The Los Angeles Angels have been the most active team in the American League West this offseason, making several trades and signing multiple new faces heading into the 2026 campaign. With their last-place finish in the AL West in 2025, the Angels have their work cut out for them to move up the standings, even with their busy offseason.

The Angels’ key offseason moves included flipping outfielder Taylor Ward for starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, who missed all of the 2025 season. They also traded for infielder Vaughn Grissom and outfielder Josh Lowe to provide some much-needed depth on the field. Several pitchers like Kirby Yates and Drew Pomeranz signed on one-year deals after the Angels suffered key losses to their bullpen (Kenley Jansen, Brock Burke, Luis Garcia).

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With all of their moves, the needle hasn’t moved much for the Angels. Despite an offseason spent in the headlines, it’s still a question of whether or not the Angels are a better team heading into 2026 than they were in 2025. Perhaps first-time manager Kurt Suzuki can muster up something special for the Halos, but it’s looking like another finish near the bottom of the standings in 2026.

Prediction: Fourth place

The team that gives the Angels a real chance at finishing above the bottom is the Athletics. They won four more games than the Halos last season, despite going into the season as a consensus worst team in the league. The A’s struck a trade with the New York Mets that landed them veteran utility man Jeff McNeil. The only other notable acquisition, reliever Mark Leiter Jr., doesn’t do much to get A’s fans excited about the 2026 campaign, especially after losing reliever Sean Newcomb and outfielder JJ Bleday.

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Prediction: Fifth place

The Texas Rangers have seen many faces come and go this winter, with key players like second baseman Marcus Semien, pitcher Merrill Kelly, and outfielder Adolis Garcia now suiting up for other teams. Their front office has done well in bringing in outside talent, however.

Texas traded for outfielder Brandon Nimmo and starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore while signing important players like relievers Jakob Junis, Tyler Alexander, and catcher Danny Jansen. Despite a busy offseason of their own, there hasn’t been enough done in Texas to see a big improvement from their 81-win season in 2025.

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Prediction: Third place

The Houston Astros won 87 games last season but didn’t make the playoffs. Heading into 2026, they’ll be without their ace, Framber Valdez, after he signed with the Detroit Tigers. They also lost utility man Mauricio Dubon, catcher Victor Caratini, and reliever Craig Kimbrel. In return, the Astros received Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai, pitcher Mike Burrows, and defensive infielder Nick Allen. Despite bringing in some talented players, it doesn’t seem to be enough to take hold of first place in the division.

Prediction: Second place

The Seattle Mariners had one of their most memorable seasons in franchise history in 2025, winning 90 games and making it to the ALCS. They re-signed first baseman Josh Naylor and landed infielder Brendan Donovan and reliever Jose A. Ferrer in trades. Still, they’ll be without key players who were vital in their postseason run. Infielders Jorge Polanco and Eugenio Suarez signed elsewhere, along with reliever Caleb Ferguson. It’ll take some adjustment, but the Mariners still stand out as the best roster in the AL West.

Prediction: First place