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Around SBN: Cal RB Jahvid Best Seriously Injured, Carted Off Field

FIVE YEARS

GMJ2 4 5 YRS @ 10/Y

(sux 2 b us)

(UPDATE: plus a no trade clause over the first three seasons of the deal... Congratulations to the Oakland Athletics on their 2007, 2008 and 2009 Western Division Championships)

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Who told Stoneman
It was buy high (GMJ), sell low (Figgins)!!

Or even worse, the other kind of Buy high (pass the joint Stonedman).  

Stoneman coughing on the doobie says, "Oh shit, you mean I was buying GMJ, not KGB?  That was $50M for a sad sack, not $50 for a sack?"

by LosAngel on Nov 22, 2006 12:50 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Buy high?
What about making trades while high?
Fire Mickey Hatcher. An entire generation of Angels offense depends upon it.

by scareduck on Nov 22, 2006 1:04 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

What the Fuck?
A no trade clause?  What the fuck?

Seriously.  I guess Angels fans have to hope for one of three things: (1) he's a league average CF for a year or two so it's not a total waste; (2) he suffers a couple of season-ending injuries early in each of the first couple of years, requiring the Angels to find a replacement (even from in-house), who's likely to be better anyways; (3) he somehow manages to really piss of Scioscia, so that Mike doesn't feel compelled to keep sending him and his .250, no-power bat and below-average glove out there every day (unlike the situation with Finley).

I, too, have now given up hope for 2007 and 2008.

by jjackflash on Nov 22, 2006 1:00 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

last year CF vs. 2007 CF
I am totally NOT a stat-head, I am purely a quantum-entanglement-minded-superstitous-type A fanatic so don't hold my feet to the fire over my first Mr. Spock impression but...

If you forget the # of years of the contract, forget the age he'll be in 5 years and just look at last year's stats between the 2, you can, kind of, see what they were thinking.

Sarge Jr.
G    AB    R    H    2B    3B    HR    RBI    SB    BA    OBP    SLG
147    620    102    194    44    6    19    79    10    .313    .371    .495

Figgy:
G    AB    R    H    2B    3B    HR    RBI    SB    BA    OBP    SLG
155    604    93    161    23    8    9    62    52    .267    .336    .376

"The last time we got in a fight, we won the Series," Lackey said. "I'll be OK with that. Let's get it rolling."

by atomburn on Nov 22, 2006 1:03 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

hey Rev,
how can I clean up the formatting on this?
"The last time we got in a fight, we won the Series," Lackey said. "I'll be OK with that. Let's get it rolling."

by atomburn on Nov 22, 2006 1:05 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

hell if i know
y'all are on your own when it comes to the htmk...

by Rev Halofan on Nov 22, 2006 1:08 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Use the <tt> tag
Just like this:

Sarge Jr.
G     AB   R    H  2B  3B  HR  RBI  SB   BA    OBP    SLG
147  620  102  194  44  6  19   79  10  .313  .371    .495

Figgy:
G     AB   R     H   2B  3B  HR  RBI  SB   BA    OBP    SLG
155  604  93    161  23   8   9   62  52  .267  .336    .376

Fire Mickey Hatcher. An entire generation of Angels offense depends upon it.

by scareduck on Nov 22, 2006 1:12 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

good tutorial *sarcasm*
Here's an esoteric html tag, I won't show you HOW to use it, but I will show you how it's properly used.

just fing with you...  

by atomburn on Nov 22, 2006 1:28 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

only problem there is
Choen Figgins is three and a half years YOUNGER than GMJ2

by Rev Halofan on Nov 22, 2006 1:07 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Plus
Sarge Jr. played at that launching pad--which adds at least 30 points to everyone's stats!
"Is there no place in this world for a man with a 105 IQ?" Homer Simpson

by mheumann on Nov 22, 2006 2:41 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Somebody at BTF
noticed that this has to be the best contract ever by a player who's been DFA'd by three clubs.
Fire Mickey Hatcher. An entire generation of Angels offense depends upon it.

by scareduck on Nov 22, 2006 1:08 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Unfortunately...
those aren't career #'s we are looking at...
Please do something good this offseason...

by gorams77 on Nov 22, 2006 2:28 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Can this be parlayed into ARod?
Figgins, Santana, Shields....

