Offseason wish lists

by riktermiller on Sep 17, 2006 3:07 PM PDT

Provide your offseason wishlist. If you are going to mention players that are currently under contract explain what will need to happen in order for them to end up in LAoA.

Here is my list:

Daisuke Matsuzaka SP Seibu Lions
He will most likely be the prize of the FA market but will come with an impressive price tag.
It is thought that it will $15 to $20 million posting price to earn the right to negotiate with Matsuzaka but the WBC MVP looks like a good gamble.
You can catch some highlights on Youtube the guy is the man.

Vernon Wells CF Toronto
Wells has said he will discuss his future with the Toronto FO this offseason on his future including his FA after the 2007 season.
If he informs them that he would like to move on than the Angles will need to pony up along the lines of Brandon Wood to get the conversation started.
Toronto would also need to allow the Halos the opportunity to negotiate before a deal can be finalized.

Alex Rios CF/RF Toronto
If Wells decides that he will sign an extnesion to stay with the Jays than Rios may become available to help fill their need at SS possibly along the lines of young Mr. Aybar or maybe even Izturis but I would have to believe that Aybar is a much more attractive commodity.
Rios also began his career and at times still plays CF when Wells is out of the line up.

Joe Crede 3B ChiSox
This is an option that many of us have heard about but I am not a huge fan but it would be an upgrade.
It appears that Figgins could be a match but other parts would be necessary.
The downside to Crede is his bad back and his underperformance up until the 2005 playoffs and 2006 regular season. The main upside at this point would be his excellent defense and also a stabilizing force at 3B.
Sox are said to be looking to shed his salaray and give Josh Fields the chance to take the job.

Ray King LHP Colorado
King has an option for 2007 that the Rockies have been rumored to decline making King a FA after this season.
King is a solid but not spectacular lefty for the bullpen who has worked over 80 games a season on multiple occasions.
He would probably be nothing more than a LOOGY pitching in an American League bullpen.

This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan and may or may not be a reflection of human evolution, divine enlightenment or nine cans into a 12-pack.

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Add to that

Aramis Ramirez. It's possible the Cubs will re-sign him -- I have to believe it's their top offseason priority -- but the Angels at least need to make a run at him.

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

by scareduck on Sep 17, 2006 4:02 PM PDT 0 recs

Other comments

Matsuzaka is headed for Yankeedom.

Wells is likely to sign with one of the two Texas teams because his family lives in that state. I wouldn't mind seeing him in the Angels lineup, though.

Rios has played so few games at CF (13) that I have to believe it would amount to a repeat of the Anderson-in-center mistake the team made in 2004. If you're going to make that mistake, you may as well put Rivera there.

I really hate the Joe Crede idea except as a backup to getting Aramis Ramirez.

The Angels don't need King, as they already have J.C. Romero.

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

by scareduck on Sep 17, 2006 4:13 PM PDT 0 recs

Wells made a statement

that he is necessarily headed to Texas. I understand this is a leverage move but if he can get himself dealt to a team that he is interested in that can provide the proper contract than he may be willing to sign the extension. The Stoneman/Moreno combination can make that happen.

by riktermiller on Sep 17, 2006 5:44 PM PDT up 0 recs

I'll try it..

Aramis Ramirez-do our utmost to sign him. Extra if need be. We are that desparate.

Daisuke Matsuzaka- (or whatever) get him. Pay the extra for him. We probably won't be able to outbid the Yanks for him, but then again, we won't know until the dust settles, eh?

Trade:

Ervin Santana, Jeff Mathis or Mike Napoli, and Erik Aybar/or a Jose Arredondo to the DRays for:

Carl Crawford

who can play center field. He's younger than Wells, seems to be the real deal and can lead off, which also fills a need. Also, Tampa Bay NEEDS starting pitchers and with Santana and Kazmir they could do much better, especially once they figure out Uptons position.

Reliever-don't know any off the top of my head who are free agents, and aren't their numbers historically nonpredictive? All except for the top tier guys like KRod and Shields.

Hope Kotchman is ready for next year. If not, Morales. If not, sigh...Erstad? One or two year deal w/incentives?

I would pretty much deal any position player with the exception of Vlad, Kendrick and Kotchman and Wood, Rodriguez in the minors.

Any pitcher (but only one) of Lackey (ouch), Santana, Saunders, and Escobar should be available for the right deal.

That would give us two bats with power, a healthy Kotchman whom I still think will be a stud, health providing and another starting pitcher to deal one.

I DO NOT want Stoneman to try for a guy like Tejada. It's clear that he is not interested in third base so why bother with him?

Lastly, I don't know how, or where or why, but Juan Rivera could be traded if we could get a guy like Carlos Lee. Rivera had a really good year and we could always sell high to a team that might need a cheap guy like him, say a trade to Milwaukee(?) for a need or prospects that help us fulfill a need.

by halomatt on Sep 17, 2006 4:33 PM PDT 0 recs

Crawford?

Carl Crawford's fast, I'll give you that, but he's dumb as Vlad on the basepaths.

Carlos Lee is a free agent, so no need to trade for him. Rivera is really a 3.5th outfielder.

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

by scareduck on Sep 17, 2006 4:49 PM PDT up 0 recs

if Lee is signed

than Rivera becomes powerful trade bait. In this scenario Rivera could bring back a piece for the bullpen and a youg player. Maybe Benitez and something from the Giants to acquire a young(ish) power hitter to fill in the void of Bonds. Carlos Lee is a candidate to strictly a DH along with GA if not in 2007 than sooner after that.

by riktermiller on Sep 17, 2006 5:48 PM PDT up 0 recs

Crawford

Well, he is young. Maybe he can improve? On the offensive side it seems he is improving every year, and if he's hitting for extra bases, well, he really doesn't need to steal that much compared to singles-hitting Figgins.

Right with Lee. That was an observation that I left out. My point was that signing him would make Rivera trade bait and with a really good year out of him might make a trade for top talent easier for another team to make.

by halomatt on Sep 17, 2006 4:53 PM PDT 0 recs

The D-Rays don't

seems like a fit. Atleast for CC. They will want Ervin becasue of his low salary and Ervin is one piece that the Halos should hang on to. If there is a way the Angels can out bid others including the Yanks for Matsuzaka than the Angels can entertain dealing Santana or Lackey to acquire another bat. The big problem is that most of the bats mentioned are outfield bats and there isn't much room for that at this point.

by riktermiller on Sep 17, 2006 5:52 PM PDT up 0 recs

Let me pose the question this way...

What are the top positions that have to be upgraded this offseason?

3B
CF
Bullpen

Or should the team look to improve specific needs (power) and make adjustments to the roster to accomodate new player? This would address the thought that Carlos Lee would be a top priority to the roster.

by riktermiller on Sep 17, 2006 6:24 PM PDT 0 recs

In order of importance

Fire Mickey Hatcher
This is the most promising generation of young Angel hitters in history, and he seems as inadequate dealing with them as he has in recognizing Adam Kennedy's uppercut is a strength, not a weakness. He talks Mike Napoli out of understanding the strike zone, he uses the same soundbites to describe hitters with totally different approaches, and he has a worse dye-job than Ronnie Reagan.

Sign Aramis Ramirez
Pay any price.

Bust with the voodoo on Casey Kotchman
He gets healthy, and we get to enjoy Wally Joyner/Mark Grace-style production for a decade, instead of coming last in the league each year in 1B offense. That fact alone would add 30-40 runs to the club.

Trade Orlando Cabrera for whatever we need, and give SS to Izturis
OC's trade value will never be higher. It is unlikely he'll see north of .330 OBP and .400 slugging ever again, and one of the reason the offense sucks is because there's too many dudes who are average out there. Even while having a near-career year, OC doesn't hit as well as Izturis, while soaking up all that coin. With Ramirez at 3B, there is zero reason to use Izzy for anything else besides what he was born for -- playing shortstop. Aybar can backup at SS/2B, and that combo will be fine until Brandon Wood is ready.

Trade for Vernon Wells
I don't care where he wants to go; if we offer OC & some kids, that just won't matter.

Don't freak out & acquire a hitter who plays LF, 1B, DH, SS or 2B.
In other words, lay off Soriano & Lee and all those other lollipops. Stick to solving the problems that are A) acute, and B) don't have internal answers.

Trade for Pittsburgh's Mike Gonzales
He's a lefty reliever, 28 years old, career K/9 of 10.58, and Pittsburgh is a notoriously stupid organization. If not him then Brian Fuentes. Bait shall include but is not limited to -- Orlando Cabrera, Dallas McPherson, Dustin Moseley, Steve Shell, Tommy Murphy, Jason Bulger, that one dude, etc.

Dock Scioscia's salary two games for every one that he
A) DHs Juan Rivera while G.A. plays left field.
B) Plays G.A. against a lefty while Rivera sits.

*Hook up Frankie long-term
And insure him to the hilt. Dude's been the best reliever in baseball this year.

by mattwelch on Sep 17, 2006 7:27 PM PDT 0 recs

A voice of reason.

The Angles have the only corner spot the Angles need help at is 3B. I don't really like the option of either Ramirez or Crede but Ramirez is the better health risk and has posted consistent offensive numbers. He has a hard time making throws and doesn't have too much range but the tof hought .280/30/100 makes me very happy.

Wells would be the prize of the offseason but I wouldn't want to give up special talent for Wells to sign with Texas after the 2007 season. This would be even worse if the compensation picks are no more after this CBA expires.

Gonzales would be great but Littlefield appers to be even more puzzling than Stoneman in trade talks. He just might ask for Vlad and Ervin in return for Gonzales.

If your offeason happens I would think that Stoneman has a moment of clarity where he was made aware of the error of his ways.

by riktermiller on Sep 17, 2006 7:39 PM PDT up 0 recs

What's not to like about Ramirez?

Age, numbers, are all good and he shores up our weakest position. What do you want, Mike Schmidt?

DarkAngel hath spoken....

by darkangel01 on Sep 17, 2006 8:13 PM PDT up 0 recs

I agree with most everything...

...save the "don't sign Soriano or Lee part. This organization has virtually ZERO Minor League OF talent and Rivera is still a bit of a question mark in my book since his 2006 production is almost exclusively the product of a SICK July.

There are only 2 pedigreed "Impact" bats available thru FA, who both happen to play LF, and you don't want either one?

Even though his range isn't great, Rivera has looked good in CF when I've seen him play there. I say we dump Chone and put Rivera in CF and Soriano in LF, UNLESS Soriano looks good in CF in spring. Besides, if Rivera is a fluke and/or his D sucks enough to warrant it, there's always Willits for CF (and leadoff).

I have a feeling Toronto will wait to see if they're competitive at the deadline next year before they move Wells, assuming they don't think they can sign him. A guy like that would likely command more at the trade deadline than the Winter in my opinion.

DarkAngel hath spoken....

by darkangel01 on Sep 17, 2006 8:28 PM PDT up 0 recs

Quibbles

Mostly I agree with you. (Hey, it happens. :-)

O-Cab and Izturis both had career years offensively; Maicer is hitting nearly .300, which is .050 higher than his 2005, which in turn was about .040 higher than his 2004. So he's made some big leaps recently; he's outpaced even PECOTA's 90th percentile projection for him. Though it's no longer there, I could have sworn that before the season started, one of his comps was brother Cesar, and it seems fair to me. That is, I would expect sizeable regression.

Defensively, I had to rub my eyes when I saw that Cabrera had a 93 Rate2 score at short, while Izturis was at 74. But that also should go with the caveat that Izturis played in five games in that position; otherwise, he's been a slightly below average defender. (At third, his 88 Rate2 tells me about what I already knew: he's okay, turns some spectacular plays, but often enough botches some, too, enough to notice.)

