LA Times Trade Rumors

by funtrain9 @ Halos Heaven on Dec 9, 2025 8:08 AM PST

here is what they are reporting today

Stoneman Works on His Additions
Angels may be trying to get Orioles' Javy Lopez as a DH and left-handed reliever Romero from Twins.

By Mike DiGiovanna, Times Staff Writer

DALLAS -- The Angels left baseball's annual winter meetings Thursday with virtually the same roster they came with, failing to add a middle-of-the-order bat and reliever they believe will improve their team, but they're still in pursuit of both.

According to multiple sources, the Angels have discussed a deal with the Baltimore Orioles that would send first baseman Darin Erstad to Baltimore for catcher Javy Lopez, who would serve as the Angels' full-time designated hitter and emergency catcher.

The Angels, according to a source, also have had talks with Minnesota about left-hander J.C. Romero, who could be acquired for a prospect. The Angels have some interest in free agents Frank Thomas and Nomar Garciaparra as possible DH candidates and Ricardo Rincon as a left-handed relief specialist.

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here is the website. interesting article. good read.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/angels/la-sp-angels9dec09,1,296942.story?coll=la-headline s-sports-mlb-angels

by funtrain9 @ Halos Heaven on Dec 9, 2025 8:11 AM PST reply actions

Meh

Lopez has been a fine hitter in his career, but he's 35, i personally think his bat speed has slowed a tad (ergo, he wont put up 30+ hrs 100+ rbis), and is not the type of bat we need. We have guys in the minors who can produce close to what Lopez, or Sweeney, do now and we don't have to trade for them.

I'm honestly at a loss as to why Stoneman continues to aim for average/above-average bats in trades. The idea is to help get protection for Vlad, and Lopez, Sweeney, Huff, Piazza (please no!) what have you won't do that. Pitchers will still not pitch to him, and instead will pitch to a Lopez, or a Sweeney, etc. It just makes sense for them to do that.

Manny, however, provides protection. How many times are you going to have a shot to get a bat like that? He's not a "dime a dozen" hitter. He puts the fear of god in opposing pitchers (ergo, suitable to be an Angel, nyuk, nyuk...ok, that was bad).

In any event, whatevah.

by Angels101 on Dec 9, 2025 8:34 AM PST reply actions

Lopez=Dh and safety net

Why can't Lopez DH? I don't see the problem with letting Erstad go and filling first with Kotchman. Lopez would be a servicable hitter and help out as a veteran. His bat is a lot a better than the punter's.

since 1961

by Chompo on Dec 9, 2025 12:06 PM PST up reply actions

A catcher as well

so we would not have to carry josh paul, a third catcher and then we could compete that trade with him to tampa.

by funtrain9 @ Halos Heaven on Dec 9, 2025 12:10 PM PST up reply actions

I see what you're saying...

And I like the third catcher bit...but honestly, we would be getting a guy on the other side of thirty and on the downside of his career. He's serviceable, yes, but I don't think he adds the punch we've all -including Stoneman- been craving.

Let me put it this way. Stoneman wanted Konerko badly. Regardless of what our fears of Konerko may have been, Stoneman looked at Konerko as a 35-40 hr and 100+ rbi bat that would significantly bolster the lineup.

Now we're pursuing Lopez? That's a big dropoff from the stats and production Stoneman would project for Konerko...or Manny.

For me - and this is just me - it seems clear Stoneman wanted a difference maker, ergo his pursuit of Konerko. To settle for a guy like Lopez is...well..settling.

I say grab Manny and go for the win. ;)

by Angels101 on Dec 12, 2025 10:45 PM PST up reply actions

Addendum

re: Lopez. I know he's had some good years in the past (I believe he hit 40 hrs one year)...but that's in his younger days.

by Angels101 on Dec 9, 2025 8:36 AM PST reply actions

i agree that manny would be the best choice

how about this part of the article

The Angels and Red Sox made virtually no progress in trade talks regarding Ramirez here. According to a source, Boston first asked for a package headed by pitcher Ervin Santana and Kotchman, but the Red Sox were told Santana is not available.

The Red Sox countered with a request for one of two pitchers, Kelvim Escobar or Scot Shields, two of three prospects from a pool of shortstop Brandon Wood, second baseman Howie Kendrick and shortstop Erick Aybar, and one other minor leaguer. But the Angels turned that down as well.

i would do a deal that gives boston shields/aybar/ and hendrick for manny.

by funtrain9 @ Halos Heaven on Dec 9, 2025 10:00 AM PST reply actions

Agreed, but...

I'm actually a little hesitant to give up shields. When on, the man has really nasty stuff - it all moves. He can setup, middle relieve or, if needed, even close. He's extremely versatile.

Escobar is very solid. I will sound nuts but for whatever reason I'm more comfy dealing him and going with a starting rotation of Colon, Lackey, Santana, Carrasco, and another kid from the minors as our fifth and letting him develop, and relying on a strong bullpen again (now it would be romero, shields, rodriguez).

In any event, I would do that deal and I think Boston would take it. Shields would be a stud for any bullpen, just as Escobar would be for any rotation. The prospects give Boston more...btw, are the Red Sox just not interested in Izturis anymore? Last year they wanted Maicer badly...

by Angels101 on Dec 12, 2025 10:37 PM PST up reply actions

I hear...

Romero is a done deal! Solid move. I'm as big an Erstad fan as anyone, but if we can get a right handed slugger like Lopez to play DH for Erstad in his contract year, I'd think that is a pretty good idea.

by thewebb on Dec 9, 2025 11:14 AM PST reply actions