I'm starting out on the western edge of the country before swinging out east and then coming back to the heartland of the country this weekend to look at our defending champions as well as some of the other major contenders. Today, however, I remain out towards the Pacific with a look at the AL West.
1. Houston Astros
The Astros were still supposed to be rebuilding, but here they are ahead of schedule and in the mix in the American League. Dallas Keuchel headlines an underrated rotation and the lineup is mostly young and full of promise, including Rookie of the Year Carlos Correa, George Springer, and Jose Altuve while veterans like Carlos Gomez add experience. They've got a target on their back, but I think they live up to the hype.
2016 Prediction: 90-72
Last year: 88-74 (1st in AL West), Lost in ALDS; 16 wins above COAS Prediction
With no Yu Darvish on the field, I figured the 2015 Rangers would falter. Instead, they got good contributions from their new acquisitions and young blood, then added Streak Murderer Cole Hamels to the rotation to lead them to a surprising division title. Darvish should be back to complement Hamels in a couple months, and the lineup has a lot of good veteran talent including Prince Fielder, who I doubted last year, but clearly still has a good amount of gas left in the tank. The Darvish-lesss start will keep them from catching the Astros, but they're going to be in the mix come September and Ocotber.
2016 Prediction: 85-77, Wild Card
Last year: 76-86 (4th in AL West), Missed playoffs; 17 wins below COAS Prediction
I've just been all over the place with this division. Seattle was supposed to take that big step last year, but it didn't happen. This year I think they will with all the new additions. Nori Aoki comes to bring some table setting to a potent lineup led by Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz, while Felix Hernandez remains Felix Hernandez at the top of a decent rotation. I don't know that they'll make the playoffs, but they're going to be in contention.
2016 Prediction: 83-79
Last year: 85-77 (3rd in AL West), Missed playoffs; 9 wins below COAS Prediction
There are quite a few injuries in the Angels' rotation which is going to set them back a little bit, and even then it's not that great. Jered Weaver is not the pitcher he was a couple years ago yet will continue to eat innings with a decent degree of quality, but other than him, I'm not sure. The lineup is iffy. Albert Pujols is on the downswing of his career but still has some pop, but that's really about it. That Mike Trout guy is pretty good, I guess, but he can only do so much by himself.
2016 Prediction: 78-84
Last year: 68-94 (5th in AL West), Missed playoffs; 15 wins below COAS Prediction
I don't know what I was thinking here. Josh Donaldson proved how valuable he was in Toronto while the Athletics suffered, and now Brett Lawrie is gone. There's some decent youth here, but a lot of it is unproven, and other than Sonny Gray, the rotation leaves a lot to be desired unless you're a buddy of mine from high school who hates Rich Hill for reasons I still don't understand. There's just not a lot on the way here to get excited about for 2016.
2016 Prediction: 63-99
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