American League West capsules

Capsules of American League West teams, listed in order of finish last year:

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Oakland Athletics

2013: 96-66, 1st place, lost in division series.

Manager: Bob Melvin (fourth season).

He’s Here: LHP Scott Kazmir, RHP Jim Johnson, RHP Luke Gregerson, LHP Eric O’Flaherty, INF Nick Punto, OF Craig Gentry, LHP Drew Pomeranz, OF Sam Fuld.

He’s Outta Here: RHP Bartolo Colon, RHP Grant Balfour, LHP Brett Anderson, LHP Jerry Blevins, OF Chris Young, OF Seth Smith, C Kurt Suzuki, RHP Pat Neshek, OF Michael Choice.

Projected Lineup: CF Coco Crisp (.261, 22, 66, 21 SBs), 3B Josh Donaldson (.301, 24, 93, 37 2Bs), SS Jed Lowrie (.290, 15, 75, 45 2Bs), LF Yoenis Cespedes (.240, 26, 80), 1B or DH Brandon Moss (.256, 30, 87), RF Josh Reddick (.226, 12, 56), DH or C John Jaso (.271, 3, 21), C Derek Norris (.246, 9, 30) or 1B Alberto Callaspo (.258, 10, 58 with Oakland and Los Angeles Angels) or 1B Daric Barton (.269, 3, 16), 2B Eric Sogard (.266, 2, 35) or 2B Nick Punto (.255, 2, 21 with Los Angeles Dodgers).

Rotation: RH Sonny Gray (5-3, 2.67), LH Scott Kazmir (10-9, 4.04), RH Jesse Chavez (2-4, 3.92), RH Dan Straily (10-8. 3.96), LH Tommy Milone (12-9, 4.14) or RH A.J. Griffin (14-10, 3.83 ERA, MLB-worst 36 HRs allowed).

Key Relievers: RH Jim Johnson (3-8, 2.94, 50/59 saves), RH Luke Gregerson (6-8, 2.71, 4 saves), LH Sean Doolittle (5-5, 3.13, 2 saves, .188 BA vs LH), RH Ryan Cook (6-4, 2.54, 2 saves), RH Dan Otero (2-0, 1.38).

Hot Spots: Starting rotation. What looked to be a strength heading into spring training was dealt serious blows in Arizona. Projected opening day starter Jarrod Parker was lost to a season-ending elbow injury and Griffin will also miss the start of the season with a strained right arm. Kazmir has also dealt with a sore left arm, leaving the rotation with many question marks heading into the season. Milone, who looked to be the odd man out at the start of spring, will be back in the rotation and Chavez should come out of the bullpen to fill Griffin’s spot for the first month or so. The A’s will count on Gray to deliver more performances like his dazzling nine-strikeout, no-run performance in Game 2 of the ALDS to make up for the absences.

Outlook: The low-budget A’s can no longer be considered a surprise after beating out their big-spending AL West rivals for the division title the past two seasons. Oakland came into spring training looking like the favorite again in the division but the injuries to the rotation cast a cloud over that. Luckily for the A’s, GM Billy Beane has acquired plenty of depth, especially in the bullpen led by new closer Johnson and setup man Gregerson. While Oakland lacks a big-name star in the lineup, the A’s still finished fourth in the majors in runs in part because of Melvin’s expert use of the platoon to gain an edge. Donaldson and Moss thrived last season and the A’s are hoping to get more a consistent performance from Cespedes and a bounce-back year from Reddick after a wrist injury slowed him for much of 2013.

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Texas Rangers

2013: 91-72, second place.

Manager: Ron Washington (eighth season).

He’s Here: 1B Prince Fielder, LF Shin-Soo Choo, C. J.P. Arencibia, OF Michael Choice, INF Josh Wilson, INF Donnie Murphy, C Chris Snyder.

He’s Outta Here: Closer Joe Nathan, 2B Ian Kinsler, RF Nelson Cruz, C A.J. Pierzynski, RHP Matt Garza, 1B/DH Lance Berkman, CF Craig Gentry, OF David Murphy, INF Jeff Baker.

