Hot Stove Update

Super crazy stuff is happening that I can't even wrap my mind around. This Hot Stove, Winter Meetings extravaganza has been one of the most heartbreaking gut wrenching experiences of my baseball fandom. Why, you ask? Because Jerry Hairston Jr. is no longer a Brewer. I know this caught everyone by surprise, but I'll be OK. Because, while it appears that the Brewers will lose Prince Fielder it was already not in the cards for another NL Central team to keep their MVP Candidate 1B - Albert Pujols, who signed a deal with the Angels.


Now, it looks as though the Cubs are out of the Prince Fielder race (though I doubt that), but if that is the fact then it looks like the Astros (Brett Wallace) might have the second best first baseman in the league - depending how the Cards and Crew rebound from their losses.

Secondly, Prince was rumored to go to the Mariners and Rangers. The Rangers would have an offensive lineup that rivaled murderer's row (lose pitching - CJ Wilson, combat with more offense). The Mariners must believe that one power bat stands between last place and contention, so I want to hear from you guys what do you think?

Is the AL West in an arms race (or rather a bats race)? Is there a power shift in the leagues? And are the Astros doomed by switching leagues at the wrong time?