MLB Financial Offseason Series: AL West

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertOctober 27, 2022
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#houston astros #california angels #oakland athletics #seattle mariners #texas rangers
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Breaking down the upcoming offseason for each 2023 MLB franchise, broken down by division, including projected payrolls, guaranteed contract, notable free agents, potential extension candidates, & trade/non-tender options. Astros, Mariners, Angels, Rangers, Athletics

Related Offseason Division Pieces

Houston Astros

Guaranteed Contracts: 6 (13th)

Current Tax Payroll: $148.4M (6th)

Projected Arbitration: $30.4M

Projected Pre-Arbitration: $6.3M

Projected Tax Payroll: $185.2M (7th)

Projected Tax Space: $48M (24th)

Notable Options: Justin Verlander (SP, $25M player), Will Smith (RP, $13M club), Trey Mancini (1B, $10M mutual)

Notable Free Agents: Christian Vazquez (C, 32), Michael Brantley (OF, 35), Rafael Montero (RP, 32), FULL LIST

Despite a few changes to the starting lineup, the 2022 Astros might be the best version we've seen to date. They rolled through the regular season and much of the postseason with relative ease, but they'll face a few difficult financial roadblocks once the winter months arrive.

EXTENSION CANDIDATE(S)

Kyle Tucker (OF, 26)

Tucker is slated for his first go round in arbitration this winter, which projects to pay him $6M in 2023. With back to back 30 home run, 5+ WAR seasons under his belt, the Astros should be thinking much bigger though. Houston recently bought out all three years of arbitration + 3 years of free agency for slugger Yordan Alvarez at just under $20M per year. Will they match that for Tucker this offseason? He’s a $30M per year player in our system mathematically speaking.

Jeremy Pena (SS, 25)

To say that Pena’s rookie campaign was a success would be a monumental understatement. The 25-year-old posted 20 doubles, 22 homers, 63 RBIs, and stole 11 bags in his first year taking the reins from Carlos Correa. Wander Franco’s 11 year, $182M contract might be overkill for Houston, especially as Pena is already 4 years older than Franco was at the time of his deal, but a modified version of this framework probably makes sense.

TRADE CANDIDATE(S)

Jose Urquidy (SP, 28)

The Astros are flush with talented starting pitching, and assuming Justin Verlander remains in the mix next season, can flip at least one arm for more bullpen/lineup depth. Urquidy seems the most likely candidate both for value and for what Houston can internally replace him with (Javier, Whitley). The 28-year-old is headed for his first arbitration offseason, set to earn around $3.6M.

NON-TENDER CANDIDATE(S)

Phil Maton (RP, 30)

Maton will be entering his third and final year of arbitration in 2023, scheduled to make around $3.6M. With limited action down the stretch, it’s hard to imagine the Astros stick at that number.

Seattle Mariners

Guaranteed Contracts: 10 (3rd)

Current Tax Payroll: $130.4M (11th)

Projected Arbitration: $27.3M

Projected Pre-Arbitration: $2.3M

Projected Tax Payroll: $160.1M (13th)

Projected Tax Space: $73M (18th)

Notable Options: None.

Notable Free Agents: Curt Casali (C, 33), Mitch Haniger (OF, 31), Carlos Santana (1B, 36), FULL LIST

The Mariners have slowly building themselves back into contention, and with 90 wins and a playoff series win under their belts, it's safe to say that time has arrived. GM Jerry Dipoto likely can't wait to get his hands on this offseason, be it another blockbuster trade, or a few splashy free agent signings to help take this roster to the next level.

EXTENSION CANDIDATE(S)

Logan Gilbert (SP, 25)

Gilbert backed up a solid rookie campaign in 2021, with a breakout season in 2022 (3.20 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 174 strikeouts). He moved himself ahead of Robbie Ray in the rotation, working neck and neck with newcomer Luis Castillo as one of the most reliable arms on the roster. The 25 year old projects to a $24M per year extension right now in our system. But with 5 more years of team control ahead of him, that number should be negotiated down into the teens as many of these pre-arbitration extensions have been seen to do.

Cal Raleigh (C, 26)

Breakout rookie season is an understatement. Raleigh posted 20 doubles, 27 homers, & 63 RBIs in just 100 starts this season. He’ll be one of the core pieces of this team going forward, and is a strong candidate for a pre-arb extension, despite 5 years of team control ahead of him.

TRADE CANDIDATE(S)

Jesse Winker (OF, 29)

Winker was a viable middle of the lineup bat for the Reds in 2021, but things fell off a cliff this past year in Seattle. The Mariners are in contention, so paying down this contract to open up the roster spot and bring back some sort of depth asset should be a priority. His contract holds 1 year, $8.25M remaining through 2023.

NON-TENDER CANDIDATE(S)

Luke Weaver (RP, 29, $3.6M)

Weaver is out of minor options and projects to a $3.6M salary for his final year of arbitration. Seattle’s push forward will definitely include an upgrade to their bullpen this offseason.

Luis Torrens (C, 27, $1.2M)

Torrens is out of minor options and due to limited action in 2022, projects to repeat his $1.2M salary from last year. He won’t be too expensive to keep, but with Cal Raleigh having officially arrived (and then some), and if veteran Tom Murphy can return to full health, that’s probably enough reason to move on here.

Los Angeles Angels

Guaranteed Contracts: 7 (6th)

Current Tax Payroll: $147.4M (8th)

Projected Arbitration: $14.3M

Projected Pre-Arbitration: $8.7M

Projected Tax Payroll: $170.6M (10th)

Projected Tax Space: $63M (21st)

Notable Options: None.

Notable Free Agents: Michael Lorenzen (SP, 30), Matt Duffy (3B, 31), Mike Ford (1B, 30), FULL LIST

Another year, another postseason missed for this top-heavy constructed Angels roster. With the Astros as good as ever, and the Mariners threatening to be relevant for the unforseeable future, will Los Angeles finally call uncle and sell a major piece or two? With new ownership on the horizon, everything should be on the table at this point.

EXTENSION CANDIDATE(S)

None, though OF Taylor Ward is an intriguing name already.

TRADE CANDIDATE(S)

Shohei Ohtani (OF/SP, 28)

It’s been largely speculated that the 1 year, $30M salary Ohtani agreed to to bypass his final year of arbitration locks him into the Angels’ 2023 lineup. But we’re finally hearing frustration from the superhuman regarding the lack of winning during his 5 year tenure in LA. Will the two sides let 2023 play out, then let free agency handle the rest, or will Ohtani be the latest superstar heading into the final year of arbitration to be moved (Lindor, Betts, Turner). This is an extremely fluid situation.

NON-TENDER CANDIDATE(S)

Chad Wallach (C, 31, $1M)

Wallach is out of roster spots and it seems likely that Logan O'Hoppe and Max Stassi carry the load in 2023. This could just flatout be a rip it up and start over position for LAA as well.

Texas Rangers

Guaranteed Contracts: 4 (20th)

Current Tax Payroll: $97M (18th)

Projected Arbitration: $10.1M

Projected Pre-Arbitration: $10.3M

Projected Tax Payroll: $117M (20th)

Projected Tax Space: $116M (11th)

Notable Options: Jose Leclerc (RP, $6M club), Kole Calhoun (OF, $5.5M club)

Notable Free Agents: Martin Perez (SP, 31), Matt Moore (P, 33), Charlie Culberson (3B, 33), FULL LIST

To say that a 4th place division finish for a team that handed out $600M worth of contracts last offseason is disappointing would be an understatement. With Bruce Bochy now at the helm, things are about to get serious in Texas, and the gas pedal appears to be still pressed down as we head into a winter loaded with elite - expensive - talent.

EXTENSION CANDIDATE(S)

Adolis Garcia (OF, 29)

Acquired from the Cardinals back in late 2019, all Garcia has done for Texas is mash 60 doubles, 68 home runs, & 191 RBIs across 300 games. He’s a fixture in the outfield now, and his 4 years of team control put the Rangers in the driver’s seat. He’s a strong candidate for a pre-arbitration extension this offseason, or a very attractive trade asset if finding immediate MLB ready pitching is the top priority.

TRADE CANDIDATE(S)

Leodys Taveras (OF, 24)

Taveras doesn’t offer much at the plate, though he did hit a career best .261 in 2022, but he’s a prototypical great defensive outfielder who can fly around the bases type player. Teams will be in seek of these athletes with the new rule changes going into effect, and the Rangers may be able to pull back an asset for him this winter.

NON-TENDER CANDIDATE(S)

Brett Martin (RP, 27, $1.75M)

The Rangers offered three left handers out of the bullpen this year, with Martin being the least utilized of the group. There’s a chance his $1.75M projected arbitration salary is tradeable, but with payroll adding up quickly in Texas, an outright non-tender is also on the table here.

Oakland Athletics

Guaranteed Contracts: 0 (30th)

Current Tax Payroll: $20.4M (30th)

Projected Arbitration: $14.8M

Projected Pre-Arbitration: $15.9M

Projected Tax Payroll: $51M (30th)

Projected Tax Space: $182M (1st)

Notable Options: None.

Notable Free Agents: Luis Barrera (OF, 26), Adam Kolarek (RP, 33), Chad Pinder (OF, 30), FULL LIST

The fire sale started early, continued at the deadline, and will likely finish this winter when Sean Murphy (C) is moved elsewhere. At the time of this piece, Oakland had zero guaranteed contracts on its payroll. The current 40-man roster contains 6 arbitration eligible players, with the rest set for pre-arbitration (near minimum) salaries for 2023. It's a veritable rock bottom right now in Oakland.

EXTENSION CANDIDATE(S)

None. Why ruin a good thing like zero multi-year contracts on your payroll?

TRADE CANDIDATE(S)

Sean Murphy (C, 28)

Murphy’s name has been attached to trades for months now, and with seemingly every other veteran player having been moved off the roster in one way or another - Murphy is somewhat of a last man standing. A projected $3.3M arbitration salary for 2023 isn’t daunting (even for the A’s), but with two of their top prospects (Shea Langeliers , & Tyler Soderstrom) nearly ready to take the reins, pulling in a haul for Murphy this winter is just another piece to the quick rebuild puzzle. Contractually, Murphy is arbitration eligible through 2025.

NON-TENDER CANDIDATE(S)

Tony Kemp (2B, 31, $3.2M)

Kemp actually posted one of his better overall seasons in 2022, and holds a combined WAR near 5 over the past two campaigns. His projected $3.2M salary for next year isn’t outrageous, but the A’s don’t seem to be up-paying anyone right now.


#houston astros #california angels #oakland athletics #seattle mariners #texas rangers
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