Just Inspired

by Rev Halofan on Nov 19, 2006 12:30 PM PST in Angels News

First Angel free agent signing of the offseason is JUSTIN SPEIER.

He signs for 4 years at $4.5 million per year.

Along with Hector Carrasco, what is happening is that Stoneman is overpaying for bullpen help with the knowledge that what was once an expensive infield (Bengie, Erstad, Kennedy, Cabrera) is now a bargain (Napoli, Kotchman-Morales, Kendrick, 3B Black Hole). So Bill underpays on the clay and overpays in the pen. Good balancing of the household budget there, Bill.

This could be the precursor to a trade of Scot Shields and Adenhardt for Andruw Jones - apparently Scott Boras will take the Braves up on the waiving of Andruw's 10/5 rights in exchange for a contract extension negotiating window with the Angels - with the reported Soriano @ 8 years to the Cubs signing, why risk an injury for the Braves' All-Star Centerfielder during 2007 when the market is overheated now?

Halos wind up with either...
1. A servicable (if expensive) replacement for Shields if the Jones deal goes thru
OR
2. A near-impervious bullpen if AJ stays in Atlanta.

Not the big bat we were promised, but an inspired, just inspired signing...

UPDATE: Excellent analysis of Speier from our colleagues at Bluebird Banter.

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Comments

Does anyone realize

that we went 49-29 once we traded Jeff Weaver, a .628 winning percentage. No team finished with a winning % above .600. Although it was/is painful to watch the Angel offense, I think we need to be careful about trading young cheap pitching for players that might be a one year rental. I know we want to make the big splash but guys like Ervin Santana have a tremendious amount of value and we need to be careful with what we are getting back in return. Wells would be awesome as a Halo, but anyone we get back MUST stick around for more than one and done.
I'm not saying we need to sit back and do nothing, but the A's just lost Frank and the Mariners and Rangers are not a threat. As of now, we are looking good to win our division and maybe a few complimentary moves at 3rd, 1st or CF might be more prudent to compete over the long term. Who knows, this year could be Wood's year to ascend to 3rd in the majors, Chone could bounce back in CF and Kotchman/McPherson/Quinlain could platoon across 3rd and 1st to at least get us league average stats. That coupled with an awesome rotation and once again a deep pen seems awful good to me.

by LosAngel on Nov 19, 2006 2:05 PM PST reply actions

I agree

Everyone forgets how terrible the Angels were the first two months of last season. If Bartolo was healthy and Jeff Weaver started the season anything like he ended it, the season would have been a lot different. The impact bat is important, but not as a one year rental. Either Andruw Jones or Vernon Wells would be awesome, but we would have to work out a long term deal. Otherwise, it will detrimental for the future or the organization. The best GMs (Stoneman included) play for the present, but always keep an eye on the future. We don't want to become the Yankees. The Braves and Cardinals have the right model, and I think the Angels are following that model pretty well. Spend money, but spend within reason, value prospects, and do not do one year rentals.

by theclip24 on Nov 19, 2006 2:27 PM PST reply actions

just say no

to any trade of scot shields, scot with one t is one of the most important members of the team let alone the pen.

retire number fifteen.

by rowast on Nov 19, 2006 2:48 PM PST reply actions

Since bullpen depth has been a problem

I don't think you should trade anyone there who's good. We've still got Cabrera/Izturis/Aybar, Figgins, Arredadenhart, at least one catcher ...

by mattwelch on Nov 19, 2006 2:55 PM PST reply actions

Shields

...is a free agent after 2007.

Has flat out said he'd test the market and aim to be a closer somewhere.

Turns 32 in July.

Has been at the center of every trade the Angels turned down over the past threee seasons...

I say better a year too early than a year too late,,,,,

by Rev Halofan on Nov 19, 2006 2:59 PM PST up reply actions

That's pretty persuasive

If he's the sticking point for landing Andruw or Vernon, and if that means we get to keep Santana/Weaver/Saunders, then I can learn to love it.

by mattwelch on Nov 19, 2006 3:04 PM PST up reply actions

If free agent signings...

...are like trades, then imagine this:

Shields, Cabrera, Mathis and Bootcheck for Wells and Speier.

by Rev Halofan on Nov 19, 2006 3:07 PM PST up reply actions

I think they'll want an outfielder

Either Figgins or Willits or somebody who can play CF in a pinch.

And I'd rather not trade Mathis, on account of good young catchers being just about the hardest things to find. If Wells was as dependably great as A-Rod or something, then maybe, but he's had a few mediocre years there.

by mattwelch on Nov 19, 2006 3:09 PM PST up reply actions

If they move wells

I think Rios shifts to CF, Reed Johnson in RF and adam lind in lf

A bad day at the ballpark is better than the best day at work

by SoCalSoxFan @ Halos Heaven on Nov 19, 2006 3:19 PM PST up reply actions

Sure, but they'll want a Plan B

by mattwelch on Nov 19, 2006 4:05 PM PST up reply actions

True But...

If we are not going to land a serious stick for him, then I say hold on to him in case of a freak injury to Frankie.

