MLB Offseason Primer: AL West

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertOctober 24, 2024
© USA TODAY Sports

As MLB flips into offseason mode, Spotrac offers a snapshot look at projected Opening Day 40-Man Tax Payrolls, arbitration salary totals, notable upcoming option decisions, & pending free agents for each team.

OFFSEASON PRIMERS
AL EAST | AL CENTRAL | AL WEST| NL EAST | NL CENTRAL | NL WEST

Athletics

Projected 40-Man CBT: $50.6M (30th)
Guaranteed Contracts: 0
Arbitration-Eligible: 5  ($12.25M)

The city-less A’s enter the offseason with $50M projected toward their 40-man roster - by far the lowest in MLB, an unfortunate par for the course for this franchise. The Athletics have 5 players eligible for arbitration, led by DH Brent Rooker, who enters for the first time. There are no guaranteed salaries or options on this roster right now.

Notable Free Agents:
Scott Alexander (RP), Ross Stripling (RP/SP), T.J. McFarland (RP), Alex Wood (SP)

Houston Astros

Projected 40-Man CBT: $233.7M (5th)
Guaranteed Contracts: 8 ($126.9M)
Arbitration-Eligible: 9 ($63.5M)
Final arbitration years for SP Framber Valdez & OF Kyle Tucker have the Astros carrying 8 tax salaries north of $12.5M right now, with Jose Altuve’s $25M per year extension beginning in 2025 as well. It’s reasonable to expect a little bit of change to the current outlook, but with their window of contention seemingly closing sooner rather than later, one last big push this offseason isn’t out of the question either.

Notable Free Agents:
Alex Bregman (3B), Jason Heyward (OF), Hector Neris (RP), Yusei Kikuchi (SP), Justin Verlander (SP)

Los Angeles Angels

Projected 40-Man CBT: $171.9M (11th)
Guaranteed Contracts: 4 ($94.5M)
Arbitration-Eligible: 11 ($41M)
Anthony Rendon & Mike Trout represent 38% of the Angels’ projected total right now. Rendon has 2 years remaining on his deal, while Trout remains under contract through the 2030 season. Notable SPs Patrick Sandoval & Griffin Canning are nearing the end of team control, but it seems more likely that LAA will be buying heavy instead of selling big this winter.

Notable Free Agents:
Hunter Strickland (RP), Kevin Pillar (OF), Willie Calhoun (OF)

Seattle Mariners

Projected 40-Man CBT: $162.4M (14th)
Guaranteed Contracts: 7 ($70.7M)
Arbitration-Eligible: 13 ($52M)
The Mariners roster is loaded with arbitration level talent that should keep this payroll tempered - even with a few splashy signings or acquisitions this offseason.Mitch Haniger holds a $15.5M player option that he’s expected to opt-in to, while Seattle has a $12M decision on Jorge Polanco ($750,000 buyout) this winter. This is a roster with very little dropoff from 2024, so the Mariners will need to be aggressive to improve (not a problem for this front office).

Notable Options:
Mitch Haniger (OF, $17.5M Player), Jorge Polanco (INF, $10.5M Club)

Notable Free Agents:
Yimi Garcia (RP), Justin Turner (DH/3B)

Texas Rangers

Projected 40-Man CBT: $187.2M (9th)
Guaranteed Contracts: 6 ($126.5M)
Arbitration-Eligible: 6 ($30.2M)
The lack of certaity surrounding the Rangers’ television broadcast future has to be a factor in how the team utilizes resources in the immediacy. A clean bill of health from Jacob deGrom would certainly be a good start for a team looking to re-find it’s 2023 magic, while Nathan Eovaldi ($20M player option) & David Robertson ($7M mutual option) are both expected to hit the open market. If 2025 becomes a scale back season, look for the Rangers to field offers for 1B Nate Lowe, who enters Year 3 of a 4 year arbitration path this winter.

Notable Options:
Nathan Eovaldi (SP, $20M Player), David Robertson (RP, $7M Mutual), Andrew Chafin (RP, $6.5M Club)

Notable Free Agents:
Kirby Yates (RP), Andrew Heaney (SP), Max Scherzer (SP)


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