I really hope Stoneman has a masterplan we just don't see at this point.

by bc56274 on Nov 22, 2006 1:07 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

bad
no trade of shields
retire number fifteen.

by rowast on Nov 22, 2006 1:15 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I would make that trade.
Figgy is now expendable, Shields will be gone after 2007 (plus we have Justin Speier, another great Stoneman acquisition), and Santana is going to turn into Ramon Ortiz.

Oh yeah, I'm only making this trade assuming we also sign Barry Zito.

by bc56274 on Nov 22, 2006 3:49 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I hear Von Hayes is still available
Journeyman CF sticks glove over fence, comes down with ball.  Great catch--makes highlight reel/ESPN play of the year--parlays catch into 10 at 50 mil.  Let's see if those numbers that he put up at Coors Field Jr. come crashing down to earth at a "real" park like the Big A.

Prediction: .265 14 71  NOT WORTH IT!  

by PieceOfAase on Nov 22, 2006 2:16 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

The scary thing
is that they'll be lucky if GMJjr. posts those numbers, considering they'd exceed his career averages in all three categories, and would be better than his totals from just about every season not named 2006.

by jjackflash on Nov 22, 2006 2:31 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Bill Stoneman Is An Idiot
What a stupid fucking move. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Any admiration I had for him or Moreno just went down to nothing. Stoneman is a moron. And I don't care if Matthews is the MVP of the World Series in 2007, it would still be a stupid, fucking, moronic, asinine move. Based on this guy's career to now, there's NO WAY he should be getting this contract.

How do you guys seriously have any confidence in Stoneman now?

by beercub on Nov 22, 2006 3:03 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I don't
Not anymore.

This is indefensible.  Unfathomable.  Irrational.

by jjackflash on Nov 22, 2006 3:04 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

All hyperbole aside
Seriously, what will the Angels do when GMJjr. comes crashing down to earth?  What are they going to do if come July he's only hitting between .250-.260 with little or no power or speed, which is all that can reasonably be expected?  In other words, suppose he's basically Figgins v2006, without the stolen bases?  How long will they continue to send him out there every day?  At least with Finley, they could point to a track record of success; no such excuse here.

by jjackflash on Nov 22, 2006 3:03 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

How long???
As long as he's making $10 million a year Sosh will put him in the lineup.

We're fucked. Now all Bill has to do is sign Bonds to a 5 year $100 million contract. This way in 4 years we can have a DFA'd CF making $10million and a DFA'd DH taking up 30% of the total team payroll.

DarkAngel hath spoken....

by darkangel01 on Nov 22, 2006 3:06 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

What's done is done
Oh well now that we blew all that money let's try to be optomistic.  I guess the best thing is that the Angels can sort of afford it will all the good young talent coming up, and their large revenue streams.

I've been poking around his stats, and while 2006 was a career year, he might actually be able to produce somewhere in that area for maybe 2 of the next 3 years.  One thing I was shocked to see is that he has hit almost identical in Texas and on the road over the last 3 years, so it might not be all Texas pumping up his stats.

His range appears to be just a smidgen above average, but he is a real CF.  Hopefully he won't decline too fast.

Also, the Angels will be leading him off, allowing Figgins to bat number 9 where he does much better.

My question is which stupid teams (Giants, ???) were still looking for a CF?  The Cubs and Dodgers blew their $$$ already.

I think the Pierre contract was actually worse, and the Soriano one was probably worse too, so there is that.

by elricsi on Nov 22, 2006 3:16 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Say What?
"I think the Pierre contract was actually worse, and the Soriano one was probably worse too, so there is that."

