Last season, the American League West had the dubious distinction of being the worst division in baseball. Despite both ALCS teams hailing from the West in 2023, the division finished 43 games under .500 in 2024. It was a dismal year all around for the teams in the division.
Houston had a disappointing playoff performance after nearly a decade of success. Seattle, despite a strong pitching staff, narrowly missed the playoffs. Texas failed to defend its title in a forgettable fashion. Oakland made the surprising decision to leave Oakland. And Anaheim, in the post-Ohtani era, struggled to remain relevant.
However, with each new season comes hope for improvement. How have these teams fared this offseason? Unfortunately, the general consensus is that they have not done well. Let’s delve into each team’s offseason moves.
Read more: AL East grades | NL East grades | AL Central grades | NL Central grades | NL West grades
Houston Astros
Major moves:
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Signed 1B Christian Walker to a 3-year deal
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Acquired IF Isaac Paredes, SP Hayden Wesneski, and minor-league IF Cam Smith via trade from Chicago in exchange for OF Kyle Tucker
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Traded RP Ryan Pressly to Chicago for minor-league P Juan Bello
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Acquired OF Taylor Trammell from New York for cash
Offseason grade: C+
The Houston Astros, after a seven-year run of reaching the ALCS, failed to make it to the playoffs in 2024. This disappointment has cast a shadow over the team’s offseason, which has been marked by questionable transactions and uncertainties.
One of the most puzzling aspects of the Astros’ offseason is the situation with Alex Bregman. After Bregman turned down a lucrative offer from the team, Houston made moves to fill the void, including signing Christian Walker and acquiring Isaac Paredes. However, Bregman’s status remains up in the air, leaving fans hopeful for a resolution.
Despite significant acquisitions like Smith, Wesneski, and Paredes, the Astros’ decision to trade away Tucker has left fans disheartened. The team also failed to strengthen its outfield, leading to further frustration among supporters.
Behind the scenes, the Astros have been dealing with internal conflicts that have impacted their decision-making. The departure of former GM James Click and subsequent signings have hindered the team’s ability to make key moves this offseason.
Despite the challenges, the Astros remain a favorite to win the division in the upcoming season.
Seattle Mariners
Major moves:
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Re-signed IF Jorge Polanco to a 1-year deal
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Signed IF Donovan Solano to a 1-year deal
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Acquired IF Austin Shenton from Tampa Bay for cash
Offseason grade: F
In what can only be described as a lackluster offseason, the Seattle Mariners have failed to capitalize on their potential. Despite a strong pitching staff, the Mariners fell just short of a playoff spot in 2024 due to their struggling offense.
President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto’s approach to improving the team has been underwhelming, with only minor signings of utility infielders to address the team’s offensive woes. Dipoto’s reluctance to make significant moves has raised concerns among fans.
The Mariners’ ownership’s frugality has also limited the team’s ability to make impactful signings in free agency. With a middle-of-the-road payroll, Seattle faces challenges in competing with other teams in the league.
Texas Rangers
Major moves:
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Acquired IF Jake Burger from Miami via trade
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Re-signed SP Nate Eovaldi to a 3-year deal
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Signed DH Joc Pederson to a 2-year deal
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Signed C Kyle Higashioka to a 2-year deal
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Signed RP Chris Martin to a 1-year deal
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Signed RP Hoby Milner to a 1-year deal
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Signed RP Shawn Armstrong to a 1-year deal
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Signed RP Jacob Webb to a 1-year deal
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Acquired RP Robert Garcia from Washington for 1B Nathaniel Lowe
Offseason grade: B+
Following a lackluster World Series defense, the Texas Rangers have made significant moves this offseason to bounce back from their disappointing performance in 2024.
Addressing issues with injuries and underperformance, the Rangers have revamped their bullpen and added depth to their lineup with the acquisitions of Pederson and Burger. Keeping Eovaldi on a multi-year deal shows the team’s commitment to stability in their rotation.
While none of the Rangers’ moves have been groundbreaking, the team is in a better position heading into the new season than they were before the offseason began.
Athletics
Major moves:
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Signed SP Luis Severino to a 3-year deal
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Acquired SP Jeffrey Springs and RP Jacob Lopez from Tampa Bay via trade
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Signed RP Jose Leclerc to a 1-year deal
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Signed RP T.J. McFarland to a 1-year deal
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Signed IF Gio Urshela to a 1-year deal
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Signed DH Brent Rooker to a 5-year extension
Offseason grade: B-
As the Athletics prepare to move to Sacramento, their offseason spending spree has raised eyebrows and questions about the team’s direction.
The A’s, known for their frugality, have made significant investments in free agents and extensions, signaling a shift in their approach. However, whether these moves will translate into immediate success remains to be seen.
While the signing of Severino is a notable addition, the rest of the A’s offseason moves may not be enough to turn them into contenders right away. The team’s success in 2025 will hinge on the performance of their young players and the effectiveness of their pitching staff.
Los Angeles Angels
Major moves:
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Signed SP Yusei Kikuchi to a 3-year deal
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Acquired DH/OF Jorge Soler from Atlanta via trade
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Signed C Travis d’Arnaud to a 2-year deal
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Signed IF Kevin Newman to a 1-year deal
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Signed SP Kyle Hendricks to a 1-year deal
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Acquired IF Scott Kingery from Philadelphia via trade
Offseason grade: C
The Los Angeles Angels face a challenging offseason as they strive to compete in 2025 without undergoing a full rebuild.
While some of their signings, like Kikuchi and Soler, show promise, others like Hendricks raise questions about the team’s direction. The Angels will rely heavily on the health and performance of key players like Trout and Rendon to determine their success in the upcoming season.