Post-Lockout: AL West Offseason Transactions
The main attraction from the AL West this offseason was coming from the Houston Astros Carlos Correa. It was up in the air whether Carlos Correa would stay with the Astros or move on to a different team with his demand being high and multiple teams interested in his services. Some other AL West teams within the division look to build up their rosters in the hopes of dethroning the reigning AL Champs. Others look to restart and rebuild their rosters for the future.
Los Angeles Angels:
Key Additions:
Signed Noah Syndergaard to a one-year $21 million deal
Signed Micheal Lorenzen to a one-year $6.75 million deal
Re-signed Raisel Iglesias to a four-year $58 million deal
Signed Aaron Loup to a two-year $17 million deal
Signed Matt Duffy to a one-year $1.5 million deal
Signed Kurt Suzuki to a one-year $1.75 million deal
Signed Archie Bradley to a one-year $3.75 million deal
Key Subtractions:
Starter Alex Cobb signed with the Giants
Steve Cishek signed with the Nationals
Dexter Fowler
Juan Lagares
The Angels were busy in the offseason, but there are still question marks with the team going into the season. Can Syndergaard, Mike Trout, and Rendon hold up? Can Shoei Ohtani repeat his 2021 performance? There’s a lot to find out, the Angels can be sneaky good, but I can’t see them winning the AL West this year.
Texas Rangers:
Key Additions:
Signed Kole Calhoun to a one-year $3.4 million deal with an option for a second year
Signed Marcus Semien to a seven-year $175 million deal
Signed Corey Seager to a ten-year $325 million deal
Signed Jon Gray to a four-year $56 million deal
Signed Martin Perez to a one-year $4 million deal
Signed Garrett Richards to a one-year $5.5 million deal with a club option for a second year
Signed Brad Miller to a two-year $10 million deal
Acquired Mitch Garver included in the Isiah Kiner-Felefa trade
Signed Brandon Workman to a minor league contract
Signed Matt Moore to a minor league contract
Key Subtractions:
Jordan Lyles signed to Baltimore
Isiah Kiner-Felefa traded to Minnesota
Charlie Culberson
Brock Holt
The Rangers were busy this offseason boosting their offense with the signings of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. The question remains for them on if the starting pitching will be able to hold up with Jon Gray being the only proven starter on the team. Martin Perez returning to the Rangers could help, but after a rocky 2021 with Boston, it would be a stretch for the Rangers to rely on him to solidify their young rotation. The Rangers are probably a couple of years away from being legitimate contenders in the AL West but currently are Wild Card contenders at best.
Oakland Athletics:
Key Additions:
Re-signed Chad Pinder one year $2.75 million & Tony Kemp one-year $2.25 million to avoid arbitration
Acquired Chtistian Pasche & Shea Langeliers number 56 overall prospect in Olson Trade
Key Subtractions:
Starling Marte & Mark Canha signed with the Mets
Traded Matt Olson to Atlanta
Traded Matt Chapman to Toronto Blue Jays
Traded Chris Bassitt to Mets
Yan Gomes to the Cubs
Jake Diekman to the Red Sox
Manager Bob Melvin to the Padres
Josh Harrison to the White Sox
Jed Lowrie
Mitch Moreland
Khris Davis
Yan Gomes
Sergio Romo
Mike Fiers
Yusmeiro Petit
Andrew Chafin
There’s not much going on here. The Athletics look like they are tearing this one down and starting over again as prospects were the main focus of the trades.
Houston Astros:
Key Additions:
Signed Justin Verlander returned from Tommy John signing a one year $25 million deal with a player option for another year.
Signed Hector Neris to a two-year $17 million deal
Key Subtractions:
Carlos Correa signed with the Twins
Kendal Graveman signed with the White Sox
Yimi García signed with the Blue Jays
Brooks Raley signed with the Rays
Zack Greinke signed with the Royals
The Astros look to remain atop the AL West with their starting pitching re-tooled. The offense is still going to be a powerhouse even after losing Carlos Correa. It should be an interesting fight out West as the reigning AL Champs hope to be back in the World Series yet again.
Seattle Mariners:
Key Additions:
Robbie Ray signed to a five-year $115 million deal
Traded for second baseman/ outfielder Adam Fraizer
Traded for Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez
Key Subtractions:
Kyle Seager retired
Yusei Kikuchi signed with Toronto
James Paxton signed with the Red Sox
Sean Doolittle signed with the Nationals
Tyler Anderson
Joe Smith
The Mariners look to build off their semi-successful 2021 season as they barely missed the 2021 playoffs. The additions of Winker and Suârez look to push the Mariners over the hump to the postseason. I look for the Mariners to challenge the Astros for the division crown and are my pick to win the AL West.