WEST DIVISION

1. ANGELS

Arrivals: CF Steve Finley, SS Orlando Cabrera, SP Paul Byrd, RP Esteban Yan, 3B Kendry Morales, RP Bret Prinz, OF Juan Rivera, 2B Lou Merloni, SS Maicer Izturis.

Departures: SS David Eckstein, 3B Troy Glaus, RP Troy Percival, SP Ramon Ortiz, SP Aaron Sele, RP Ben Weber, 3B Shane Halter.

On the way up: After showing decent power in three minor league seasons, Dallas McPherson hit 43 home runs in 561 at-bats at double-A Arkansas, triple-A Salt Lake City and Anaheim last year. If his back is up to it -- he’ll start the year on a rehab assignment -- third base is his. The Angels will allow McPherson, 24, to make the transition -- he also struck out 186 times -- from the bottom third of the batting order.

On the way out: In 2002, at 27, Jarrod Washburn was 18-6 with a 3.15 ERA, fourth in the AL Cy Young voting and on his way to a long career at the top of the rotation. He is 21-23 since, did not get out of the fourth inning in a division series start against the Red Sox, then gave up the one-pitch, series-ending home run to David Ortiz. He is a free agent at the end of the season and could be traded before then.

Story lines: Percival is in Detroit, leaving the ninth inning to Francisco Rodriguez, who turned 23 in January. Still waiting for John Lackey, who is 24-29 since Game 7 of the 2002 World Series.

At Dodger Stadium: May 20-22.

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2. TEXAS RANGERS

Arrivals: RF Richard Hidalgo, SP Pedro Astacio, C Sandy Alomar Jr., 1B Greg Colbrunn, 2B Mark DeRosa.

Departures: DH Brad Fullmer, LF Rusty Greer, RF Brian Jordan, RP Jeff Nelson, 1B Herbert Perry, RP Jay Powell, LF Eric Young, RP Jeff Zimmerman.

On the way up: After decades of waiting, the Rangers have hit upon two young pitchers they believe can help redirect the course of a famously pitching-thin franchise. Chris Young, a 6-foot-10, 250-pound, Princeton-educated right-hander, was pushing Chan Ho Park and Pedro Astacio for their places in the starting rotation near the end of spring. Ricardo Rodriguez is a former Dodger farmhand who was traded to the Cleveland Indians in the 2002 Paul Shuey deal.

On the way out: In three seasons with the Rangers, Park has averaged 16 starts, fewer than five wins and an $11-million salary. Though there are indications a team-prescribed training regimen contributed to Park’s chronic hamstring injuries, the Rangers have considered waiving him.

Story lines: Alfonso Soriano hits with the best second basemen in the game but he strikes out a lot, rarely walks and is below average defensively. He could be traded by midseason.

At Angel Stadium: April 5-7, June 20-22, Sept. 20-22.

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3. OAKLAND ATHLETICS

Arrivals: C Jason Kendall, 2B Keith Ginter, RP Kiko Calero, SP Dan Haren, RP Keiichi Yabu, RP Juan Cruz, RP Tim Harikkala.

Departures: SP Tim Hudson, SP Mark Mulder, RF Jermaine Dye, C Damian Miller, SP Mark Redman, RP Arthur Rhodes, RP Chris Hammond, 3B Mark McLemore, RP Jim Mecir.

On the way up: Right-hander Huston Street, a 2004 compensation pick out of Texas, could be the A’s closer by the end of the season. Old-time A’s compare him to Dennis Eckersley, both in terms of mechanics and makeup. Street’s father, James, was a Texas quarterback in the late 1960s.

On the way out: Manager Ken Macha is in the final year of his contract, and already there is speculation that A’s coach Bob Geren, Angel pitching coach Bud Black or even Lenny Dykstra, an old favorite of General Manager Billy Beane’s, will replace him. Geren was the best man at Beane’s first wedding. If the A’s fade fast behind the Angels and Rangers, Octavio Dotel and Erubiel Durazo could go by the trading deadline.

Story lines: With free agency near, the A’s redirected the franchise, trading Mulder to St. Louis for pitchers Haren and Calero, and catcher Daric Barton and Hudson to Atlanta for pitchers Dan Meyer and Cruz and outfielder Charles Thomas.

At Angel Stadium: April 22-24, July 18-20, Aug. 30-Sept. 1.

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4. SEATTLE MARINERS

Arrivals: 3B Adrian Beltre, 1B Richie Sexson, SP Aaron Sele, SS Pokey Reese, RP Jeff Nelson, 2B Ricky Gutierrez.

Departures: DH Edgar Martinez, OF Hiram Bocachica, INF-OF Jolbert Cabrera, C Ben Davis, OF Quinton McCracken.

On the way up: Felix Hernandez has a 98-mph fastball and a big league curveball and he won’t be 19 until April 8. The Venezuelan right-hander could arrive this season, particularly if Jamie Moyer, at 42, or Sele, who could be the fifth starter, falters.

On the way out: Somewhere between 41 and 42, Moyer went from 21 wins to seven and from a 3.27 ERA to 5.21. He’s still the opening-day starter, and he never had a fastball to lose, so a rebound is possible. Dynamic as an Angel, Scott Spiezio was the Mariners’ opening-day third baseman in 2004 and is looking for at-bats in 2005. His corner infield positions were filled by Beltre and Sexson.

Story lines: Desperate for power and run production, the Mariners spent $114 million on Beltre, who had never hit more than 23 home runs before last season, and Sexson, coming off major shoulder surgery. The Mariners remade three-fourths of their infield, with Reese at shortstop. Closer Eddie Guardado has hamstring and rotator cuff issues.

At Angel Stadium: April 18-19, July 7-10, Sept. 2-4.