Not a chance. The Matthews contract is one of the worst in history based on prior production. He's been released or waived FOUR times before this. No one in baseball has ever had such a checkered past and snookered someone like this. This makes the Soriano contract look like a bargain.

by beercub on Nov 22, 2006 3:22 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

This is worse
than both the Soriano & Pierre deals.  Soriano at least has the chance to hit some homeruns and steal some bases for a couple of years.  Pierre can at least hit .300 and steal some bases.  GMJjr. can't do anything - no average, no power, no speed, and he doesn't get on base.  He's basically not good at anything.  Those other guys are both good at something.

by jjackflash on Nov 22, 2006 3:24 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

It Is Finished
all we can do now is trust that the druids of Stonehenge will reveal their mysteries, and Stoneman will be vindicated in 2007.

by yeswecan on Nov 22, 2006 3:48 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

It's not COMPLETELY Stoneman's fault
It all starts at the top - Moreno's enough of a baseball fan to know who Gary Matthews Jr is - just because Stoneman brings him a deal, DOESN'T mean that he has to capitulate.  Arte KNOWS that GMJ hasn't done anything before this year - he could've just said "no" to Mr. Bill and told him to look elsewhere for an impact player.

Stoneman also relies heavily on the people around him:  Bane, Sutherland, Forsch, and Scioscia.  ONE of them should have had an opposing opinion.

Also, forget the money involved.  Arte can spend it however he wants.  Maybe GMJ is really funny;  maybe he knows the U of A fight song.  As long as it doesn't keep Arte from trying to get the best players available, it shouldn't matter to us (and so far, Moreno HASN'T held back from pursuing players he deemed necessary).

Lastly, while I'm not a GMJ fan, he DID have a good year last year.  Although it's unlikely that this is a new level of performance, it IS possible that he continues to play pretty well.  At least for another year or two or three.  Melvin Mora is a recent example of an older player "figuring it out" after the age of thirty.  I'm not willing to bet the GMJ is going to be another guy like that, but you never know.

Here's a scary thought, though:  if Angel management is willing to overpay this much for Matthews, I'm scared to see how much they might overpay (in personnel) for another bat...

"I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else." - Churchill

by johnnyangel101 on Nov 22, 2006 3:55 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

So Arte has ZERO culpability?
I don't know of a single business owner (and I work with a lot of them) who blindly signs whatever checks are put in front of them.  Perhaps Stoneman deserves the lion's share of the blame, but Arte HAS to shoulder at least a part of the burden.  Scioscia, too - I have this weird feeling that Scioscia and Hatcher like this guy.

Amazing.  No matter who's at fault.  Simply amazing.

"I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else." - Churchill

by johnnyangel101 on Nov 22, 2006 7:18 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Because I'm an Angel fan...
I hope we're all wrong about this signing.
"My second favorite team for today: Tigers
A's will be elminated in 4 games
That's right... sweep"
-I called it.

by thrill000 on Nov 22, 2006 3:57 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Rev can we get an offical GMJ prediction thread?
Maybe it can be set up like the R/H picks.  Bragging rights on the for guessing GMJ's 2007 #'s.

by riktermiller on Nov 22, 2006 4:16 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I will put one up tonight
If I can dry the tears long enough...

by Rev Halofan on Nov 22, 2006 4:26 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Speaking of Hyperbole
"Congratulations to the Oakland Athletics on their 2007, 2008 and 2009 Western Division Championships"

This could be the dumbest comment i've read all day.  We now have the best staff in the majors and whether you'll admit it or not, added power. The A's will lose Thomas,Zito and perhaps Payton without adding anyone.

Nicely done.

by The Empire on Nov 22, 2006 4:56 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Added power?
Oh yeah Garbage junior is gonna hit FOUR more homers than Adam Kennedy ... pennant here we come...

by Rev Halofan on Nov 22, 2006 4:58 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

yes,added power
his sugging pct would have been 3rd highest on the Angels last year.

by The Empire on Nov 22, 2006 5:12 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

cherry pick stats all day all you want
Last season he was in the middle of a masher lineup and was pitched too quite easily and it made a little difference in his AWFUL career stats.

by Rev Halofan on Nov 22, 2006 5:19 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

WTF?
wtf are you talking about? He was the leadoff hitter. Do some research first.

by The Empire on Nov 22, 2006 5:28 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

OKAY
"on top" of a mashing lineup - still gonna see better pitches when the majority of the lineup is all-mash...

by Rev Halofan on Nov 22, 2006 5:34 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Still
Signing GMJ does not give away the division.  The A's have been neutered.  Give me a break.
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 22, 2006 11:10 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

career
his career SLG, including last year, is a paltry .419, .396 before last year.

by jjackflash on Nov 22, 2006 5:22 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

tell me
  what was Figgins' ? Career best = .419

GM's has been over .436 3 straight years.

by The Empire on Nov 22, 2006 5:27 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

So we just gave Five Years
to a guy whose .436 slugging is 35 points BELOW Garret Anderson's career average.

by Rev Halofan on Nov 22, 2006 5:33 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

GA?
GM has had a higher slg % than him 3 straight years.

Again, do some research.

by The Empire on Nov 22, 2006 5:35 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

i DID my research
you cherry picked three-good years form Garbage Junior, and i compared those SELECT three seasons with Garret's entire career.

Need I add that Garbage is two years younger than Garret - how have Garret's last two years been? that is what you can look forward to from Garbage Junior...

by Rev Halofan on Nov 22, 2006 5:44 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

GMJ
Garbage Man Jr
"I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else." - Churchill

by johnnyangel101 on Nov 22, 2006 7:22 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Cherry Picked?
I went with the last 3 years genius. You know, the most current ones.

Are there any smarter posters online? If not, goodbye.

by The Empire on Nov 22, 2006 5:46 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

DarkAngel
New Castle > Sam Adams > Heineken.

After generating a statiscal database of probabilities and such, I have concluded that Gary Coleman Jr. will be Chone Figgins minus all those steals.

by george bush on Nov 22, 2006 6:46 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Moreover
I have also compiled a list of numbers and letters and threw them into my computer machine. After this process of alphanumerical degreedation, manipulation , and prostitutionalization was completed, the computer deducted that our signing of Gerry Mormon Jr would result in the Angels winning the NBA Championship over the SD Chargers.

by george bush on Nov 22, 2006 7:00 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

If this does not satisfy your thirst
The computer also recommended moving Vlad to first.

World Series here we come!

by george bush on Nov 22, 2006 7:03 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Why?
Because i don't agree with you?

Lame

by The Empire on Nov 22, 2006 6:07 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

No
Because you don't know where the 'Reply to this' link is located.

And you're a total ass to the only person who controls your fate.

john RIP samo

by angels4adam on Nov 27, 2006 2:43 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

this reminds me of someone
anyone remember a certain LA 3b that is now cashing in on seattle's stupidity?

who doesnt fit into our equation right now? lets hire him to pop a cap in GMJ, eliminate 2 jackasses with 1 stone...man?

by Zookeeper on Nov 22, 2006 6:21 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

The difference is,
Beltre was 25 at the time of the signing; Matthews is 32.
john RIP samo

by angels4adam on Nov 27, 2006 2:47 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

The problem is that this is settling for less.
There are all these center fielders out there being bandied out, and they are all superior in every way to Mathews Jr.

People were just posting this week that Stoneman was talking about Andruw Jones. It was just published somewhere that Vernon Wells is the Angels' number one priority. Carl Crawford could've been moved over there and would've been a far better fit, provided the power bat still comes from somewhere else in another deal.

But this?? The guy really isn't even an upgrade. And 50 million dollars? That's just crazy.

