(Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

Houston Astros

2024 record 88-73 (1st place, AL West)

He gone: 3B Alex Bregman, OF Ben Gamel, RHP Kendall Graveman, OF Jason Heyward, LHP Yusei Kikuchi, RHP Ryan Pressly, OF Kyle Tucker, RHP Justin Verlander.

New faces: 3B Isaac Paredes, OF Taylor Trammell, 1B Christian Walker, RHP Hayden Wesneski.

Biggest question entering Opening Day: Can the Astros continue their dominance with more pieces of their dynasty gone? The losses of Bregman and Tucker are huge for a franchise that has made eight straight playoff appearances. Bregman wasn't just a good player but was one of the leaders of the ballclub, and Tucker is in the middle of his prime. Remaining stalwart Jose Altuve won't even be the second baseman after being moved to left field in spring training. Having Yordan Alvarez's big bat will help, and the pitching is good enough to make another playoff appearance attainable.

Top prospect: With a need at third base, that makes it good timing for Cam Smith to stake a claim to the hot corner at some point, while also seeing time in the outfield this spring. Smith, 22, was the 14th overall pick by the Chicago Cubs last June, and he was sent to Houston as part of the deal for Tucker. Smith played 32 games across Single-A and Double-A last summer and hit seven homers in 115 at-bats, making three errors in 24 starts at third.

Breakout player: Do you qualify for this category if you're a previous 15-game winner? You do if Tommy John surgery derailed your career. RHP Luis Garcia won't be ready for the start of the season, but he's close to a return from his May 2023 major surgery. Garcia won 26 games from 2021-22, and the Astros are expecting him to fill the fifth starter role. He has fanned 364 batters in 352 innings.

2025 outlook: When you have won seven of the past eight division titles and have bats like those of Alvarez (35 HRs) and Altuve (20) on your side, you still believe another crown is on the way. A pitching staff that includes LHP Framber Valdez (15-7 last season) and RHP Ronel Blanco (13-6) in the rotation, and LHP Josh Hader (34 saves) in the bullpen, is formidable. Houston is turning to Isaac Paredes (.232 career average) as Bregman's replacement, and it remains to be seen how that plays out both at the plate and in the field. Still, the Astros are the class of this division until one of the other teams can finish on top.

--Field Level Media