MLB Off-Season Moves: AL West, In the Wake of Sign-Stealing
- iAmMizz!
- Feb 19, 2020
- 8 min read
You would have to literally have your head under a rock to not know that the Houston Astros have been caught cheating via illegal sign-stealing of pitches. The main year in question is the 2017 season, in which the Astros won the World Series, but the franchise may have been cheating the last three years. Now Houston has become public enemy number one around the MLB, but will this scandal have any fallout on AL West results in 2020?
The AL West was created in 1969, and had six teams during its inaugural season. Those teams were the California Angels (later Anaheim Angels, and presently Los Angeles Angels), Oakland Athletics (still presently in West), Chicago White Sox (1969-1993), Kansas City Royals (1969-1993), Minnesota Twins (1969-1993), and the Seattle Pilots (became Milwaukee Brewers after one season, franchise left the West division after 1971). The Texas Rangers joined the West in 1972, replacing the Brewers, and are presently in it. The Seattle Mariners first season in the division was 1977, and finally, the Houston Astros only switched over in 2013. Excluding the White Sox, Royals, and Twins (who became the core of the AL Central), let's take a brief look at AL West history.
Because of the wide-ranging tenures of this division, direct comparison can be challenging. The Oakland A's have the most division titles, with 16, and the Angels are second with nine (but these two teams have been in the West the longest). Oakland has also won nine World Series (four as an AL West team, three in a row from '72-'74), and 15 total American League pennants. Los Angeles has only made the World Series once, winning their only appearance in 2002. Texas has yet to win a World Series, taking the AL pennant in 2010 and 2011, and the division seven times since '72. Seattle has not won a World Series either, in fact, they have yet to appear in one in their franchise's history, winning the division three times. Houston's only three division wins have come the three most recent campaigns, which are all now in question. They made the World Series twice during that span, winning it for the first time.
It's been the Astros division to lose of late, but with everyone now motivated to knock off the champs-turned-cheats, can Houston overcome the noise for a fourth straight title?
Off-Season Changes in Order of Predicted 2020 Standings
5. Seattle Mariners (manager: Scott Servais)
Notable Hitting Additions- Carlos Gonzalez (RF/DH), Sam Haggerty (2B/OF)
Notable Pitching Additions- Yoshihisa Hirano (RP), Carl Edwards (RP), Kendall Graveman (SP/RP), Taijuan Walker (SP), Nick Margevicius (SP/RP), Wei-Yin Chen (RP/SP), Nestor Cortes (RP)
Notable Hitting Losses- Domingo Santana (OF), Ryon Healy (1B/DH), Omar Narvaez (C)
Notable Pitching Losses- Felix Hernandez (SP), Wade LeBlanc (SP/RP), Aaron Northcraft (RP), Tommy Milone (RP)
The Seattle Mariners are in a transitional period. They didn't elect to do much in free agency, as they will let some prospects audition for starting jobs in camp. They did decide to take a few fliers on some "buy-low" starting pitchers. Kendall Graveman, Taijuan Walker, Nick Margevicius, and Wei-Yin Chen could all get an opportunity to compete for a spot in the rotation this Spring. The only players guaranteed their role are SP's Marco Gonzales and Yusei Kikuchi, but top prospects like Justus Sheffield and Justin Dunn should be in the mix as well. On the other side of the ball, younger players like OF Kyle Lewis, 2B Shed Long, C Tom Murphy, and 1B Evan White will all attempt to claim everyday jobs. With Mitch Haniger likely to start the season on the injured list, there isn't too much to look forward to in Seattle, unless prospects surprise. Either way, this will be one of the worst teams in baseball in 2020.
