A-Rod last resort?

by ihearhowie2.0 on Nov 11, 2007 11:12 AM PST Comment 50 comments

This was posted on SI.com via the OC Register. Rumors are rumors, but its worth noting i suppose:

"Angels make A-Rod last resort

Posted: Sunday November 11, 2007 08:28AM ET
It appears that Alex Rodriguez will be the Angels' last resort for upgrading the offense -- not the first priority. The Angels would rather spend the money it would take to land A-Rod, who reportedly is seeking $30 million-$35 million a year, for two or three other players, including a power-hitting third baseman. Thus, the Angels will examine options such as Florida's Miguel Cabrera, Baltimore's Miguel Tejada and St. Louis' Scott Rolen before seriously considering A-Rod."

My take: the organization has targeted other players besides arod and MC that we're not hearing about. I dont like the scott rolen idea and tejada would have to come on the cheap, but i wouldnt be surprised if we're looking pretty seriously at guys outside of 3rd base. Who, i dont know.

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My take

They are in a PR blitz to keep Boras guessing about how to play his hand with them at the poker game...

by Rev Halofan on Nov 11, 2007 11:00 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

That, and he might just mean it

A-Rod's self-absorbed, myopic, "I'm available now, catch me if you can" BS during the last game of the World Series. His wife's "f*ck you" t-shirt in the New York stands. His liabilities are larger than people think, and Arte's very conscious of that.

Hoping Ervin Santana turns it around in Salt Lake. Go, Ervin!

by scareduck on Nov 11, 2007 11:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh Retarded Ones

it was fcuk top

french connection uk shirt

not a f-you shirt

people are stupid

by Pwn on Nov 11, 2007 1:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Panther

Though to be fair to scareduck it's more what people think it says that's important...

Light Up That Halo!

by Clutch on Nov 11, 2007 2:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ahem.

FCUK trades exactly on the fact that it appears to be a typo for a naughty word. All I ever read was the original Post story, which made no mention of the brand, but even if it was, it represented a remarkable display of bad taste. As one of the commenters at Was Watching put it,

You sit behind that, with your 7-year old kid, and then have to deal with explaining to them why the lady in front of them is wearing that on their shirt. You don't expect to have to add that to your "to do" list when you're going to a baseball game - where you've paid $100 a seat to be in nice view of the field.

Hoping Ervin Santana turns it around in Salt Lake. Go, Ervin!

by scareduck on Nov 11, 2007 8:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh for pete's sake...

No, it's a clothing line. End of story.

http://www.fcuk.com/

by shiftyeyedgoat on Nov 11, 2007 11:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No.

The shirt said "FCUK YOU". Tell me how that's supposed to be interpreted.

Hoping Ervin Santana turns it around in Salt Lake. Go, Ervin!

by scareduck on Nov 12, 2007 8:22 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Just like the REST of their clothing line

Racy, at worst. If you try to get offended by everything, you will be. Take your PC policing elsewhere.

http://soling.syr.edu/Sol300SecM004Fall05/StuWebs/JessicaSite/FCUK/FCUK-Lockers.jpg

Also, by this definition you've been violating the hell out of the "Say F**k once/month at maximum" rule.

by shiftyeyedgoat on Nov 12, 2007 1:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Rob is getting inconsistent

A Libertarian AND a prude? Unique combo.

The NY media had a field day with this and it is just the typical big apple bullshit that A-Rod had to put up with that will make him affordable and welcomed in the OC.

by Rev Halofan on Nov 11, 2007 11:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

To be clear

I would never wear any of their clothing, and in principle, I have no problem with Mrs. A-Rod wearing said clothing provided she recognizes that there are appropriate times and places for such wear. But since she is the wife of the most highly paid player in the game, the adage about Caesar's wife being beyond reproach applies, and she should know that. Were she, say, Scott Proctor's wife, there might have been some clucking, but it doesn't reach to this level. But her surname is now Rodriguez, and with that she has to take the good with the bad. That includes being a public figure to some extent, and the requirements of showing up to the games in articles of clothing that are less than provocative.

