After disappointing seasons for both the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers they have been surrounded by trade rumors as they try to get back on track and back in the postseason. The AL West was expected to be an explosive division last year, but for the second year in a row, the Oakland A’s finished the season in first place. While the A’s will look to add some depth to get them passed the first round of the playoffs, the others will try to get back to that stage.
Oakland Athletics
Might as well start off with the back-to-back reigning division champs. The A’s will have some work cut out for them this offseason as some guys have elected free agency.
Grant Balfour had a great season for the green and gold with his 38 saves and 2.59 ERA. Not to mention he surpassed the great Dennis Eckersley to take over with most consecutive saves at 44. Now, the A’s have some options within their bullpen to replace Balfour with Sean Doolittle or Ryan Cook, but both have been less than consistent in their careers. Regardless they’ll have to bring in a few arms.
Bartolo Colon had a career season going 18-6 with a 2.65 ERA. The A’s signed Phil Humber to a minor league deal, but they will need to replace Colon if they are unable to re-sign him. The A’s have offered him a one year deal, but Colon’s in the market for more than that.
Nelson Cruz has been linked to Oakland, which would make it interesting when it comes to the A’s Gold Glove right fielder Josh Reddick.
There have also been rumors that the St. Louis Cardinals are interested in shortstop Jed Lowrie. Those rumors have died down a bit, but it would have to be quite the trade for Billy Beane to send Lowrie.
Brett Anderson has also been linked to trade talks with the Kansas City Royals who are looking for starting pitching.
Texas Rangers
The Rangers have kicked off the offseason with a blockbuster trade that sent Ian Kinsler to the Detroit Tigers. In exchange, the Rangers received Prince Fielder, who will add some pop to their lineup.
There’s been some talk of the Rangers also acquiring one of the top free agents in Robinson Cano; especially now that Kinsler is gone.
Jurickson Profar is also in the midst of trade talks, as well as Derek Holland.
With the Rangers letting Cruz and David Murphy go via free agency, they will need to add some players this offseason, and they have the talent to get some good players via trade.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
After a season that brought high expectations that the Angels weren’t able to live up to, their front office is back at it trying to bring in the best players and put a playoff product on the field.
The Angels and Cardinals have some history with Albert Pujols, and now they’ve been linked to talks involving a trade for David Freese. The third baseman had a down year in 2013, but has had some clutch performances for the Cards over the years.
Update: Cardinals have traded Freese to the Angels. Story here...
The Halos have also reportedly shown interest in David Price, who is an ace for the Rays. The Angels have struggled with their pitching, and Jered Weaver could use a fellow ace in the rotation. They also lost Jason Vargas who signed with the Royals.
It’s been reported that several teams have shown interest in Mark Trumbo, but the Angels are reluctant to trade the slugger.
The Angels have the talent, but have lacked team chemistry. Their pitching staff also hurt their chances last season, so they will look to improve all around for 2014.
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners finished in fourth place of the AL West as they continue to rebuild. They have, however, been linked to some big names this offseason.
Seattle has shown interest in trading for Matt Kemp, who is one of the best in the game, when healthy. The Dodgers did well without Kemp, and Kemp is definitely on their trade block. He would provide a hot bat for the M’s as well as some good defense in the field. Again, health is the only concern there.
The M’s have also been rumored to have a lot of interest in Billy Butler. Butler is a veteran of the game, but still provides some power.
Cruz has also been linked to the Mariners this offseason.
Houston Astros
As expected, the Astros had yet another losing season as they try to build through the draft with young players.
The Astros have also shown interest in trading for Ike Davis of the New York Mets.
Jason Castro may be on the trade block for the Astros as he has received interest from some teams around the league.
There has been a lot of interest regarding some teams and players within the AL West, but for others the trade talks and free agent rumors have been quiet and off the radar. As the winter meetings approach, the MLB hot stove will heat up and it will become rumor central.