The American League West finished 2026 in rough shape, and the numbers tell the story. Houston won the division at 81-81, the lowest record ever for a postseason team, while Texas was right there behind them at 80-82. Seattle limped to 76-86, the Athletics stumbled to 64-98, and the Angels were last at 62-100.
That ugly finish got even uglier in the postseason. Houston, despite taking the West, was completely overmatched by the Chicago White Sox and got swept 2-0 in the American League Wild Card round at Daikin Park.
Now the division could be headed for another shakeup, and MLB Trade Rumors has handed the Rangers a clear warning. In its list of the top 40 trade candidates this offseason, four of the top five players and six of the top 10 are tied to AL West clubs. Texas isn’t one of them.
The list features Angels left-hander Reid Detmers at No. 1 and shortstop Zach Neto at No. 3.
Seattle shows up with right-handers George Kirby at No. 4 and Emerson Hancock at No. 5.
Houston is in the mix too, with third baseman Isaac Paredes at No. 8 and first baseman Christian Walker at No. 9.
If those names start moving, the Rangers have a chance to make the most of a division that could be even softer in 2027. The path is there, but only if Texas adds to its own roster and takes advantage of the instability around it.
Houston already looks like a club in transition. The Astros moved on from general manager Dana Brown during the season and from manager Joe Espada this offseason. They’ve hired Randy Flores as their new GM, and while the search for a manager continues, Brad Ausmus has already drawn criticism from the fanbase.
I do not want Brad Ausmus as manager and I think it would be a step back.
Seattle’s situation is different, but it’s still unsettled. The Mariners reached Game 7 of the ALCS in 2025 before falling off this year, and outfielder Randy Arozarena is now a free agent. He reportedly wants to play on the East Coast.
The Angels, meanwhile, are trying to climb out of a long hole. Their new ownership is a step forward for an organization that hasn’t reached the postseason since 2014, but there’s still a long road ahead.
They need a new GM and manager, and the sale to Stan Kroenke won’t be finalized until early 2027. That’s why some around the game think a deeper rebuild could be coming, which helps explain why Detmers and Neto are being floated as trade candidates.
Then there’s Oakland. The Athletics can score when healthy, but the pitching has been too thin and too inconsistent.
With John Fisher’s reputation for tight spending, it’s hard to see a major investment coming to fix that staff anytime soon. Maybe that changes when the franchise moves to Las Vegas, but that won’t happen until 2028.
In Other News...
Rangers Took A Flier On An Arm With Late-Inning Intrigue
The Rangers made a low-risk move with a potentially useful arm, claiming right-hander Jose Butto off waivers from the Giants and giving him a spot on the 40-man roster. It is the kind of roster shuffle that rarely grabs much attention on its own, but it fits the broader Texas approach of trying to uncover bullpen help wherever it can find it, especially with a pitcher who has shown late-inning intrigue.
To make the move work, Texas designated outfielder Michael Helman for assignment, and he cleared waivers before being sent to Triple-A Round Rock. Buttos path is the bigger question for now, since he is coming back from surgery for a blood clot in his arm and is not expected to be ready until the 2027 season, leaving the Rangers to wait and see whether this flier eventually turns into a bullpen option. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Suddenly Have A Center Field Problem They Cant Ignore
The Rangers offseason shuffle picked up again with a roster move that added another arm to the bullpen picture, as Texas claimed right-handed reliever Jose Butto off waivers and sent infielder/outfielder Michael Helman to the minors. It was the kind of transaction that usually gets a quick glance and little else, but it landed in the middle of a week already marked by organizational changes on the coaching staff, with assistant hitting coach Alex Cintron set to be reassigned and assistant pitching coach Dave Bush not returning for the 2027 season.
What makes the move harder to dismiss is the timing around center field, where Evan Carters availability has suddenly become a real concern. Carter underwent surgery to repair a tear in his hip labrum and is expected to miss spring training and the start of the season, leaving Texas with a hole in a spot that matters both defensively and in the lineup. The Rangers still have time to sort through options, but the early part of camp now carries a different kind of urgency as they figure out who can handle the job until Carter is ready. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Are Revisiting A Rule That Shaped Major Roster Moves
The qualifying offer market is back on the table, and with it comes one of baseballs more familiar roster-building complications. Eight MLB players were tagged with a $23.15 million offer on Monday, giving them until Nov. 17 to decide whether to accept or decline, and the ripple effects reach clubs like the Rangers even though they did not hand out a qualifying offer of their own this year.
Texas has lived through plenty of qualifying-offer decisions over the years, and those moves have helped shape some of its biggest roster swings. The Rangers have also seen how the draft-pick side of the system can influence free-agent pursuit, which is why this round of decisions matters beyond the players directly involved and could factor into how aggressively the club shops this winter. [Read more 🡒]