That's 50 million dollars that could've gone toward somebody good for crying out loud.

This is settling for something less than the very best. You have money to spend, you should be showing everyone that you want to be the very best. And Mathews Jr. is significantly less than the very best.

This is tough to swallow.

The only hope is that the next move, a big one, comes very, very quickly, and it eases the pain of this signing.

I know it doesn't make much sense, and much of what I say on here doesn't make much sense, but is there still a way for us to trade for Jones or Wells and make that work in our everyday lineup? Can we move one of those guys, or move Mathews Jr., and still get one of these much more coveted players?

Otherwise, it's a very bitter pill, and I'm in a little shock right now.

by goodvibe61 on Nov 22, 2006 6:44 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

According to CBS...
SF offered the $50 mil at 5 years first - so the Halos obviously matched the offer...

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9822972

Please do something good this offseason...

by gorams77 on Nov 22, 2006 11:09 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

And when I say move I mean change positions
Get another outfielder and juggle their positions, as obviously we cannot trade Mathews. For several damn years.

by goodvibe61 on Nov 22, 2006 6:45 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

i'm totally in shock.
I've been trying to make sense of this all day, and granted, I always see the glass half empty when it comes to sports (halos, lakers, clippers), but this just doesn't make ANY FUCKING SENSE AT ALL.  

It's not even the fact that it's GMJ. It's the ridiculous amount money and the crazy length of the contract, considering that we already have figgins, willits, and murphy who would probably produce slightly less, at a much cheaper price.  Couple that with the crop of free agent CF's on the market next year, and the current need for an impact bat/corner infielder, and I'm convinced that this is a total trainwreck.

I just fail to see the logic in it.

So Cal baseball is responsible for the two most retarded contract this offseason, and it sucks.

by pedro guerrero on Nov 22, 2006 7:05 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Allard Baird
This is the kind of contract he would have handed out if he'd had $50 million to spend on a player.

by jjackflash on Nov 22, 2006 7:12 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Classic
LMAO
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 22, 2006 11:13 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Somebody hide the kitchen knives!
Folks are getting downright hysterical around here. It's not like Arte sold the franchise to Wyoming or anything. It's just one ballplayer.

The simple truth is that we are not privy to what is going on in the Angels' front office. We do not know what has been tried, what has failed and why, what the plans are now, or what are the next moves, if any. From reports I read, Stoneman probably felt a lot like this when he heard that Aramis re-upped with the Cubs.

What we DO know is that Matsuzuka and Soriano went for filthy money, and Aramis chose to stay home rather than come to Anaheim. And we know that the market has amped up about 7 years of normal growth in one month, messing with everybody's minds. We are in Scott Boras' wet dream.

For my sake, I will hold out on the premise that this is but the first in a series of dominoes that will eventually fall our way and leave us with a roster that is stronger overall than last year's, albeit at a larger salary. I can, for example, fantasize that getting Speirs and GMJ allows us to trade away Figgins and Shields with one other stud in exchange for somebody akin to A-Rod. The droppoff from losing Figgy and Shields is tempered somewhat by Speirs/GMJ/Willits/Aybar, and the acquisition of an ARod raises the overall roster quality. GMJ is the price we have to pay to keep the OF from going too far down (in terms of veterans) until guys like Evans are ready.

At least, that is the story I am sticking to for the next couple of weeks. Otherwise, somebody better show me where they hid those fucking kitchen knives...

by Stirrups on Nov 22, 2006 7:41 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Worst signing since Mo Vaughn
Only possible way Stoneman salvages this in my mind is if he trades some of our excess -- and none of our frontline talent -- for A-Rod or Tejada.

by mattwelch on Nov 22, 2006 8:10 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Absolutely
agree.  ARod should be a serious target.  He could be the one big bat that can mitigate this signing.

RE:  Vaughn.  Yeah, it is and look where it got Bavasi.  If this is what it takes...

