2013 Predicted Record: 53-109
The Astros are bad. After two consecutive seasons of 106 losses or more, the team has actually gotten worse and shrunk its payroll to $25 million. Ryan Howard and Alex Rodriguez are making more than that by themselves.
Houston is moving to possibly the best division in baseball. The Angels have spent as much as anyone the past two offseasons on free agents. The Rangers have lost some of their star players but should be a good team. The A's have a better squad than last season when they shocked the country and made the playoffs. And even the Mariners made a series of offseason moves to make themselves a contender.
The Astros have made a few moves of their own. They traded shortstop Jed Lowrie to the A's for power hitting first baseman Chris Carter. They also made a bad move in trading an up and coming reliver, Wilton Lopez, for a former top prospect Alex White. The only problem is that White has a career 6.03 ERA with a 5-13 record, and doesn't seem to be getting too much better.
Houston is currently in the middle of baseball bankruptcy. This method requires a team to trade away any valued players for prospects, shrink their payroll, and expect atleast three years of dreadful, 100 loss seasons of baseball. Houston is trying to explain this to their fans, but really there isn't anybody on the Astros that has "future" written all over them.
The teams best player hit .211 last season and the best pitcher had a .500 record. The Astros are looking at tough times ahead, and there doesn't appear to be an end to that in sight. Atleast they have a new logo.
4. Seattle Mariners
2013 Predicted Record: 79-83
After spending four years ranking last in the AL West in runs scored, the Mariners decided that it was the ballparks fault. So the fences were moved in.
The Mariners also have one of he best farm systems in the game. With pitchers Taijuan Walker, Danny Hultzen, James Paxton, Carter Capps, Stephen Pryor, catcher Mike Zunino, infielders Nick Franklin, Brad Miller, Stefen Romero and Vinnie Catricala on the horizon, it suggests that not only does Seattle draft well, but they also develop their talent. Seeing all of the positives occuring with the team, Felix Hernandez decided that he wanted to stick around for a few more years. 7 years more, for $175 million.
Seattle's lineup is slightly above mediocre. To succeed, Ackley, Smoak, or another young player will need to step up if the team wants to finish above .500. With the departure of Jason Vargas, the rotation isn't anything to write home about either. This season may not be great for Seattle, but within the next five years they should be a legitimate world series contender.
3. Texas Rangers
2013 Predicted Record 85-77
The Rangers have fallen from their pedestal atop the American League. After two straight world series appearances, twice being a strike away from winning it all, the Rangers lost in the inaugural wild card game last season. This year, Texas lost superstar Josh Hamilton to their division rival, Mike Napoli to Boston, Michael Young was traded away, and relievers Koji Uehara and Mike Adams were picked up by other teams in free agency as well.
But to make up for this Texas signed relievers Jason Frasor and Joakim Soria, along with catcher A.J. Pierzinski to make up for the departures.
The Rangers are still considered playoff contenders. They've swung and missed on a few trades this offseason and couldn't land Hamilton or Grienke in free agency. But through it all they've been smart with their money, not over-paying an aging player to make up for the loss. Instead they'll be relying on the elite prospects that they've developed over the years, such as Jurickson Profar and Mike Olt, both top 25 prospects in baseball.
With Adrian Beltre, Nelson Cruz, Pierzinski, Andrus, and David Murphy carrying the hitting aspect of the team, the lineup isn't so bad. There are concerns with the fact that both Cruz, Pierzinski, and Beltre are over 32 years of age, but none of the three show signs of drop-off seasons. The rotation leaves cause for concern though. Darvish and Matt Harrison are the only two consistently good pitchers on the staff, and one's only pitcher a season in the bigs. Alexi Ogando, Derek Holland, and possibly Robbie Ross will have to stay healthy and productive if the Rangers want another shot at the world series.
2. Oakland Athletics
2013 Predicted Record: 90-72
There's one question that needs to be asked after the most ridiculous, implausible, roller-coaster ride of a season for the Oakland A's last season. Are they sustainable?
Their best player struggled with injuries and was a rookie last season. Josh Reddick had a sub .300 OBP and batted .244. The Division is twice as good, their payroll is 3 times less than that of the Angles, the team is full of a bunch of no-names, and they play in a craggy old football stadium.
Yes they're sustainable.
The lineup had its ups and downs last year, but for the most part was entertaining and powerful. This offseason general manager Billy Beane added Chris Young to the already stacked outfield of Coco Crisp, Josh Reddick, Seth Smith, and Yoenis Cespedes. He then traded first baseman Chris Carter for utility man Jed Lowrie.
The A's seemed to be somewhat of a fluke last season. Everyone was waiting until they'd collapse like all cinderella stories do, but they didn't. The A's have the perfect mix of talented players that aren't worried about contracts or egos. Just having fun and winning games. And doing the Bernie lean.
1. Los Angeles Angels
2013 Predicted Record: 100-62
Last offseason the Angels, who typically made runs for big name players but never landed them, signed Albert Pujols and C.J Wilson to mega-deals. But after a disappointing 2012 campaign that resulted in no postseason games, the Angels grabbed Josh Hamilton for 5 years at $125 million.
Last season everybody apart from Jered Weaver was shaky. Dan Haren missed about half the season, Ervin Santana's ERA was over 5.00, and C.J. Wilson's Era was above 4.00. To resolve this issue, the Angels acquired Jason Vargas and Tommy Hanson in trades. They also established the bullpen by signing Ryan Madson and and left-hander Sean Burnett.
With the Yankees in serious trouble, Boston a mess, Texas slipping, and Oakland having a $60 million payroll, the time is now for the Angels to cash in on their $200 million team and win a world series.
