X-factor: The Angels need ace Richards to have any shot at a playoff appearance. Maybe even more importantly, Richards is the x-factor for alternatives for pitchers who have UCL injuries and want to avoid Tommy John ligament replacement surgery by using stem a cell treatment.
Oakland Athletics
2016: 69-93 (5th in AL West)
Key additions: RHP Santiago Casilla, INF Trevor Plouffe, OF Matt Joyce, OF Rajai Davis
Key subtractions: INF Danny Valencia
Path to the playoffs: There may not be a harder path to a postseason berth in the AL to imagine than the A's. But for the sake of effort, their rotation of Sean Manea, Jesse Hahn, Jharel Cotton, Andrew Triggs, Kendall Gravemen, maybe Sonny Gray and Chris Bassitt at some point sure provides some upside and depth. Many of them would have to have big steps forward to push the A's towards contention, but no question they're all talented. The bullpen has some names but those names lack the flourish they used to and the lineup features some power and OBP, so they might be able to score enough runs to be interesting if that rotation hits the ground running.
X-factor: Hate to harp on health of one pitcher, but if Gray can get back to being an ace, the rest of the rotation is bumped back and can be more effective behind him. This rotation is worth watching even if the team isn't good, but whether he's trade bait or the A's make some kind of surprising run, Gray will need to be good.
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POSTED 04/01/2017 00:19
Lake County Sentinel