Projected Lineup: LF Shin-Soo Choo (.285, 21 HRs, 54 RBIs, 20 SBs, 112 walks for Cincinnati), SS Elvis Andrus (.271, 4, 67, 42 SBs), 1B Prince Fielder (.279, 25, 106, 36 doubles for Detroit), 3B Adrian Beltre (.315, 30, 92, AL-high 199 hits), RF Alex Rios (.278, 18, 81, 42 SBs combined with Chicago White Sox/Texas), DH Mitch Moreland (.232, 23, 60), C J.P. Arencibia (.194, 21, 55 with Toronto) 2B Josh Wilson (.200, 1, 4 for Arizona), CF Leonys Martin (.260, 8, 49, 36 SBs).

Rotation: RH Tanner Scheppers (6-2, 1.88, 76 appearances in setup role most ever for a Texas right-hander), LH Martin Perez (10-6, 3.62), LH Robbie Ross (4-2, 3.03 in 65 appearances), LH Joe Saunders (11-16, 5.26 for Seattle), RH Nick Martinez (looking for MLB debut). NOTE: RH Yu Darvish (13-9, 2.83 ERA, ML-leading 277 Ks) was scratched from opening-day start with neck stiffness and likely will start season on DL. LH Matt Harrison, last year’s opening day starter who made only two starts before back surgery, is expected to return in mid-to-late April.

Key Relievers: RH Joakim Soria (1-0, 3.80 in 26 games), LH Neal Cotts (8-3, 1.11, ML high-tying eight wins in relief, 65 Ks in 57 IP), RH Jason Frasor (4-3, 2.57), RH Alexi Ogando (7-4, 3.11 in 23 games/18 starts).

Hot Spots: Along with getting Fielder from Detroit, the trade of Kinsler cleared the way for highly touted prospect Jurickson Profar to be the everyday second baseman. But Profar is out as long as three months with a muscle tear in his right shoulder. Journeymen Wilson and Murphy, just acquired on a waiver claim from the Chicago Cubs, could both see action at second base. … Soria, a two-time All-Star for Kansas City before ligament replacement surgery in his right elbow in 2012, won the closer role. He replaces Nathan, the 39-year-old All-Star who left in free agency for a multiyear deal with Detroit.

Outlook: After missing the playoffs for the first time in four years, scoring their fewest runs (730) in a full season since 1992 and being shut out 11 times, the Rangers’ two most significant offseason moves were to improve the offense. They sent 2B Ian Kinsler to Detroit for slugger Prince Fielder in a rare trade of All-Star players, then signed free agent Shin-Soo Choo to lead off. Only Mike Trout (564) and two-time AL MVP Miguel Cabrera (562) reached base more than Choo (556) and Fielder (542) the past two seasons. Fielder, who batted ahead of MVP winners the last three seasons, now hits between Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre. Rangers ace Yu Darvish should especially appreciate the offensive boost. He was the first MLB pitcher since 1989 to suffer four 1-0 losses in the same season, but still won 13 games and finished second in the AL Cy Young Award voting. Texas lost two expected starters for up to three months with injuries to Profar and C Geovany Soto (right knee).

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Los Angeles Angels

2013: 78-84, third place.

Manager: Mike Scioscia (15th season).

He’s Here: 3B David Freese, LHP Tyler Skaggs, LHP Hector Santiago, DH Raul Ibanez, RHP Joe Smith, INF John McDonald.

He’s Outta Here: OF Peter Bourjos, DH Mark Trumbo, LHP Jason Vargas, RHP Jerome Williams, RHP Tommy Hanson.

Projected Lineup: RF Kole Calhoun (.282, 8 HRs, 32 RBIs, 2 SBs), CF Mike Trout (.323, 27, 97, .988 OPS, 110 BBs), 1B Albert Pujols (.258, 17, 64, 99 GP), LF Josh Hamilton (.250, 21, 79), 3B David Freese (.262, 9, 60 with Cardinals), DH Raul Ibanez (.242, 29, 65 with Mariners), 2B Howie Kendrick (.297, 13, 54), C Chris Iannetta (.225, 11, 39), SS Erick Aybar (.271, 6, 54, 12 SBs).

Rotation: RH Jered Weaver (11-8, 3.27 ERA, 117 Ks), LH C.J. Wilson (17-7, 3.39, 188 Ks), RH Garrett Richards (7-8, 4.16), LH Hector Santiago (4-9, 3.67 with White Sox), LH Tyler Skaggs (2-3, 5.12 ERA for Diamondbacks).

Key Relievers: RH Ernesto Frieri (2-4, 3.80, 37 saves), RH Dane De La Rosa (6-1, 2.86), RH Joe Smith (6-2, 2.29 with Indians), RH Kevin Jepsen (1-3, 4.50).

Hot Spots: The Angels are relying heavily on their high-priced bats returning to form for their return to the playoffs. Pujols appears healthy and ready to play most games at first base after injuries ended last season in July, while Hamilton is hoping to regain his MVP swing by adding muscle after an ugly debut season in Orange County. If Pujols and Hamilton have still got it, the Angels should be in good shape. If they don’t, the Angels’ payroll and lineup will be weighed down for the next several years.

Outlook: After four straight years out of the postseason for the big-budget Angels, 2014 feels like a make-or-break year for manager Mike Scioscia and general manager Jerry Dipoto. While they wait to see whether owner Arte Moreno’s expensive hitters finally come through, Dipoto filled the club’s glaring holes in the offseason with Freese, Santiago and Skaggs. Weaver and Wilson are back to headline a rotation that was the Angels’ true downfall last season. Los Angeles still has arguably the majors’ best player in Trout, and the club is talking about a long-term contract extension with the gifted outfielder. But the two-time MVP runner-up needs support from a veteran lineup. Pujols and Hamilton realize they’ve got to get going quickly to give the Angels a chance to get back to October.

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Seattle Mariners

Manager: Lloyd McClendon (first season).

2013: 71-91, fourth place.

He’s Here: 2B Robinson Cano, OF Corey Hart, 1B-DH Logan Morrison, C John Buck, INF-OF Willie Bloomquist, RHP Chris Young, RHP Fernando Rodney.

He’s Outta Here: Manager Eric Wedge, OF Raul Ibanez, DH Kendrys Morales, SS Brendan Ryan.

Projected Lineup: CF Abraham Almonte (.264, 2 HR, 9 RBI in 25 games; .314 at Triple-A Tacoma) or Michael Saunders (.236, 12, 46), 3B Kyle Seager (.260, 22, 69, 32 doubles), 2B Robinson Cano (.314, 27, 107, 41 doubles with Yankees), RF/DH Corey Hart (.270, 30, 83 in 2012 with Brewers), 1B Justin Smoak (.238, 20, 50), DH Logan Morrison (.242, 6, 36 in 85 games with Marlins), C Mike Zunino (.214, 5, 14 in 52 games), LF Dustin Ackley (.235, 4, 31), SS Brad Miller (.265, 8, 36, 6 triples in 76 games)

Rotation: RH Felix Hernandez (12-10, 3.04 ERA, 216 Ks), RH Hisashi Iwakuma (14-6, 2.66, 185 Ks), LH James Paxton (3-0, 1.50 in 4 starts; 8-11, 4.45 at Tacoma), RH Taijuan Walker (1-0, 3.60 in 3 starts; 5-3, 3.61 at Tacoma), RH Erasmo Ramirez (5-3, 4.90 in 13 starts), RH Chris Young (4-9, 4.15 in 20 starts in 2012 with Mets).

Key Relievers: RH Fernando Rodney (5-4, 3.38, 37/45 saves), RH Tom Wilhelmsen (0-3, 4.12, 24/29 saves), RH Danny Farquhar (0-3, 4.20, 16/20 saves), LH Charlie Furbush (2-6, 3.74, 71 appearances).