"With a Brain and a Sack of Nuts"

by Rex DaKine Budler on Nov 19, 2006 3:12 PM PST up reply actions

Amen

The only way Atlanta was able to win 14 straight division titles was trading good players before it was too late and getting value for them.

DarkAngel hath spoken....

by darkangel01 on Nov 19, 2006 7:29 PM PST up reply actions

Wells or Jones

Shields is my favorite current Angel, but if we can make him the centerpiece of a trade for Wells or Jones then its a no brainer. Sure, with Speier, Shields and KRod, we can shut down any game after the 6th inning, but wouldn't it be nice if we could actually score runs in the later innings so a shutdown wouldn't be necessary?

by akathelorax @ Halos Heaven on Nov 20, 2006 9:14 AM PST up reply actions

Yeah, yeah...

I am very okay with a deal to bring Jones here that includes Shields, providing we can negotiate an extension that will prevent him from being a one-year rental.

I love Scot with one "t". I really think he's got a couple of years left in him as probably the best setup man in baseball, but we're making the right moves to give us the options. He's not 20-something anymore, and he had more "What the hell just happened to Scot!?" games last season than any before that I can remember.

Further, the biggest problems we had in that terrible start this year were still run support and errors. Say what you will, but Jones/Wells could be upgrades and long-term solutions to these issues, and provide us a bit more cover in case, say Bartolo can't win more than 10 games anymore, or Chone's big '05 was a fluke.

Scot's great, and a fan favorite, but these are the choices you gotta consider sometimes...

by Brendo on Nov 19, 2006 3:00 PM PST reply actions

What Should the Angels Do??

Should the Angels persue a trade or sign a FA based soley upon what the teams in our division are doing? Or should we get the player/players we need in order to get to the World Series??

It almost appears that every off season as well as near the trade deadline, other teams want to clean out our pitching staff as well as our farm system, which leaves the Halos with the "tough decision" to risk loosing the our pitching which has either kept us in the division race or won it for us (due to our lack of hitting). What the really tells me is that the Angels do NOT have enough faith in their up and coming starters to trade a proven pitcher. Otherwise we could have made trades years ago! Is the Oakland/Freemont A's minor league pitchers that much better than ours, because it seems like they always plug a hole with a young pitcher they bring up.

I sincerely hope that we do NOT trade Santana unless I hear the words A.Rod attached to the trade.

Waiting for that "Big Splash This Off-Season" Artie.

"With a Brain and a Sack of Nuts"

by Rex DaKine Budler on Nov 19, 2006 3:21 PM PST reply actions

Waiting too, but...

I really can't say that I would have wanted the Halos to make any of the moves that have been so far around the league.

Waiting sucks but Aramis signed where he wanted to play befor he could get big money offers, and Soriano at $17 mil until he is 38?!? Kinda glad we didn't win that derby.

A trade for Wells or Jones would make the offseason for me as long as we can get a mulit year deal done...

Please do something good this offseason...

by gorams77 on Nov 19, 2006 7:26 PM PST up reply actions

If you think either one of these guys

will take less than $16-$17 million for less than 6-7 years you're kidding yourself. After this Soriano deal, they'll want the moon too. Especially with Boras in the mix.

DarkAngel hath spoken....

by darkangel01 on Nov 19, 2006 7:32 PM PST up reply actions

Damn that Boras guy.....

Please do something good this offseason...

by gorams77 on Nov 19, 2006 7:34 PM PST up reply actions

yeah

but in those two specific cases, I think they are worth it. They both play great defense at at position we are in need of filling and they can both hit well for their position.

Soriano is not worth it, Jones and Wells are worth it. Wells perhaps moreso due to age.

I would do 6 years 17/year for either and be happy. No, I would be ecstatic.

by halomatt on Nov 19, 2006 8:15 PM PST up reply actions

Mike Butcher and Justin Speier!

Does anyone know where I can order presale playoff tickets???

by bc56274 on Nov 19, 2006 3:44 PM PST reply actions

Today

was a great day to be an Angel Fan. Reggie, Reggie....

by higdog on Nov 19, 2006 4:34 PM PST reply actions

A Good Deal

Assuming, of course, that Speier's elbow issues are a thing of the past.

Relievers often age well and pitch effectively into their late-30s, so the fact that this is a four-year deal isn't too scary. It costs the Angels nothing but money.

He's got a good chance of being better than Gregg, and at least as good as Donnelly over the next couple of seasons.

The thought of trading Scot Shields is frightening, but I can understand the reasoning. Still, unless it's for a MAJOR, long-term bat, I'd like their chances the next year or two more with Shields than without.

by jjackflash on Nov 19, 2006 11:32 PM PST reply actions

year - not two

Shieldsy is a free agent after '07

by Rev Halofan on Nov 19, 2006 11:37 PM PST up reply actions

At a certain point

The Angels will need to restock the farm system at some point. If they were to get a good draft pick for Shields when he leaves as a free agent, it still might be worth losing him that way unless the return is someone who will help a lot for the next few seasons.

by jjackflash on Nov 19, 2006 11:54 PM PST up reply actions