AL West Future Bets for 2025
A Blog by Greg
The AL West has the least parity amongst the three American League divisions in Major League Baseball. Unlike the AL Central and AL East, where nine out of the ten teams (sorry, White Sox fans) have a realistic chance at making the 2025 playoffs, the AL West has only three teams with real postseason aspirations. The Astros are the clear favorites to win the division, according to the sportsbooks, while the Rangers and Mariners are sitting at about even odds to make the postseason. However, there certainly is still value in the futures market for the five AL West teams.
Texas Rangers to win the AL West (+260)
I am perplexed by this line. I am fully aware that the Rangers severely underperformed last season, winning only 78 games; however, they are still only one season removed from winning the World Series in 2023. The biggest question mark in the Rangers' rotation is still, of course, Jacob DeGrom. They acquired DeGrom during the 2022 offseason, and he has only started a combined nine games in two seasons with the ball club. The injury-riddled superstar is now almost 37 years old but is, without a doubt, still one of the best pitchers in baseball (when healthy). However, forgetting about DeGrom and the rest of the Rangers’ above-average starting rotation, Texas’ lineup is just as elite as they were during 2022. In an effort to bolster their already strong lineup, they made two solid offensive acquisitions this offseason, bringing in Jake Burger and Joc Pederson. The Rangers' mix of solid veterans (Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Adolis Garcia) and exciting young players (Josh Jung, Wyatt Langford, Evan Carter) makes this squad’s offense absolutely lethal. I think this team is totally mispriced to win the AL West regular season title, and I will definitely be placing a wager on them to win the division at +260.
Athletics u71.5 Wins (-110)
The Oakland Athletics organization is an absolute mess. Whether it be their owner’s commitment to not spending money or the squad’s impending move out of Oakland, nothing about this team excites me. The team has yet to make the postseason since the COVID-shortened 2020 season and has won under 70 games in each of their last three seasons. I know Brent Rooker had an amazing 2024 season, and that they added a pair of former Yankees in Gio Urshela and Luis Severino, but that simply does not move the needle for me. This Athletics squad will continue to struggle and win less than the listed 71.5 games in 2025.
Yordan Alvarez o39.5 HRs (+220)
Despite being consistently one of the best hitters in baseball for the past four seasons, hitting over 135 HRs since 2021, Yordan Alvarez has yet to hit the 40 HR mark in a single MLB season. I believe that will change in 2025. Yordan will be 28 in 2025 and is currently dead in the center of the prime of his career. After the Astros dealt Kyle Tucker to the Cubs this offseason, Alvarez became far and away the best hitter on his team (the Christian Walker addition was solid, however). If Alvarez stays healthy, there is no reason that he will not continue to be, not only one of the best pure hitters in baseball, but also a threat to go yard during any given at-bat. Considering this line is offered at not only plus money but also over 2/1 odds, I will certainly be placing this wager before the start of the 2025 season.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for the next blog covering the NL East! You can also follow me and the rest of the TheSkippersView team on X @GRMBets.