To add to the Scioscia pay cut list --

C) has Figgins bunt in any scenario, assuming they keep him
D) calls for any suicide squeeze with a man on third and <insert speedy non-hitting player here> at the plate.

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

by scareduck on Sep 17, 2006 10:40 PM PDT up 0 recs

True on Izzy

But his career offensive stats are basically Cabrera's, except he walks a bit more, earns a lot less, and is going into his age-27 year instead of his age-32. He's worryingly brittle, but I think Aybar is acceptable insurance policy, and Wood should be ready by 2008.

by mattwelch on Sep 17, 2006 11:31 PM PDT up 0 recs

Was the 2nd half a mirage?

Possibly. But THAT is the big question.

If the 2nd half is more indicative of what the Angels are, then we must remember that they have played .633 baseball since July 1st. Whether or not you agree with the lineup, that's a REAL good record.

Once Scioscia went to the current "set" lineup, the Angels are:
BA: .290 (T-2nd)
OBP: .348 (4th)
SLG: .441 (6th)
RUNS: 292 (7th)
BB: 186 (6th - yes I was shocked, too)

Starting pitching is 2nd in ERA this year, while relief pitching is 6th. I'm a believer that Scioscia and Black will get the relievers straightened out next year, one way or another.

The fielding is one area that has never improved over the course of the season. The Angels were last in fielding PCT at the all-star break, and remain there today.

Personally, I don't trust the second half numbers - but they ARE there. This team might be better than we give them credit for. Bottom line: the Angels DON'T need an overhaul, just some tweaking at some key positions. And some tweaking in the coaching staff...

by johnnyangel101 on Sep 17, 2006 10:30 PM PDT 0 recs

The Angels stats

This season has been typical of a team that relies on rookies and young players...bad first half, good second half, lots of errors and a team that looks tired in September.

All we really need next year is for Kendrick to continue his progression and for Kotchman to get well and play 1st base full time. Those two things alone will add 80-100 runs over the course of a season.

If we can add an Aramis Ramirez to play 3b or Wells in CF, all the better. But I have a feeling that Figgins will be our starting CF on OD 2007. OC seems like a logical guy to trade given how well Izturis has played.

by akathelorax on Sep 18, 2006 11:08 PM PDT up 0 recs

We need to make major moves...

Don't make minor adjustments this offseason, make major ones.

LF: While I'm not nearly as down on Rivera as everyone else is at the moment, we could upgrade here by going after Carlos Lee and then trading Juan, or we could move Juan to CF, which I think I'd like to see if Lee comes, because our power numbers would be so much better if we keep Juan in the lineup AND have Lee. Lee could be a fantastic signing for us, and we should plan on pursuing him.

Ditto regarding Alfonso Soriano. See Carlos Lee above, the only thing to add is that Soriano is also an entirely viable option in the infield as well.

CF: Yes, Vernon Wells is the man. Two things: What do we have to give up to get him? And will Toronto deal him in the offseason? Personally, clubs should have learned from the Soriano debacle in DC this year, when the GM should've taken the best deal regardless of the time of year. If we can get Vernon for just OC and a couple of middle tier prospects, that would be an automatic. But some things are simply out of our control, and Wells doesn't belong to us.

3B: It pains me to say that nothing but mediocre third baseman will be free agents this winter. That's a big problem in my book. DMac has lost his priveleges regarding the future of 3b as far as I'm concerned; he's had 2 years now to show me, and he hasn't.

The Tejada thing should only be pursued if we can't get Lee or Soriano or both. We will need the power and if those other guys aren't available, then we should pursue Tejada and try to keep OC and move one of them to a different infield position.

1b: First off, the same goes for Kotchman that I said about DMac. He has to show me that he's going to be the man. We shouldn't wait on him any longer. It's time to get some solid productivity from our first base bat.

First base is weak this winter as well for FA's. As far as I'm concerned, it all comes down to getting better with the bat, so if the only thing that will work is Soriano at second, then we're forced to keep Howard Kendrick at first, but we need the stick. I'd love it if Soriano would play LF for us, but if not perhaps Kendrick can be made into a first baseman; i don't like the idea of that, as first base should be a power bat.

C: Try to upgrade here only if nothing goes through with any of the FA's i've already mentioned.

Bully: Jamie Walker. Get him.

Rotation: I'd love to have Matsuzaka. But he's gonna cost a fortune, and I assume he'll be a Yankee, so it probably won't matter. I'd feel a whole lot better about things if I knew Bartolo could come back strong, but let's face it, even with Bart out the rotation is not one of our biggest weaknesses. Still, Matsuzaka or Barry Zito sure would look good in Red and White.

Rotation note: Perhaps none of this will matter next season, if both Zito and Matsuzaka end up in pinstripes. That will be truly depressing when it happens, which I fear it will.

Quite a bit of salary is going away, so Arte better get at least two big money guys in here or I'm gonna be pissed. If we're smart we should go after BOTH Lee and Soriano, and if we could get those guys we settle and live with the other holes in the roster. Then we could trade Rivera for bullpen help. Lee, Soriano. If we don't get them, work for Wells, Tejada, Aramis Ramirez. Walker.

Don't spend for okay guys. Craig Wilson is not the answer. Don't settle. And for god's sake, get it done.

by goodvibe61 on Sep 17, 2006 10:44 PM PDT 0 recs

I'm a little confused

You say that major changes need to be made, but offered no solutions. All you said is that you want to replace...well, everybody - with...nobody.

The free agent market is weak, except for a couple of power hitting, poor fielding outfielders (btw - has anyone here seen Carlos Lee play LF? Not pretty). As things sit RIGHT NOW, Ramirez is not available, Wells is not, neither is Crede. OK.....then WHO?

The fact is there are not a lot of solutions out there that fit the Angels. For a team that has played terrific baseball the second half, the Angels need to be careful. They are an 85-90 win team "as is" - maybe better - with more help on the way. Gutting the roster for a short term orgasm is what has ruined the team in the past.

Can they improve? Of course - what team can't? But the team is NOT in need of an overhaul.

Patience, everybody...patience. We BARELY missed this year - it's not like we're in last place...

by johnnyangel101 on Sep 18, 2006 1:01 AM PDT up 0 recs

Wow...

...convincing argument.

by Rev Halofan on Sep 18, 2006 1:02 AM PDT up 0 recs

Persuasive...

...but are you sure that our scorching hot six-seven weeks that got us back into the race is where the offensive numbers come from? I don't really know the numbers and you seem to be comfortable with them. Can you see a pattern in the numbers?

I think that there are solutions out there, but not premiere guys like Vladdy. I think that we need some quality guys this time who will consistenly hit, hit for power, and use some strike zone judgement. Who that might be, I have no real idea except for the names being tossed around.

I think that we are farther away from being a quality team than it appears and the fact that we barely missed is more of a function of the division and its crappy teams. This year it seems like the cream really didn't rise to the top. It seemed as though the division winner would be the team "who sucked the least".

So now I ask all of you: What should the team do with guys like Sean Rodrigez or Terry Evans? Evans is AAA bound next year so he's close. S-Rod is AA bound at short next year. S-Rod could be moved to the outfield if Wood solidifies shortstop. Does the team get a CF through trade, buy a LF this offseason, or fill in until these kids get here?

I think it is ridiculous to wait for these guys and give up two more years, but what do you think Stoneman is going to do? By that time Vlad's contract is up, right?

by halomatt on Sep 18, 2006 6:15 AM PDT up 0 recs

No longer a crappy division

Three teams over .500, Mariners barely under - the Angels and A's have the two best records in baseball in the second half. It's still a tough division - your perception is still lingering from May - things have changed drastically since then. The West has a combined winning record against both the East and Central divisions (182-153).

The Angels are going to finish with 85-90 wins. Not bad (not good enough either, I might add). ALL winning teams go through hot streaks during the year - darkangel made a good comment at the bottom of this diary: http://www.halosheaven.com/story/2006/8/6/225351/4365. Most good teams play .500 ball except for two large winning streaks during the year. You CAN'T take out the hot streaks - they DID happen...

by johnnyangel101 on Sep 18, 2006 8:47 AM PDT up 0 recs

Sign guys, don't trade as the first option

I am being perfectly clear.

The first option should NOT be to make trades. Ramirez is a perfect example. He is NOT a free agent. He will cost us lots of talent. Why do that when it's free agent season? It makes zero sense to me.

Go after Lee and Soriano. They are free agents. If you can get Soriano, try real hard to play him out of position, so Kendrick can be at second. Kendrick should be at second, because his lack of power will adversely impact our everyday lineup for years, a first baseman without the pop has already been a chronic problem of ours.

If Soriano will play left, move Juan to Center, or trade him for middle relief, or as part of a package if absolutely necessary (i prefer to keep Juan and put him in CF, our power numbers with Soriano and Rivera will look fabulous compared to recent history).

Jamie Walker. We need him.

The starting rotation is not the priority, but a true wish list would include one of those 2 prime fa's, zito or matsuzaka.

It's pretty clear to me.

Why trade away guys for a power bat, when you can go sign a couple power bats and lose zero talent? It's a no brainer.

We are "close" as you say, only because our division is mediocre. Put us in the East or the Central and tell me how "close" we'd be...

We need to be winning 95 games minimum each year, that way we are competing for both the division AND the wild card each and every year, giving us even better chances to get into the tournament.

Fight on!

by goodvibe61 on Sep 18, 2006 11:36 AM PDT up 0 recs

good point

by yeswecan on Sep 18, 2006 5:23 PM PDT up 0 recs

Uh

Aramis Ramirez is available, and he's an upper tier 3B. I personally think the Cubs will fight hard to re-sign him. If they don't, they lack any credibility going into 2007.

I'm closer to where you are on Kotchman, but with the proviso that he ought to be able to play in winter ball. If he can, then he gets the 1B job next year. Guys with his strike zone judgment don't grow on trees, and too rarely in the Angels minor league system.

I don't see many "money" guys being worth it. Ramirez the Angels will probably have to overpay for. Sorry, Dallas. You had your chance.

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

by scareduck on Sep 18, 2006 6:57 AM PDT up 0 recs

Ramirez is NOT available

He is signed through 2008, with an option for 2009. Courtesy of Hardball Dollars, here are his salary figures:
2007 - $11M
2008 - $11.5M
2009 - $11M - 2009 option for $11mil which is guarenteed if 270 games in 2007-08 or by mutual agreement

We all know he can "opt-out" of his contract at the end of this year. If I'm his agent, and he's guaranteed this future income stream, I'm simply looking to extend, not eliminate an already lucrative contract. If he DOES opt out, his agent should be FIRED. (Jody Reed, Matt Harrington, Juan Gonzalez anyone?)

The number of teams that need and can afford Ramirez (at higher pay and longer guarantees) include...only one - the Angels.

Folks, he's not going anywhere. Move on...

by johnnyangel101 on Sep 18, 2006 8:19 AM PDT up 0 recs

You're right

I just looked up his status on Hardball Dollars; it's that opt-out clause that threw me.

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

by scareduck on Sep 18, 2006 10:25 AM PDT up 0 recs

If he could make more $ for a contender

Then why wouldn't he opt out? The Cubs suck, the Angels are desperate & deep-pocketed & likely to contend for the next half-decade. Aramis has played for crappy teams his whole life; maybe he'd like to win, and on a team known to be friendly toward Spanish speakers.

by mattwelch on Sep 18, 2006 9:56 PM PDT up 0 recs

Matt, I admire your hopefulness

I hope you're right. Personally, I don't care if I was playing in Hellhole, Arkansas as long as I was guaranteed $33.5M. And Wrigley, despite the losses, is NOT the worst place to play. Additionally, any agent that would recommend opting out of this outstanding contract would be breaching his fiduciary duty bigtime. I mean, Ramirez must REALLY, REALLY, REALLY hate the Cubs to forego that much money.

But he might. And if he does, Arte should pounce. I just don't see it happening.

by johnnyangel101 on Sep 18, 2006 10:36 PM PDT up 0 recs

Free Agents

Does anyone have a list of free agents available this summer? I'll work on free agents that I know of as trades are just too unlikely. (although if we can get Crede for Figgins and little else I say "where do I sign?")

I think we need to fix CF and 3b in this offseason and I believe that is the order of importance. If we can't find a good '07 1st baseman out of Morales, DMac, and Kotchman then I don't know what to say. Don't spend too much on a middle reliever because they're about as flaky as they come from year to year unless they're named something like Shields and Wheeler.

Solution 1 - Soriano in CF. 40+ HRs in a park where players bitched that you couldn't hit homers? Are you kidding me? I bet he'd play similar CF to Figgins and he could hit and leadoff. (or protect Vladdy depending on how the rest of the team shakes out) Imagine a good leadoff hitter. Makes me giddy.

Solution 2 - Make a run at Ramirez for 3b. If he doesn't opt out then back to the drawing board. Figgins is not an option at 3rd IMO, and I would like Izturis in the lineup, but not at 3rd preferably as long as we have a light hitting SS anyways. If we can't get a stud then fill it with a combo of DMac, Izturis, Wood, Quinlan instead of paying for someone mediocre that would block Wood when ready if he can't play SS.

Not a solution 1 - Carlos Lee. You see how much he helped the Rangers this year. You can only get by with having a brutal defense if you have bashers all the way through the lineup like Boston '04 or Yankees '06. Keep Rivera in LF and he can fill in at CF and RF when GA is put in LF.

Not a solution 2 - Kendrick anywhere except 2nd. Don't piss with this guy, put him at 2nd and forget about him for 10 years.

Not a solution 3 - Getting rid of any of our current 5 starting pitchers, Shields, K-Rod, Wood, Kendrick, Napoli, Rivera, and Vlad. These guys aren't problems. (Hopefully I'm not forgetting someone but probably am)

by thewebb on Sep 18, 2006 10:40 AM PDT 0 recs

I assume you meant "this winter"?

As for the F/A, there is a severe dearth of quality even IF Ramirez opts out and doesn't come to agreement with the Cubs. What you have is a list headed by Soriano/Lee on offense and Zito/Schmidt at the pitching position. After those guys, the dropoff is epic.

Regarding the 3B position, if Ramirez sticks in the Windy City, the only guy with even a glimmer of promise is Aubrey Huff, who will be 30 in December and besides two solid, but unspectacular seasons in 2003/2004, has been in a decline. The rest of the list reads like a who's who of 30 something has-been/never-weres: A. Boone, V. Castilla, T. Batista, J. Cirillo, R. Branyan, Scott Spiezio!, etc.

As for 1b, the biggest names are Garciaparra, Hillenbrand, Wilson, and Casey. Not exactly big upside guys.

DarkAngel hath spoken....

by darkangel01 on Sep 18, 2006 12:27 PM PDT up 0 recs

Put that way

the Angels may be stuck with some combination of McPherson/Izturis/Quinlan at third in 2007 for want of better options.

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

by scareduck on Sep 18, 2006 12:50 PM PDT up 0 recs

Nomar 3B

You heard it here first.

by Rev Halofan on Sep 18, 2006 1:01 PM PDT up 0 recs

Please, God, NO

That was the Cubs' mistake. He couldn't stay healthy there, either, and he's barely able to hold down the Dodgers' 1B job as it is.

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

by scareduck on Sep 18, 2006 2:07 PM PDT up 0 recs

good assumption on the winter thing

I say stay away from all those guys you mentioned. Yuck.

Ramirez and Soriano sound nummy, but that's about it. Ramirez isn't a #1 guy, but would play a nice 2nd fiddle to Vlad's Kingdom.

by thewebb on Sep 19, 2006 9:35 PM PDT up 0 recs

My Offseason Wish List:

The Ghost of Charlie Lau.
The Ghost of Babe Ruth, circa 1921.
The Ghost of Ted Williams, circa 1953.

"It is by suffering that human beings become angels." ~ Victor Hugo

by Stirrups on Sep 18, 2006 10:46 AM PDT 0 recs

Hatch...

Mickey Hatcher's head on a plate. That guy is KILLING what chance these guys have at a decent offense!

JEff

Help me out, and help raise money for the MS Society of OC http://www.ms150baytobay.com/sipperphoto

by sipperphoto on Sep 18, 2006 12:48 PM PDT 0 recs

What about

Mark Teahen from KC. He had decent offensive numbers at KC and is going into his 3rd or 4th season in the bigs. He could be ready for a breakout season.

by higdog on Sep 18, 2006 2:27 PM PDT 0 recs

So could Dallas McPherson be

And we already have him. Teahen's nothing special.

DarkAngel hath spoken....

by darkangel01 on Sep 18, 2006 2:46 PM PDT up 0 recs

I would love

D-mac to break out, but I just don't see it happening. Teahen's numbers are an improvement and he has the Major League AB's.

by higdog on Sep 18, 2006 3:12 PM PDT up 0 recs

News flash

Teahen is having a breakout season.

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

by scareduck on Sep 18, 2006 3:06 PM PDT up 0 recs

His numbers are better than I thought

Especially in light of only being on pace for 120 games. My question would be this: Why would KC trade a guy just "breaking out" who is making the minimum and is 2 years away from arbitration and 5 from FA?

Then again, the are the Royals.

DarkAngel hath spoken....

by darkangel01 on Sep 18, 2006 3:30 PM PDT up 0 recs

According to the scareduckometer ...

.290/.357/.517 is a "breakout season," while .299/.354/.517 is a season that "didn't work out."

by mattwelch on Sep 18, 2006 10:02 PM PDT up 0 recs

If you are going after KC...

why not find a package to trade to them for Alex Gordon?

"It is by suffering that human beings become angels." ~ Victor Hugo

by Stirrups on Sep 18, 2006 3:19 PM PDT up 0 recs

CF is a legitimate problem

But defense has to come first. I know we are dying for more offense, but CF, SS, and C are positions where you have to prioritize the glove first.

According to BP's sortable stats, the Angels pitchers led the American League in fly balls this year. Putting Rivera or Soriano out there for 162 games means certain death (OK, that's a little extreme - certain extra-base hits then). If we add Soriano, it will HAVE to be at the expense of GA or Rivera. Stoneman probably realizes this, too, and will choose not to act.

In that regard, the boldest move the Angels could make this winter would be addition by subtraction: trading GA or Rivera in order to make room for Soriano. Several teams will be bidding for Soriano's services. If he has indeed discovered a better command of the strike zone, he might be worth it. We'll see.

Potential free agents who could help:
CF: Torii Hunter, Gary Matthews, Eric Byrnes, Juan Pierre, Jim Edmonds (team option), Dave Roberts, Mike Cameron (team option)
3B: Nobody
1B: Gary Sheffield (team option), Cliff Floyd, Craig Wilson, Nomar Garciaparra

Not an awe-inspiring group, but somebody like Edmonds could be a low-risk, high-reward option.

Here's a site that lists potential free agents:
http://www.mlb4u.com/freeagency.php?field=position

Others available in trade, coming off subpar seasons, could include Coco Crisp, Adrian Beltre, Eric Hinske, and Todd Helton (signed through 2011!!! - and you thought GA's contract was bad).

Our kids are looking better and better...

by johnnyangel101 on Sep 18, 2006 5:34 PM PDT 0 recs