With one recent move, the Los Angeles Angels made themselves the clear cut front-runner in the American League. By adding Mark Teixera, the Gold Glove first baseman, who routinely swats over 30 home runs a year, the Angels did something that has been long overdue: the team finally added a quality bat to help out Vladimir Guerrero.

With that one move, the lineup instantly went from very mediocre to very good, and the Angels went from being among the contenders to being the team to beat.

The Angels management has probably received a lot of praise from a lot of people since putting together, and pulling the trigger, on such a great deal for the club (Casey Kotchman and a AA pitcher for Teixera), but the question no one is asking is: What took so long?

Since the Angels won their first World Series title in 2002, the team has been as consistent a franchise as there has been in Major League Baseball. They did experience a letdown after their championship season and missed the playoffs in 2003, but since then, Mike Scioscia and his club has basically dominated the AL West with their brand of "small ball" and has simply found a way to win games year after year.

However, as much as the team has not struggled during the regular season over the past few years, it has struggled mightily in the post season. In 2004, Guerrero's first year with the team, the Angels were swept by the Boston Red Sox despite having home field advantage.

The following season, the Halos managed to make it to the ALCS, but ultimately lost to the Chicago White Sox in five games. In 2006, despite winning a very impressive 89 games in the regular season, the team missed the playoffs when the Detroit Tigers won the wildcard by going 95-67. Then last year, the team was once again swept by the Red Sox in the ALDS.

Why has a team that has played so well for the past four seasons failed to come even remotely close to winning the pennant?

Good question. The starting pitching has always been there. In '05, the Angels essentially had two aces in Cy Young award winner in Bartolo Colon and their current ace, John Lackey. The bullpen has always been one of the best in the American League, with Scot Shields, one of the best set-up men in the game, and K-Rod, one of the best closers the game. In addition, they've always had team speed on the base paths. And on top of that, they had one of the best managers in the game all along, as well.

So, why has this team routinely fallen short in the playoffs year after year?

Simple. They have never made a move like they did when they picked up Teixera to bolster that lineup.

Since the Angels brought in Guerrero in 2004, it has always been him, Chone Figgins (a decent lead off guy), and Garret Anderson, and that's about it. Teams have been able to pitch around Vladdy when it really counts, most notably in the post-season, and have had good success against the Scot Spiezio's and Gary Matthews Jr.'s of the world, who apparently were "protecting" Vladdy in the lineup all these years.

Well, not to be the bearer of bad news for the rest of the American League, but the days of deciding to pitch around Vladdy are over. Now, the Angels have a man hitting behind him named Mark Teixera.

Teixera's hit at least 30 homers each of the past five seasons (he had 43 in 2005), and he is on his way to hitting 30 again this year. He is the reason that the Halos won't be such an easy out this post-season.

American League, you've been warned. This team finally splurged on a big name bat and now it is time for them to reap the benefits.