Off-Season Transaction Analysis - AL West

Let's see what's happening in the AL West, shall we?

Los Angeles: The Steve Finley era ends as he is shipped to San Francisco for Edgardo Alfonzo. The question is whether Alfonzo is insurance in case Dallas MacPherson can't go or have the Angels soured on McPherson? Otherwise, not much is happening out L.A. way, as they have yet to find a bat to protect Vladimir Guerrero (who was horribly exposed in the playoffs). Direction - Neutral.

Oakland: Signing Esteban Loaiza to such an outlandish deal (3 years, 14+ million) was so un-Billy Beane-like that one has to wonder what else is in the offing. There are constant rumours of a deal involving Barry Zito, but all we've seen is a deal for Milton Bradley, which I think Beane did as a favour to the Dodgers. Direction - Neutral.

Seattle: I covered Kenji Johjima earlier. The M's have been somewhat busy, signing Jarrod Washburn to a 4-year deal, Carl Everett to a 1-year deal and re-upping for another year with ageless wonder Jamie Moyer. They must be hoping that Adrian Beltre will pay off this year. Direction - Neutral in either the AL East or Central, but this much activity qualifies as Up in the West.

Texas: Very nearly gave away Hank Blalock to Florida in an effort to land Josh Beckett, but they've done well otherwise. Picked up Vicente Padilla for spare parts, dealt Alfonso Soriano to Washington for two plus outfielders (Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge) and a pitcher. Sledge was then packaged, along with Adrian Gonzalez and Chris Young, to the Padres for Adam Eaton, Akinori Otsuka and a prospect. Let Kenny Rogers walk, but that's OK. Eaton and Padilla solidify the rotation and Otsuka will be huge setting Francisco Cordero. Direction - Up.

Well, that's the AL. See you after Christmas to do the NL. Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!