2021 MLB predictions: Predicting the AL West
The season is about to get underway, and with that comes out 2021 MLB predictions. Next on the docket is a division where every team has flaws – the AL West.
And yet, this division is home to the Astros, who have reached the American League Championship Series in each of the past four years, doing so last year with a sub .500 record in the regular season. The Angels have plenty of star power in Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, and Anthony Rendon, and are expected to finally contend for a playoff berth.
2021 MLB predictions: The AL West
While those two teams are expected to battle for the division, the Mariners and Rangers are on opposite ends of the rebuilding spectrum. Texas has finally begun theirs, while Seattle is hoping to compete in the near future. Meanwhile, the A’s have been forgotten this offseason despite having won the division last year.
Who will win the AL West? Let’s look into our crystal ball and find out.
5. Texas Rangers
Let’s face it – the Texas Rangers are not sniffing the postseason any time soon.
On the plus side, they have finally committed to a rebuilding process. A change in the front office, bringing in former major league pitcher Chris Young as their general manager, has led to a shift in the organization as they look to move on from a core that has underperformed over the past few years.
The Rangers 2021 season may well be a tale of which players are moved by the deadline and who is identified as a part of the future core. As much as Texas would love to move on from Rougned Odor‘s contract, it seems far more likely that Joey Gallo, Jordan Lyles, and Kyle Gibson will be flipped for prospects if they have a solid year. Likewise, they added several pieces on one year deals, presumably with the hope of flipping them at the trade deadline as well.
The Texas Rangers are going to have a long 2021 season. But this is a rebuild that they needed to start a long time ago.
4. Seattle Mariners
If everything goes right for the Seattle Mariners, they could be the team in this division that blows up the 2021 MLB predictions for the AL West.
The Mariners have started to find pieces for their core on offense. Kyle Lewis appeared to be an emerging star as a rookie last season. Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez should reach the majors this season, while Taylor Trammell may finally be ready to live up to his potential. While the pitching is still a bit away, Marco Gonzales has become a solid arm for Seattle, and there is hope that James Paxton can rediscover his form.
Although the Mariners are focusing more on their game to game results in 2021 as opposed to their development, their eyes still have to be on the future. The Mariners have six top 100 prospects according to MLB.com, making their future bright indeed. But can Jerry Dipoto stay patient if Seattle outperforms expectations to begin the season?
The Seattle Mariners could be a surprise team in 2021. However, it is far more likely that their time comes in either 2022 or 2023.
3. Los Angeles Angels
The Los Angeles Angels are a popular team to contend in the AL West in 2021 MLB predictions around the internet. That seems overly optimistic.
There is no question that this team will hit. A middle of the lineup with Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, and Anthony Rendon will have plenty of offense. David Fletcher is a very underrated piece, and the Angels lineup, with the exception of the corpse of Albert Pujols, is generally solid.
The problem comes with the pitching staff. Once again, the Angels are asking Ohtani and Griffin Canning to be their top starters as they again failed to attract an ace in free agency. Rasiel Iglesias will solidify the back of the bullpen, but he is an impending free agent. Their moves on the pitching side were the same as always – stopgap solutions without a long term solution.
Names may be different, but the Los Angeles Angels are essentially the same as they have been. This is, at best, a third place team until they find the starters they need.
2. Houston Astros
The battle for the AL West division will come down to the Houston Astros and the Oakland A’s. For now, uncertainty about the Astros’ pitching staff keeps them behind Oakland.
George Springer‘s departure leaves a major void in the Astros’ lineup, but this is a team that should still score runs. The core of the lineup is still in place, and Houston did manage to retain Michael Brantley when it appeared that he would join Springer in Toronto. Scoring runs should not be a problem.
However, there are plenty of questions with the pitching staff. Zack Greinke and Jake Odorizzi are a solid 1-2 punch, but the Astros need Lance McCullers Jr. to finally last a full season and other arms to step up. Ryan Pressley is hardly a proven option as a closer, and the rest of the bullpen is filled with question marks.
The Houston Astros may have enough to contend for a postseason berth due to a weaker division, but there are too many holes to take back the AL West.
1. Oakland A’s
The Oakland A’s had done nothing to upgrade their roster until February. Then suddenly, they filled most of the holes on their roster.
Oakland found their new shortstop in a trade with division rival Texas, landing Elvis Andrus to hold down the fort. Trevor Rosenthal was brought in to take over as their new closer. The rotation was inconsistent last season, but should benefit from a normal season, while the bullpen should be a strength once again.
That does not mean that everything is perfect in Oakland. Second base is a giant question mark once again, with Jed Lowrie as the potential answer for 2021. Health will be a major factor as well, as all world third baseman Matt Chapman saw his effectiveness wane before his season was cut short due to hip surgery.
Next. Predicting the AL Central. dark
The Oakland A’s should have enough to defend their AL West title. However, it is not going to be as easy as winning the division was last year.