2021 Season Previews: AL West

[aaron_commissioner]

AL West Preview for 2021:

It is going to be close. Almost every team in the division upgraded in a big way. But the Seattle Mariners arguably got the single best upgrade in Clayton Kershaw. Despite being 1st in most pitching and defensive metrics in 2020, Kershaw will be an upgrade over Chad Kuhl, who he essentially replaces. Brandon Belt is gone, but Daniel Murphy and Andrew McCutchen may provide similar offensive numbers. Look for a similar record to last year.

The Texas Rangers, however, have room to improve. They upgraded one of their biggest needs (shortstop), and frankly were unlucky last year with a bullpen that blew up. The departure of Brice will hurt, but likely not as much as Orlando Arcia will help. I do not regret my prediction of choosing them to win the division in 2020; they are still extremely talented and capable of winning the division. This year, however, they will have to prove it.

Perhaps the most boring team in the ABL (I mean that in a good way) is the Houston Astros. Rejoining the AL West, the Astros have quietly but consistently posted 85+ win seasons. The acquisition this offseason of Brandon Belt for practically nothing may be a very underrated move. They have a ton of budget room. Even though it was overall a quiet offseason, I frankly feel more confident predicting a winning season from them than I do the A’s or Angels. Their return to the division makes the race even more competitive.

Usually, a team that finishes the previous year with 90+ losses is going to end up in last place in the following predictions. But one look at the acquisitions of the Anaheim Angels and it is easy to predict a big jump for the club. Based on last year’s stats, the Angels have improved by almost 10 WAR, and that does not even include their big international signing, Kwan Sheem. They are about to get a lot of financial flexibility and have one of the best farms. I do not think a winning season is guaranteed yet, but the team is no longer a doormat.

The Oakland A’s are cursed by an ultra-competitive division and a small market. They had a stellar year from ace Sean Manaea last year but according to some metrics were blessed with some fortune. I can still see 70 wins from this team. They certainly have the capability of being in the Wild Card race and finishing better than 5th in the AL West. However, considering the change around the other teams in the division, they face a very large uphill battle to contention.

Questions for everyone:
- What is your big acquisition from this year and what do you expect from them?
- This division is very competitive, but every team has a path to contention within the near future. How soon do you see yourself competing for the division title and ultimately the Championship?
- Introduce us to a player we haven’t heard about yet, but should know.

[dylanOakland]

- Big acquisition for the year has got to be the man, the myth, the legend, Matt Whatley. In all seriousness though Sam Dyson was a huge get on a cheap contract (even though I didn't know he was comp eligible) and figures to be the leadr in my monster bullpen. I expect him to perform at all star levels in the cavernous O.co, especially with my strong defense.

- I feel Oakland is being underrated (as usual) and is an ace away from making a serious run at the WC if not the division. The cost for pitching has been too high this offseason so for the time being, I will wait for my time to strike on the market. My lineup is deep, my defense is superb, my bullpen is nasty, all I need is for some reliable starting and who knows what happens. Feeling my window is closer to 2022 once I have Lazaro, De Los Santos and Riley all in the bigs. Until then I'll pray something swings my way. Doesn't help that every other AL West team got at least one ace.

- There are a ton of no names on my roster so I'll choose two. First, Nick Goody was my all-star closer last season even with deceptively low ratings. The guy is a strikeout monster and pitched over 100 innings last season. I expect big things out of him in what should be one of the AL's strongest bullpens. As for the hitter side it's gotta be SS Tyler Wade. He is incredibly versatile and has a great blend of speed, OBP skills and contact. He isn't the flashiest player but he has constantly performed and still has room to get better at age 26. I fully believe he is capable of a 4 win season (next year??)

[RangersGM]

Biggest acquisition: Arcia by far...have been ailing at SS for years. Finally brought a gold glover with a #2 quality bat to put the finishing touch on our lineup

Window: I see us competing this year and I see no reason for us to lose the division title two years in a row. Hopefully luck is on our side this time around.

Kevin Newman was at the center of a lot of our success last season. Acquired from PIT, he slashed .323/.391/.487 with 16 HRs while learning 2B most of the season. He finished with 4.2 WAR last season while pulling in a -13.8 ZR at SS b/c we were shorthanded. I predicted before last season started that I see him as a 5 WAR player (as I do Arcia) and I believe our middle infielders will be the key to any success we attain this season.

[tieranangels]

Biggest Acquisition: It's hard to decide between Sheem, Brice and Rea as all three are such huge additions but ultimately I have to go with Austin Brice. Prior to his addition my Ace was projected to be one of Matt Wisler, Brandon Woodruff, or Barrett Astin. While all of them are good pitchers none are really Ace status. Astin and Rea as well give me an Ace at the top of the Rotation which is something I sorely lacked previously. I expect Brice to do about the same as he has the last few years, with about a 12 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, and a 1.2 HR/9 with a low 3's ERA.

I see 2022 as my year. While I do consider ourselves Wild card contenders this year, I think in 2022 we can really make a title push. With Frank Lopez and Yadier Echevarria both 4 star starters both developing in AAA, next year we have a chance at a scary rotation. When you consider our already young offense and their development we have a lot of potential to be scary in the near future.

Franklyn Kilome. Kilome made his debut in 2019 and looked great posting a 4.20 ERA. In 2020 I relied heavily on him and in some ways he disappointed with a 5.59 ERA. However looking at his peripherals he had more strikeouts and less walks making me optimistic that he can be even better this year. However with our rotation overhaul he has been temporarily bumped from the rotation. Pitching out of the bullpen I am optimistic that he can be an elite multiple innings super reliever.

[aaron_commissioner]

Way to go, division! Nice job answering the questions! I guess I should answer my own now...
- What is your big acquisition from this year and what do you expect from them?
Without a doubt, it has to be Kershaw. He might not remain elite during his tenure with me, but he is still immensely talented and I think still in his prime. I expect one of his best years in 2021 with my defense behind him.

- This division is very competitive, but every team has a path to contention within the near future. How soon do you see yourself competing for the division title and ultimately the Championship?
The Mariners did really well in 2020 and finally made their presence known in the ABL. I hope that this year, 2021, will be ours for the taking.

- Introduce us to a player we haven’t heard about yet, but should know.
M.J. Melendez was our first round pick in 2018 (my first with the team). He has taken his time in the minors, but is almost ready for the big show. He's a defensive wizard and will play a role similar to what Nick Ciuffo did last year, except he has a better bat and overall slightly better defense. He is our catcher of the future, and the future will be very, very soon.