The Improving American League West

The Texas Rangers division was not as good as everyone thought it would be in 2013, in fact many people predicted there was a good chance that the division would have three teams in the post season. We all know that only the Oakland Athletics made it to the post season in 2013. The Texas Rangers just barely missed the post season, playing in a game 163 with the Rays to try to get in, and the Angels fell short of expectations again with their supposed high-powered offense. But all of the teams in the West have done things to improve themselves for the 2014 campaign, from top to bottom. 2014 should bring a very competitive season in the AL West, one that will be nerve-wracking for any fan of the division. Here is a look at what the teams did to improve in the off-season.

Oakland Athletics

Sep 28, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Indians pitcher Scott Kazmir (26) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Unlike the Texas Rangers, the A’s decided to improve on what was their best asset to begin with: their pitching. Why change what has been working, right? The Athletics let Bartolo Colon walk and picked up the likes of Scott Kazmir to the starting rotation and Luke Gregerson and Jim Johnson to an already strong bull pen. Their offense was good enough behind their pitching in 2013 to win the west handily behind their pitching staff, and they have improved their pitching staff going into 2013. I would still consider them the favorites going into the 2014 season with the pitching they still have. One thing you can always count on with Billy Beane is that his teams will have really good pitching.

For great coverage on the Athletics visit swingin’ A’s on the FanSided network.

Seattle Mariners

Sep 30, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz (17) watches batting practice before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rangers Ballpark at Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Mariners were by far the big spenders in the 2013 off-season, and according to SoDo Mojo, it is only a matter of time until they sign former Texas Rangers slugger Nelson Cruz. Remember they have already added Robinson Cano, and he and Cruz would be a force to be reckoned with in the middle of that line-up that was lacking last season. They also added Corey Hart  to the offense and a much-needed closer in Fernando Rodney to add to a pitching staff that is pretty good. I expect the Mariners to be able to compete with the top teams in the AL West in 2014 and give the Texas Rangers much more trouble than they did in 2013.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Oct 30, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese (23) reacts after striking out against the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning of game six of the MLB baseball World Series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The Angels were expected to clean up the Texas Rangers and the rest of the American League West in both 2012 and 2013, but fell very short both season besides having a very dangerous looking offense. But as any Texas Rangers fans of the early 2000’s can tell you, a great offense is not always the key to winning. The Angels added a guy that Texas Rangers fans do not want to see as often as they now will in David Freese, and where they really needed improvement (their pitching behind Jarod Weaver) they didn’t do much, but if that offense finally lives up to what it is supposed to be the Angles should be able to compete with the top teams in 2014.

For more on the Angels visit the Fansided Angels site Halo Hangout.

Houston Astros

Sep 27, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Scott Feldman (34) throws the ball in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

The Astros moved to the AL West in 2013 and the Texas Rangers were very happy about it. They are a young team that is not ready to play with the big boys yet, but they are going to be a lot closer in 2014 than they were in 2013. They added Scott Feldman to try to lead a very young rotation, and Jose Altuve plays with the attitude and aggressiveness that we should all want our major league players to play with. They have a year of experience behind them and a manager that believes that he can win with this group of guys, kind of like Ron Washington did when he took the job with the Texas Rangers. I believe that the Astros are still at least a year away from being very competitive, but they will not be as easy to beat as they were in 2013.

For more on the Astros please visit the FanSided Astros site Climbing Tal’s Hill.