Thinking Outside the Box

by WiHaloFan on Oct 10, 2008 4:01 AM PDT Comment 17 comments

I've been putting together an article for my blogsite (some of you know which one, but I won't blog-whore it) about future Angel transactions, things way out there that no one else would probably think of. During one of the game threads, just off the top of my head I suggested trading Matthews for Barry Zito. After I posted it, I got to thinking, that might not be that bad of a deal. That is if both players are willing to waive their no-trade clauses. Here's my thinking:

The deal is GMJ for Zito and cash (I don't know how much, or even if SF would throw in anything). SF would probably love to get out from under Zito's salary and could use a CF. Angels don't need GMJ and will need another starter. Zito was terrible in the first half of 2008, but actually did pretty decent after the break. Maybe a change of scenery and a return to the AL West will help.

Zito will make $18.5M in 2009. GMJ will make $10M. With Garlands $12M coming off the books. The Angels save $3.5M (plus any cash SF throws in).

Before I finish writing, is this totally off base, or does it have some merit?

This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.

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i just dont think it will happen

i doubt that the angels would make a move like this, and the giants are much less likely to do so. i am sure they want to hold on to zito one more year and see if he can recapture a great season.

at this point, GMJ is almost un-tradable

by kingfish on Oct 10, 2008 4:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't underestimate how much people hate Zito up here

I live in the bay area and a lot of fans would trade Zito for decent ham sandwich. The front office also feels pretty dumb for signing him and they would love it if everyone forgot all about Zito. Plus, HGH is not a bad thing with the Giants.

However, I do agree that GMJ is untradable. The Giants may want Zito out, but GMJ may not be good enough.

by Rhapsode on Oct 10, 2008 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

what about

rowand roaming in CF?

www.13stoploss.com

by feNOMINAL on Oct 10, 2008 7:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You're right

But according to their depth chart, their LF is Fred Lewis, with not much else behind him. Matthews looks like the type of player the Giants either like (or are stuck with) such as Dave Roberts, Randy Winn, Lewis and Rowland. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not.

Actually, looking at it a bit more, Lewis is almost a Matthews clone, so you’re right, the Gieants probably wouldn’t have any interest in GMJ.

I was uncool before uncool was cool.

by WiHaloFan on Oct 10, 2008 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lewis is way better than Matthews

He is a young guy and plays like it sometimes, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Lewis turns out to be a star, and Matthews never gets above league minimum again.

by Rhapsode on Oct 10, 2008 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for your input

I appreciate it.

I was uncool before uncool was cool.

by WiHaloFan on Oct 10, 2008 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Youklis is always thinking outside the box

And none of the umpires will call him on it.

Angels fan since '67

by red floyd on Oct 10, 2008 8:29 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ba-dum-ching

So sad but so true.

Light Up That Halo!

by Clutch on Oct 10, 2008 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was blatant in Game 1

His foot was about 6 inches outside, and this was before the chalk lines were messed up.

Angels fan since '67

by red floyd on Oct 10, 2008 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've heard that Zito is a real club house kind of guy...

I for one back this a lot. Zito had some stuff. If he could do what Garland did this year and it would open up our outfield, it might be more beneficial then we think. Sosh won’t feel obligated to give GMJ at bats that could go to Rivera (if we keep him), or Willits, or even Morales.

Next Year’s Outfield if this deal is done…
LF – Figgins
CF – Hunter
RF – Morales

Starting Rotation

Lackey
Saunders
Santana
Weaver
Zito

Sounds good to me.

I make money on Survey Savvy

by Jay Cal on Oct 10, 2008 10:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That is a lot of money for a highly ineffective highly paid clubhouse guy

The Angels may have beat them 8 times in a row, but winning three before they do is all that matters.

by hauldog on Oct 13, 2008 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

NOOO

A lot of people that I trust have called the Zito signing the worst signing in SPORTS history. Not just baseball history.

The guy is one of the highest paid pitchers in history and he ended up in the bullpen for the second worse team in the worst division in baseball.

Look I would love to get rid of GMJ’s inflated contract as much as anyone but Zito would be the most terrible option in the history of sports to trade him for. I would rather have GMJ than that worthless piece of crap.

by Skizoss25 on Oct 10, 2008 11:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It seems like we'd be trading an expensive problem for a more expensive problem.

And isn’t there more time left on the Zito contract than GMJ’s?

by snowhor on Oct 10, 2008 12:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes

Seems Zito’s got FIVE years left on the contract, whereas Gary’s got THREE.

Hey, I’ve got a better idea. Let’s trade Gary for a proven 1B to replace Tex and provide some solid defense. How about….RICH AURILIA? Lulz.

Light Up That Halo!

by Clutch on Oct 10, 2008 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just wouldn't

want to be paying a number 5 starter almost 20 Million if SF doesnt put any money in. I also do not think Arte does either. Plus, he did decent in the NL West I just don’t think he has it any more.

"Throw some CHED!"

by angelskid2210 on Oct 10, 2008 3:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This would be like Finley for Alfonzo part two.

Your defending OPD champion. Respect it, bitches.

by bc56274 on Oct 10, 2008 6:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What about Fukudome?

Zito will be owed $94.5 million from 2009 through 2013, and we would have to pay him another $7 million to buy out his 2014 option for a grand total of $101.5 million. At least we will be rid of GMJ after 2011, and he is set to make “only” another $33 million. I would try to trade him for Kosuke Fukudome, who is also signed through 2011, is owed a comparable amount ($38 million), plays a better defensive RF than GMJ, and gets on base way better (81 walks last year, or in 13.9% of his PAs). Fukudome is risky and flawed, to be sure, but has more upside than GMJ and more immediate use as a solid defender in RF so Vlad can DH and a potential source of OBP in the bottom third of the order. We’d be lucky if we can even get Fukudome for GMJ, we are probably stuck with him through the majority of the next presidential administration…

by Bly-lovin on Oct 12, 2008 11:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs