Rating the A.L. West

2.LAAngels

Last year: 80-82, second place

Key losses: Yunel Escobar, Bud Norris, Yusmeiro Petit, Brandon Phillips, Huston Street, Ricky Nolasco

Key newcomers: Shohei Ohtani, Ian Kinsler, Jim Johnson, Zack Cozart

Best-case scenario: Infused with talent after also re-signing Justin Upton to an extension, they make the postseason for just the second time in Mike Trout’s career.

Worst-case scenario: Cozart’s standout 2017 proves a fluke, Kinsler shows his age, Ohtani is a bust, and injuries again derail the starting staff. Hot prospect: Ohtani. The top overall prospect in MLB Pipeline’s top 100 projects well as a hitter and a pitcher.

3.SeattleMariners

Last year: 78-84, tied for third place

Key losses: Drew Smyly, Yonder Alonso, Jarrod Dyson, Danny Valencia

Key newcomers: Dee Gordon, Juan Nicasio, Ryon Healy

Best-case scenario: The Mariners, who used the most pitchers in baseball last season, finally get some health upgrades to boost the bats of Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager.

Worst-case scenario: Health again befalls the pitching staff, and Cano and Cruz show signs of aging.

Hot prospect: Kyle Lewis moved to Class A ball in his first full professional season last year.

4.TexasRangers

Last year: 78-84, tied for third place

Key losses: Carlos Gomez, Andrew Cashner, Mike Napoli

Key newcomers: Bartolo Colon, Doug Fister, Darwin Barney, Matt Moore

Best-case scenario: The Rangers’ core of Rougned Odor, Elvis Andrus and Nomar Mazara continue to improve.

Worst-case scenario: The Rangers take another step back, falling into the bottom of the division.

Hot prospect: Willie Calhoun is looking like the favorite to claim the left-field job.

5.OaklandA’s

Last year: 75-87, fifth place

Key losses: Jesse Hahn, Ryon Healy

Key newcomers: Stephen Piscotty, Yusmeiro Petit

Best-case scenario: Khris Davis keeps putting up power numbers, and Matt Olson, Dustin Fowler and Franklin Barreto show signs of rounding into a foundational core for the organization.

Worst-case scenario: The youngsters fail to come through, the A’s finish with one of the worst records in baseball.

Hot prospect: Left-hander A.J. Puk could make the roster before the season ends.

Justin Verlander helped power the Astros to their first World Series title last season. Can newcomers Shohei Ohtani of the Angels and Dee Gordon of the Mariners do the same for their teams?

1.ClevelandIndians

Last year: 102-60, first place (lost to New York Yankees in ALDS)

Key losses: Carlos Santana, Bryan Shaw, Jay Bruce, Austin Jackson

Key newcomer: Yonder Alonso

Best-case scenario: Alonso builds on an All-Star 2017 and fills the shoes of Santana. The pitching staff remains strong, and Trevor Bauer and Carlos Carrasco continue to take steps forward.

Worst-case scenario: Corey Kluber finally shows signs of aging, and the team struggles to replace Santana. Hot prospect: Francisco Mejia is a top catching prospect but also could play third base.