2021 AL West Preview

March 3, 2021

Houston Astros — Houston’s bullpen was heavily reinforced in the offseason, with Joe Smith returning after a 2020 opt-out, Pedro Baez and Ryne Stanek signing on as free agents, and Steve Cishek joining the team on a minor-league contract. Ryan Pressly, who took over the ninth when Roberto Osuna was injured, should stay in the closer role, with Baez and Smith getting him the ball.

Starting 2021 hierarchy: Pressly | Baez | Smith.
Holds candidates: Baez, Smith, Cishek, Enoli Paredes.

Los Angeles Angels — LA traded for closer Raisel Iglesias over the winter; behind him, the only three returning relievers who pitched more than 10 innings for the Angels are last year’s hierarchy mainstays: Ty Buttrey, Mike Mayers, and Felix Pena. 

Starting 2021 hierarchy: Iglesias | Mayers | Pena.
Holds candidates: Mayers, Pena, Buttrey.

Oakland A’s — The notoriously small-budget A’s played against type in landing flamethrowing 30-year-old Trevor Rosenthal on a one-year, $11 million contract that tops Jim Johnson’s salary record for an Oakland reliever. Jake Diekman and Sergio Romo should take the seventh and eighth innings.

Starting 2021 hierarchy: Rosenthal | Diekman | Romo.
Holds candidates: Diekman, Romo, Yusmeiro Petit.

Seattle Mariners — The Mariners had the worst bullpen in baseball last year, and they responded by poaching closer Rafael Montero from their division-mates in Texas. Kendall Graveman will look to build on his impressive relief appearances last year, with Anthony Misiewicz and Keynan Middleton also middle-innings options. Ken Giles is stashed on the bench for an eventual return from Tommy John surgery. 

Starting 2021 hierarchy: Montero | Graveman | Misiewicz.
Holds candidates: Graveman, Misiewicz, Middleton.

Texas Rangers — With Rafael Montero off to Seattle, we expect Jose Leclerc to have the inside track on the Texas closer’s role, with Jonathan Hernandez also in the conversation. Joely Rodriguez should handle the seventh, and Matt Bush could make the team as a non-roster invitee.

Starting 2021 hierarchy: Leclerc | Hernandez | Rodriguez.
Holds candidates: Hernandez, Rodriguez, Taylor Hearn.