Veteran baseball beatwriter and longtime Angels chronicler Mike DiGiovanna has an interesting piece in today's Times ("He Left a Bechmark With Angels") which explores the impact of Joe Maddon's departure from the Angels to become the manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

In the article DiGiovanna explores the deep bond Maddon has with many Angels, including Tim Salmon. In light of Salmon's recent comments that he definitely wants to play SOMEWHERE this year (even if not with the Halos), one wonders where he might go. Assuming his knee holds up and he is productive in Spring Training, it seems likely that some team would at least take a chance on Salmon. His bat speed is reportedly still very good. He has always been a disciplined hitter and has a very good knowledge of the strike zone. If you add his experience and baseball savy to the equation, he would be a good option for part-time DH/pinch-hitter for an offensively challenged American League team. As much as many Angel fans would probably love for him to make the squad, the wealth of options the club has at DH (including Morales, McPherson, and using the spot as a temporary respite for veteran's like Vlad and G.A ) it seems unlikely that he'll stay in Anaheim. Could Salmon end up reuniting with his old friend Maddon in Tampa Bay? They are a young club and could benefit from his experience.