4. Texas Rangers (manager: Chris Woodward)
Notable Hitting Additions- Matt Duffy (3B/2B), Todd Frazier (3B/DH), Robinson Chirinos (C), Sam Travis (1B/OF), Blake Swihart (C/OF), Greg Bird (1B)
Notable Pitching Additions- Corey Kluber (SP), Kyle Gibson (SP), Jordan Lyles (SP/RP), Cody Allen (RP), Derek Law (RP), Juan Nicasio (RP), Edinson Volquez (RP), Brian Flynn (RP), Taylor Jungmann (SP/RP), Joely Rodriguez (RP)
Notable Hitting Losses- Nomar Mazara (RF), Hunter Pence (LF/DH), Delino DeShields (OF)
Notable Pitching Losses- Shelby Miller (SP), Emmanuel Clase (RP), Jesse Biddle (RP)
The Texas Rangers are one of those teams that always make me scratch my head every off-season. They seem to constantly bury themselves in baseball purgatory, not quite rebuilding but not factoring in the playoff conversation either. At least the Mariners have committed towards youth. The Rangers have a lot of promising youth of their own (Joey Gallo, Nick Solak, Willie Calhoun, closer Jose Leclerc), but they constantly team them with has-been veterans. Last year it was Shelby Miller, Lance Lynn, and Mike Minor (shockingly two of these three had career seasons, not that it mattered). This year Lynn and Minor return, and they are joined by more unexciting veteran starters like Kyle Gibson, Jordan Lyles, and of course Corey Kluber. Obviously Kluber is a bit more intriguing than the rest, but all these guys are past their prime and the Rangers seem to think this strategy may eventually work (and by work I mean actually make the playoffs). This is a tough division though, and with the Angels and A's getting better and the Astros still pretty good, I just don't think these moves were inspiring enough for Texas.
They added bargain-type players in other areas as well. Todd Frazier and Matt Duffy both come in to platoon at third base, Cody Allen looks to redeem his name as a top reliever after a dreadful 2019, fliers like Edinson Volquez and Taylor Jungmann join camp, even failed Yankee prospect Greg Bird ended up in Texas. Then they decide to clear an outfield spot by trading away Nomar Mazara, a really consistent young hitter the past few seasons. Maybe I'll end up being wrong and the Rangers will hit on some of these low-risk acquisitions, but history is on my side.
3. Los Angeles Angels (manager: Joe Maddon)
Notable Hitting Additions- Anthony Rendon (3B), Jason Castro (C), Max Stassi (C)
Notable Pitching Additions- Dylan Bundy (SP), Julio Teheran (SP), Matt Andriese (RP), Ryan Butcher (RP), Neil Ramirez (RP), Jake Thompson (RP)
Notable Hitting Losses- Kole Calhoun (RF), Kevan Smith (C)
Notable Pitching Losses- Trevor Cahill (SP/RP), Cody Allen (RP), Adalberto Mejia (RP/SP)
The Angels lived up to their big-city billing this Winter, signing third-baseman Anthony Rendon and making serious bids for ace Gerrit Cole as well. Unfortunately, they did not land Cole, who they probably needed more than Rendon. This is still a star-heavy roster in a team sport, with big contracts allotted to Mike Trout, Justin Upton, Shohei Ohtani, Albert Pujols, and now Rendon. The problem is that Pujols and Upton are aged, and Ohtani is injury-prone. I do feel Rendon makes them better in 2020, but I still don't see them beating Houston or Oakland. It isn't the lineup that's the problem, I also like the addition of Jason Castro at catcher, it's the pitching. Julio Teheran and Dylan Bundy end up being the band-aids for missing on Cole, but neither can compare as the ace they desperately needed. Andrew Heaney, Griffin Canning, and some combination of Jaime Barria, Felix Pena, or maybe even Ohtani, should make up the rest of the rotation. It isn't horrible, it's average. The bullpen has a similar vibe, with new faces like Andriese, Butcher, and Ramirez coming in, and old faces like Bedrosian, Robles, and Middleton making returns.
For a team built on star-power and potential, Los Angeles always seems to fall short of their lofty expectations. As much as I wanted to pick them this year, and as much as I wish the league's best player actually had some playoff relevance, I just don't see it. One "star" I left out, Joe Maddon takes over as Angels skipper. Maddon could really silence the haters by unlocking this team's potential and finally getting Trout over the hump.
2. Houston Astros (manager: Dusty Baker)
Notable Hitting Additions- Martin Maldonado (C, re-signed), Dustin Garneau (C)
Notable Pitching Additions- Joe Smith (RP, re-signed), Jared Hughes (RP), Austin Pruitt (RP)
Notable Hitting Losses- Jake Marisnick (CF), Robinson Chirinos (C), Max Stassi (C)
Notable Pitching Losses- Gerrit Cole (SP), Will Harris (RP), Hector Rondon (RP), Wade Miley (SP)
At this point the Houston Astros just want to stay out of the headlines. The coach and general manager have been axed, the players now have permanent smudges on their record, and the team has lost its credibility. That's why the Dusty Baker hire made perfect sense. Baker is 70 years young, and has unquestioned character and integrity, not to mention a wealth of experience. He brings instant credibility back to a shamed franchise, and helps owner Jim Crane side-step away from this mess as delicately as possible. In terms of their off-season transactions, the Astros have been quiet. They traded Marisnick to the Mets, then lost out in the Cole sweepstakes (to be honest they never seemed like they had a chance at bringing him back). They also lost out on key relievers like Will Harris and Hector Rondon, not to mention catcher Robinson Chirinos and depth starter Wade Miley. Besides re-signing a few players, they really only brought in a couple replacement relievers and Garneau (a catcher to pair with Maldonado).
Despite a lackluster Winter, the Astros roster is still stacked from years of high draft picks. The lineup sports players like Bregman, Springer, Correa, Altuve, Brantley, Gurriel, and 2019 breakout Yordan Alvarez. The rotation still has Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke as its aces, which is still better than anything the Angels or Rangers have. Lance McCullers is also set to return, along with prospect options like Jose Urquidy, Josh James, and Forrest Whitley. Roberto Osuna, Joe Smith, Ryan Pressly, Brad Peacock, and Chris Devenski still make up a pretty decent bullpen as well. The big question will be how the Astros bounce back from their scandal. They went from being the positive underdog story, to the hated villain overnight. Will they embrace this new identity, or crumble under the weight of it?
1. Oakland Athletics (manager: Bob Melvin)
Notable Hitting Additions- Tony Kemp (2B/OF), Ryan Goins (2B/SS)
Notable Pitching Additions- Jake Diekman (RP, re-signed), Burch Smith (RP)
Notable Hitting Losses- Jurickson Profar (INF), Josh Phegley (C)
Notable Pitching Losses- Blake Treinen (RP), Tanner Roark (SP), Homer Bailey (SP), Ryan Butcher (RP), Brett Anderson (SP), Kyle Finnegan (RP), Jharel Cotton (SP/RP)
Oakland did not do much this off-season, to the point where I initially expected to rank them third in my predictions, but then I refreshed my memory on their roster. First off, Bob Melvin has been one of the most consistent coaches in the MLB the past few seasons. He constantly gets a lot out of a little, which is the true mark of a great baseball manager in my opinion. Second, a wave of top prospects are all finally reaching the majors for the Athletics, especially in the rotation. Ace Sean Manaea returns this Spring, after an injury-lost 2019, and he will be joined by Frankie Montas and Jesus Luzardo, two of the highest ranked pitching prospects in the game (and maybe AJ Puk as a third). With controversial Astros whistle-blower Mike Fiers also in the mix as a veteran, the Oakland-Houston rivalry should be in full swing this Summer. This bullpen is also impressive. Blake Treinen may have left, along with arms like Butcher and Finnegan, but the A's are still ultra-deep in the pen. Hard-throwing Liam Hendricks should continue as the closer, with Yusmeiro Petit, Joakim Soria, Lou Trivino, and Jake Diekman behind him. The lineup is even deceptively talented, with rising stars like Matt Chapman (3B) and Matt Olson (1B) complimenting prospects like Ramon Laureano (OF) and Sean Murphy (C). Experienced shortstop Marcus Semien provides leadership (coming off an MVP candidate season), and DH Khris Davis provides raw power.
Credit "money ball" general manager Billy Beane, he built another contender out of draft picks and value signings, but can this scrappy underdog finally factor in the World Series conversation?
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