AL West

2014 was an exciting year for a suddenly revitalized Seattle Mariners team.

Robinson Cano was brilliant in his first season in Seattle, and Felix Hernandez just missed out on a Cy Young award, leading the Mariners to within one game of a playoff spot after the franchise looked lost for the previous four years.

Dear Santa,

I don't want too much for Christmas. There are just a few things I would love to see. I don't even care about the presents underneath my Christmas tree.

I just want you to do a few things for the Oakland Athletics.

Please make the following wishes come true. If you can't make all of these happen, Santa, then for your convenience, I have ordered them from least realistic to most realistic.

It is still only December, but the 2015 baseball season is rapidly approaching as pitchers and catchers will be reporting to camp in less than two months.

The list of potential fits to fill the Seattle Mariners' hole in right field seems to be shrinking by the day.

Melky Cabrera, likely Seattle's top target, agreed to a three-year deal with the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, per Bruce Levine of 670 The Score.

The Los Angeles Angels have upgraded their already-potent offense by acquiring outfielder Matt Joyce from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for relief pitcher Kevin Jepsen. 

Details of the trade were confirmed by the Angels on Twitter:

The Oakland A's went into the winter meetings looking like they might contend again in 2015. They came out of the meetings three All-Stars lighter.

Now what?

Not every move is pulled off, not every need filled at the MLB Winter Meetings.

For as much hype as the gathering produces, and rightfully so this year, there are teams that go in with plenty of expectations but simply leave with the same roster with which they arrived. It leaves fans disappointed that their guys were not part of the hoopla, but it does not mean said team is done maneuvering.

The Seattle Mariners are such a team.

The Oakland Athletics have had an interesting offseason to say the least—one extremely difficult to grade.

If you look at it from the perspective that the A's were contenders and are retooling to remain as contenders in 2015, then the grade is an F. They downgraded at third base, traded their starting first baseman and one of their top starting pitchers and did not sign a proven shortstop.

All remains fairly quiet for the Texas Rangers this offseason, as the 2014 winter meetings have now come and gone.