What would make the Angel offseason complete?
by marshgr on Jan 2, 2009 12:40 PM PST
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PrintFirst of all let me start by saying I am tired of people calling others idiots on this site. Most of this is opinion and speculation. You can disagree with someone's opinion, but have some facts to back it up. There I am done.
What would make me happy?
The Angels got off to a good start signing Brian Fuentes. He is a lefty and will provide great balance to our pen. I feel he is a better closer than Frankie at this point in their careers. I love the fact that he comes from the National league and a lot of AL players have not seen him. Actually, K-Rod will have that same advantage with the Mets.
Next... I want another starter. Ben Sheets would be an incredible addition and is not as big of an injury concern as some think. He started 31 games last year, logged 198 innings and had a WHIP of 1.15. I think we could live with those numbers to go along with Lackey, Santana, Saunders and Weaver. (by the way, when is Escobar coming back?)
Finally, I want a lefty bat. Adam Dunn would be my preference; however, the Angels don't seem interested... not sure why. I wonder if we could bring in Brad Wilkerson or Jason Giambi on the cheap and wait for someone to become available mid-year.
So, as you can see I am pretty easy to please..
Fuentes (done), Sheets, and Giambi or Wilkerson.
This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.
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to realize that the nightmare i had wasn't real...
w/ a 1st base platoon of quinlan vs. lefties and kmo vs. righties after it’s exposed that kmo is a swith hitter in name only and can’t hit lefties. wait haven’t we been here before?
2 things
1 (and most importantly) – a true cleanup hitter. i don’t care if they have a low average or not, we need a masher in the 4 hole. someone who can hit home runs and get on base.
2 – a cheap 5th starter. i don’t know if we are looking at getting a 5th starter (although it makes sense), but if we can get someone solid (like Judy was) on a 1 year deal (maybe with an option?), i’d love it.
Kotch would've had that.
Not seeing any more trade/FA signing posts on Halos Heaven?
Seriously though, Mark Teixeira was the only bat worth spending money or draft picks on. It’s done.
http://inplaynoouts.blogspot.com/ - A blog about teams I like, written by me.
by Carl Johnson on Jan 2, 2009 12:58 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
AD
Adam Dunn will not cost any draft picks.
At some certain amount, he makes sense.
P.S. I am almost sure Ninja will get another OF for us.
Sure...
…because what would the off-season be if we didn’t add two outfielders?
I don't know...I'm makin' this up as I go.
I'm not trying to pick on you, but...
are you happy having Willits on the roster? You seem set against picking up another OF who would take playing time away from Willits and Matthews.
I’m not trying to start any crap, I was just wondering.
I was uncool before uncool was cool.
Who me?
I’m one of the few who is happy to have Willits. I think he has a certain skill set that is very valuable in a fifth outfielder. I would put him higher on the depth chart than GMJ.
My comment went to the fact that we seem to add another outfielder every season. It was probably a little too snide.
I don't know...I'm makin' this up as I go.
I'm not sure that Reggie Willits has a "certain skill set"
that is even valuable as a fifth outfielder at AAA.
Reggie Willits is among the worst outfielders that the Angels have ever had on their roster. As terrible as GMJ is/has been, he’s ten times the player that Reggie Willits is.
"…he has a 2 seam ‘heavy’ fastball that has sink but he does not throw a ‘sinker’." Angel Aviator on Jake Peavy.
by GarretSaysSuckIt on Jan 2, 2009 5:28 PM PST up reply actions
I don't "hate" him,
I’m just mystified as to why anyone would like him or think he brings anything worthwhile to the Angels.
1. Zero Power.
2. Average (if we give him every benefit of the doubt) speed.
3. Awful, awful, awful throwing arm.
The only thing this guy does is stand in the box and take pitches. When he gets hitter’s counts, he does absolutely nothing with them, still hoping for a walk.
I don’t hate him, he’s just not good. At all. Jeff DaVanon (who wasn’t really that good either) was far, far, better.
"…he has a 2 seam ‘heavy’ fastball that has sink but he does not throw a ‘sinker’." Angel Aviator on Jake Peavy.
by GarretSaysSuckIt on Jan 3, 2009 10:07 AM PST up reply actions
Adam Dunn is
surprisingly not valuable. his defense basically takes away almost all the value he has. it would be much better and cost-efficient to just give Rivera a shot (not that he’s Willie Mays in the field) or play GMJ and hope to get a repeat of 2006.
visiting halos fan
by 442 on Jan 2, 2009 7:03 PM PST up reply actions
Then make him not play defense!
It wouldn’t kill the Angels to finally drop the whole rotating DH theory, and make Dunn the full time DH, if his glove is that bad. He could occasionally spell the corner OF’s or even 1B, but primarily just mash HR’s. That Juan gets his shot holding down LF, and Willits and GMJr both ride the pine.
Don't mess with Teix-ass or Bor-ass!
by Rally Manatee on Jan 3, 2009 11:39 AM PST up reply actions
The Angels are not interested in Adam Dunn because
There is simply no room for him.
Rivera is the starting LF, so that’s Dunn’s first position gone.
Kendry is the starting 1B, so that’s Dunn’s second position gone.
There’s no way the Angels would make Vlad split DH time with Dunn, so that’s Dunn’s third possible position gone.
The only way such a signing would make sense is if Kendry were reduced to RF/DH, whatever Vlad wasn’t playing at the moment. The Halos already have that guy in Gary Matthews, Jr., whether you/we (quiltin?) like it or not. Dunn certainly will not sign to be a bench guy alone; he’ll sign to start.
If the Halos hadn’t re-signed Johnny Rivers, I’d expect Reagins to be taking a closer, long, hard look at Adam Dunn and would want him signed. If Kendry Morales goes down due to some fluke/freak injury before Dunn has signed elsewhere (protect him, acuda!), then, too, I’d think he deserves a closer look. As it is, though, signing Dunn at the moment just doesn’t make sense.
Light Up That Halo!
Dunn starts above an unproven Kendry Morales
every day of the week. If Kendry hits 270 with 25 home runs that would be a monster year for him. It would be a disappointing one for Dunn.
by SC81 on Jan 2, 2009 2:54 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Dunn's an interesting player
The OBP and homers stick out, but his defense, baserunning, and strike outs do too. We dont know if Cincy fans loved him or hated him. Looking at end of the year stats doesnt tell the whole story. How many rallies did those strike outs kill? What if 50% of the homers came at meaningless times?
40 home runs doesnt mean 40 walk offs. 200 Ks can include some pretty aggrivating outs.
by ihearhowie2.0 on Jan 2, 2009 3:01 PM PST up reply actions
I thought this was interesting...
Last season, in 182 plate appearances, Dunn hit .241 with runners in scoring position with 11 HR, driving in 65 and striking out 45 times. He also hit into 5 douple plays.
For comparison:
Vlad hit .321 in 161 PA with 8 HR and 61 RBI. He struck out 20 times, but grounded into 11 DPs
Torii Hunter hit .268 in 163 PA, 5 HR and 57 RBI. He struck out 32 times and hit into just 3 DPs.
I quickly looked at Dunn’s career numbers and my impression was they’re weren’t as good as last season. I don’t know what this all means, but I thought it was interesting. I was one who thought Dunn would be a good signing, and I guess he still is at the right price.
I was uncool before uncool was cool.
No, he doesn't
Every single major leaguer has been “unproven” at one or another point in his career. The only way you ever see what they’ve got is by handing them the everyday job. The Angels must believe Kendry’s upside, when given a full season’s worth of consistent AB’s (which he’s never had—the most consistency he’s had was in 2006, when he’d just barely been promoted to AAA and could hardly be expected to adjust so quickly), matches or surpasses Dunn’s. Not to mention that .270 would be a fantastic year for Dunn in terms of average. :-D
Light Up That Halo!
by Clutch on Jan 2, 2009 4:14 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
my take:
What I personally would like to see:
1. Derek Lowe or Ben Sheets
2. Trade for some offense or get someone reliable like Bobby Abreu for cheap and low years
What makes it complete from the front office’s point of view depends on what theyre trying to do this season, something we’re not aware of.
If they want to develop some young guys, then acquiring another bat more or less knocks Brandon Wood out of the lineup. Thats probably better for 2009, but its in the Angels’ best interest to finally get Wood to become the hitter he is for 2010 and beyond. Thats when Oakland and Texas will really be scary and we’ll need that 30 home run power for cheap.
Look at next year’s free agents. Boston and New York will probably both be in on Matt Holliday and hes really the only great free agent. We NEED Brandon Wood and maybe even the longshot of Morales to become weapons or else we’re really screwed beyond 2010.
If the stadium exploded. Then the offseason would be complete
This is the worst offseason in years. But hey we got Colorado's closer!
Given that
the Angels have basically said they are not getting any free agent bat this winter, I’d say their offseason would be a success if they signed a cheap 5th starter to a short term deal. Ben Sheets, Randy Wolf, and Paul Byrd come to mind.
To salvage the off-season
1) get corner power (1B or 3B)
2) get a #2 or #3 caliber SP to fill the 5 slot
3) Extend Lackey
4) Extend Vlad. He deserves to end his career as an Angel.
5) Get HGH off the roster
I think in order to make the Angels' offseason complete,
Regins needs to find a young, left handed batting, adequately slick-fielding, mashing 1Bman. Morales would be the primary DH, swapping some OF time with whomever needs rest.
We’ve heard the names of Adrian Gonzales and Joey Votto rumored…………great! I didn’t say it’s gonna happen, but that was not the question……..the question was “What would make………..?”
I think our pitching is fine. Morales’ 1B defense is adequate, but not great. His power seems adequate, but not great. I’m happy to have him in the lineup everyday, I don’t want him to go away, but I worry.
Adrian Gonzales rumors need to end
It’s just not going to happen. This guy is arguably as good or better than Mark Teixeira and comes at a fraction of the price, if the Padres traded him the fans wouldn’t even care anymore.
by lackey41 on Jan 2, 2009 8:49 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Ummmm... no.
This guy is arguably as good or better than Mark Teixeira and comes at a fraction of the price.
Not as good, and most definitely not better. Cheaper? Yes. Younger? Slightly. As good, or better? No way.
White trashin' the 909
You need to back that up
because this is a very very fair argument.
AG is only 26 years old and hit 90 home runs the last 3 years playing half his games IN PETCO PARK.
It cannot be understated how much of an impact playing in San Diego has on offensive numbers.
Not just Petco? How about his division rivals being San Fran, Dodgers and Diamondbacks. Thats a ton of games against good pitching in pitchers parks.
Adrian had 99 extra base hits in 2007! 99!!!! Vlad lead our team with 61 last year!
And I repeat….ALL OF THIS IN PETCO PARK.
Tell me how Mark Teixeira is better to the point where its not even close. Unlike Tex, who does most of his damage after the All Star break, Gonzalez has 52 career first half homers vs 45 second half.
Im sorry, but it would take some crazy arguing to convince me Mark Teixiera surrounded by the weak lineups SD has had would put up anything better than AG has. Hitting in front of Mike Cameron and Khalil Greene is different than Vlad, Chipper Jones, Michael Young etc.
by ihearhowie2.0 on Jan 2, 2009 11:14 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
if Crede is healthy...
why not take a low risk, high reward shot?
that would free us up to move Figgins to LF, Vlad/Rivera to RF/DH and trade a shortstop for a good pitcher.
Kotch would've had that.
what about woody?
I think this is basically THE year to let Wood figure it out.
If Tony meant what he said about keeping the outfield as is with Vlad, Torii, Juan, Juice and Willits, than that means adding anyone else would lock figgins in at 3rd and essentially push Wood out.
If we dont add an outfielder, Figgins could technically start the year in at RF, Vlad could DH, and Wood could play 3rd while Matthews heals.
I think they know Wood needs the ABs and he’ll never be able to just come up and hit 5 homers in 5 games without seeing more big league stuff. I think Tony wants to see his old farm guys figure it out and lead the team into the future where Vlad aint carrying us.
by ihearhowie2.0 on Jan 2, 2009 8:18 PM PST up reply actions
i would love
for Wood to get everyday playing time. i’ve been saying that since last year.
i should’ve clarified… when i said “trade a shortstop”, i meant trade Aybar and let Wood take over SS
Kotch would've had that.
Exactly
Trading Aybar and have Wood start is the smartest thing they could do. Izzy backing up as always.
I still think we have to sign a DH. Dunn is reportedly (Over and over) out of the equation. Why not bring in Giambi? It’s almost certain injuries will happen this year to one of our OF’s. Morales or Figgins can move out there temporarily. So much flexibility on this club. But we’re still missing a DH type. I’d love for it to be Adam Dunn, but it’s not happening.
Another option...
Would anyone be opposed to bringing OC back in at SS? Move Wood over to 3rd and have Figgins play LF/DH, Rivera LF/RF/DH, and Vlad RF/DH? Cabrera was a prototypical 2 hole hitter. Might be nice.
Why bring another SS into the mix?
We have Aybar, Wood, Figgins, SRod, and Izturis all capable of playing SS. Why would we want to bring in a guy who hit .281/.334/.371 last year other than because his name is Orlando Cabrera?
no need for another MI
we already have 5 guys that can play SS…. no use for OC.
Kotch would've had that.
by howiestheman on Jan 2, 2009 11:20 PM PST up reply actions
Point taken
But we still don’t have a 2 hole guy. Kendrick isn’t ready for it. Aybar gets traded, Wood moves to 3rd, Figgins moves out to LF (Rivera to RF, Vlad to DH… all interchangeable), SRod and Izzy are our rover back-up infielders. Plus, OC is a leader.
What's a 2 hole guy?
If it’s OCab hitting .281/.334/.371, I don’t want it.
in that scenario, we don't have a SS
Aybar is traded.
Figgins in LF
Wood at 3B.
You put Izzy at SS and let him bat 2nd. his career numbers in the 2 hole are .321/.370/.450
Kotch would've had that.
In just 349 plate appearances
Izturis is a good hitting shortstop, but that’s not a very large sample. You can’t expect a guy to OPS over 100 points higher than his career average for any sustained period of time due to position in the batting order.
In truth, batting order doesn’t really make that much difference. The difference between the best possible and worst possible orderings of the same players is probably only one or two wins—it might decide a close division, but it’s nothing that will turn a season around.
i'm not saying he's THE answer
i’m saying he’s AN answer.
he’s got pretty good numbers when given substantial amounts of playing time, and he has a solid glove. there’s not much downside here
Kotch would've had that.
by howiestheman on Jan 3, 2009 11:27 AM PST up reply actions
Izzy in the 2 hole
I think Izzy can do it. He’s got more discipline than Kendrick or Aybar. Or how about having Izzy lead off and have Figgins hit 2nd?
Don't mess with Teix-ass or Bor-ass!
by Rally Manatee on Jan 3, 2009 11:45 AM PST up reply actions
IF Crede is healthy...
That’s the qualifier which causes a GM to swallow hard.
The guy has had back trouble. The nasty thing about back trouble is that it never really goes away. When Crede is healthy, he can put a hurt on the ball and play a better than average 3B.
But when he isn’t healthy, he is just another player taking up space on the DL. After Glaus and McPherson, I would hope the Angels had their fill of 3B with back problems. That bad back means he isn’t “low risk”.
Add in the fact that he is a Boras client (I don’t think the Angels front office is eager to be dealing with Boras for awhile) and I doubt that Crede has any future in Anaheim.
by George Kaplan on Jan 2, 2009 9:04 PM PST up reply actions
didn't remember he was a Boras client
reports are out that the Giants think his medical records are okay… couldn’t hurt to take a look
Kotch would've had that.
Sorry to repeat myself, but, geez,
the guy’s career OBP is .306. .306!
Do you expect that to get better?
"…he has a 2 seam ‘heavy’ fastball that has sink but he does not throw a ‘sinker’." Angel Aviator on Jake Peavy.
by GarretSaysSuckIt on Jan 3, 2009 9:08 PM PST up reply actions
haven't responded to any of that yet
i looked at his OBP after i wrote that.
just throwing it out there… we could certainly do worse. we could also do way better though
Kotch would've had that.
A .300 OBP is replacement level
The average was .336 in the AL last year, and .331 in the NL. The Angels’ team average was .330.
Seriously, Joe Crede is not good. His career numbers away from the launch pad in Chicago are even worse: .258 / .302 / .431. That’s an OPS of .733, lower than Maicer Izturis’ OPS in 2006 and 2007.
yeah i thought average was around .330
in my mind it is anyway…. i thought i read that somewhere
Kotch would've had that.
Crede is not exactly a high reward.
His career OBP is .306 and his career OPS+ is 93. He’s only had 2 seasons in which he posted an OPS+ over 100 (113 in 2002, 107 in 2006). The last thing we need is an injury prone infielder who can’t get on base.
by Chzburger Jones on Jan 2, 2009 11:26 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Ugh. Crede again.
Career OBP of .306. Wouldn’t that just compound the offense’s problems?
He’s a good defensive third baseman (when healthy).
If he could just stay “healthy,” everyone could see, finally, that he’s not really very good.
"…he has a 2 seam ‘heavy’ fastball that has sink but he does not throw a ‘sinker’." Angel Aviator on Jake Peavy.
by GarretSaysSuckIt on Jan 3, 2009 10:11 AM PST up reply actions
hot stove
bobby abreau’s name was mentioned today… there goes my boooooo on him!
me and the wonder dog got high!
by YOUknowulovetheIE on Jan 2, 2009 10:08 PM PST reply actions
My Angel Off-season
1. Figgins LF/DH
2. Orlando Cabrera SS (2yr/$12M-$14M deal)
3. Vlad DH/RF (Extend him)
4. Hunter CF
5. Rivera RF/LF/DH
6. Morales 1st
7. Kendrick 2nd
8. Napoli C
9. Wood 3rd
SP1: Lackey (Extend him)
SP2: Jake Peavy (Trade – Weaver, Adenhart, Aybar, and Jespson.
SP3: Saunders
SP4: Santana
SP5: Mark Mulder (Sign to to a 1 year $1M deal, low risk, high reward. Let him compete for the 5th spot in the rotation with Nick Green during the spring).
BP: Oliver
BP: Spier (Maybe deal him at the deadline if it looks like Escobar can comeback healthy).
BP: Arredondo
Set-up: Shields
Closer: Fuentes
Really?
OC? 7 million a year and a 1st round draft pick to play a position we have 4 guys capable of playing?
by ihearhowie2.0 on Jan 2, 2009 11:27 PM PST up reply actions
If we can get him for less, great.
But signing OC may put a ripple effect into our offseason. Moving Aybar due to his value. (All explained above, but I’ll drop it in here again.)
But we still don’t have a 2 hole guy. Kendrick isn’t ready for it. Aybar gets traded, Wood moves to 3rd, Figgins moves out to LF (Rivera to RF, Vlad to DH… all interchangeable), SRod and Izzy are our rover back-up infielders. Plus, OC is a leader.
ya i see the logic
and theres some value to what youre saying. I didnt see your proposed lineup had Aybar traded for Peavy…i just dont know. It feels like a move we’d make if the rest of our lineup was a feisty Veteran bunch seriously contending for a WS.
Instead, we’re in more of a rebuilding phase than people might be noticing. If we can establish an infield of the next 4 years of Kendrick, Aybar, and Wood…..thats 3 very cost-efficient players that would allow us to supplement with free agents or other big bats. I think spending money on a SS for us would be a major luxury that just seems unnecessary at the moment.
by ihearhowie2.0 on Jan 2, 2009 11:49 PM PST up reply actions
Agree
I didn’t really realize it myself until you just pointed it out…. rebuilding is what we’re doing. But the front office has left us competitve even during so, it’s not terrible.
I think the line-up I put together above could still contend for a title this year, and years to come. Teams built with pitching will always be in the hunt. Especially considering the bullpen depth we have. With the addition of Peavy, it might swing Lackeys decision to stay us and be part of something truely special, possibly the best rotation in ball of baseball.
The 1st five hitters in my line-up are aging, but still productive. The last 4 of Morales Kendrick, Napoli, and Wood, are all young. Rivera is still in his prime but we’ll have to wait and see what kind of player he is full time after the freak injury.
I would project:
Figgins: .290 BA, .360 OBP, 50 steals, and scoring upwards of 100 runs, 50 RBI’s.
Cabrera: .275 BA, .320 OBP, 10HR, 70RBI’s, scoring 80 runs + GG D.
Vlad: I would expect Vlad to get back to .300 BA, 30HR, and 100 RBI’s after his surgery.
Hunter: .270 BA, 25HR, 90 RBI’s, 80 Runs, and stealing 15 bases + GG D.
Rivera: .285 BA, 20HR, 80 RBI’s, and I think he’s capable of more, but the injury, who knows.
Morales: .260 BA, 15-20HRs, 60-70 RBI’s. I think he’ll hit those numbers this year.
Kendrick: .310 BA, 10HR, 70 RBI’s, 45 doubles, 15 steals. Health is key.
Napoli: .250 BA, 20-30HR, 80 RBI’s. His health his the key component here.
Wood: .240 BA, 15-20HR, 55 RBI’s. Playing time will be crucial. I can live with this for a year and he’ll build on the experience.
This offense hits .275, while driving in almost 1/3 run more per game. Last year 12 guys knocked in 625 runs. The group above would knock in 660 with only 9. Of course, there are holes in this math I’m sure… but the offense is more spread out, and counting health, and players building on experience, but that’s what the Angel front office is banking on too.
The pitching:
Everything being the same with the exception of Peavy for Weaver and throwing Mulder, or Green in the mix at the back end. We’re solid. The staff would put us in position to win a ton of games. Plus, come playoff time, I would love send Lackey, Peavy, Saunders, Santana to the mound in a 5-7 game series over Lackey, Saunders, Santana, Weaver.
Over 162 game average:
Peavy: 14 W, 10L, 215IP, 3.35 ERA, 1.186 WHIP.
Weaver: 12W, 6L, 154IP, 3.71 ERA, 1.253 WHIP.
Peavy would likely have more wins playing for a winning club like Angels. Plus, I hate to think what Boras will do with Weaver when his contract is up.
New Padres Owner MOORAD won't trade Peavy
I like Orlando Cabrera as much as the next guy, but but but he gone…
by Rev Halofan on Jan 3, 2009 2:48 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Padres not trading Peavy?
I hadn’t heard that, doh!
OC is an interesting idea, but even if we contacted, would he even come back? All I know is, I want to trade Aybar…. badly.
Rev
Got the link to that Peavy info? Or source?
I dont think Moorad has said it, but its likely he wont
and by “He” , i mean the board of investors. If they have new ownership, theyll want to keep their stars around and be competitive rather than shed payroll to accomodate the old owner’s divorce.
They could turn around pretty quickly if a couple of their younger guys like Headley and Antonelli blossom.
by ihearhowie2.0 on Jan 3, 2009 10:27 AM PST up reply actions
I don't think it's a link...
…as much as an educated guess.
Now that Moorad is in negotiations to buy the team, I don’t see how the Padres can buy or trade any players. The asset value of the team needs to be fixed while the negotiations and the ultimate transaction are taking place. For example, if he was to offer to buy the team for $xM, and then during negotiations Peavy is traded, taking with him $78M in payroll encumbrance, and replaced by 4 guys who might make $15M as a group over that same period of time, then the numbers in the buy offer no longer work out.
Once Moorad owns the team, he might decide to make the move, but more than likely the new owner is going to use whatever marquee players he has to promote the team.
What I'd like to see
A combination of three things — our SS logjam uncluttered & decided upon, a great hitter added (particularly if he’s left-handed), and the best 5th starter available/possible/within reason. If all that can happen while making the outfield younger, I’m all for it, though the chances appear to be grim.
So you can see why I’m dreaming of a trade for Jake Peavy and Brian Giles — the two last big contract left at the payroll-shedding Padres (who won’t have Moorad in charge for a while yet). Giles wouldn’t make us any younger, but I will take one year of a 136 OPS+ & .398 OBP for $10 million, oh yes. And getting Peavy would turn a great rotation monstrous, while also providing much needed insurance for A) Santana & Saunders regressing, and B) Lackey taking off after 2009.
A pipe dream, perhaps, but we’ve got a LOT of players San Diego would have some use for, according to their own criteria (must be cheap, must be able to help at the MLB level, must cover SS & relief pitching at minimum).
The key, to me, is deciding on an infield configuration for the future, and trading the people who aren’t part of it. I would be happy either with deciding on a left side of Wood & Aybar for the next five years, and trading Figgins & Izturis (with Sean Rodriguez as the main middle-IF backup and Matt Brown around to take grounders at third), OR flipping Aybar to San Diego, putting Wood at short, and allowing Figgins to ride out the final year of his contract at 3B, figuring out that position for the long-term later (Beltre, maybe?).
My ultimate fantasy world involves the Dodgers being just stupid enough to sign Manny & then part ways with Matt Kemp, but that possibility seems more remote by the minute.
RE: infield configuration
you flip Aybar over to SD, letting Wood play SS and Figgy play 3B in 2009.
in 2010, you let Figgy walk, move Wood to 3B and let either Izturis or S-Rod play SS.
that way, you still get younger, but retain good production.
and Matt Brown is the next Quinlan.
Kotch would've had that.
by howiestheman on Jan 3, 2009 11:08 AM PST up reply actions
Matt Kemp is right handed.......only downer to your fantasy.
Correct
Markakis is one of the players the Orioles are attempting to build their team around.
by George Kaplan on Jan 4, 2009 8:45 PM PST up reply actions
Brian Giles
I don’t think Arte will want an apparent woman-beater on his roster—the public backlash would be awful and Moreno seems to be tuned into what is and isn’t going to be popular with the fans.
by George Kaplan on Jan 3, 2009 8:20 PM PST up reply actions
A real designated hitter
That’s all I wish for. Why is everyone over complicating the situation? Forget all this talk of moving Figgins to left, making Rivera, and Vlad split DH/RF, etc. Why not just sign a guy and make him DH? Dunn or Giambi would be ideal. They suck at defense, but they can mash. Many teams have a legitimate DH. I think we’ve gotten so used to the whole rotating DH idea that we aren’t considering just having a legitimate DH. It seems to me like the simplest solution to having the most power in the lineup.
P.S. I don’t even care if we sign a SP. I’d be comfortable having newbies fight for the 5th spot. And if we need him, Escobar can take over midseason.
Don't mess with Teix-ass or Bor-ass!
by Rally Manatee on Jan 3, 2009 12:09 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Because Vlad is sliding into a DH role
I wouldn’t mind seeing him DH full-time myself, but counting on him to be the full-time right fielder is folly, with his knees.
Even post-surgery?
I’m actually asking; I have no idea what real effect the surgery’s supposed to have.
Light Up That Halo!
The surgery will make him feel great...
until he tears some more cartilage (which becomes increasingly likely after they take out the torn cartilage during the surgery).
Having endured three of these myself, I can attest to the fact that debridement starts a vicious cycle in the knees. If I could do it all over again, I’d never have had the surgeries. I’ve learned as I’ve aged that it’s better to have frayed and torn cartilage in your knees than decreasing amounts.
Yes, this is the result despite staying active, otherwise healthy, and having one of the best in the business perform the surgeries.
"…he has a 2 seam ‘heavy’ fastball that has sink but he does not throw a ‘sinker’." Angel Aviator on Jake Peavy.
by GarretSaysSuckIt on Jan 4, 2009 12:16 PM PST up reply actions
curious
i don’t want to get too personal into your medical decisions but why did you end up doing it 3 times?
Twice on one knee, once on the other.
The first one was when I was 21. I followed the advice of my well-repsected orthopedic surgeon (a former Angels’ team physician even). At the time, it was simply what the orthopedic surgeons were doing and nobody really questioned it.
A few years back I had both knees done at once (same surgeon), again at the urging of the doc, who assured me that it was best. It wasn’t. Now I’m facing the eventual prospect of double replacement (and won’t allow the recommended “clean-up” surgery in the meantime).
My advice to anyone facing “debridement” or “menisectomy,” or whatever else they’re calling it these days, is to work hard to keep swelling down (ice, ibuprof., etc.), spend time in a hot tub (after you’ve controlled swelling), and get on a bicycle as much as possible. Challenge your doctor on the issue of cartilage removal…don’t submit easily. You could very well regret it.
"…he has a 2 seam ‘heavy’ fastball that has sink but he does not throw a ‘sinker’." Angel Aviator on Jake Peavy.
by GarretSaysSuckIt on Jan 4, 2009 1:23 PM PST up reply actions
Adam Dunn would be a very good addition if he is available at 3 yrs/$36 million
His defense as a LF in 2008 (using Probabilistic Model of Range) illustrates that he was a middle-of-the-pack LF and would actually be a defensive upgrade over GA.
Vlad, Dunn and Rivera could rotate between LF, RF and DH. Dunn is the kind of power/patience left-handed bat this Angels lineup desperately needs.
"Playoffs?? Don’t talk about — playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs? I just hope we can win a game!"
by Fan Since 1981 on Jan 3, 2009 12:29 PM PST up reply actions
Other defensive metrics have him as pretty brutal
UZR & such. Not that I understand them well, but reading other people discussing what they say about Dunn, and most say that he’s awful in the field, and has been for some time. That said, I’d take him if he’s cheap, and nothing else of interest crops up.
UZR consistently ranks him as one of the worst LFs over the past 3 years
But given that the Angels offense (10th in runs scored in 2008) has gotten worse with the loss of one great bat (Tex) and two average ones (Kotch and GA), I’d be willing to put up with Dunn in the OF/1B for 90 games and another 50 games at DH.
"Playoffs?? Don’t talk about — playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs? I just hope we can win a game!"
by Fan Since 1981 on Jan 3, 2009 7:29 PM PST up reply actions
If Vlad's knee proves healthy
he could probably man RF for at least 120 games or so, enabling Dunn to DH at least 120 games, thus minimizing the effect of his bad defense. And even if Vlad can only do part time RF, that means Dunn can still be a part time DH and his defense would still be less of a factor than it was in Arizona/Cincinnati.
by Chzburger Jones on Jan 4, 2009 12:37 PM PST up reply actions
Griffey??
Just thought I would throw it out there, but is there any interest in Griffey coming in to back us up in OF/DH?? He is a FA looking for a job, and we know he can hit.
I was waiting for somebody to suggest Griffey.
No. He is old, injury prone, and is clearly declining. At this point he is just a more expensive GA.
by Chzburger Jones on Jan 4, 2009 10:09 AM PST up reply actions
And GA's now a better defender!
But with GA gone, Griffey could be on the roster (no, not that I want him). Those two are mutually exclusive, though; they actively dislike each other and have for years.
"…he has a 2 seam ‘heavy’ fastball that has sink but he does not throw a ‘sinker’." Angel Aviator on Jake Peavy.
by GarretSaysSuckIt on Jan 4, 2009 12:19 PM PST up reply actions
Truly?
I didn’t know that. What is interesting is that they resemble one another enough to look related.
What is the source of this animosity? GA seems so easy-going I couldn’t imagine him harboring a grudge.
by George Kaplan on Jan 4, 2009 12:25 PM PST up reply actions
They're both Jr.s, too, I believe.
I don’t remember the exact flash point of the animosity but do remember that it played at least some role in GA refusing to wear “42” in honor of Jackie Robinson. Essentially, with Griffey spearheading the “42” idea, Garret wanted no part of it; I think he even referred to it as “someone else’s idea.”
Maybe GA just never liked being referred to as a “poor man’s Ken Griffey.”
"…he has a 2 seam ‘heavy’ fastball that has sink but he does not throw a ‘sinker’." Angel Aviator on Jake Peavy.
by GarretSaysSuckIt on Jan 4, 2009 1:29 PM PST up reply actions
GA
also is a better hitter for average. Griffey has a little bit more pop and is more patient but overall Griffey has declined a lot more than GA has so they are about even now IMO.
by Chzburger Jones on Jan 4, 2009 1:11 PM PST up reply actions
We *don't* know he can hit
.249/.353/.424 last year in two hitters’ parks, and he’s not exactly at the age when you can expect improvement.
Amen.
Griffey would be toxic in the clubhouse and on the field.
"…he has a 2 seam ‘heavy’ fastball that has sink but he does not throw a ‘sinker’." Angel Aviator on Jake Peavy.
by GarretSaysSuckIt on Jan 4, 2009 12:20 PM PST up reply actions
Giambi
I think it would be nice if we signed a full-time DH. On days you want to rest Vlad, send Giambi to first and Kendry to RF (and DH Vlad). I think the market is down on Giambi, and we can get him at a relatively low price. He’s old, but he’s an rbi-machine.
A full-time DH is definitely something we’ve been missing, and an essential piece in the AL.
It would also be nice to address the logjam at 2nd/ss/3rd and settle on somebody. Maybe deal FIggy for a 5th starter? But this is a 2nd priority to getting a DH imo.
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