At this point, hope is all I've got. -LosAngel

by halomatt on Nov 22, 2006 8:28 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

LET'S ASSUME FOR A MINUTE....
that Stoneman met with Atlanta and Toronto and eash asked for:

Santana, Cabrera, Kendrick, Mathis and Wood.  and maybe Shields.

and Stoneman said, "Well, now, that's asking an awful lot, but, I'm willing to negotiate!"

and the other GMs came back and said "No way, all or nothing."  To which Stoneman replies, "Ok then, nothing."

He would be right to do this, I don't htink anyone here would disagree with that.  So, for argument's sake let's believe this is where Stoneman finds himself.

What would you suggest he do in the FA market?

by atomburn on Nov 22, 2006 8:32 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

uh...what?
"So, for argument's sake let's believe this is where Stoneman finds himself."

why?

a 5 or 6-for-1 deal including a great young pitcher, a veteran shortstop, one of the top three most promising rookies in baseball, a decent catching prospect, a top 10 AAA prospect, and arguably the best closer in the game, for one player is absolutely ridiculous.  why would anyone even think that that's where stoneman finds himself?

almost as ridiculous as signing a guy like GMJ to a 5 year/$50mil deal.

by pedro guerrero on Nov 22, 2006 8:45 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

so what do you think...
it would take to get Wells or Jones in this inflated market?  We know it would take more than Santana and Aybar if reports are true.

by thewebb on Nov 22, 2006 8:50 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

my simple point was...
Imagine Stoneman was asked for too much.  that's all: too much.

you can define it however you want.  You can imagine any player or combination of players you want and it adds up to:  too much.

that's all.

Now imagine Stoneman can't get Wells or Jones with out giving up too much.

Now, who would you sign, of who's left, in free agency?  That was the question.

by atomburn on Nov 22, 2006 10:12 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

J.D. Drew
At least he's been consistent.

Or I wouldn't sign anyone. I'd hope for the best in CF--maybe stick Rivera there and hope his defense improves as that would at least ensure him consistent at bats--and trade for Crede; the ChiSox certainly wouldn't demand the entire farm and their mothers for him, esp. given that his acquisition would involve some risk.

If Stoneman was faced with the sort of situation you described and didn't take it (not that he should have), he's certainly not going to be able to trade for ARod or Tejada (and I don't nec. want either)--so, basically, this is our one acquisition this offseason and we're screwed.

Congratulations Silicon Valley Athletics of Fremont!

by Clutch on Nov 23, 2006 12:24 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

GA in left, Rivera in CF, and Vlad in RF?
A)  We'd have a terrible outfield, like historically terrible.
B)  What happens when one or all 3 of these guys gets hurt which is not unlikely at all?  I'll tell you what happens, all the fans bitch because we didn't do anything in the offseason.

As for JD Drew?  Why take on a super star ego who is not a super star and is as brittle as they come?  I am tickled pink they didn't go that route.

by thewebb on Nov 23, 2006 7:42 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

This move does not give OAK crap
They lost their best pitcher and their best hitter and as far as I have heard Harden did not get a bionic arm.
GMJ step number one in a plan for continued dominance, or step number one in a plan for severe weight loss through explosive vomiting?

by hauldog on Nov 23, 2006 12:56 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

5 years / $50 million
is just about what you'd expect when a guy like Soriano gets 8 years $136 million.  Yeah, it looks bad, but everybody is overpaying this offseason.

by akathelorax on Nov 22, 2006 9:09 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Well, now for the fun part....
I'm assuming we have another move up our sleeve to trade for a corner infielder, but if we stay as is, what will our lineup be?

One in my imagination could be...

