The AL West heads into 2026 at a crossroads. The division’s longtime power is facing natural turnover, recent champions are working to reassert themselves, and a new contender may finally be ready to step forward. With shifting cores and evolving timelines, the race looks more fluid than it has in years.
Houston Astros
For much of the past decade, the Astros set the standard in the AL West. Entering 2026, Houston is navigating the delicate balance between sustaining contention and managing transition. While the organization continues to lean on its development system and institutional expectations, the margin for error is slimmer. Depth, health, and the ability to integrate younger players into meaningful roles will determine whether Houston remains atop the division or slips into the pack.
Texas Rangers
The Rangers approach 2026 still driven by championship ambition. Texas has shown it can assemble a roster capable of extended postseason success, but consistency remains the central challenge. The offense has the potential to be among the league’s most productive, leaving the pitching staff as the key variable. If Texas stabilizes its rotation and gets reliable innings across the staff, it has the makeup of a division favorite.
Seattle Mariners
Seattle enters 2026 believing its window is firmly open. Built around a strong pitching identity, the Mariners have positioned themselves as a club that can control games and withstand long stretches of the season. The focus now is on converting potential into results. Improved offensive efficiency and situational hitting could be the difference between another competitive season and a long-awaited breakthrough in the division race.
Los Angeles Angels
The Angels continue to reshape their identity heading into 2026. With an emphasis on roster balance and internal development, the organization is focused on building sustainability rather than chasing quick fixes. While expectations are tempered, the Angels are aiming to establish a more consistent brand of baseball. Progress will be measured not only in wins but in the emergence of players who can anchor the next competitive cycle.
Oakland Athletics
Oakland remains firmly in a rebuilding phase as 2026 begins. The Athletics are centered on youth, flexibility, and long-term evaluation, prioritizing growth over immediate results. While wins may again be scarce, the season serves as an important checkpoint for player development. Identifying building blocks and gaining major league experience remain the primary goals.
With established powers adjusting and challengers pushing forward, the AL West enters 2026 with fewer certainties and more opportunities. How teams manage transition may matter as much as talent in determining who emerges on top.
