Gene Autry Should Be In The Hall of Fame: Wednesday Halolinks

Baseball Hall of Fame - 2010 Veterans Committee Announcement
Gene Autry owned the Angels from their birth in 1961 until his death in 1998. Autry, a television and movie star known for his rendition of Christmas classic "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," led his teams to American League West titles in 1979, 1982 and 1986.

Gene Autry is on the list of possible Hall of Fame inductees. Here's hoping the veteran's committee sees fit to honor the Angels' late owner.

Sources: Angels still in hunt to re-sign Lackey - Fox Sports
Lackey, the top starter on the free-agent market, is expected to seek a deal in excess of the five-year, $82.5 million free-agent contract the Yankees awarded right-hander A.J. Burnett last winter.

and then there's this...

New York Yankees looking at John Lackey - SI.com
The world champion Yankees have top free-agent pitcher John Lackey on their free-agent shopping list, sources said. The Yankees aren't expected to be as aggressive this winter on the free market as last offseason and they haven't firmed up all their plans as yet, but one league source said of Lackey, "He's definitely on their radar.''

Hot Stove Preview - Rangers chase Angels in AL West - Cliff Corcoran - SI.com
Breaking down each team in the AL West heading into the offseason. Teams are listed in order of 2009 finish.

Elias rankings of the more than 150 potential free agents - USATODAY.com
The 2008-09 player rankings, compiled by the Elias Sports Bureau, are used to compare players and to determine compensation for free agent signings. ELIAS RANKINGS: Potential free agents (pdf file)

Sources: Tigers open to trading All-Star Jackson - FOX Sports on MSN
The Tigers have made Jackson available on the trade market as part of an effort to alleviate their payroll crunch, multiple major league sources told FOXSports.com.

I wonder what the Tigers are looking for? Should the Angels be interested?

Blyleven: Pitching to be had beyond Halladay - nbcsports.msnbc.com
JOEL PINIERO (31) 15-12, 3.49 ERA in 2009 with the Cardinals And if you’re worried that he simply found magic under the guiding hand of Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan, remember that Piniero also had success in Seattle, going 14-7 with a 3.24 ERA in 2002, and 16-11 with a 3.78 ERA in 2003.

Good vs. Evil: Should Guerrero Go? - Monkey With A Halo
MonkeyWithAHalo.com is here to help figure this mess out with a little help from our old friends Good and Evil.

An interesting look at re-signing Vlad from another Angels blog. And speaking of interesting looks, here's another Angels blog weighing in on possible free agents...

Go Halos " Free Agents The Angels Should NOT Sign
1. Matt Holliday - Sure he was great in Colorado and St. Louis, but there is just too much down side for the price he will be asking. The Cardinals should have beat the Dodgers, and he is a big reason why they didn’t. The last thing we need is a playoff mental case.

I don't agree with this opinion, not that I think the Angels should sign Holliday, but not for the reason above. The Cardinals didn't lose to the Dodgers because of Holliday. Sure, he made a very costly error against the Dodgers in the NLDS, but I don't think Holliday's "a playoff mental case". What's not to like about a player with a career OPS of .933 at the right price?

Just Call Him Chone Phiggins - NBC Sports
Philadelphia may end up as the Angels' primary competition to keep the 2009 AL walks leader. Figgins is likely to seek a four-year deal worth somewhere around $12 million-$13 million per year.

I guess I was wrong when I predicted Figgins would sign for $11M/year.

Ervin Santana’s Value - FanGraphs Fantasy Baseball
Just when it looked as though Santana would settle in as one of the better arms in the A.L., injuries took their toll. Ervin had a sprained ulnar collateral ligament. The sprain was not considered severe enough for Tommy John surgery to be the best course of action, so Santana took the rest and rehabilitation route.

November 11 - BR Bullpen
Events, births and deaths that occurred on November 11.
1995 - Marty Cordova of the Minnesota Twins is named American League Rookie of the Year, winning by six points over Garret Anderson of the California Angels, who outhit him by 44 points (.321-to-.277).
Born on this day in 1969 - Damion Easley, infielder; All-Star. Easley turns 40 today, his shins are celebrating their 74th birthday.