Are The Angels The "Mystery Team"?

by WiHaloFan on Mar 19, 2009 7:30 AM PDT

With the announcement from Houston's Aaron Boone that he's going to require open-heart surgery, within this article the Astros claim they were contacted by a "mystery team" about a possible trade for a third baseman. Are the Angels that "mystery team"? Is Chone Figgins the third baseman being offered?

So far this spring, Brandon Wood has been tearing up the Cactus league. Wood has done everything expected of him; 1) Cutting down on his strike outs. Through 18 games, Wood has struck out just 3 times (compared to 22 in 55 at-bats last spring), and 2) Hit for power (Wood leads the club with 8 extra-base hits). This is causing a conundrum for the Halo's front office...what do they do with Brandon Wood? Trading Chone Figgins would open up third base for Wood, but it would also open a hole at the top of the Angels' batting order. If Figgins is dealt, the Halo's will need to find another player to lead-off and there doesn't appear to be any standout players to assume that role within the organization. Bobby Abreu has the OBP and speed you'd look for, but he's much better suited to hit third. Erick Aybar doesn't get on base well enough to be considered lead-off material. Howie Kendrick? Not a bad choice. Although I think he's much better suited to bat second, putting him at the top of the order wouldn't be the worst option. Besides, the lead-off hitter is only guaranteed to bat first once a game, does it really matter if he's not the "typical" lead-off type hitter?

Another option to consider, at least if you're the Astros, is Miguel Tejada's recent comment, "If they want me to move to third, I'll do it." The above referenced article doesn't say anything about dealing for a shortstop. In fact it specifically states a third baseman, but how about a deal for one of the Angels' shortstops instead of Figgins? Dealing Erick Aybar would have the same effect as dealing Figgins as far as Brandon Wood is concerned. It'd open up the shortstop position for Wood allowing the Halo's to keep Figgins at third and at the top of the batting order. If Wood falters during the regular season, Maicer Izturis is still around to provide the required depth. Besides, Brandon Wood is much more valuable to the Angels as a shortstop, providing power from a non-traditional slugging position.

So, to answer the original question; Are the Angels the "mystery team"? I doubt it.

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

Tweet Comment 53 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

well

i wouldnt be surprised if its tony, but i think it would be regarding Matt Brown, and not chone figgins or wood. isnt brown out of options or something or am i mistaken?

by ihearhowie2.0 on Mar 19, 2009 7:45 AM PDT reply actions

God i hope so

because we have a major league ready talent that is going to rot in the minors because we have guys who can hit singles. I just hope they come to their senses and give wood a starting spot. if not they are making a mistake.

Give the young guns a chance...if they suck wellll...

by angelskid2210 on Mar 19, 2009 8:21 AM PDT reply actions

i don't think it would be figgy...

houston is cheap and they won’t take on his salary. if we are the mystery team it’s either brown, izzy or quinlan. i’d love it to be quinlan because that would mean brown could slide into quinlan’s role.

by thejd on Mar 19, 2009 8:40 AM PDT reply actions

But what would Quinlan's Goofy Swing do then?

Angels fan since '67

by red floyd on Mar 19, 2009 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions

quinlan?

uh, you cant trade the best player in the world

by ihearhowie2.0 on Mar 19, 2009 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

you never trade

the Q-Stick

Kotch would've had that.

by howiestheman on Mar 19, 2009 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions

Especially because we'd lose his hottie wife!

Angels fan since '67

by red floyd on Mar 19, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions

We'd

Only be trading the player. It would not be a package deal.

by eyespy on Mar 19, 2009 7:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Evidence?

photos?

Watching the Halos from Princeton University. The random Halo fan in a sea of Bosux and Skankee fans.

by princeton11loveshalos on Mar 20, 2009 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Last season

She was in the booth with Phys and Hud when they were pushing the charity auction baskets.

Angels fan since '67

by red floyd on Mar 20, 2009 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Aybar

I’m completely fine if we move Aybar and slide Wood to short. Let’s just actually GET something back.

by Sethy on Mar 19, 2009 9:05 AM PDT reply actions

Houston ..... Give us the Wandy!

by PieceOfAase on Mar 19, 2009 10:16 AM PDT reply actions

Helloooo?

NYY.
A-Rod out 8 – 9 weeks with the hip labrum repair

by SocalAngelFaninOC on Mar 19, 2009 12:01 PM PDT reply actions

No, no

The mystery team is OFFERING a 3B, not asking to receive one. ;-D

Light Up That Halo!

by Clutch on Mar 19, 2009 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Bobby Crosby?

I am sure Beane would be happy to move Crosby (and his contract) for three magic beans. That assumes Tejada slides over to 3B, and would have the unusual distinction of displaying Tejada and his replacement in Oakland on the same infield.

If 3B, perhaps the Rockies would be investigating what they could get for Garrett Atkins, with Ian Stewart inheiriting the role in Denver.

by George Kaplan on Mar 19, 2009 2:32 PM PDT reply actions

I'd love to see Figgy stay,

and Wood at SS… I’m all in for an Aybar trade.

Show 'em your a panther... Show 'em what you can do....

by stuck in Romania on Mar 19, 2009 3:16 PM PDT reply actions

agreed.

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Mar 19, 2009 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Dude! Break up your post. Too much text!

And no, its not Figgy.

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Mar 19, 2009 5:20 PM PDT reply actions

Are

I was uncool before uncool was cool.

by WiHaloFan on Mar 19, 2009 6:25 PM PDT up reply actions

L

by HALO_86 on Mar 19, 2009 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions

serious

yes… im am totally 1)serious about breaking up post because 2) other wise it turns out like A)big mess B) makes me look like im schizophrenic and C)a big rants than one cares about while i continue to write and write and write like I didnt make it past the fifth grade or at least the part in school that dealt with basic writing skills. Hey I am all for 1) misspelling but no one wants to read a large chunk of text that rambles on about a1)nothing b1)repeats itself over and over c1)looks like a cat crawled across your keyboard.

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Mar 20, 2009 12:51 AM PDT up reply actions

your criticism

might be warranted if you were paying a fee to read this blog.

by Rev Halofan on Mar 20, 2009 1:02 AM PDT up reply actions

I somewhat disagree

We are under a certain obligation to provide readable content if we put ourselves in that position by posting, rather it be free or paid for. Although I think ’Stache’s criticism is kind of harsh (no, a cat didn’t walk across my keyboard during my "rant"), I appreciate his comment in the manner it was given.

By the way, I re-read the post, and the large chunks of text are called ‘Paragraphs". I don’t know where any other breaks would have been inserted.

And I’m new at this, cut me some slack.

I was uncool before uncool was cool.

by WiHaloFan on Mar 20, 2009 6:41 AM PDT up reply actions

You're fine.

You are the victim of a culture of instant gratification, of people who haven’t read a book that was published before 1980 (if any books at all) and who demand that information be provided in short, overly easy-to-read bursts like the ticker on ESPN because there’s nothing worse than having to read deeply and thoughtfully.

by Higz on Mar 20, 2009 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions

ding ding ding

We have a winner. The post was clearly readable to me.

by thetooth on Mar 20, 2009 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Nice generalization

My complaint is more in reference to a standard that has been established on most professional blogs and high-traffic sites since the emergence of the internet as a major form of communication. It has nothing to do with me being apart of this supposed “culture of instant gratification.”

I simply found the post to be messy and repetitive. Do you really think that the below sentences are grammatically correct and an easy read?

"1) Cutting down on his strike outs. Through 18 games, Wood has struck out just 3 times (compared to 22 in 55 at-bats last spring), and 2) Hit for power (Wood leads the club with 8 extra-base hits). "

If so, then I’m fine not being apart whatever “culture” you are from. Oh and anytime you want my reading list for the past year just ask, Higz. I warn you though, it might conflict with your broad and negatively inaccurate generalizations about younger generations. I wouldn’t want to upset that which helps assure you are just so much better than those dumb kids who don’t read.

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Mar 20, 2009 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions

this has nothing to do with

instant gratification

seems like you just wanted to use that phrase.

it’s a format thing

by TheAngelsAngels on Mar 20, 2009 7:01 PM PDT up reply actions

plus

that’s exactly the way it is in a newspaper (which I work for). Maybe if you picked up one of those and read like in your “good old days” then we wouldn’t be going out of business…

by TheAngelsAngels on Mar 20, 2009 7:04 PM PDT up reply actions

+ 1

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Mar 21, 2009 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions

zzzzz....

Thanks hall monitor.

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Mar 20, 2009 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Really?

no one wants to read a large chunk of text that rambles on about a1)nothing

Was that necessary? And what am I missing? I’ve seen a whole hell of a lot worse on these pages. Was it edited before I read it? Because it looks nothing like the sarcastic rant you posted. As I appreciate being told when I act like a prick: take a sedative.

Apologies in advance.

by Red114 on Mar 20, 2009 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions

No, it hasn't been edited.

That is the original post.

I was uncool before uncool was cool.

by WiHaloFan on Mar 20, 2009 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions

you

I was uncool before uncool was cool.

by WiHaloFan on Mar 19, 2009 6:25 PM PDT up reply actions

O

by HALO_86 on Mar 19, 2009 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions

serious

I was uncool before uncool was cool.

by WiHaloFan on Mar 19, 2009 6:25 PM PDT up reply actions

L

by HALO_86 on Mar 19, 2009 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions

agree

i intern as a sports writer. you must break up the text. its for the readers benefit which i suppose is the point of the article. good job on the speculation tho! im just trying to offer constructive criticism. take or leave it. youre call.

by TheAngelsAngels on Mar 20, 2009 12:58 AM PDT up reply actions

I'll take it.

Thanks for the tip.

I was uncool before uncool was cool.

by WiHaloFan on Mar 20, 2009 6:41 AM PDT up reply actions

Nothing but love dude!

I made my comment, you made yours, I responded in the same sarcastic tone. Just trying to make HH better. Sorry if I was rude and not constructive in my response.

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Mar 20, 2009 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions

We're cool.

I appreciate any help I can get.

I was uncool before uncool was cool.

by WiHaloFan on Mar 21, 2009 6:26 AM PDT up reply actions

Here Here

Format

by remmie143 on Mar 20, 2009 1:54 AM PDT up reply actions

Hey, the White Sox are looking for a CF who can bat leadoff!

Work with me here, Reagins! I want my Wood/Aybar/Kendrick/Morales infield for the next half-decade….

by mattwelch on Mar 19, 2009 6:40 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs

That would be nice

by eyespy on Mar 19, 2009 7:43 PM PDT up reply actions

that would be very very nice

A person who performs good Karma (deeds) is always held in high esteem
12/19/08 - Thank you KLJ for coming into my life.

by norcaliangelsfan on Mar 19, 2009 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh, my goodness

You want them for the next decade, and they still haven’t t proven themselves. Nice.

Angel Pitching, Angel Defense - get past that.

by vladtheimpaler on Mar 21, 2009 2:13 AM PDT up reply actions

half

Angel Pitching, Angel Defense - get past that.

by vladtheimpaler on Mar 21, 2009 2:15 AM PDT up reply actions

The history of baseball is made by people who let promising 24-year-olds play

Also, Kendrick is a .300 hitting 2Bman after 1000 ML plate appearances, so yeah, I’m sold. And Aybar is already one of the “proven” top defensive shortstops in the game.

Players who are young have a chance to get better, sometimes a lot better, while playing better defense than almost every player who is old. They’re also butt-cheap. I will more than happily take a Napoli/Wood/Aybar/Kendrick/Morales infield for the next five years, and I’m guessing 90% of GMs would, too.

by mattwelch on Mar 21, 2009 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Butt Cheap?

I will take Jennifer Lopez for forty bucks!

by Rev Halofan on Mar 21, 2009 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Trade Brown, Aybar or Izturis

Keep Figgins at lead off, play Wood at short.

Something to keep in mind, though, is that the Astros have ZERO to trade in return. Their farm system is a wasteland and they somehow fancy themselves as having a shot to contend, so they’re not going to want to trade major league talent.

I wouldn’t mind getting something in return for one of our left-side infielders (Brown, Aybar, Izturis), but if we trade with Houston, it’s not going to be much.

I feel the need, the need...for speed!

by Gorbachav5 on Mar 20, 2009 12:12 PM PDT reply actions

I started to write the same thing.

The only way I trade with Houston is if its for major league talent. And even then, I really would only want Oswalt. Berkman’s great but we’ve got 1st and RF covered.

Reagins should conference call the White Sox and the Astros and see what kind of deal we can get by trading Figgins and Matthews. Maybe a three way trade could help all three teams.

I make money on Survey Savvy

by Jay Cal on Mar 20, 2009 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions