The American League West is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The division has five teams as of the 2013 season, but had four teams from 1994 to 2012, and had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the division has had teams as far east as Chicago. From 1998 (when the NL West expanded to five teams) to 2012, the AL West was the only MLB division with four teams. The current champion of this division is the Houston Astros. In 2013, the Houston Astros went from the National League Central to the AL West. That move gives all six MLB divisions an equal five teams and both leagues an equal 15 teams each. Division membership Current members Houston Astros - Joined in 2013; formerly from the NL West (1969–1993) and NL Central (1994–2012) Los Angeles Angels – Founding member (as the California Angels) Oakland Athletics – Founding member Seattle Mariners – Joined in 1977 as an expansion team Texas Rangers – Joined in 1972; formerly of the AL East (as the 1961–1971 Washington Senators) Former members Chicago White Sox – Founding member; moved to the AL Central in 1994 Kansas City Royals – Founding member; moved to the AL Central in 1994 Minnesota Twins – Founding member; moved to the AL Central in 1994 Milwaukee Brewers – Founding member (as Seattle Pilots); moved to the AL East in 1972, then to the AL Central in 1994. Eventually moved to the NL Central in 1998. Division members Place cursor over year for division champion or World Series team. Creation of division due to 1969 expansion, Kansas City and Seattle added. Seattle franchise moved to Milwaukee, becoming the Brewers. Washington Senators moved to Dallas–Fort Worth, became Texas Rangers and switched divisions with Milwaukee, which moved to the AL East. Seattle added in the 1977 league expansion. Chicago, Kansas City, and Minnesota moved into the newly created AL Central due to the 1994 realignment. In 1997, California Angels become Anaheim Angels. In 2005, Anaheim Angels become Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In 2016, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim become Los Angeles Angels. Houston switches leagues from the NL Central. Champions by year Team names link to the season in which each team played † – Due to the players' strike, the season was split