Some news items from the western side of the American League…
- Michael Young has said he's open to being a primary DH in the wake of the Rangers' acquisition of Adrian Beltre, but ESPNDallas.com's Jeff Caplan wonders if the career infielder will get "bored" from not playing in the field. Caplan talks to Lance Berkman, who signed with St. Louis in part because he disliked being a designated hitter, about the transition away from fielding.
- As part of an MLB.com mailbag, Greg Johns reports the Mariners ended up receiving cash from the Phillies in the Mike Sweeney trade last August, rather than a player to be named later. From the same piece, Johns also shoots down the idea of Seattle trading Felix Hernandez or signing Jermaine Dye.
- In regards to the Angels' lack of major free agent signings, manager Mike Scioscia said "These contracts just ran away from what our team can do," during an interview on 710 ESPN Radio's Mason & Ireland Show (as reported by ESPNLosAngeles.com's Mark Saxon). Scioscia noted the club might have "some other minor things" in the works.
- Eric Denton of LAAngelsInsider.com wonders if the Angels would be better served by rebuilding and putting "some long term pieces in place for the Mike Trout era."
With the Angels missing out on Beltre to a division rival and Oakland and Seattle both looking much better next season, the argument could be made that the Halos should approach the remainder of this offseason like the Tigers did last offseason, trade some quality players, get some quality pieces for the future, and remain competitive but not extremely high hopes. I think Joel Pineiro’s value could be extremely high right now with teams desperate for pitching and they should sell high on Torii Hunter and throw in some cash since they have money to spend, in order to acquire some top-notch, mlb-ready prospects in both trades. They could get some quality pieces for these players, still be competitive in 2011 with Napoli switching to full-time DH, move Abreu to Right, Trout in LF, and Bourjos in CF, Hank Conger and Jeff Mathis behind the plate, Kendry Morales coming back healthy, an excellent 1-2-3 punch of Weaver, Haren, and Santana, and a rebound year from Kendrick and Kazmir. I am not, by any means, a biased Angels fan, but assuming the Angels get a good return on both trades, this might be the best way to keep them competitive for the future.
The Mike Trout era? Yikes.
I’d love to be paid $16M to be bored.
You already give us your boring posts for free!
I think if the Angels have to rebuild they can do that but also win games. I’ve heard some rumors that the reason the Angels didn’t get anyone major this off season is because they will spend next season. A player I would like them to target will be SS Jose Reyes. The Angels second best prospect, behind Mike Trout, is a 2B so the Angels can move Kendrick to 3B or they can target Prince Fielder to play 1B and move Morales to 3B and trade Kendrick. I think the Angels will keep Mike Napoli and try to trade Mathis. If the Angels can, they should trade Juan Rivera and not sign Bobby Abreu to a new contract because Mike Trumbo is the Angels future DH hitter. Anything is possible but the first thing the Angels need to do is sign Jered Weaver and Kendry Morales to extensions because they are there future. The bad thing about Weaver and Morales is that their agent is the Angels favorite Scott Boras. My future lineup for the Angels and dream team would be:
1. Jose Reyes SS
2. Mike Trout LF
3. Torii Hunter RF
4. Prince Fielder 1B
5. Kendry Morales 3B
6. Mike Napoli C
7. Howie Kendrick 3B
8. Mike Trumbo DH
9. Peter Bourjos CF
First, you can’t have two people playing 3rd
Second, Morales is a better first baseman than Fielder, Fielder is Boras Client, and Morales cannot play third.
Third, just giving up on Trumbo in the field and making him is a waste IMO. Corner outfield spot would be ideal.
In general, the angels will not just give up on the season and trade pieces away. if they are out of it by the deadline, they will probably look to unload Rivera, Abreu, Kazmir, and maybe Piniero (Hunter is a possibility but i dont see it happening). I might not even want to risk not getting Reyes during FA, if the price is right just give up Aybar + to get him now and sign extension. Overall, if the angels are not competitive at the deadline, look for some moves. But i fully expect them to be at least in contention
Sigh…nothing against you, the Halos, or especially Mike Scioscia (my favorite manager in the bigs!) but as a Mets fan I would really…really…REALLY HATE THAT! I’m a huge José-José-José fan!!
That said, I can totally see why you feel that way because Reyes would definitely replace the kind of baserunning ‘mojo’ you lost when Chone Figgins left. I just hope you can find some other way to replace him! 🙂
I really hope we don’t continue hearing ridiculous trade rumors for Felix Hernandez over the next few years… He’s signed for four years at a good price for someone that is that young, talented, and (already) veteran. The earliest I would think about trading him is deadline 2013 or offseason for 2014, when he’ll be looking at signing the largest contract for a pitcher ever.
I really hope that we can continue to watch his career unfold the way it’s started
Anyone else find it fishy the Angels have gone from a “Tim Salmon era” to a “Mike Trout Era”? Man I’m clever!
Looks like they’ve traveled upriver in the Onchorynchus genus.
The Angels should not be a team who “rebuilds”
Angels people don’t believe in rebuilding; we don’t rebuild. We go for it every year while getting better in the farm and developing young talent. that is what is needed to be a successful organization. i’ve been saying the Angels should trade for Jose reyes since the 10′ playoffs, and now im saying we should trade for carlos beltran too. Mike Napoli could get beltran and mets should pay half his last yr. salary.
am i the only one who prefers Michael Young over Adrian Beltre?
Why?
Beltre is one of the best fielding third basemen in the league, Young is one of the worst. Their career OPS+ numbers are almost identical despite Beltre having the reputation as a contract year hitter. Add to that Beltre has spent a good chunk of his career in pitcher friendly Safeco whereas Young has spent his career in one of the most friendly ballparks for hitters. Young’s career home/road splits show a pretty significant difference.
idk maybe its just that when I think of the Rangers I think of Michael Young maybe I just prefer Young over Beltre in a Rangers sense
Ah, you were making a different point entirely. I get what you mean.
did i misread the stats that showed that Beltre only finished slightly ahead of Young? and that there were at least 6 or 7 AL 3rd Basemen ahead of him?