Free Agent Watch, Day 3: Alfonso Soriano - $80 Million / 6 Years

by Rev Halofan on Nov 13, 2006 11:03 PM PST in Angels News

The L.A. Times is reporting the Angels offer to Alfonso Soriano is 6 years, $80 million and that - should they sign him - they will likely move Howie Kendrick to 1B in order to allow Soriano to suck as the Angels everyday 2B. The Times Mike DiGiovanna observes that Soriano has many suitors - including the deep-pocket Dodgers, so don't expect a deal in the next few days.

REV's BOTTOM LINE: This blows chunks, blocking Kendry AND Casey and does not address 3B or CF. Yuck.

The Eli Geffen Daily Fishwrap also reports that the Padres have retained their pitching coach from last season, quelling rumors that Bud Black would be taking Chalres Nagy (Black's hand-picked selection for Angels AAA pitching coach) to the National League's Beach Town with him.

HH Take: Look's like Nagy gets promoted to the big club soon.

Meanwhile Ken Rosenthal reports that the Blue Jays are in a Win-Now mode, seeing 2007 as the seson to strike at their division. Indications are that Vernon Wells is untouchable this offseason. Robothal also stokes the Tejada to Anaheim flames.

HH Take: Hey Mister Stoneman, try to get Miggy for Saunders/Cabrera instead of Santana/Aybar.

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howie at 1st

Why place him at 1st? Didn't he try out 3rd in spring training? I know scioscia doesn't want him off the right side of the infield but hey, i'd take my chances with howie at 3rd...anyone agree? Hate me for this?

"I love this british shit!" -Lou Brown

by jtkelly86 on Nov 13, 2006 11:01 PM PST reply actions

I don't read the same thing...

...this is DiGiovanna talking, not Bill, and he doesn't say "likely" he says "may". Pure speculation I think.

DarkAngel hath spoken....

by darkangel01 on Nov 13, 2006 11:28 PM PST reply actions

Insane

I cannot believe they would consider Soriano at 2B. The team needs to defend better than last season, not worse. This is a disaster waiting to happen, if true. They'll give up twice as many unearned runs.

by jjackflash on Nov 14, 2006 12:06 AM PST reply actions

Panic

I should add that this smells like a panic move after Plan A, Aramis Ramirez, was scuttled. Unless they have other deals in the works...

by jjackflash on Nov 14, 2006 12:12 AM PST up reply actions

yeah

Insane - yes
Panic - yes

by rbrianc on Nov 14, 2006 10:46 AM PST up reply actions

Thinking of this actually going through

puts me on the brink of tears. Pleaaaase Bill. There are so many better ways to address the need.

by agermer on Nov 14, 2006 12:14 AM PST reply actions

Panic on the streets of Katella

...not quite as poetic.

Tonight i was listening to Fox Sports Radio and Halo Homer, Kevin Kennedy, was asked about Howie Lewis. Kennedy suggested that the Angels should bring in Al Soriano because he is a legit second baseman, while 'the "News" is still not ready. According to the 'Stache, Howie's glove is still suspect as well as his bat.

Who would you want as your 2nd baseman...

Howie or Al?

by cupie on Nov 14, 2006 12:47 AM PST reply actions

Kevin Kennedy

only solution for Kommander Kevin: Kastration...

by Rev Halofan on Nov 14, 2006 1:01 AM PST up reply actions

I hate this

Howie's glove is suspect at 1st, not at 2nd.

Howie should be moved to 1st base - when he's 35. I don't want Soriano at all, but if they get him I'd rather him be in the outfield. What a terrible idea. The team Stoneman seems to want will have trouble drawing 300 walks.

I'm not advocating an Oakland offense, but our championship team had some patience - Salmon, Glaus - to go with the free swingers. We need to bring balance to the force. And JD Drew is our last hope.

by RallyMonkey5 on Nov 14, 2006 6:45 AM PST reply actions

If Drew is our last hope

We should probably take the cyanide pills now.

Stoneman I am really curious what you have up your sleeve considering your job is on the line. PS GMJ is not an option

by hauldog on Nov 14, 2006 10:40 AM PST up reply actions

Moronic

If they're so intent on playing Soriano at second, move Howie to center. He's fast, and young enough to learn the position.

Still, jjack has it right. This move hurts the defense considerably (though I think Kendrick with a full season would be above average defensively at first). It's like they didn't even watch what happened last season.

by LA Seitz on Nov 14, 2006 7:08 AM PST reply actions

Although, it should be pointed out...

Though the Angels appear set at Soriano's two primary positions, left field (Garret Anderson) and second base (Howie Kendrick), they could move Kendrick to first base, Anderson to designated hitter or open up center field for Soriano.

