The Balance of Power just shifted in the American League West thans to the Dan Haren Trade.

First, The Arizona Side of the trade.  Arizona gets a solid Number Two starter and sends several blocked prospects to Oakland in exchange for roster certainty.  None of the players really had a chance of cracking Arizona's roster, save Chris Carter, and for the Diamondbacks, it's about winning now and worrying about the farm depth emptying out later.

Arizona's new lineup is likely the following:

1. Brandon Webb (RHP)
2. Dan Haren (RHP)
3. Doug Davis (LHP)
4. Micah Owings (RHP)
5. Randy Johnson (LHP)

That's a much strong rotation, much better than last years.

Overall, this trade works for them. 

As for Oakland, it's a symbol that Billy Beane has conceded the season and is beginning to rebuild.  As seen from my farm system previews, Beane doesn't have a ton of high ceiling talent in his minor league system and much of the talent that is close to being drawn upon is already up.

And Beane has shown that he is willing to conduct a full scale rebuild sooner rather than later and likely saw that it was time to do so.

So, let's take a look at each of the players recieved:

• Chris Carter (1B) - A pure masher, Carter has plenty of upside.  He's not the greatest defender, but he's passable enough.  Overall, he's a middle of the order power threat waiting to happen.
• Aaron Cunningham (OF) - Stolen from the White Sox in the Danny Richar move, Cunningham has a high upside, as he hits the ball to all fields and has some speed and power.  Many compare him to former A's outfielder Eric Byrnes.  I say he's more like a young Steve Finley.
• Carlos Gonzalez (RF) - Gonzalez is another young outfielder that can mash, given the opportunity.  He could start in Oakland right now, pushing Swisher to center and Kotsay out the door if Oakland is willing to take pennies on the dollar.
• Brett Anderson (LHP) - A decent left hander with okay stuff, he's more of a Number Four starter at best, though he does have innings eater potential.  He'll do well in that ballpark than he ever would have in Arizona.
• Gregg Smith and Dana Eveland - Decent arms, but more likely to wind up as relief prospects than anything else.

Overall, it's a trade of quantity over quality.  The A's did get a pair of high upside players in Cunningham and Carter, but I wonder if they shouldn't have pushed the Diamondbacks for Matt Scherzer, a pitcher better than Anderson, Smith and Evaland and well worth waiting for.

It's a good trade, as it gives the A's options to play with in the outfield and a future power threat in Carter.  I'm just wondering if it was enough to justify the Haren trade.  Oakland needs pitching and unless they're planning on using high draft picks due to low finishes on near ready college pitching, they'll be hurting for quite some time.

This trade also officially gives the divisional race solely to the Mariners and Angels.  With Oakland and Texas now entering full scale rebuilds (with Texas slightly ahead due to two good drafts and a couple of smart trades), it should be interesting watching the Mariners and Angels slug it out with each other.

If that's the case, then while my team is out of contention, I'll be rooting for Seattle.

I dislike LA a whole lot more anyway.

Arizona Grade - A, Oakland Grade - B