The Seattle Mariners are playing the long game in the AL West - and it’s starting to show. While other teams are rolling the dice, hoping for a hot hand, Seattle’s building something that looks a whole lot more like a sustainable contender. Meanwhile, down in Anaheim, the Angels are once again leaning into the vibes - and this offseason is shaping up to be another case study in high-risk, maybe-reward roster construction.
Their latest swing? Jordan Romano.
The veteran reliever is reportedly heading to the Angels on a one-year deal. On paper, that’s the kind of move that should make division rivals take notice.
Romano’s been a legitimate late-inning weapon in the past - the kind of guy you want with the game on the line. But here’s the catch: he’s coming off a rough 2025 season, one that ended with an 8.23 ERA and a whole lot of questions about whether he can still be that guy.
And he’s not alone.
Romano joins a growing list of “if it all clicks” additions in Anaheim. The Angels already took a flyer on Alek Manoah, another one-year deal banking on a bounce-back.
At his best, Manoah was a frontline starter with bulldog mentality. But lately, the results haven’t matched the reputation.
Then there’s Grayson Rodriguez, acquired via trade - a high-ceiling arm with years of team control, but also a track record that includes injury concerns and inconsistency. Add in Vaughn Grissom, brought in from Boston to bolster the infield, and the pattern becomes clear: the Angels are collecting lottery tickets and hoping a few cash in.
Now, let’s be fair - none of these players are lost causes. There’s talent here.
But when your offseason strategy depends on multiple reclamation projects all hitting at the same time, it’s less of a plan and more of a prayer. One bounce-back?
Totally reasonable. Two?
Still within the realm. But when you’re stacking four, five, six question marks just to field a competitive roster?
That’s a lot of hope and not a lot of certainty.
And that’s where the Mariners come in.
While the Angels are betting on past potential, Seattle’s building on present production and future depth. According to FanGraphs’ Depth Charts WAR projections, the Mariners are sitting at 44.5 total WAR - well ahead of the Angels’ 30.0. To put that in perspective, only the Nationals (29.4) and Rockies (18.5) are projected lower than Anaheim.
But it’s not just about the big-league roster. Zoom out, and the contrast becomes even sharper.
MLB Pipeline’s midseason farm system rankings had the Mariners at No. 3 in all of baseball, loaded with Top 100 prospects and young talent knocking on the door. The Angels?
They checked in at 27th - a system that doesn’t exactly scream reinforcements are on the way.
That kind of organizational depth matters. It’s the difference between plugging holes with upside rookies versus hoping a former All-Star can rediscover his form. It’s the difference between sustainable success and a season that hinges on everything breaking just right.
Now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The Astros are still a force.
The Rangers have the resources and the recent pedigree to make noise again. And the AL West has never been short on surprises.
But if you’re looking at which team is building toward something real - something that can last - the Mariners are checking the boxes.
They’ve got the projection edge. They’ve got the farm system. And maybe most importantly, they’ve got a front office that’s acting with purpose, not just throwing darts and hoping for the best.
Meanwhile, the Angels? They’re hoping lightning strikes - again.
And again. And again.