Activity among American League West clubs as the Trade Deadline passed Wednesday reinforced widespread impressions of the state of the division: There’s Houston, and then there’s everybody else.
The Astros didn’t settle for obtaining just another starter in their pursuit of pitching depth. They acquired Arizona ace Zack Greinke, whose arrival in Houston makes the first-place Astros seem like even more of a lock to capture the West title and progress deep into the postseason. The one-shot trading period -- waiver deals can no longer be made after the Deadline -- forced other clubs in the division to engineer trades that largely provided incremental improvements.
A look at the biggest remaining issues for each AL West team follows:
Angels: Do they have enough pitching to compete?
The Angels didn't acquire any arms at the Trade Deadline, despite their lack of starting pitching depth and overworked bullpen. They traded for catcher Max Stassi and they're hopeful he can help develop some of their young pitchers, but it wasn't a trade that really moved the needle. The Angels remain on the periphery of the AL Wild Card chase, and it looks like they'll need their offense to carry them the rest of the way if they're to get back into contention.
A’s: How will the A's bullpen fare down the stretch?
The A's added left-hander Jake Diekman with the hope that he can bring some stability to the late innings, but it remains to be seen if that will be enough to turn around a bullpen that entered Wednesday night leading the American League with 21 blown saves. After having his career-best scoreless streak of 20 2/3 innings snapped July 21, All-Star closer Liam Hendriks has faltered recently with three blown saves over his last four outings. One bright spot has been Blake Treinen, who after losing the closer's role last month appears to be regaining his 2018 All-Star form with scoreless outings over his last six appearances. Whether it's Treinen or someone else in the current bullpen, the A's will need one more reliever to step up to help finish close games to reach the postseason for a second consecutive season.
Astros: Can they remain healthy into the playoffs?
At this point, health might be the only thing to derail the Astros’ churn to another late-October run. The Astros don’t have a glaring weakness, adding Greinke at the Trade Deadline to give them a deep starting rotation to go along with perhaps the deepest lineup in baseball. The bullpen is solid, as well. So it could come down to health. George Springer, Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and Aledmys Diaz have already endured long injured list stints. The Astros were banged up in last year's AL Championship Series loss to Boston but should be the team to beat if they're healthy this fall.
Mariners: When do the young guns arrive?
With general manager Jerry Dipoto in full rebuild mode, the Mariners traded veteran starter Mike Leake and relievers Roenis Elias and Hunter Strickland, opening more room for newcomers on a roster already in transition. The Mariners will continue looking for progress from young shortstop J.P. Crawford, designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach, outfielder Mallex Smith and others already on the big league club, but will also start introducing some of their top prospects in the final two months.
Leake’s departure opens a rotation spot for Justus Sheffield and/or Justin Dunn, though Dipoto says both will stay in Double-A Arkansas for several more weeks while off-days allow Seattle to go with a four-man rotation. But those youngsters, along with outfielders Kyle Lewis and Jake Fraley, as well as some promising bullpen arms, will make things interesting in September, if not sooner.
Rangers: What’s next for Mike Minor since he wasn’t traded?
Minor is signed through next season at $9.5 million. There is a possibility that the Rangers could explore his trade market in the offseason, but that may not change all that much. The Rangers wanted top pitching prospects in return and clubs weren’t willing to do that at the Trade Deadline, even though Minor would have been a significant boost to any contending team’s rotation. The Rangers could also try to sign Minor to a contract extension that keeps him from becoming a free agent. But Minor is 31 and his impending free agency is likely his best chance to get the biggest contract of his career. But he and Lance Lynn give the Rangers two front-line starters to build a solid rotation around, whether it’s with their own young pitchers or being aggressive in the free agent market.