AL West power rankings after Jacob deGrom signing

2) AL West Power Rankings: Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners are inching closer to the top of the AL West Power Rankings. Nothing of major significance has been lost in free agency. They’ve already added some improvements to the roster and we’re not even through the MLB Winter Meetings.

Teoscar Hernandez and Kolten Wong are the two major boosts the Mariners made to the lineup. They’ll be counting on several players to have better years in 2023 in order to go back to the postseason and maybe challenge for a division title.

A rotation anchored by Luis Castillo at the top and followed by Logan Gilbert and Robbie Ray is quietly fantastic. Consider Seattle a team willing to go above and beyond to add further to the roster. The window is wide open for them right now. First, they’ll need to try and slay the one team ahead of them in the AL West Power Rankings right now.

1) AL West Power Rankings: Houston Astros

The defending champions are at the top of the division, still, even after the deGrom signing. How scared should the Houston Astros actually be of the Rangers? They have a much fuller rotation and a lineup that can compete alongside everyone.

Adding Jose Abreu was a major move for the Astros. He’s a true run-producer yet he’ll find himself hitting lower in the lineup than he was used to during his time with the Chicago White Sox.

The Astros have spaces to fill in their roster before the hot stove cools off and spring training begins. They can target a catcher and possibly another outfielder. Seattle is the one team that may be able to dethrone the Astros. They’ll need to outplay them to prove they are worthy to sit on the throne.