American League West Standings Today: Why the Mariners Are Finally the Team to Beat

It is mid-January, the heart of the "Hot Stove" season, and if you are looking at the American League West standings today, you’ll see a bunch of zeros. Every team is 0-0. That is the literal truth of the winter. But anyone who actually follows this division knows that the standings aren’t really empty; they are written in the ink of massive contracts, trade rumors, and the lingering scent of last year's collapse.

The Seattle Mariners are sitting on top of the world—or at least the division—after a 2025 season where they finally kicked the door down. They finished 90-72, ending a two-decade-plus drought to claim the AL West crown. Now, as we hit January 17, 2026, the question isn't just who is in first place, but who is actually built to stay there.

The Current State of the AL West Standings Today

Technically, everyone is tied. But let’s look at how they finished 2025, because that is the baseline for everything happening right now in the front offices of Houston, Seattle, and Arlington.

• Seattle Mariners: 90-72 (Division Champs)
• Houston Astros: 87-75 (3.0 GB)
• Texas Rangers: 81-81 (9.0 GB)
• Athletics: 76-86 (14.0 GB)
• Los Angeles Angels: 72-90 (18.0 GB)

The Mariners won the division by getting white-hot in September, winning 17 of 18 games at one point. It was a miracle run. Honestly, it probably broke the spirits of a few Astros fans. But the winter has been a different story. While Seattle has been somewhat quiet, the rest of the West is trying to buy their way back to the top.

Seattle’s "Quiet" Confidence and the Cal Raleigh Factor

Seattle is basically betting that their 2025 wasn't a fluke. Cal Raleigh is the heartbeat of that team. He led the AL with 125 RBIs last year and nearly snatched the MVP trophy. When you have a catcher who hits like a middle-of-the-order slugger and manages a young, elite rotation, you’re in a good spot.

But there is a bit of a "wait and see" vibe in the Pacific Northwest. Jerry Dipoto, the Mariners' president of baseball operations, has a reputation for being a trade addict, yet this winter has been more about arbitration filings and minor moves. They lost some veteran presence with Eugenio Suárez and Jorge Polanco hitting free agency. If the American League West standings today were decided by "vibes," Seattle wins. If they are decided by depth, they might be playing a dangerous game.

👉 See also: Why the 2025 NFL Draft Class is a Total Headache for Scouts

The Houston Astros: A Dynasty in Decline or Just Reloading?

For the first time in forever, the Astros didn't win the West. It felt weird, right?

Houston is in a weird spot. Alex Bregman is gone—he just signed a massive five-year deal with the Cubs. That's a massive hole at third base and an even bigger hole in the clubhouse. Kyle Tucker? He’s a Dodger now. The $240 million man left a crater in the Houston outfield.

To compensate, the Astros got creative. They signed Japanese star Tatsuya Imai to a three-year, $54 million deal. It’s a smart move, but they are bumping up against the luxury tax. Their payroll is hovering around $238 million, and owner Jim Crane has historically been allergic to the "taxpayer" label. They still have Jose Altuve, but he’s turning 36. You can feel the window creaking. It hasn't shut, but it's definitely heavy.

The Texas Rangers and the "Budget" Grind

The 2023 World Series feels like a decade ago in Arlington. After finishing .500 last year, the Rangers are dealing with some serious financial constraints. It’s kinda depressing for a team that spent half a billion dollars on an infield a few years back.

They need a catcher. They need five bullpen arms. They basically need a whole new supporting cast for Jacob deGrom, who—miraculously—stayed healthy for 30 starts last year. The latest buzz has them linked to "affordable" guys like Luis Arraez or Harrison Bader. Arraez would be a perfect fit for their new philosophy of actually putting the ball in play, but whether they can scrape together the $14 million or so a year he’ll want is the big question.

✨ Don't miss: Liverpool FC Chelsea FC: Why This Grudge Match Still Hits Different

The Athletics: Sacramento, Vegas, and a Surprising Checkbook

The A's are the most confusing team in baseball. They are playing in a minor league park in Sacramento (Sutter Health Park) while they wait for a stadium on the Vegas Strip that isn't even built yet. You’d think they’d be penny-pinching, right?

Nope.

They just gave Tyler Soderstrom $86 million over seven years. They’ve locked up Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler too. They finished 2025 with 76 wins—better than the Angels! They aren't "good" yet, but they aren't the laughingstock anymore. They even have a weird six-game "home" stand in Las Vegas scheduled for June 2026. If you're checking the American League West standings today and expecting the A's to be 20 games back by May, you might be surprised. They have a pulse.

What Most People Get Wrong About the AL West

Everyone assumes the Astros will just "be back." But look at the roster. Framber Valdez is a free agent. Justin Verlander is a free agent. The rotation after Hunter Brown is a massive question mark.

The balance of power has shifted. Seattle has the best young pitching in the league with George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, and Bryce Miller. In a long 162-game season, pitching usually beats "dynasty dust."

🔗 Read more: NFL Football Teams in Order: Why Most Fans Get the Hierarchy Wrong

Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season

If you're tracking the division this year, keep an eye on these specific triggers:

• The International Signing Period: The Angels and Astros are being very aggressive here because it’s a way to add talent without the massive MLB salary tax hits. The Angels just landed Yeison Horton, a lefty infielder who was supposed to go to the Yankees.
• The Luxury Tax Threshold: Watch the $244 million mark. If Houston can't trade Isaac Paredes to clear space, they might not be able to sign the veteran backup catcher (like Victor Caratini) they desperately need.
• The Sacramento Effect: Don't underestimate how weird it is to play in a 14,000-seat Triple-A park. The A's might actually have a "small-ball" home-field advantage because the environment is so different from a standard MLB stadium.

The American League West standings today show a five-way tie, but by the time pitchers and catchers report in a few weeks, the hierarchy will be clear. Seattle is the king until someone knocks them off. Houston is the aging lion. Texas is the guy trying to find $20 in his couch cushions to buy a relief pitcher. And the Angels? Well, they’re still the Angels, hoping Mike Trout can stay on the field for more than 100 games.

Check the transaction wire. That’s where the 2026 season is being won right now. Keep your eyes on the Mariners' rotation health; if those five guys stay upright, the rest of the West is playing for second place.

Next Steps for Following the AL West:

1. Monitor the Framber Valdez sweepstakes; if he leaves the division, Houston’s win total likely drops by 5-7 games.
2. Track Jacob deGrom’s spring training velocity. If he’s sitting at 98+ mph, Texas becomes a dark horse candidate for a Wild Card spot.
3. Watch the Angels' trade activity for an everyday center fielder to allow Jo Adell to move to a corner spot where his defense is less of a liability.