  1. GMJ - CF
  2. Cabrera - SS (wouldn't be shocked if Izzy is here)
  3. Vlad - RF/DH
  4. Rivera - LF/DH
  5. GA - LF/DH
  6. Kendrick - 2B
  7. Napoli - C
  8. Kotchman/Morales/MacPherson - 1B
  9. Figgy - 3B/super utility to keep GA/Vlad out of the OF as much as possible.  Should probably sit versus lefties for Quinlan, Izturis or someone.
Starters
  1. Lackey
  2. Santana
  3. Weaver
  4. Escobar
  5. Saunders
  6. Colon
Relief that matters
  1. K-Rod
  2. Shields
  3. Speier
  4. Donnelly
  5. Carrasco
This team is better than last year's team that damn near made the playoffs.  We actually have a respectable defensive OF with GMJ, Rivera, and Vlad/GA/Figgy in the other spot and hopefully Vlad or GA at DH almost every day(probably not with Sosh, but should be).  Going into the offseason we said we needed middle relief help, CF help, and 3B help.

Money aside, we can argue over how big of an upgrade we've gotten, but I don't think you can argue that we are better at CF, middle relief AND leadoff now.  We had to pay more to get what we needed (not our 1st options that we wanted, but what we needed), but that's what big market teams do. And thanks to Arte, that's what we are.

by thewebb on Nov 22, 2006 9:47 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Um....
I don't think you can argue that we are better at CF, middle relief AND leadoff now.

Well, GMJ isn't really an upgrade on Figgins in CF or as a lead-off batter if you account for Figgins solid seasons in 2004-05.

This is a bad signing.  Period.

by jimmuscomp on Nov 22, 2006 9:55 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

what?
Did you 'watch' Figgins and Sarge, Jr play CF last year?  There isn't a comparison.  Figgins brings one thing to the leadoff spot, speed.  GMJ will be a better leadoff.  We were all calling for Figgins to get out of the leadoff spot at the end of last year, now we have our wish.

I think Figgins is still very usable, but where he thrived was super utility.  We tried giving him a full time position assuming he'd be great at that spot.  Didn't happen.

by thewebb on Nov 23, 2006 7:39 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I would really expect ...
to see a trade before this offseason comes to a close.  He HAS to go out and get an A-Rod or Tejada.  Then Assuming you lose Santana/Figgins/Shields (maybe not all but some combo in addition to an Aybar or Saunders) - you'd be looking at something like:

1 - GMJ - CF
2 - OC - SS
3 - Vlad - RF
4 - Tejada/A-Rod - 3B
5 - Rivera - LF
6 - Anderson - DH
7 - Kendrick - 2B
8 - Napoli - C
9 - Kotchman - 1B

Would need to sign a pitcher or two in FA market - but still a better lineup than last year.

 

Please do something good this offseason...

by gorams77 on Nov 22, 2006 10:05 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Although..
Its only a better lineup because of the assumed trade at 3B - not GMJ.  I am an Angels fan so I'm trying to be optimistic and listening to Stirrups comment up there that Stoneman has a plan and that maybe this is just the first domino in a chain of events that improves the team...
Please do something good this offseason...

by gorams77 on Nov 22, 2006 10:09 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

bad day
I love the halos, like most of you. This move is disgusting to me. I'm not sure what possible good will come out of this. I'm not sure I will be able to look straight at this guy when he is at bat. 50 million is a monster lottery win, and though I realize that all these guys a taking in rediculous money, this one is the toughest to take. A guy nearing mid 30's, who has never been exceptional to make more jack than everyone reading this combined next year. He hits ok, he fields ok, and he runs ok. Remember the first million dollar a year guy? I think it was Nolan Ryan. Remember the first 3 million dollar guy? I think that was Kirby Puckett. Those guys were hall of famers and guys that people would pay to see. 10 million per for a guy that is below or at league average on all of his 5 tools is totally unacceptable.

What exactly has Stoneman done? It is well documented that Vladdy came because he got along with Alfredo Griffin and Arte could speak to him in spanish. Last year, a team that was 4 games over .500 won the series while we sat home watching totally average Detroit and Oakland teams play in the postseason. He lets Molina leave to bring up Jeff Mathis who ends up looking like the little kid brother of the monster we were hearing about.

Watching former halos kick ass at other places (Eck, Spezio, Edmonds, Jenks, Glaus, Turnbow, Molina, and soon to be AK) feels like when the Rams started to kick ass in St Louis. It's like watching an ex-girlfriend date a guy that is richer and way better looking than you and you get to see them on sportscenter on a nightly basis.

We are in an era with possibly the best most innovative owner in pro sports. I didn't hit this site during the name change debacle, but, I will go on record saying I don't give a shit as long a we sign guys like Vladdy and we win. Stoneman has been beaten on guys the last two years that he has gone after for comparable money. See Konerko (only 10 million less than this sack of dung)and Soriano and Ramirez and this Japanese guy that throws the bugs bunny disappearing ball. And I hope I am wrong disagreeing with you people that think this is the first move of a couple that will bring someone like Arod or Jones or Cabrera or Tejada, but, I just don't think this guy is that good. I think he will pump him up, put a gigantic poster up in between the giant hats at gate one and then throw up his hands as if to say "I tried" when the guy bats .250 with 15 jacks next year and we lose to another shitty Oakland team who has a gm who at least has a plan.

Sorry for the rant, I'm just pissed. I told cupie that I would blame him and all of you if we signed JD Drew which would have been really stupid, but, this move I just can't wrap my little brain around at all. I hate everything.

by thedon on Nov 22, 2006 10:09 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

$10 million is a lot of swag....
...for a guy with one All-Star appearance, granted. But compared to the NBA, where bench players haul in $12-$15 million per year and has beens routinely make $20-$25 million (Shaq?) for playing half the amount of games, it's nothing.
DarkAngel hath spoken....

by darkangel01 on Nov 22, 2006 10:38 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

They also only have to pay
for a roster half the size of an MLB one.

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Nov 23, 2006 12:52 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Shseeeeersh!
Forgve me for misspelling "Shceeressssss!
Wow. I'm stunned.
There is no way in hell GMJ. deserves that contract.
Sometimes, it is better to be poor and smart than be rich and stupid.

Sorry, Angeles fans, but this contract demonstrates a basic reality--Billy Bean has done a lot with a little. Stoneman is just not his equal. This contract is dumb, dumb, dumb.

Rev., I think you got it right in you initial analysis. But don't just give away the next few years. The A's have lost an impact player in Frank Thomas. And I still believe Dallas McPherson has  serious potential.  (I'm not a total stathead, but the numbers are there.)
The only good thing I can take from this (As an A's fan who lives abroad but comes back to the US for two months a year and gets the Angeles feed), is this--at least I will not have to put up with Rex Huddler's inanities. Such as, when Chone comes up, Rex will say "He's gettin' Figgy wit' it.
Fuck, I hate that.

P.S. Mr. Stoneman, how about Manny for three years?
Just try to pich to Manny. Oops, Here comes Vlad.

As always, I thank you for allowing me to post on your site.
Happy Thanksgiving.

by catfish on Nov 23, 2006 11:36 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

So what you are saying is
that I AM A GREAT AND ASTUTE BASEBALL ANALYST.

Thanks. You, on the other hand, have bad choice in teams.

by Rev Halofan on Nov 23, 2006 11:53 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

So
why do people keep calling him GMJ Jr.?

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Nov 23, 2006 12:22 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Guilty
as charged.  It really should be GMJ, or GMJr.

by jjackflash on Nov 23, 2006 2:08 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Apparently
One stellar catch over the wall in Texas does a player make.

Journeyman "Forrest Gump's" his way into big glory/big $$$ -- Hmmmmmm, does that ring a bell (ahem, Weaver the Elder)

by PieceOfAase on Nov 23, 2006 10:45 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

And also
Steve "Frosty the Fucktard" Finley

by Rev Halofan on Nov 23, 2006 11:12 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

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