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2015 MLB preview: American League West

With a depleated lineup, the Angels are counting on MVP Mike Trout more than ever this season. (Associated Press)
With a depleated lineup, the Angels are counting on MVP Mike Trout more than ever this season. (Associated Press)

Los Angeles Angels

2014 record: 98-64, first place, lost to Kansas City in division series

Manager: Mike Scioscia (16th season)

Hot Spots: Left field and second base. The Angels have no idea how long they’ll be without troubled LF Josh Hamilton, who is injured. Newcomer Matt Joyce likely can hold down the position. Filling in for Howie Kendrick is much more problematic. The Angels traded their longtime starting second baseman without a clear plan to replace their 2014 hits leader (that’s right, more than MVP Mike Trout), and Josh Rutledge (.269, 4, 33 with Colorado) hasn’t been particularly impressive in spring training.

Outlook: The Angels persevered through numerous setbacks and put up the majors’ best record last year, but their return to the playoffs lasted only three games. That’s probably why they’re not a popular pick to build on the 2014 success of this big-budget patchwork roster built around CF Trout (.287, 36 HRs, 111 RBIs), 1B Albert Pujols (.272, 28, 105) and resilient ace Jared Weaver (18-9, 3.59). Yet there’s still plenty to like in Orange County, beyond superstar Trout, Pujols has looked dangerous in the spring, and their rotation is downright deep if Garrett Richards (13-4, 2.61) returns strong in mid-April from his lengthy injury rehab.

Oakland Athletics

2014 record: 88-74, second place, lost to Kansas City in wild-card game

Manager: Bob Melvin (fifth season)

Hot Spots: Power outage. After dealing away Yoenis Cespedes, Brandon Moss and Josh Donaldson over the past year, the A’s have a serious lack of power in their lineup. The A’s will likely need RF Josh Reddick (.264, 12, 54) to return to his 2012 form and newcomers DH Billy Butler (.271, 9, 66 with Kansas City) and 1B Ike Davis (.233, 11, 51 with Pittsburgh and Mets) to provide power.

Outlook: It was another busy offseason in Oakland after the team’s third straight postseason berth. Key players such as Donaldson, RHP Jeff Samardzija, C Derek Norris and Moss were traded while LHP Jon Lester and SS Jed Lowrie left as free agents. The most important additions are 2B Ben Zobrist (.272, 10, 52, 34 2Bs with Tampa Bay), who will provide a middle-of-the-lineup hitter, and RHP Tyler Clippard (7-4, 2.18, 1 save with Washington), who can close until LHP Sean Doolittle (22/26 saves) recovers from a shoulder injury.

Seattle Mariners

2014 record: 87-75, third place

Manager: Lloyd McClendon (second season)

Hot Spots: The outfield. How McClendon manages the options he has in the outfield will be a curiosity early on. Will it be a true platoon in right with Seth Smith (.266, 12, 48 with San Diego) against right-handed pitching and Justin Ruggiano (.281, 6, 28 with Cubs) against lefties? No matter how the corners play out, Austin Jackson (.229, 0, 14 in 54 games with Seattle) will always be in the lineup and holding down center field but must be better at the top of the batting order this time around.

Outlook: It’s not World Series or bust in Seattle, but anything less than a spot in the postseason will certainly be a disappointment. The additions of DH Nelson Cruz (.271, MLB leading 40 HR, 104 RBIs with Baltimore), Smith, Ruggiano and Rickie Weeks (.274, 8, 29 with Milwaukee) have appeared to solve the concerns about Seattle’s offensive production and while the Mariners pitching might not match last year’s performance, coming close should be good enough with the offensive improvement. RHP Felix Hernandez (15-6, 2.14, 248 Ks) is driven by missing the postseason by one game last year and finishing second in the AL Cy Young Award voting, and LHP James Paxton (6-4, 3.04) and RHP Taijuan Walker (2-3, 2.61) give Seattle two dynamic young arms in the rotation.

Houston Astros

2014 record: 70-92, fourth place

Manager: A.J. Hinch (first season)

Hot Spots: Starting rotation. LHP Dallas Keuchel (12-9, 2.93) and RHP Collin McHugh (11-9, 2.73) had breakout seasons in 2014, but it’s unclear if they can perform at that level again to help lead the rotation. Strikeouts could be another problem on a team filled with power but also has the propensity to strike out a ton.

Outlook: The Astros made a 19-game improvement to win 70 games last year and end a streak of three straight 100-loss seasons. They added LF Evan Gattis (.263, 22, 52 for Atlanta) bringing more power to a lineup that hit among the most homers in the majors. A batting order with that power and 2B Jose Aluve (.341, 7, 59, 47 2Bs, 56 SBs), who won last year’s batting title, should be tough to deal with.

Texas Rangers

2014 record: 67-95, last place

Manager: Jeff Banister (first season)

Hot Spots: Left field. Jake Smolinksi (.349, 3, 12 in 24 games) and Ryan Rua (.295, 2, 14 in 28) both showed promising glimpses in short stints in their major league debuts the second half of last season. But are either ready for a full season? Shin-Soo Choo (.242, 13, 40), the primary left fielder last year, moved to right after Alex Rios departed in free agency.

Outlook: After finishing with the AL’s most losses and their most since 1985, the Rangers go into the season with a new manager and without ace Yu Darvish (10-7, 3.06). Darvish pitched only one inning this spring before having Tommy John ligament-replacement surgery. If the Rangers have any chance to get back into playoff contention they need the kind of help anticipated from 1B Prince Fielder (.247, 3, 16) and Choo when they were the big-money additions last season before getting hurt..