The Best Choice for Relief Addition
by varrys on Jan 23, 2012 3:36 PM PST
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PrintThere's still talk about the Angels adding a reliever to back up Jordan Walden at closer. Ryan Madson was one name, but he signed elsewhere. Do you think they'll go for Francisco Cordero? Looking at MLBTR's Free Agent Tracker, there are others names I'd rather have.
To start with, Francisco Cordero worries the heck outta me as a closer going forward. His decline in K/9 was emphasized with a huge drop in 2012. True, he improved his BB/9 and suddenly turned in a great GB rate at 50%, but for a late-inning reliever, I prefer someone who can still get it done with the strikeout. He also benefited from a ridiculously low BABIP (.214) and a high strand rate (80%). He's a meltdown waiting to happen, and the only value he can provide to the endgame is talking to Walden about his experiences.
How about David Aardsma? Well, he's coming back from surgery, but he had some good skill sets before the injury. The problem is, he was lucky in 2009 and won't repeat that high K/9 (10.1). He might return to something near 2010's totals (3.44 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 8.9 K/9), but after TJ surgery he'll likely be rusty. If he's cheap, he could be a gamble at setup, but not as a backup closer.
I think there's something to be said for Mike Gonzalez. He stayed healthy mostly, and though his K/9 was down, he improved his BB/9 and upped his GB%. If he maintains those gains in BB/9 and GB%, he could be worth a gamble. He's a lefty to complement Walden, and he has closer experience.
My favorite option is Brad Lidge. Okay, he's not amazing anymore and he's aging and an injury risk, but if you're looking for someone to provide closer advice and experience, he's one of the best available. He will likely be looking for a short contract to show he's healthy and rebuild some value, so I could see him being willing to set up for Walden or share the closing duties. The big red flag is his BB/9, which is awful, but a lot of RP have bad walk rates, and despite a drop in velocity he maintained a strong K/9 (10.7). If he also maintains his GB gains (57%), he's worth the one-year gamble to mentor a young closer.
Anyone obvious that I missed? Should they sign an older veteran, or make a trade to fill the RP slot?
This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.
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As a fan of the Cubs, why the heck do you care whether the Angels sign another reliever or not?
"One time, when we got back to the locker room, all of our clothes were gone," Trout recalled. "They left me a Lady Gaga costume and I had to wear it."
People can't like more than one team?
The Angels are my AL team, along with Kansas City. I have more time to branch out from BCB and enjoy the other SBN blogs.
Forgive him.
He’s been a bit ornery ever since they took his napoli away.
What do you need a fancy suit for, Charlie, you ain't got no job to wear it to.
by clover_black on Jan 23, 2012 5:03 PM PST up reply actions
When you're a Cubs fan
You need to have someone else to root for
Well, come see a fat old man some time!
by Moondoggy on Jan 24, 2012 2:50 AM PST up reply actions 4 recs
Cordero looks like Rodney 2.0
The fact that JDP has the slightest bit of interest has me scratching my head.
If the price is right?
1/5 for some closer insurance ain’t bad.
by lightupthehalo29 on Jan 23, 2012 4:43 PM PST up reply actions
But if that insurance is a huge risk itself...
What’s the point?
Of course, MLBTR’s FA tracker for RP is awful. Originally I was going to comment on some youth RP options, but everyone’s OLD. Clay Hensley is 32, one of the younger guys worth a look, but he doesn’t have much closer experience anyway. If you want a mentor for Walden, you’ve gotta gamble on an old, injury-risk, implosion-risk RP.
Cordero would have earned that $5 million one time since 2007.
He had a decent year in 2009 earning about $6.3MM (Fangraphs). Last year he was juuuuuust a tick better than a replacement player. It would be money wasted if you ask me.
Would you have given Rodney 1/5 prior to last season? He was actually better in 2010 than Cordero was in 2011.
The only guy I like on that list is Aardsma if he takes a minor league deal
He won’t be ready on Opening Day, but should be fine by about the All-Star break. If he’s willing to take a deal with an option to walk in June, he could add depth for the stretch run.
Unrelated: Sam Miller
Just retweeted that Vernon wants to bat second this year!
"Every time I think I’m out, they pull me back in" -George Costanza
by Howie's Batting Title on Jan 23, 2012 5:16 PM PST via mobile reply actions
let's sign Vernon to a minor league contract and invite him to spring training
see if he can make the team and all
So do I
I guess we’ll just have to duke it out. Big Splash vs. Rally Manatee.
Where were you on December 8th, 2011 - Pujols Day?
by Rally Manatee on Jan 23, 2012 5:31 PM PST up reply actions
Don't know if you're kidding.......but
It’s absolutely the best way to maximize Wells’ numbers this year.
I’m just stating a truth.
Yep after a year at .209 or whatever it was he would see a lot of fastballs down the middle batting in front of pujols
I dont know how I feel about the move though, it would boost his numbers but would it boost his more than it would boost someone else’s? what would that season look like? 240/ 265 35 hrs?
by Balls and Strikes on Jan 23, 2012 6:46 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Obviously, the decision would have to be made whether it's best to "maximize" the potential of
Wells, Hunter, Kendrick, Aybar, Trout, Bourjos ………….?
I haven’t read this whole thread (yet), and don’t know if the comment about Wells is true. If it is, I have to give Wells credit for being aggressive on the subject. If Wells were still in Toronto, and if Toronto had just signed Pujols, that statement would not be funny or incredulous to anyone.
On Angel Talk, Terry said the same thing!
If the Halos don't care about the way they play, then why should I?
I think his 30 HR/100 RBI would fit better at 3.
Move that Pujols guy to 4 to make room for him.
by moralesforpresident on Jan 24, 2012 12:37 AM PST up reply actions
How about Granderson?
But seriously. I would be fine if the Angels stand pat now. If problems arise mid-season, make a deal then. I have faith that Walden will not be as shaky this season. He will be closing more 3 run games than 1 run games with the addition of Pujols (and hopefully a productive Morales). Hawkins fills the role of veteran support for Walden.
I get the feeling that some Angels fans are just hoping for another signing because they are caught up in the fervor of suddenly being a top-tier team (at least on paper). JeDi isn’t just going to sign more players because there are still more players to sign. Plus, didn’t he already say he is done spending?
Where were you on December 8th, 2011 - Pujols Day?
I'd like to see them stay put too
I wouldn’t mind some depth for the league minimum but someone like Cordero could end up becoming subtraction by addition.
Agreed
Plus, I like some internal competition for roster spots and playing time. I like it when guys are in Spring Training busting their asses and competing from day one and feel that attitude can be contagious. IMO, having an entire roster set is just asking for complacency to set in.
Yes...
And one thing we can do fairly well of late – is create lots of options for bullpen arms.
There is no need to drop real money on an extra arm that will throw 60 innings. It’s just silly.
How does this team win with this offense? Hey, anyone....DRAW A WALK!!!
Jim Scully
Jim Scully Home
I had a dream last night
in which the Angels signed Oswalt for $1.2 million for one year plus incentives, and an additional extension. Whereby they moved Bell/Williams etc to the bullpen.
I know, only in dreams, where Prince Fielder ends up in Washington, behind a crap and over-rated Bryce Harper.
Dreams. They have sustained us Halo faithful for long long …
Don't call me Bugs. Although Bugs Bunny could do it all on the baseball field.
Why stop there?
Angels sign Prince Fielder, Mark Trumbo turns out to be a natural at 3rd and wins the gold glove, VW gets traded to the Rangers for Napoli (Rangers gladly take the remainder of VW’s salary), and Morales is flipped for Verlander.
some people dream about being president or climbing Mt. Everest
people like us dream about baseball in january
"id take 5th Dimention Wormhole Rivera over Wells any day of the week"
-clover_black
by the king of CERA on Jan 23, 2012 8:15 PM PST up reply actions 5 recs
"people like us dream about baseball in january"
Dude I love that! Did you make that up? May I use that as my signature??
"Stay loyal to the Angels. As for me, I'm jumping on the Nationals bandwagon, later." -Daniel Sirca
by migfig on Jan 23, 2012 9:19 PM PST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
It's not his.
He got it from the movie Dreaming About Baseball in January.
Winning doesn't matter. -Lyle
I dreamt the other night that a Japanese high school baseball team had just run out of options at pitcher
so they asked me to pitch. When I finally assented despite never having thrown a pitch for real in my life, the mound I climbed up was a glass coffee table, the pitching rubber was a sock or a remote control, and the ball was a wadded up paper bag. Needless to say I got knocked around.
by Halowitz on Jan 23, 2012 9:31 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I had a dream where in the 2009 playoffs, MLB made the Yanks push the short porch back...
…so that fence was out further, where every else’s is and Abreu caught the A-Rod would be HR off Fuentes in Extra Innings and then we swept the Phillies in the World Series.
Talk about starting the morning off bad.
I had a dream once,
And in it, a hamburger took a bite outta me!
YOU DON'T KNOW THE POWER OF THE DARKSIDE...
In Soviet Russia
Professional ballplayer dreams he has boring job like yours!
by Halowitz on Jan 24, 2012 8:40 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Moneyball: Angels (PG-13)
The unconventional reliever who will be a force in the bullpen: Pat Neshek
The party hardy 18th outfielder OBP guy: Ryan Langerhans
The guy nobody wants because they don’t have the creativity to try him at another position: Rich Harden (in the bullpen)
by moralesforpresident on Jan 24, 2012 12:46 AM PST reply actions
In Houston
They think “Lidge” is Spanish for “blown save”. No thank you. I say we stand pat and go to war.
Well, come see a fat old man some time!
No way on Cordero
Varrys nailed it:
.214 BABIP (career .294)
5.43 K/9 (career 8.77)
Sure, he reinvented himself into a slider/changeup pitcher, but that BABIP indicates way too much luck.
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you." - Woody Hayes
That's weird
I see those letters, but when I read it out loud it makes the word “relief”
"I have something 95 percent of all those All-Stars only wish they had: a World Series ring. If I had to choose between that and being an All-Star, it would be no contest. I’d grab the gold ring and never look back." -Tim Salmon
"he's not amazing anymore and he's aging and an injury risk,"
Wow, that’s who you want? Sounds like crap to me.
He signed elsewhere now, but...
The point was he was an experienced closer. I think he’s got something left in the tank. But have you looked at the FA market for old and aging RP? They’re all aging and injury risks. I did like Mike Gonzalez more than Lidge, but I figured Lidge had more closer experience and alleged wisdom to give to Walden.
I bet Lidge will post some decent numbers in Washington, though he’ll still have an awful BB/9.
www.rotomanagers.com
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