If we can't sign Lackey, than who?
by matt92130 on Sep 27, 2009 8:42 PM PDT
30 comments
I bring this up now because everywhere I read, John Lackey comes out as the clear cut #1 pitcher to be a free agent during the 2009-2010 free agency period. Not only is he the #1 pitching free agent, but teams are mentioned that may be vying for his services. Namely, the Angels, Braves, Cubs, Dodgers, Mariners, Mets, Orioles, Rangers, Red Sox, and the Yankees. Some of these teams have very deep pockets, and there are very few are type A (In other words, that talented) pitchers like Lackey.
I was also reading about Brandon Webb, and his option possibly not being picked up by the Diamondbacks this winter due to his injured shoulder.
http://www.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090922&content_id=7100104&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari
I understand wanting to know if a pitcher would be healthy prior to picking up a $8.5M option. But that still seems well below market value for a pitcher of his caliber. He has already had the surgery on August 3rd, and appears to be motivated to get healthy, stick to a training program, pitch at a high level again. Now, the Diamondbacks don't have the same money available that the Angels do, so my question to HH is, do you think Webb would be a solid plan B (If Brandon Webb's option is not picked up), if we cannot sign Lackey?
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Naw
Webb is good but the Angels really should focus on resigning Lackey. If we do resign Lackey then we’ll have arguably the best rotation going into next season.
If we can’t resign Lackey, then we should focus on trading for another pitcher, like Roy Halladay. I’m sure his price has gone down at least a little bit. We should make a trade that includes Aybar to make a spot for Wood at SS.
Either way, we don’t have too many SP ready to come up to the majors yet. We will need someone like Lackey next year. My gut tells me the Halos will focus on resigning Lackey and let Figgins go.
I think, its either Lackey or Figgins, not both. Brandon Wood makes this difficult, because there’s no way the Angels can play this whole Wood waiting game. He’s got to have a spot next year, either SS or 3B. Thus, its either sign Figgy and trade Aybar/ Wood for a SP or its resign Lackey and let Figgy go.
But going back to the original question, no I don’t think Webb would be a solid option.
by TheAntiSox on Sep 27, 2009 9:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Re-sign Lackey and let Figgy go makes more sense from the traditional Stoneman/Reagins perspective
Because it doesn’t mean giving up a bunch of players to acquire someone else.
The Scioscia/Reagins mentality, on the other hand, could be that Figgins is and always will be the best thing since sliced bread, and f—k Brandon Wood. So it could go either way.
RIP Nick Adenhart.
"When the Babe tries to call his shot, I hope Nick puts one in his ear."
--RallyMonkey5
by Clutch on Sep 27, 2009 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually I think
That the whole Stoneman perspective is to let both of them go.
If they let Figgy go, then they would go with the more expensive option in Lackey. I do agree with you though.
There is, of course, a possibility they wont sign either.
by TheAntiSox on Sep 28, 2009 7:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's what we do
- Dish out money for Lackey and Webb
- Stick Saundo and Santana in the Bullpen with Palmer, Jepsen, and Bulger
- Give up Reggie Willits, Brian Fuentes, and Jose Arredondo for Roy Halladay and a new set of legs for Guerrero
- Go back in time and sign 2002 Troy Percival for our new Closer position
- Lobby to Bud Selig to add a new infield position so we can start Figgy and Wood (we can call it the NS, Not-Quite Shortstop) in the same position.
World Series 2010, here we come.
The Big Red Machine V.2 is coming this Fall 2009. Go Halos!
by Slyintine on Sep 27, 2009 10:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Bud's response just came in
“I’m sorry to inform you that your rule change request for NS, has been rejected. Rule changes traditionally are not permitted, however if your team rhymes with Spankees or Red Fox then I’ll see what I can do. Best of luck in the playoffs, I only stacked half of the umpires against you this year to give you a fighting chance.”
by MH252525 on Sep 28, 2009 6:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nobody interested in Rich Harden?
Really? He seems like more upside and just as much risk as Webb.
And if we’re going to dip into the rehab pile, what about Ben Sheets? He’s going to be a year removed from his surgery. The Rangers were hopeful he’d be a factor in 2009, but their 2010 rotation looks like Millwood/Feldman/Hunter/Holland/Feliz. As fallbacks, the Rangers have both Harrison (who is shut down for the rest of the 2009 season) and McCarthy (who may live up to his hype one year). I don’t think Sheets can crack the Rangers’ plans.
I wonder if the Angels need to think in terms of a top-of-the-rotation ace, or if Jered Weaver is ready to step up. If so, then someone in the middle of the rotation (costing much less money) would be just as suitable to add to Weaver, Saunders, Santana and Kazmir.
"He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with''~Theo Epstein, talking about Papelbon
by George Kaplan on Sep 28, 2009 9:46 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Depends on the price
He is high risk high reward
Play Wood already. Willits sucks.
by hauldog on Sep 28, 2009 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sheets' stuff is filthy when he's on
But as folks are pointing out, it’s a high-risk/high-reward situation. Historically he hasn’t always stayed in the greatest shape, which makes me wonder how well he’s sticking with his rehab. If we’re interested in him, I’d expect it to be an incentive-laden deal, and nothing guaranteed longer than 2 years (Ideally I think 1 year + multiple option years, though I doubt if he’d take it). I think the risk is high enough that you have to be willing to let him go elsewhere for a bigger guaranteed offer and not get in any bidding war.
On the plus side, if the Halos sign him I could start wearing my lucky Ben Sheets #15 shirt again!
by Brew Angel on Sep 29, 2009 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sheets
Obviously, there are Dr records for team physicians to peruse, and Sheets would have to audition before scouts and GMs of teams to show he’s ready to pitch again, but I could see a healthy/recovering Sheets being an economical solution for the back end of the rotation. It would be a win/win, since it would give him the opportunity to show he still can pitch effectively, but without the pressure of being placed higher in the rotation.
More to the point, I could see a decent-sized one-year deal being put on the table, much as Jeff Weaver signed with the Mariners, so that Sheets could have his showcase. If he is lights-out, or even a tick above average, he would be able to write a fat multi-season payday with another team in 2011—and the Angels would be one year closer to a guy like Ortega, Reckling or Walden being ready to step up.
It is something which could make excellent sense for all parties.
"He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with''~Theo Epstein, talking about Papelbon
by George Kaplan on Sep 29, 2009 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
One year closer to hopefully...
Chapman. I’d like to sign the kid.
by matt92130 on Sep 29, 2009 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who is Chapman?
Play Wood already. Willits sucks.
by hauldog on Sep 29, 2009 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ardolis Chapman
Cuban defector. Living in Andorra. 100+ mph heat, according to scouts.
by Brew Angel on Sep 29, 2009 7:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh duh. Thanks.
Play Wood already. Willits sucks.
by hauldog on Sep 29, 2009 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lefty to boot
Play Wood already. Willits sucks.
by hauldog on Sep 29, 2009 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pass
This is going to be a bidding frenzy, when the truth is nobody knows how well he’ll adjust to the larger arena of MLB. His emotional maturity is in question, and once he signs a fat contract he can go prima donna immediately. While the high-90s-to-100 fastball is cool, there is concern that his secondary pitches are simply average—this means a year or more in the minors being instructed, not the sort of player who can step in and help immediately, even though he figures to be paid like Torii from Day 1.
Unless the guy impresses more than he has thus far, I’d much rather the Angels devote those financial resources to a player who can help in 2010, or to sign some players in the draft next Summer. Money is fungible, but not infinitely elastic.
"He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with''~Theo Epstein, talking about Papelbon
by George Kaplan on Sep 29, 2009 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Orima Donna Status?
That’s speculation and nothing more. One year in the minors for sure… we’re on the same page and it fits in with your projection of our other kids (Ortega, Reckling or Walden ), in 2011. I would love for us to help him refine his secondary pitches in the minors for a year. Lefty with that kind of heat doesn’t come around very often.
With the money we potentially could be saving with the major departures (Or paycuts) this off-season, we’ll EASILY be able to afford him.
by matt92130 on Sep 30, 2009 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Go to Andora
I hear they have the best pitchers per capita anywhere
Angel Pitching, Angel Defense - get past that.
by vladtheimpaler on Sep 28, 2009 2:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The mean mother-in-law on Bewitched?
Ew, Derwood
We are the Los Angeles Angels of the late 2000s
by Higz on Sep 28, 2009 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Andorra
Angel Pitching, Angel Defense - get past that.
by vladtheimpaler on Sep 28, 2009 2:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Resign lackey, let figgins go. give wood 3rd base. Wood is going to come into play next year, either via a big time trade or playing everyday.
In Kobe we trust!
by robi s on Sep 28, 2009 5:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
priority #1..
resign lackey!
our rotation with kazmir as a #2, weave #3, saunders #4 and santana #5 is definetly the deepest of all teams.
although i’d hate to see figgy go, i think aybar can have similar results as a leadoff guy with wood taking over at 3B.
i like abreu but hes gettin old and i wouldnt mind losing him.
vlad as a permanent DH is a good fit for at least 1 more year.
by Buselben on Sep 29, 2009 6:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He can leave
resign lackey!
The brutal truth of the last few seasons is that he hasn’t been the big-game pitcher that we have imagined him to be. He can dominate the Oakland As, but not so much the Red Sox.
If he wants to take a team-friendly contract, I’m all for it, but it is pointless to get into a bidding war for a guy who seems to have peaked and pay a premium for his downside years.
With Weaver, Kazmir, Saunders and Santana, all the team needs to add is a #3-level starter for a two year deal, let the kids marinate in the minors for a couple more seasons, and then open up a spot or two for them in 2012.
"He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with''~Theo Epstein, talking about Papelbon
by George Kaplan on Sep 29, 2009 7:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This post season will decide things.
If Lackey comes up huge, I think they’ll resign him. The hitting chemistry has never been better, so I say resign every big name on offense, and see what can be netted in trades when dangling Wood, Aybar, Izturis, and Kendrick. One or maybe two of those 4 is gone, without a doubt. Abreu has knocked my socks off. I want him to stay, and as much as sentimentality is important, it doesn’t win you championships. We’ll always remember the days when you had knees, Vladdy.
Angels fan and SoCal native stranded in Georgia...
In Remembrance of Nick Adenhart, Courtney Stewart, Henry Pearson. Heal soon Jon Wilhite.
I want Andrew Thomas Gallo to be a pinata, and the Angels supply the bats...
Oh, and W6G.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: 2009 AL West Champs. MORRRRRRRRR!
World's Longest Siggy Line, and it will continue to grow.
by Slasher52 on Sep 30, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lackey
If Lackey comes up huge, I think they’ll resign him.
If he comes up huge, it will be a nice change—he’s 0-3 in 4 post-season starts since 2005 with a WHIP around 1.5.
"He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with''~Theo Epstein, talking about Papelbon
by George Kaplan on Sep 30, 2009 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
Those stats aren’t so good. IF, and there is reason to hesitate, IF he come up huge, I say lay down some money for the big guy if he brings home another trophy.
Angels fan and SoCal native stranded in Georgia...
In Remembrance of Nick Adenhart, Courtney Stewart, Henry Pearson. Heal soon Jon Wilhite.
I want Andrew Thomas Gallo to be a pinata, and the Angels supply the bats...
Oh, and W6G.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: 2009 AL West Champs. MORRRRRRRRR!
World's Longest Siggy Line, and it will continue to grow.
by Slasher52 on Sep 30, 2009 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
2005 and 2008 he was very good
Play Wood already. Willits sucks.
by hauldog on Sep 30, 2009 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aroldis Chapman
This 21 year old lefty is now officially a free agent. A scout for the Angels said he wanted to see him face live batters before making him an offer. Remember this youngster has been clocked at an amaizing 103 mph. Dump Lackey Get Chapman.
by angelspopbottles on Oct 2, 2009 7:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I remember
…when Dice K was supposed to be the next unstoppable pitcher.
$100M allocated later, what do you think?
Resist buying into the hype.
"He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with''~Theo Epstein, talking about Papelbon
by George Kaplan on Oct 4, 2009 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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