After the dust has settled ...

After the dust known as the trade dead line has settled, it looks as if the new team to beat in the American League is the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

During the last seven days of July the Angels made three very big statements.

Shout Out #1 -- Went into Fenway and swept the Red Sox. After taking three games in Anaheim before the All Star break, the Angels rode into the Fens and swept the Sox. They outslugged, outpitched, outhit and simply outplayed the home team.

Shout Out #2 -- Went into Yankee Stadium and were disappointed in splitting four games. After taking the first two they lost the last two including the final game surrendering a three run lead.

Shout Out #3 -- Traded for Mark Teixeira. Casey Kotchman and a minor league pitcher for an All Star, middle of the order switch hitter was an absolute steal.

While the Red Sox have had the Angels' number of late in the playoffs, it looks like the West Coasters have passed their nemesis by adding Teixeira. The Sox losing Manny does factor into this but even before that I thought they had closed the gap. The starting pitching, defense, and closer all look to be even. The most glaring and obvious advantage is in middle relief. One could argue this was the case in 2004 and 2007 also.

I am not handing the Angels the pennant. There is still plenty of time for the Sox to find some consistency in middle relief (Is Timlin getting hot again?) and get the offense going (Calling Jacoby Ellsbury and David Ortiz). It is clear the Sox have some catching up to do.

My AL Rankings (chance of getting to the World Series) as of August 6th;

1. Angels
2. Red Sox
3. Rays
4. White Sox
5. Yankees
6. Twins