The article says they could move Kendrick to first. It doesn't say that's what they plan to do. It's poorly worded. It should say:

Though the Angels appear set at Soriano's two primary positions, left field (Garret Anderson) and second base (Howie Kendrick), they could move Kendrick to first base, or they could move Anderson to designated hitter which would open up center field for Soriano.

by LA Seitz on Nov 14, 2006 7:15 AM PST up reply actions

I can't understand why Lee hasn't

been singled out as a possibility. He will be more than happy to be a DH, he is a powerhitting run producer, and seems to have been forgotten. Not to mention that he will hit in the middle of the order unlike Soriano who doesn't hit if hes not at the top of the order.

by riktermiller on Nov 14, 2006 9:18 AM PST reply actions

The last time we signed a body like that...

...it fell into the dugout in the very first inning of the season.

DarkAngel hath spoken....

by darkangel01 on Nov 14, 2006 9:37 AM PST up reply actions

Very bad idea

Signing Lee means Rivera is in center. Or traded. Rivera is a better player than Lee and won't cost anywhere near as much.

Not to mention if he DH's it means Anderson has to keep playing the field.

by RallyMonkey5 on Nov 14, 2006 9:55 AM PST up reply actions

I don't necessarily like Lee

but signing Lee won't cause the domino effect that signing Soriano will likely cause. Soriano wants to play 2B, he wants Beltran $$$, he wants a full no trade clause, and his signing will force another player to play out of position. A Soriano deal will be bad news.

by riktermiller on Nov 14, 2006 10:02 AM PST up reply actions

Rivera vs Lee

Rivera 310/362/525
Lee 300/355/540

Now somebody's going to point out Lee playing much more than Rivera. But is he a good bet to get more plate appearances in the future?

Rivera will be heading into 2007 with a starting job for the first time in his career. He hits righties and lefties, unlike a Robb Quinlan, who is only useful vs LHP. Its hard to see a player the size of Carlos Lee continuing to get 600 AB per year.

by RallyMonkey5 on Nov 14, 2006 10:02 AM PST reply actions

Rivera is the worlds

biggest dick tease. He doesn't wake up before July and that isn't going to cut it. He had a full time last season and got hurt and struggled until July. I wouldn't put that much Mr. Rivera. He is a good player but isn't in the category of Carlos Lee. The one player that is the best fit is still JD Drew and the idea that signing will happens seems remote at best.

by riktermiller on Nov 14, 2006 10:09 AM PST up reply actions

Wow

Juan was the best offensive player on the team in the second half of the 2006 season and we all know he didn't just "wake up, " he ripped the motherfuckin chains off and played like a beast.

Juan deserves to be the starting LF. I'd take him over JD Drew or Lee.

by Higz on Nov 14, 2006 10:50 AM PST up reply actions

No

he wakes up every August. I am totally execting more of the same in 2007. I hope I am wrong but I doubt it.

by riktermiller on Nov 14, 2006 7:08 PM PST up reply actions

Uh...

...that would be July.

DarkAngel hath spoken....

by darkangel01 on Nov 14, 2006 9:17 PM PST up reply actions

agree

especially to the 'no Drew' sentiment.

by thewebb on Nov 14, 2006 8:14 PM PST up reply actions

How about

We trade Saunders, Aybar and D Mac for Adam Dunn. I'd prefer to just deal Aybar and Saunders, but would throw in D Mac if that's what it took. The Reds could always use pitching and I think their SS position is less than settled, plus they could put DMac at 1st.

Although Dunn strikes out a lot, he is patient, has insane power and can run a bit for a big man. His fielding may suck but he would mainly be a DH and could spell the outfield corners and 1st occasionally. It doesn't solve our problem of having too many corner outfielders, but doesn't really add to the problem much either. He's essentially locked up for 2 years and is relatively young and we wouldn't have to mortgage a huge part of our future to get him.

by LosAngel on Nov 14, 2006 1:55 PM PST reply actions

wait'll scareduck reads this post.

john RIP samo

by angels4adam on Nov 15, 2006 12:19 AM PST up reply actions

Is that good or bad?

Just cause Dunn is the king of the solo jack and strikes out a ton with men on base, doesn't mean he's all bad, does it?
Seriously, it's not my first option, but given Stoneman's reluctance to make big trades and the relatively thin/ over priced free agent market out there, it's not a bad idea. I'd take this over doing nothing.
Granted, history might not have played out the same way, but how good would we look right now if we had traded 2/3 of the McPherson/Kotchman/Mathis trio for a big proven bat 2 years ago. Probably a couple of World Series rings....
I can't take another year of aneimic offense and I don't think the pitching staff can stomach it either.

by LosAngel on Nov 15, 2006 10:39 AM PST up reply actions

Bro -

I agree with you. I was just saying: scareduck thinks strikouts are the most important stat in baseball, when in reality, they are one of the least important.

john RIP samo

by angels4adam on Nov 15, 2006 5:55 PM PST up reply actions