Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/658783
66 PLAY BALL BAY AREA NEWS GROUP 1.HoustonAstros Lastyear:86-76,secondplace (lost to Kansas City Royals in ALDS) Keylosses:LHP Scott Kazmir, 2B Jed Lowrie, 1B Chris Carter, RHP Chad Qualls Keynewcomers: RHP Doug Fister, RHP Ken Giles Best-casescenario: A full season of budding star SS Carlos Correa propels this team, considered a year ahead of schedule during last year's run, to a division title and a shot at October glory. Worst-casescenario: Health looks like the only thing that can hold back a Houston team that's geared to contend for the next several years. Hotprospect: 1B A.J.Reed may be pushing for an MLB roster spot soon a er a dominant 2015 season in the minors (.340/.432/.612,34 HR,127 RBI). 2. Texas Rangers Lastyear: 88-74, first place (lost to Toronto Blue Jays in ALDS) Keylosses: 1B Mike Napoli, OF Leonys Martin Keynewcomer: LF Ian Desmond, RHP Tom Wilhelmsen Best-casescenario:YuDarvish's expectedMayreturnfromTommyJohn surgerygivestherotationaone-two punchwithColeHamels,andtheRangers returntofullhealthasamajorALforce. Worst-casescenario: The Rangers' two-year run of being flooded with injuries stretches to three, and they don't adapt as well as they did in 2015 and fall back in one of MLB's toughest divisions. Hotprospect: 3B/OF Joey Gallo struggled in his cup of MLB coffee last year but remains a high-ceiling power-hitting prospect. 3. Los Angeles Angels Lastyear: 85-77, third place Keylosses: SS Erick Aybar, 3B David Freese, RHP Trevor Gott Keynewcomers: SS Andrelton Simmons, 3B Yunel Escobar, OF Daniel Nava, OF Craig Gentry, C Geovany Soto Best-casescenario:A lineup that includes Mike Trout and Albert Pujols is in the upper half of the league in offense again, and the pitching is solid enough that a big-name midseason acquisition puts them over the top. Worst-casescenario:The offense, despite its collection of talent, is in the bottom half of baseball again, and the Angels can't keep up with the Astros and Rangers. Hotprospect: RHP Victor Alcantara is the top arm in a farm system lacking much high-end talent. 4. Seattle Mariners Lastyear: 76-86, fourth place Keylosses:1B/DH Logan Morrison, 1B/ OF Mark Trumbo, RHP Carson Smith Keynewcomers: RHP Steve Cishek, RHP Joaquin Benoit, LHP Wade Miley, 1B Adam Lind, LF Nori Aoki, CF Leonys Martin Best-casescenario:Theheartofthe battingorder—RobinsonCano,Nelson CruzandKyleSeager—continuestorake, andtheFelixHernandez-ledpitchingstaff isboostedbyarebuiltbullpen. Worst-casescenario:Thenewpen performsasbadastheoldone,andwith littleroomforerrorinthedivision,the teamendsupassellersbytheendofJuly. Hotprospect:OF Alex Jackson was the top high school pick in 2014.The converted catcher has struggled to adapt, but the 20-year-old still has promise. 5. Oakland Athletics Lastyear: 68-94, fi h place THELEAGUE RatingtheALWest TheAngels'MikeTrout,above,isthe league's top player. Opposite, from left, the Tigers' Andrew Romine and Miguel Cabrera celebrate; Yankee Masahiro Tanaka prepares to pitch; Edinson Volquez leads the Royals during the 2015 World Series. T heA'sdidn'tjustregressin2015—theywatchedtheperceivedbottomhalfofthedivisionriseup.TheRangers'surprisedivisiontitle and the Astros' earlier-than-expected run to a wild-card spot put Oakland in a very tough position. Billy Beane is still the chief decision- maker despite his new executive vice president title, and he and general manager David Forst constantly are in tinkering mode. Until last season, they had done a solid job of remaining competitive and delivered three straight playoff appearances. But the A's now look up at four other teams in the division after finishing with the American League's worst record last year. They addressed a major weakness by bolstering their bullpen, and perhaps that's enough to make them competitive again. But the Astros are well-built for the future, the Rangers are potent when healthy, the Angels have the game's top player in Mike Trout, and the Mariners could be ready to charge toward contention like they were expected to last season. The A's have a history of contending when it's least expected, but this division looks too deep to count on that in 2016. Can A's compete in deep division? BY JIMMY DURKIN