The A.L. West: A Quick Look

All A.L. West teams are building teams, trying to win the division next season. Here's the look at how the teams have done.

Oakland Athletics

Third Place last season

IN: Matt Holliday

OUT: Carlos Gonzalez, Huston Street, Greg Smith

Analysis: The A's overpaid on Holliday. Gonzalez has potential of becoming five tool player, Street can bounce back, and Smith had fine season in the A's starting rotation. With Holliday on the line up for the A's, all teams will have one guy to watch out for.

But very surprising to see Billy Beane to trigger this trade, trading young prospects for a guy who will be free agent after 2009 season.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

First Place last season, lost in the ALDS vs Red Sox

IN: Juan Rivera (re-sign)

Out: Francisco Rodriguez (FA, to Mets), Mark Teixeira (FA, withdrew offer), Jon Garland (FA, might return)

Analysis: The Angels lost big so far. Closer K-Rod is gone, just because he wants to go to New York, and Teixeira, who played big role in the Angels line up last two months of the season. But this means that more cap space for the Angels, and they can sign big bat or trade for big bat, like Manny Ramirez, Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye and so on.

Their new closer will most likely be Jose Arredondo.

Texas Rangers

Second Place last season

IN: None

Out: Wes Littleton, Kameron Loe, Gerald Laird

Not much of a movement. The Rangers just traded Littleton to Boston for two minor leaguers. Shipped Laird to Detroit for a minor leaguer as well. Loe, released by the Rangers, will play for the Softbank Hawks of Pacific League in Japan.

There are some possibilities that Milton Bradley to go else where, after nice season. The Rays are interested in him. The Rangers must improve on their starters, so they might sign FA's such as Ben Sheets, Kenshin Kawakami, Koji Uehara.

Seattle Mariners

Fourth Place last season

IN: Russel Branyan, Aaron Heilman, Endy Chavez, Franklin Gutierrez, Maikel Cleto, Mike Carp, Ezequel Cabrera, Jason Vargas.

OUT: J.J. Putz, Sean Green, Jeremy Reed, Luis Valvuena.

Analysis: The Mariners are in rebuilding, trading their closer J.J. Putz. They did receive seven players, but not rated high though. Cleto has great fastball, but needs to control it.

Carp needs to improve on hitting inside pitch, Vargas needs to return from the injury, and Gutierrez can't struggle in Safeco, if the Mariners are worth triggering this trade.