The Oakland A's jumped out to a huge division lead to open 2014, but tumbled backwards over the season's second half -- essentially handing over the AL West to a streaking Los Angeles Angels team. The A's held on to a Wild Card spot by the skin of their teeth, but will they be in the mix this year? Are the Angels favorites to repeat as division champs? Here's how we see the AL West shaking out.
**Click team names for extended team predictions**
1. Los Angeles Angels
The Angels possess one of the most potent starting lineups in all of Major League Baseball, anchored by perennial MVP candidate Mike Trout. Their recent bullpen struggles are likely a thing of the past with the formidable duo of Joe Smith and Huston Street holding down the back end, so there's not a lot of traditional weaknesses to talk about with this team. Things can change on the drop of a pin, but the Angels appear to be the class of AL West and perhaps the American League.
2. Seattle Mariners
Seattle finally got its right-handed power bat after inking Nelson Cruz to a multi-year deal this offseason. With that being said, all the pieces are in place for the Mariners to end their 13-season playoff drought with a Wild Card berth. Looking for a team with the pitching (hello, King Felix) and young talent to become this year's Kansas City Royals? Look no further than this Mariners team.
3. Oakland A's
Anybody who says they know exactly what to make of Billy Beane's massive makeover this offseason is lying to you. Replacing a vast majority of the team's marquee talent with younger options under longer team control, the X-factor here is Beane's trade for former Tampa Bay Rays super-utilityman, Ben Zobrist. Will the A's hold on to him and make a run at another playoff berth, or will they send him off at the deadline on a rental? Who knows at this point with this A's team...
4. Houston Astros
There is light peeking through the clouds in Houston, with the team's gaggle of young talent finally being reinforced by an MLB-level strategy focused on winning now. Houston's bullpen is in great shape after an offseason overhaul, but there's still plenty of questions about the back end of the rotation and whether or not prospects like Jon Singleton and George Springer can/will take the leap. Adding Colby Rasmus and Evan Gattis didn't hurt, though.
5. Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers were absolutely blitzed by injuries in 2014, turning a potential contender into a cellar dweller in the AL West. Their luck hasn't exactly turned around with #1 starter Yu Darvish and young second baseman Jurickson Profar both already sidelined for the year. Add in more injury questions and potential regression candidates in Adrian Beltre and Prince Fielder (also coming back from an injury), and this Rangers team is just too banged up to expect contention in 2015.
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