Seattle Mariners: Houston Astros Coming to the American League West

It is expected before the 2013 MLB season that the Houston Astros will move to the American League West. 

Prospective owner Jim Crane was told by MLB that in order to get his ownership bid approved he would have to make the switch to the American League West.

This move makes sense.  As we all know, the AL West is the only division in baseball with less than five teams, while the NL Central is the only division in baseball with more than five teams.  This move would also provide both leagues with an even amount of teams.

But how would it affect the Mariners? 

As an M’s fan, I find it intriguing and frustrating at the same time. Simple math points out that competing with three teams to win a division is easier than competing with four. Of course you have to take into account the talent and prowess of those teams we are competing against. 

Obviously, the Rangers are a powerhouse.

The Angels are the Angels, and it seems we will never figure out how to beat them on a regular basis. 

The A’s will always be those scrappy little bastards that find a way to beat us. 

What about the Stros? 

Houston finished dead last in the National League Central last year with the worst record in baseball at 56-106. They were 19 games under .500 at home and 31 games under on the road.  They scored a minuscule amount of runs with 615, which were 59 more than the Mariners had cross the plate last year. 

But they also allowed 796 runs compared to Seattle’s 675. 

They have traded away most of their stars recently in Roy Oswalt, Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn in an effort to rebuild and compete down the road. Will the transition to the American League West and having a DH affect them and their rebuilding negatively?

A lot of Minor League system rankings have the Astros system near the bottom, while the rest of the AL west is well ahead. You can’t base everything on a club’s system, but when you’re trying to rebuild, having a solid system sure does help. 

They are terrible now and the near future does not look too bright. This may translate into some more wins for the Mariners, but it will most certainly translate into more wins for our more hated rivals within the division. I have to imagine when the Astros do make the transition to the AL west the Rangers and Angels will win those contests against them at least 75 percent of the time. 

Simply more ground for the M’s to make up. 

Minute Maid Park, disregarding that hideous center field, is hitter friendly for the most part. This could fair well for the M’s and their staff, and by that I mean scoring more runs in Houston and allowing less with their superior pitching.

But then again, it’s the Mariners, and the Mariners do not like to score runs. 

This move will also mean that an interleague game will be played every day during the season in order for the schedule to be more balanced. 

I am pretty neutral on this move. It’s a simple move for Major League Baseball to make. It will certainly be new to me to watch Mariners games every year against the Houston Astros.