Adrian Beltre is a great defender but mediocre offensive player at best. He had one monster roid year with the Dodgers and that’s it. And most importantly, he’s an OBP black hole. I think it would be a horrible idea to add a guy like that during a time when we are trying to become a more patient team and especially since we just re-signed Abreu to solidify that.

I’m okay with signing Beltre at 3rd. His range and arm far exceed Chone Figgins. He has a good deal of speed. Not like Figgins grant you, but he is quick and would not hurt us on the basepaths. Perhaps Abreu could work with him too on being more patient. He’s averaged 24HR’s, and 88 RBI’s a year. Forget the little guy Figgins. We got pushed around by the stronger Yankees this past post-season. Figgins has an embarrassing career .172 batting average in post-season over 35 games. Aybar can be our new lead-off guy.

The averages have been since he joined the Mariners.

Especially as insurance against Chavez flaming out in his final season in Oakland…which I think anyone expects to happen, based upon the last few years.

Except the agent in question is Scott Boras. I don’t think he’d entertain such an offer unless it was the only deal on the table.

But for the Angels—no thanks. If the team is loath to sign a long-term deal with a guy who’s expecting a raise from $4.75M, then what would it expect to pay a guy who made $12M last season?

With Beltre, 2004 was a season you just throw away when considering the type of player he is.

Beltre is a streaky player with a mediocre on-base percentage but who will generally hit 20-25 home runs by the end of the season.

He is also probably the best defensive third baseman in the Major Leagues, making all the plays – routine and otherwise.

On the other hand, he wasn’t at all healthy in 2009 and he has played nearly 11 years in the Major Leagues already, despite being only 31 heading into next season.

The Angels have Wood waiting in the wings and it seems like they’d rather go with someone who is unproven, yet has legitimate talent and home grown.

If Wood falters and/or doesn’t figure things out early, then Maicer can slide over and take over for a while.

MLBTR says he might be available, he’s signed for 3 more years at $25mil, he could replace Figgy at leadoff and play RF. Our OF gets younger and faster and better defensively.

Lets says figgins resigns or the optfor beltre.

Would angels be interested in trading Wood for Mike Wuertz (FA after 2011) or will the bullpen be good enough with jepsen, shields(if healthy), etc

If anyone remembers at the deadline there was discussion of Srod for Wuertz. Howdoes woods)out of options) affect his value?

that Wood should be the first choice at 3b in 2010, esp. if we add another bat (other than Abreu) to produce runs. I did like the idea of bringing Beltre aboard on a reasonable contract if we ended up trading Wood to get someone like Halladay, but George Kaplan reminds me that Beltre’s agent is Boras, so the chances of signing him to anything reasonable are slim, and there is no chance of signing him to a bargain contract. If anything, Boras will probably try to get him to sign a one or two year deal ala Andruw Jones with a team to rebuild his value. He might hit 25-30 hrs playing in a NL bandbox like Philly.

No upside whatsoever and we’d further block Wood’s progress.