Hoping Ervin Santana turns it around in Salt Lake. Go, Ervin!

by scareduck on Nov 12, 2007 8:27 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

so the policy you advocate is:

JUST SAY NO

(to fashion).

Nancy Reagan would be proud.

It is bullshit "rules" like this that made A-Rod loathe New York. Should she have been mandated to pass out bibles and preach against premarital sex at the games as well? Where do the rules stop and start - or does the line get moved at random to remind A-Rod just who is in charge?????

by Rev Halofan on Nov 13, 2007 12:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Gosh, I hope so.

Unfortunately, I not sure we'll be able to tell until he signs with somebody. Every word out of the front office is going to essentially be "We don't want him" because 1)they're trying to lower the price or b)it's actually true. Difficult to differentiate.

Captain, there are doubt's...

by Match Day 5 on Nov 11, 2007 6:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly, more posturing

Scott Rolen, err Troy Glaus? Give me a break.

by Ajax on Nov 11, 2007 7:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If we get Scott Rolen

I'm quitting baseball watching.

http://kotchatthebat.livejournal.com/

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Nov 11, 2007 11:03 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely agree.

by bc56274 on Nov 11, 2007 2:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll become a Dodger or A's fan if that happens

Get rid of Quinlan

by edhoo on Nov 11, 2007 6:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That nugget . . .

was written by the Register's Randy Youngman, who's not a beat writer and has NEVER, to my knowledge, broken a single story about the Angels. In fact, I doubt he has even one high-level source in the organization. He's merely speculating based on what he's read in the media, sort of like the rest of us.

by G Abbes on Nov 11, 2007 11:10 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I was

about to say the same thing.

by jerryhattrick on Nov 11, 2007 1:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

In Randy Youngman's defense,

I would like to insert that it was from one of his columns four years ago that I first got an inkling that Bartolo Colon was a target of the Angels' brass as a free agent signing.

If I recall correctly, the article mentioned something about a rumor of Colon's being helicoptered into the Big A for a presentation the previous evening. That was news.

by wumbug on Nov 11, 2007 5:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Miggy

Get Tejada. This guy will explode in a winning environment.

by Chris Knapps Sac on Nov 11, 2007 1:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

wouldn't that be bad for us?

once he explodes, who's gonna take over third?

why is tejada still an option? he's declining, pretty quickly too and baltimore still ask for santana or something back.

might as well give d-mac another shot then trade for tejada, in my opinion.

"it's mind-bottling."

by retrohalo on Nov 11, 2007 2:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nice .. who'll be this year's Shea Hillenbrand!

Anything less than A-Rod or, to a lesser degree, M-Cab, would be a friggin' failure of an offseason.

Reagins, the money clip is off the dead presidents ..... PULL THE TRIGGER!

by PieceOfAase on Nov 11, 2007 2:19 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Please, god no!

Anything but Migbrera or Tada...

I'd rather stand pat than go after those two losers.

If the Angels are doing anything but positioning for A-Rod, I swear...

I messed with Texas!

by Los Angeles de Anaheim on Nov 11, 2007 3:31 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

How the hell

is Miguel Cabrera a loser? He has a WS ring and has been an all-star 4 times before the average player gets called up for his first cup of coffee.

I am sick of seeing people trash him. He could be the best bang-for-your-buck player in baseball. Moreover, his weight is not even close to as big of an issue as people are trying to make it. That should really be a non-factor in any discussion about a 24 year old phenom. I think he has plenty of time to get in better shape.

Wherever Red Sox Nation is, I just wish Bush would invade it.

by agermer on Nov 11, 2007 8:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not when

Your "buck" is worth $800,000,000. Figuratively speaking.

Light Up That Halo!

by Clutch on Nov 11, 2007 11:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

if Miggy C is such a loser, why is his old manager Girardi allegedly wanting him in pinstripes?

by rbrianc on Nov 12, 2007 12:27 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Optomism

The Angels are the only team I can remember that beat Boras at his negotiating game. They made an offer for WTY, and that was that. He eventually signed.

I am hopeful the same thing happens here. The Angels offer the most they can reasonably afford, for a reasonable deal length (7 or 8 years) and Me-Rod either takes it or has to go to SF and endure 10 years of losing in the minor leagues.

by elricsi on Nov 11, 2007 4:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

yeah

I had thought that too. that we should just set an offer and say if you want to be an angel, this is what we're willing to pay and then if he signs, we save plenty of money and we're still a division winning team.

BUT i could probably see myself being angry if he went somewhere for barely more.

by ihearhowie2.0 on Nov 11, 2007 4:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

This is how I see it coming down. The Angels will offer, Boras will counter and then Reagins/Moreno will give one more amount as a "take it or leave it" offer.

It would upset me as well to know we may have been outbid by X number of dollars, but that's exactly how Boras manipulates the market. He knows what the bids are, yet the teams do not know what the competition is bidding...unless Reagins comes right out in the press and says, "we bid X dollars on ARod and we'll stick to that." Could be a way to stop Boras from getting clubs to bid against themselves if everyone just used the media like this.

by halomatt on Nov 11, 2007 7:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

two $15 million players

that's what i've been saying and wanting.

whine about what a downgrade either of the Miggy's are, but let's see if we get front line starter for $15 million too.

that kind of tandem is far superior to A-Rod.

(and just remember how far our 'Big 3' SPs took us against Boston.)

by rbrianc on Nov 12, 2007 12:18 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I don't want J.D. Drew and Jason Schmidt

by mattwelch on Nov 12, 2007 9:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

where are you going to get that?

"it's mind-bottling."

by retrohalo on Nov 12, 2007 10:22 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

People who keep posting that thought of two highly productive $15 mill players must have a bag of magic beans or something.

Loss, Loss, Loss, Win, Win, Loss, Loss, Loss, Loss

by Stirrups on Nov 12, 2007 10:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

well

who do you think impacts this team that much for $15 mil? theres certainly no starting pitchers like that this year, so im assuming youre reffering to future years.

as for offense, $15M doesnt get you a whole lot these days unless you feel like getting someone like andruw jones who doesnt fit into our team at all.

what 2 players are you referring to

by ihearhowie2.0 on Nov 12, 2007 10:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

2 $15 Players?

Kinda the same logic when the Angels refused to re-sign Nolan Ryan when Buzzie was at the helm. When Bavasi let Ryan leave after a 16-14 record in the 1979 season rather than agree to Ryan's demand to become the first player to be paid $1 million per year, Bavasi remarked he only needed to replace Ryan with two 8-7 pitchers, adding, "I think my plumber could do that."

It is way overdue Arte. #5 needs to be retired by the Angels.

by BrianDowningFan on Nov 12, 2007 9:13 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, make that two $15M

players

It is way overdue Arte. #5 needs to be retired by the Angels.

by BrianDowningFan on Nov 12, 2007 9:14 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Fifteen Million

in Five years this will be the average free agent's salary - which is why A-Rod is a good deal - you adjust the money for inflation and VOILA you have a bargain!

by Rev Halofan on Nov 12, 2007 12:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget the new revenue streams

MLB.com was worth $30 mill per team alone, and in its first year on its own. People thinking of gate receipts, TV/radio revenue, and concession prices as the means to afford players will be living in an out-moded world. Or Kansas.

Loss, Loss, Loss, Win, Win, Loss, Loss, Loss, Loss

by Stirrups on Nov 12, 2007 12:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

My thoughts on A-rod

Since the closing of the season, I have thought long and hard about signing A-rod. I have taken both sides of the argument when discussing it with other Halo fans, baseball fans and people in general. The reason I would defend both sides is because I was truly torn whether or not risking over 30% of our payroll on one player would be worth the sacrifice (Moooo Vaughn).

Well I have now concluded that signing A-rod is the best move for the Angels, and now is the time for Arte to open up the wallet and go get him. Again this is based on the assumption that we get him for an average of $28-$30 mill per year at 7-9 years. Here are my reason why we should go out and sign A-rod.

We have known for years that our farm system and prospects are very good. When I look at those prospects that are coming into their own as MAjor leaguers we have some very good ball players under club control for very cheap (league minimum). We have a very cheap above average and only getting better infield made up of home grown talent Kootch(1b), HK (2b) Mathis/Naps C..Then throw in more cheap, but good talent Rivera, Izzy, Willits, Santana and Saunders. So what do we do with all of this cheap talent? do we package them up for a trade? Or do we use them as a building block to afford a supestar like A-rod. My thinking is we take advantage of these young affordable average-above average (potential all stars) players and we put a bona fide superstar by the name of A-rod around them. These young players give us the flexibility to afford A-rod.
A-rod only cost Arte Money and not players...Assume we go after M Cabrera he is going to cost us HK, Wood, Adenhart and maybe one of these four Mathis, Napoli, Santana or Saunders. the marlins will probably throw in someone else. By doing this we are creating holes for now and in the future. Cabrera is a great player to have, but after giving up all of these players and cash we are only going to have him for 2 years....I would assume he is going to want a taste of free agency.
The nice warm climate is on our side knowing that we are signing an A-rod for 7-9 years. No cold, no heat...just perfect for him to mash year in and year out...
Not having to sign the two $15 mill per year players. We have seen this every year not work out well for the Angels. Since we have the following players coming off our books this year Colon, Carrasco, Yan and Hillenpoop that frees up about $23 + million from last years pay roll. So you can add another 7 mill and pick up two players or add the $7 mill to pick up A-rod. My gut is A-rod will out perform the other two combined....Other recent free agent sigining havent gone very well for us WTE, Hillencrap, Finley...why take the risk in sigining two when we could sign one and probably get the same production.
If we sign A-rod, we can go after some trades with some of extra parts to fill some holes. Lets see Aybar, Wood, Willits, Figgy, Mathis or Naps, Saunders or Santanta. That will land us some help where we need it.

my .02c

three and out....Can we look for that big bat now?

by P237 on Nov 12, 2007 2:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

An important point

Trading for Cabrera creates present holes, signing A-Rod creates excess, which can be traded to fill future holes.

Assuming we sign A-Rod, what are the holes on the big club? There aren't any, at least until two starters get hurt.

There is, however, current excess, in the persons of Chone Figgins, either Aybar or Izturis, one or two among Rivera/Willits/Morales. (Disclosure: I thought there was plenty of excess last year, but injuries wiped almost all of them out.)

What are the future holes?

Power in either LF or RF after 2008 (depending on which position Morales can't be taught to play).
Depth at SP, especially beginning in 2009.
Potentially depth at SS, if Izturis is traded, Wood can't play SS, and Aybar can't hit.

Sign A-Rod and you can trade current excess for future holes. Trade for Cabrera -- particularly with some kind of Wood/Adenhart/Kendrick package -- and you create a current hole at 2B, and future holes at SS & SP.

by mattwelch on Nov 12, 2007 2:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

i agree with those points. we get cabrera, we'll be signing not only him to an extension, but relying heavily on free agency or banking on great prospects to just appear in our system out of thin air. that doesnt sound like long term success.

i really do think this a-rod situation will be a revealing situation on whether or not Arte wants to win or if he wants to make money. If a-rod is too pricey for him, then we can win the division a few more times while vlad is strong and then start over again a few years down the line all while he continues to turn a profit.

a-rod solidifies this roster for years even after vlad is gone. standing pat and just doing our thing will give us some pretty solid years with our young core, but really....nothing outstanding besides wood and adenhart is coming down the pipeline so theres definitely going to be a point at which we're not going to be winning the West anymore.

a-rod = commitment to competing. this attracts free agents, keeps the attendance and revenues up and makes us a staple AL power.

by ihearhowie2.0 on Nov 12, 2007 9:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Future Holes

Yes our OF is the future hole...GA most likely will be done after next year, Vlad we need to get an extension out on...GMJ is the only constant (which still is a hole)

As for what is coming through the system. We have Kendry, Rivera (need to make a decision if we are keeping him)and Willits. Down on the farm the only Of prospect with a chance and some value is Evans.

suring up the OF after next year is a must

three and out....Can we look for that big bat now?

by P237 on Nov 12, 2007 2:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

willits is still fairly young

he can play left once ga's contract is up. if we can get kowbell to play right, that'll be his spot once vladdy becomes a full-time dh.

gmjr isn't a hole, dude. he may have mental relapses and miss a fly ball every once in a while but he still makes the catches that count, namely the balls that go ever the wall. as for his bat, he was moved around a bit this year, i'm pretty sure that affects the production since the mindset of a batter changes depending on the spot.

and there are free agents available after this season, the only problem there will be money but that depends on whether we get a-rod or not.

"it's mind-bottling."

by retrohalo on Nov 12, 2007 3:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not too appealing

if I had a choice...my chosen outfield would not consist of:

Willits
GMJ
Morales

three and out....Can we look for that big bat now?

by P237 on Nov 12, 2007 3:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

well, i say that

outfield's balanced out by this infield:
1b- kotch
2b- hk
3b- a-rod
ss- wood
c- nap/mathis

then with willits leading off or batting ninth and gmjr somewhere in seventh or either, it doesn't look so bad.

when willits subbed in for ga in left, he wasn't so bad. gmjr, i'm sure he can still keep it up for, at least, another two years. i'm not sure what morales can do since he runs like a donkey with a broken leg but with vladdy having to take over dh soon, there'll be no space for him unless he can play right.

i'm sure sometime between now and later, things will happen, trades will occur, and free agents will be signed, but for now, the future of this team doesn't seem so threatened. unless you're talking about pitching.

"it's mind-bottling."

by retrohalo on Nov 12, 2007 3:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Outfield balanced by infield = Texas

It's a dangerous mindset. You need power from power positions, not banjo hitters. Texas has spent a decade wasting historically powerful infields on stiffs like Ruben Rivera, Ricky Ledee, Ryan Christensen, Shane Spencer, Laynce Nix, Nelson Cruz, and the ghosts of Richard Hidalgo, Juan Gonzales and Sammy Sosa.

Despite having A-Rod, Teixeira, Blalock, Michael Young, Soriano, I-Rod and Rod Barajas in their primes, in a hitter's park, with some juicy seasons from the likes of Raffy Palmeiro, the team has never finished higher than 3rd in runs scored this decade.

Willits is either a 4th outfielder or a starting CF; not a credible #1 option for your starting left fielder.

by mattwelch on Nov 12, 2007 4:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

way to shoot down my suggestion.

ouch.

i'm not saying it has to be that, i'm just saying all hope is not lost in the of. willits had a near .400 obp, you can't exactly can't exactly call that a waste.

i guess the op's right, tho. there are some holes in the outfield, i just don't see any options of them being filled. maybe a trade for crawford or something, i don't know.

"it's mind-bottling."

by retrohalo on Nov 12, 2007 5:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Corner Pop

There is no way you can go into a season thinking Willits is an everyday corner outfield guy. He is what he is a nice 4th OF.
He can be that pinch runner late in games, and defensive replacement late. Starting here and there to spell those big bats in the dog days of summer. Now if you wanted to play him day in and day out in CF he is a guy that would be playing everyday on a lower division team, or a team that had power in LF and RF. Willits had 430 AB's no HR's. That's not a corner OF guy.
Don't get me wrong I like him and he is a good fit for what the Angels have. We just have too many of them right now and should use one of them in a deal to acquire some sort of prospect for the holes we will have in the near future.

by Angel Aviator on Nov 12, 2007 4:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'm against it completely but...

If the Angels make a deal for Miguel Cabrera, I'd be happy/sad. Glad we got a nice bat, but can't we hard charge A-Rod for JUST money. Cabrera will cost us three players and money. Not A-Rod money, but still money. Anyways, in the event that Howie Kendrick is traded, I say sign Eckstein to play 2nd base. Trade Izturiz or Aybar along with a few others for more pitching.

And at worst... if we're sitting there and don't get any of the guys we want... he's out there... just waiting... Barry Bonds. I know, not the 2002 Barry Bonds, but still a 25 to 35 homer threat being a DH. Not a bad for Option X.

by matt92130 on Nov 13, 2007 8:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Additional Costs

Plus -- how much money would it cost to replace or fill in the holes left by trading away Howie, Kotch and a SP. The minor league well is becoming a little dry.

by AngelsFanInMinnesota on Nov 13, 2007 8:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs