Does Hisanori Takahashi Make Any Angels Expendable?

by Rev Halofan on Dec 3, 2010 1:23 AM PST in Angels News

The Angels signing of lefty reliever Hisanori Takahashi brings pause when the team's subpar bullpen depth chart is analyzed. The bargain ~~of $5.5 million~~ $8 million (updated info) for two seasons of competent bridge-relief work ~~might be the best contract in the entire Angels pen~~ is okay by Justin Speier standards but not compared to the younger players, most of whom make the league minimum.

On the team's site the depth chart lists Fernando Rodney as the Closer (doom doom doom) followed by:

Jason Bulger (sore most of the time, mediocre the rest)
Kevin Jepsen (moments of brilliance in between bouts of base-on-ball-syndrome)
Rich Thompson (His just-debuted cutter could be the best newly-acquired pitch of any Angels major league arm)
Francisco Rodriguez (no great shakes)
Michael Kohn (I'd love to buy the hype, but I am not betting the bullpen on him being anything better than a Jepsen)
Jordan Walden (Gotta love the heat, gotta fear investing anything too deeply into his elbow)
Bobby Cassevah (Someone who helps Kohn and Thompson stand out)
Trevor Bell (long-term more likely to be a starter)
Matt Palmer (a long-man, AAA starter, spot call-up duty)

So, there you have it... two and a half medicore barbershop quartets. Does the addition of Takahasi move any of these pitchers into the trade bait category? It is inconceivable that there is much of a market for Fernando Rodney, due to his age, mediocrity and salary. So is anyone closer to being offered to other teams? Read On...

Bulger is perceived as too fragile and past his prime. Rodriguez, Cassevah and Palmer are so league average replaceable that they would not likely drop in any swap. Bell has league-average third starter written all over his ceiling and would be the 5th starter on 15 major league teams. Of the remaining four relievers (Jepsen, Kohn, Thompson and Walden), the chance that one of these would be more than just a shiny object in a trade for a big bat just got more plausible.

Jepsen will go to arbitration after this season. The other three have a ways to go. Takahashi's arrival could spell the trade route departure of Trevor Bell or Kevin Jepsen, especially if the Angels fail to land Carl Crawford or Adrian Beltre. If they do add Rafael Soriano this offseason, look for one or more of these bullpen prospects to be on the block.

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very interesting Rev...

I hadn’t really had a chance to think about it all yet, but honestly id be ready and willing to let any of these guys go, pending a nice return.

by C.A._Rep_Los_ANGELS on Dec 3, 2010 3:27 AM PST via mobile reply actions

also..

Seems like maybe we’ve learned our lesson about over paying for relievers. 2yrs @ 5.5mil was a great deal for Tak.

by C.A._Rep_Los_ANGELS on Dec 3, 2010 3:33 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

damn graveyard shifts are boring...

Anyway I was just thinking, with Varitek re-signed in Boston and Martin being non-tendered in L.A. that these occurrences might open up other trade opportunities.
In the event that we don’t get Crawford but do get Soriano maybe we could look into trading Napoli, Bell and maybe a minor leaguer for Matt Kemp. Seems like kind of a lot to give up but I know they are in need of a Catcher/ 1st baseman, starting pitching and relievers. So maybe the package I mentioned isn’t the best but I was just contemplating that..
Seems like it could be a win/win for both teams.
Last idea, I say go with Trumbo/Abreu in left for a year then after 2011 go after A. Gonz and move Morales to RF and Torii to LF. That’d be real nice too, but doubt it’d happen.

by C.A._Rep_Los_ANGELS on Dec 3, 2010 4:39 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

Dodgers making noises about Kemp having a huge year in 2011

Also, they’ve upgraded almost everywhere we have surplus. I think the window done snapped shut.

by mattwelch on Dec 3, 2010 8:16 AM PST up reply actions

Napoli, Kendrick, Kohn +1 for Hanley Ramirez

by Brody on Dec 3, 2010 5:25 AM PST via mobile reply actions

The Marlins front office laughs at your face

"Just another Halo victory" - Rory Markas

by Slyintine on Dec 3, 2010 9:06 AM PST up reply actions

did you forget something? ?

I mean dont forget the Marlins are the same team that traded Uggla for Mother Effing Infante lol..

by C.A._Rep_Los_ANGELS on Dec 3, 2010 10:50 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

Exactly.

Them dudes want younger, cheaper, and controllable ball players.

They want power. We want respect...

by SenorChuckles on Dec 3, 2010 10:59 AM PST up reply actions

Dan Uggla for Omar Infante =/= young and controllable.

Ramirez is well ahead of Uggla, but Omar Infante, really!?

NOT MY QUINNY!!!!

by halofan4life on Dec 3, 2010 2:03 PM PST up reply actions

That was Uggla, though.

I don’t know if he’s a lock to be a one-year rental for the Braves. Hanley wouldn’t be dealt for ML players. For What? So they can flip them, too?

They want power. We want respect...

by SenorChuckles on Dec 3, 2010 2:41 PM PST up reply actions

The Marlins will never deal Ramirez

Loria is on love with Hanley, Hanley runs that franchise.

by Gokyle45 on Dec 3, 2010 3:45 PM PST up reply actions

If nothing else,

Thank the Lord Takahashi is a lefty!

A wise man does not need advice and a fool won't take it.

by angelslogic on Dec 3, 2010 6:22 AM PST reply actions

And please "expend" Francisco Rodriguez.

A wise man does not need advice and a fool won't take it.

by angelslogic on Dec 3, 2010 7:46 AM PST up reply actions

Boston.com says Tagahashi's deal is worth

$8MM.

$3.8MM in 2011. $4.2MM in 2012.

by wumbug on Dec 3, 2010 9:57 AM PST reply actions

fail..

taKahashi

by C.A._Rep_Los_ANGELS on Dec 3, 2010 10:52 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

Ap is reporting the same
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101203/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bba_angels_takahashi_1

by ramo on Dec 3, 2010 12:54 PM PST up reply actions

I was under the impression Bobby Cassevah was taken off the 40 man and will be made available to the Rule 5 Draft

So I’m not sure he’s in this conversation. As for the rest:

Bulger – He’s at risk of being cut if he doesn’t have a good Spring and can’t stay healthy.
Jepsen – His value isn’t high right now, I don’t see us dealing him.
Thompson – I believe he’s out of options, so we have to keep him. Letting him go would be foolish.
Rdoriguez – Like you said , no great shakes. He has a decent fastball, but I see him in AAA then with another club.
Kohn – If the Angels sign another reliever (Soriano) then I think we’ll see Kohn and Walden back in AAA.
Bell – He maxes out as a 5th starter, and that’s only good because Kaz is so bad.
Palmer – When he has movement he good, when he doesn’t he’s bad.

No other teams would have interest in many of these guys, so I don’t see a trade coming. However, we have some arms on the farm (Geltz and Berg) that would interest other teams.

"You play for Cleveland? I didn't know they still had a team." - Claire Holloway
"Yup, we've got uniforms and everything, it's really great!" - Jake Taylor

by Halowood on Dec 3, 2010 10:11 AM PST reply actions

Cassevah is still on the 40 Man

You’re thinking of Bobby Moosebach

"Jeff Mathis is like Robb Quinlan without the sex appeal" - Sheisalovelyladyandmyapologiestoher

by ryanfea on Dec 3, 2010 11:11 AM PST up reply actions

Oh I stand corrected. Thank you.

"You play for Cleveland? I didn't know they still had a team." - Claire Holloway
"Yup, we've got uniforms and everything, it's really great!" - Jake Taylor

by Halowood on Dec 3, 2010 11:19 AM PST up reply actions

I made the same mistake

It’s hard to believe they’re two different people.

by dmhead on Dec 3, 2010 12:19 PM PST up reply actions

All I know, is if we start the season with Rodney as closer. . . .

. . . better buckle up.

P.S. Mathis sucks.

by Wally's World on Dec 3, 2010 12:45 PM PST reply actions 2 recs

Rec'd.

Warning: The message above may or may not contain sarcasm. Read and interpret at your own risk.

by snowhor on Dec 3, 2010 1:13 PM PST up reply actions

Who thinks an f-bomb exemption game or two is coming this season?

With Rodney as closer it might happen again.

by Angelsfan015 on Dec 3, 2010 2:11 PM PST up reply actions

Rodney is not guaranteed to be the closer this season

but the f-bomb relaxation may come in handy. If we don’t land a bat — CC or Werth pref or Beltre — then we are looking forward to a lot of f-bombs next year. And Takahashi better learn the F-word as quickly and as well as Ichiro …

Don't call me Pete.

by highlandhalo on Dec 3, 2010 3:09 PM PST up reply actions

Oh good, we'll still be blessed with Japanese fans.

They’re such scholars of the sport.

Trust the Deception

by Rally Manatee on Dec 3, 2010 3:10 PM PST reply actions

What do the Japanese know about baseball?

Oh … well the 3rd ranked team in the world in the international rankings. Champions of both World Baseball Classics in 2006 and 2009.

Some of their players haven’t sucked either: Most hits in a season by an MLB player Ichiro Suzuki 2004. Hideo Nomo will probably be the only pitcher ever to throw a no-no at Coors Field. And Hideki Matsui, despite his brief tenure as an Angel, is a true MLB standout.

I wish Matsuzaki the best of the sucesss …

But I lament the demise of 1866baseball.com

Don't call me Pete.

by highlandhalo on Dec 3, 2010 3:28 PM PST up reply actions

Don't forget how much fun it was gettin' Shiggy with it

by yeswecan on Dec 3, 2010 4:00 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Shiggy, got bless him wasn't half the pitcher Matsuzaka is

And I loved Shiggy.

Don't call me Pete.

by highlandhalo on Dec 3, 2010 4:21 PM PST up reply actions

I'm not talking about the players.

I’m talking about the groups that sit in front of you, wearing their brand new Angels gear, ignoring the game until the 1 guy they came to see is up to bat, letting out a gasp when the ball is popped up to shallow left-center as if it has a chance to go yard, then going back to ignoring the game until they hear their guy’s name announced again.

And just for the record, I’m not being racist, if anyone thinks that. I am equally irritated by so-called fans of all races who don’t really care about the game, whether their ulterior motive is national pride, picking up dudes or chicks, schmoozing a business client, whatever.

This actually got way serious, and I was just joking around. I do hope this pitcher is a help to the team. What I’m really upset about is the return of Jeff Mathis.

Trust the Deception

by Rally Manatee on Dec 3, 2010 4:03 PM PST up reply actions

I think it might be a lack of familiarity

During the Mariners’ final visit last season there was a group of Japanese exhange students and their advisors sitting by my dad and I. Their advisors figured it would be a good idea to bring them to a game that included both Ichiro and Matsui. They paid a fair amount of attention, but like you said, they were most enthusiastic when either of their countrymen were up, or when Ichiro ran out to his position because we were sitting on top the wall. I just don’t think they really knew who Howie Kendrick or Chone Figgins was for example.

I ended up having a brief conversation with a few of them through one of their advisors about baseball over there, Darvish and Shuichi Murata (which got me into their photo album for the game) and they were pretty excited to talk about that. Matsui and Ichiro both homered and there were fireworks after the game, so I imagine they were pretty pleased with their experience.

US baseball crowds are also very tame, which they may find odd. Unless its the playoffs or another big game, we don’t chant or make much noise. At the WBC Final I went to, the Japanese and Korean fans were nuts the entire game. Same thing if you see a broadcast of a regular season game over there. The few NPB games I’ve tried to stream I was mainly watching from the perspective of a curious newcomer since I didn’t really know many of the players or have a preference for a team. It might be kind of the same for them here.

Scioscialist Party of America - Redistributing your defense since 2000.

by Commander_Nate on Dec 3, 2010 4:59 PM PST up reply actions

When I was stationed in Japan I was able to attend a game in the Tokyo Dome and several minor league games....

The Tokyo Dome gets scary loud and their minor league games, definitely aren’t like ours. They really don’t have minors its kind of more of a practice team or an “under” league from what I understand, but for basic terminology, yeah they are minor leagues. Anyway, their minor league games aren’t like ours. The players have very personal relationships with the fans and there is constant chanting.

"You play for Cleveland? I didn't know they still had a team." - Claire Holloway
"Yup, we've got uniforms and everything, it's really great!" - Jake Taylor

by Halowood on Dec 3, 2010 9:33 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah but

how hard do they try to BECOME familiar. As Angelsfan015 says below, a lot of them don’t bother to get to know any of the other players besides the Asian ones. They’re not really BASEBALL fans, just fans of one famous Asian dude.

Compared to myself, every year there are at least 1 or 2 new faces on the team, and I do my best to get to know those guys. Some I end up liking more than others, but I still root for them all because they are Angels. Then there’re the minor league players. We who are truly fanatical even get to know the kids who aren’t even in the MLB yet.

If a player was from my home town, I might cheer extra for him, but I’m not going to ignore every other player who isn’t from my town.

Trust the Deception

by Rally Manatee on Dec 7, 2010 2:46 PM PST up reply actions

On a very selfish Angel-centric note ...

If he helps us land the signature of one Yu Darvish someday, all the better!

Don't call me Pete.

by highlandhalo on Dec 3, 2010 6:26 PM PST up reply actions

Meh

Everyone’s money spends the same. I don’t care why anyone is there, as long as they paid to walk through those gates. Would you rather go back to the 80’s and 90’s when only the 8,000 or so hard-cores would show up for the games?

by dmhead on Dec 4, 2010 11:45 AM PST up reply actions

Had this happen to last season.

Sitting behind me and my sister were 15 (I’m assuming) Japanese people that showed up and watched Matsui’s 1st at bat… And then promptly left their seats. Only to come back in time for his 2nd at bat with cameras and video recorders at the ready. Following nothing happening of substance, the LEFT AGAIN. The next time #55 was up to bat, they were back (naturally) and after his final at bat, they left for good. So, these people spent at least $15/ticket each and sat in their seats not a total of 15 minutes.

Well, at least the team earned money from the tickets, food and merchandise they bought? Right?

by Angelsfan015 on Dec 5, 2010 11:50 AM PST up reply actions

I don't think you're being racist Manatee

But there is no reason for you to resent the Asian fans for cheering for Matsui before he pops-up anymore than there is a reason for a resident of southern Florida to cheer before Jeff Mathis pops up.

Baseball players come from very many nations nowadays (perhaps one of Selig’s positive legacies) and the Japanese really don’t have much to prove on their side. All-time MLB base-hits season hitter? No-hitter in Coors Field? They can play ball.

Thanks to Tony Reagins for signing Takahashi not only because he is Japanese but because he is a damn good pitcher.

Who wouldn’t have Ichirio on the Angels in 2011?

Don't call me Pete.

by highlandhalo on Dec 3, 2010 4:28 PM PST reply actions

I'd give up an awful lot to have Ichiro hitting 2nd in our lineup. Pretty much anything short of Trout, just cuz Ichiro will be a FA soon.

But if he’d be willing to resign and play for another 5 years, yeah sure I’d send them Mike Trout.

"You play for Cleveland? I didn't know they still had a team." - Claire Holloway
"Yup, we've got uniforms and everything, it's really great!" - Jake Taylor

by Halowood on Dec 3, 2010 9:36 PM PST up reply actions

Wonder
how long Ichiro’s gonna play in the MLB. He’s like Abreu age, but he fields like 3x better.

by phoenix15 on Dec 3, 2010 11:10 PM PST up reply actions

Just curious

Please don’t take this as picking a fight, but why would you have Ichiro batting second, when he’s led off literally his whole life, but want Crawford batting first, even though he hates doing it? They have essentially the exact same skill set and nearly the same approach.

by dmhead on Dec 4, 2010 11:48 AM PST up reply actions

Ichiro

I would give up a hell of a lot, maybe even Trout to get Ichiro. He looks like he’s gonna play another 4-5 years in his condition, which is superb. @dmhead, Ichiro gets on base, and Crawford is becoming more of an RBI guy. … Which reminds me of one of my favorite Ichiro quotes about how he could hit for more power “Sometimes I just like to hit one out just to make the girls happy.” Surefire HOF-er.

Don't call me Pete.

by highlandhalo on Dec 4, 2010 12:34 PM PST up reply actions

Um, yeah

So why don’t you re-read what I wrote?

by dmhead on Dec 4, 2010 12:54 PM PST up reply actions

probably cause
Ichiro doesn’t walk as much and take many pitches. If it was Abreu vs. Ichiro for our leadoff spot, unless Ichiro starts hitting like .100, I’ll bat him second.

by phoenix15 on Dec 4, 2010 3:09 PM PST up reply actions

Wasn't trying to piss you off dmhead

Glad we agree. But Ichiro joining the Angels is a fantasy.

Don't call me Pete.

by highlandhalo on Dec 5, 2010 11:44 AM PST up reply actions

As I said in response to Com Nate

I might cheer extra if a player was from my home town, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to ignore all the other players and all the action in the game. I just wish they were fans of the SPORT, and of the ANGELS as a team, and not just an individual.

Trust the Deception

by Rally Manatee on Dec 7, 2010 2:51 PM PST up reply actions