Hot Spots: Injuries have left the rotation as Seattle’s biggest concern heading into the regular season. Neither of the setbacks to Walker (shoulder) and Iwakuma (finger) should be long-term issues with the likelihood that both are back within the first month of the season. But the rotation was already unsettled even before the injuries, leaving the likes of Blake Beavan, Ramirez and newly signed Chris Young as needed contributors the first few weeks while Seattle tries to hang on through a brutal first 16 games all against division contenders Texas, Oakland and the Angels.

Outlook: The arrival of Cano gives Seattle an offensive equivalent to what they have in the pitching staff with Hernandez: a superstar that’s among the best in baseball. Whether Cano can get Seattle into contention with the top three in the loaded AL West, well, that’s another story. Seattle could use another right-handed bat in its lineup, but will likely go into the season lefty heavy. If Cano is going to have the same impact he did in New York, he needs Seager and Hart to be good enough to provide protection. Hernandez is the only certainty in the rotation as the season begins, with Iwakuma and Walker slowed by injuries. The Mariners are again a team filled with just as many questions as answers and in division stacked with contenders that could mean a 13th straight season without a postseason berth.

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Houston Astros

2013: 51-111, fifth place.

Manager: Bo Porter (second season).

He’s Here: RH Scott Feldman, CF Dexter Fowler, RH Jesse Crain, RH Jerome Williams, RH Chad Qualls, RH Matt Albers, 1B Jesus Guzman and LH Raul Valdes.

He’s Outta Here: LH Erik Bedard, CF Brandon Barnes, RH Jordan Lyles, RH Philip Humber, OF Trevor Crowe.

Projected Lineup: CF Dexter Fowler (.263, 12 HRs, 42 RBIs, 19 SBs with Rockies), 2B Jose Altuve (.283, 5, 52, 35 SBs, 31 doubles), 3B Matt Dominguez (.241, 21, 77), C Jason Castro (.276, 18, 56), RF L.J. Hoes (.282, 1, 10, 7 SB with Orioles and Astros), 1B Marc Krauss (.209, 4, 13) or Jesus Guzman (.226, 9, 35 with Padres) LF Robbie Grossman (.268, 4, 21), SS Jonathan Villar (.243, 1, 8, 18 SBs), DH Chris Carter (.223, 29, 82, led majors with 212 Ks).

Rotation: RH Scott Feldman (12-12, 3.86 ERA, 132 Ks with Orioles and Cubs), RH Jarred Cosart (1-1, 1.95 in 10 starts), LH Brett Oberholtzer (4-5, 2.76), RH Brad Peacock (5-6, 5.18) or RH Lucas Harrell (6-17, 5.86), RH Jerome Williams (9-10, 4.57 with Angels) or LH Dallas Keuchel (6-10, 5.15).

Key Relievers: RH Jesse Crain (2-3 0.74, 46 Ks with White Sox), RH Matt Albers (3-1, 3.14 with Indians), RH Chad Qualls (5-2, 2.61 with Marlins).

Hot Spots: The Astros brought in Guzman for an upgrade at first base, but a big spring by Krauss has made him the front-runner to start the season there. Whoever wins the job out of spring might not have it for long. If top first base prospect Jon Singleton gets off to a good start in Triple-A, he could be elevated to the majors soon. Houston had a league-high 29 blown saves last season, but thinks that offseason upgrades to the bullpen should help turn things around. The group received a blow with news that All-Star reliever Crain will likely start the season on the disabled list after biceps surgery.

Outlook: The Astros fielded a team with an MLB-low payroll under $30 million last season and finished with a franchise-record 111 losses for their third straight 100-loss season. Now that they’ve restocked their once-barren farm system, they’ve started spending money to add pieces to pair with their up-and-coming players and should be better in 2014. Their most notable offseason addition was Feldman, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract to lead the rotation. They also boosted their dreadful bullpen by signing Crain, along with Qualls and Albers. They upgraded the lineup by trading for center fielder and leadoff hitter Fowler, and this could be the year that intriguing prospect George Springer arrives in Houston. The 24-year-old outfielder had 37 homers, 108 RBIs and 45 stolen bases combined in Double-A and Triple-A last season, but will start the season in Triple-A.