The Los Angeles Angels are expected to dominate the American League West Division as the Oakland A’s went through a massive offseason makeover, the Seattle Mariners are unproven, and the Houston Astros are not quite ready. Let’s take a look at the American League West win totals.
Houston Astros: Over 75.5 -110/Under 75.5 -120
There is a sense that the worst is over in Houston, following the nuclear fallout of three consecutive 100+ loss seasons that was followed by a 92 loss season last year. The Astros have been rebuilding during this time and promising that great days with great young players were in the future. To some, that future is now. New manager A.J. Hinch arrives to take over a team that is considered to have among the most potential in the game. Run production must increase dramatically from an unproven lineup if Houston is go get over the hump this year. The best acquisition of all for the Astros was adding Nolan Ryan to the front office. Ryan led the Texas Rangers to their most successful era in team history and Texas has imploded since his departure. We like the Astros to become competitive but don’t like to reach on unproven teams that are trendy picks. UNDER 75.5 wins is the call.
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Los Angeles Angels: Over 88 +101/Under 88 -122
The Angels stormed back for manager Mike Scioscia with a 20-win improvement in 2014 to make the playoffs for the first time since 2009. The top pick up in the offseason is outfielder Matt Joyce from the Tampa Bay Rays. Joyce will serve to bolster an already powerful lineup led by AL MVP Mike Trout. Josh Hamilton is again in the process of destroying himself, so Joyce’s arrival is perfectly timed. Albert Pujols finally delivered some production after falling flat on his face as a mega-bucks free agent signee three years ago. Pitching was the Angels downfall in the playoffs and remains the biggest obstacle to a repeat playoff berth. There is also concern of the Angels being a stock that is overvalued as a team that over performed, and had everything fall into place last year. We would contend that last year’s 98-win season was ways overdue and that the Angels are back to stay. OVER 88 wins is the call.
Oakland Athletics: Over 81.5 -129/Under 81.5 +107
No general manager is as hated and loved as Oakland’s Billy Beane. And few general managers caught as much heat this past Hot Stove League season. Beane went on a binge of roster makeover that he began last summer when he made the controversial move of trading Yeonis Cespedes to the Boston Red Sox. Whnen the Cespedes trade was made Oakland was comfortably on top of the American League West. They have been in a chaotic free fall ever since. Beane also traded away the A’s top run producer, third baseman Josh Donaldson. Additional subtractions are top pitchers Jon Lester and Jeff Samardzija, along with top hitting outfielder Brandon Moss. While it is impossible to figure out Beane’s trade tirade this past off season, that concern is balanced by the fact that he has done the impossible in keeping this low revenue team competitive. While in Beane we trust, there are too many key player losses and too many questions to inspire an investment here. UNDER 81.5 wins is the call.
Seattle Mariners: Over 86.5 -125/Under 86.5 -105
The Mariners rank with the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres as a trendy reach type of team that is trying to overcome a losing past. The arrival of outfielder/designated hitter Nelson Cruz was a big splash that will certainly add much needed pop to the lineup. Cruz is coming off a 40-year home run season with the Baltimore Orioles last year. Depth remains a concern for a Seattle team that has not made the playoffs in 14 years. The key to the season could be centerfielder Austin Jackson, who is considered to be a potential liability. If Jackson can surprise his critics, the Mariners could make the playoffs. Seattle improved from 71 wins in 2013 to 87 wins last year. We call for a setback in 2015. UNDER 86.5 wins is the call.
Texas Rangers: Over 78.5 -103/Under 78.5 -122
The departure of Ryan from the leadership structure will go down as one of the biggest blunders in modern baseball history. A case could be made that the Rangers were wiped out by injuries in 2014 and have nowhere to go but up. A better case can be made that this team is yet to reach rock bottom. UNDER 78.5 wins is the call.
