8:21am: The Angels have inquired on A's closer Andrew Bailey, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. He clarifies that the interest was early and has not intensified.
7:41am: The Angels are "definitely" in the market for a closer, tweets SI.com's Jon Heyman. Los Angeles would apparently like a veteran presence to help Jordan Walden along. Heyman feels that Ryan Madson makes the most sense for Los Angeles to pursue.
Walden, 23, doesn't seem to need too much help. The flamethrowing rookie posted a 2.98 ERA in 60 1/3 innings this season while striking out 10.0 per nine innings and recording 32 saves for the second place Halos. His fastball averaged 97.5mph, while strong FIP (2.79) and SIERA (3.01) marks back up his success.
The Angels are also in on Aramis Ramirez and have an offer out to C.J. Wilson. Late last night, we heard GM Jerry Dipoto has budget limitations that will limit his spending to $15-$20MM, barring any moves to free up some more payroll.
johnw
You don’t sign a player to a 4 year contract to “help another player along”, especially one that doesn’t have any more experience.
Melvin McMurf
the angels are in on everyone, but sign no one
hardcoreforhardcore
It’s the same story every year.
Ta-Kuan Fuan
Says the media? Last year was the only real year that the Angels targeted quite a few players and struck out, but that GM is gone.
n0s
Throwing a ton of money at a closer makes no sense 99% of the time. It would be even worse to throw a ton of money at a closer when you already have a damn good one who is only 24 and is making pennies compared to whoever you’re going to bring in.
And Steve Adams, Walden is 24, not 23. He turned 24 in November.
Eddie Millhauser
Exactly, he has only been a reliever for two years as well. He needs to work on control and his defense. If he can do that he can be mighty successful. He did give up 10 blown saves but not too many pitchers can get 32 saves for you.
Lefty
The Angels have inquired on A’s closer Andrew Bailey.
Beane would never trade Bailey to someone within the Division.
Also, the Angels compounded their catching situation by trading Tyler Chatwood.
I don’t think Dipoto is going to be a good GM, I am happy the O’s didn’t get him.
I might be the only O’s fan to feel that way, but I am nonetheless happy!
Sammy L.
He just started, and took over for Reagins/Scioscia, he’s not gunna make all his decisions in a month or two, he needs to recreate the mess that reagins made
Butch Crassidy 2
Carlos Marmol, perhaps?
Charlie
Chris Perez could be had from the Indians for a mid-level prospect
Deekay
any chance the Angels might be interested in trading for Rafael Soriano?
Since_77
You stole my thunder, but what would they want in return?
Deekay
maybe Soriano + Nunez + lesser prospect for Ervin Santana (if he’s available)?
Eddie Millhauser
why would you do that? That makes no sense, it gives us Weaver, Haren, Williams, and two empty spots in the rotation.
cookmeister
No need for Nunez, and Santana has way more value
grownice
This makes no sense, they only have 15-20 mm to spend and they are going to waste it on an overpaid closer? When they already have a cheap good one?…
NathanielS
Hey it’s the guy that recopied my post in the Bruce Chen article word-for-word and pasted it above mine to troll for likes! I call you Original Thought Guy.
Commander_Nate
No idea what you’re talking about, but HH Nate’s gotta stick together. Rec…er…liked.
ryanfea
I’m not a Nate but I will join this clique
Commander_Nate
I thought you were banned? That’s okay, though. Our clique is like the Island of Misfit Toys.
grownice
I thought that was funny as hell! You win some and you lose some i guess.
Roy Munson
How about Rafael Soriano and Cash for Wells….
Deekay
don’t know if the Angels have enough cash to do that 😀
cookmeister
Angels would do it, Yanks wouldnt
Commander_Nate
I like Ryan Madson, but I’d also like to spend what it would take to sign him on someone that will participate in more than one inning for more than half of the season’s games.
Christopher Rydo
If the Angels wanted someone to “help out” Jordan Walden, they should have gone after Joe Nathan… but now that he’s off the market, they should go after a cheaper option like Capps or Rauch…someone who could close if Walden struggles, but otherwise would be a solid 7th or 8th inning option to add depth to the ‘pen…
Jameson VanDyke
I’m really not sure what Dipoto is trying to accomplish with this team anymore. He talked about preserving the young talent and the big 3 but now I hear Santana and PBJ can both be trade bait. He also talked about rebuilding a depleted farm system but trade rumors have him going after older free agents and giving away prospects? I know these are just rumors but where is this outside the box, super 4 team trade skills that the Angels hired him for? I bet you Big Mike is ready to kill someone. But one thing is for sure, Dipoto is definitely in charge of the Angels.
*Please do not trade PBJ, Santana or Conger and please do not sign A-Ram!
Adam Golden
Why in the world would we waste money for a position that is already filled? Lame! Downs is more than servivable as a set-up man, and Walden throws gas and will just improve as a pitcher via experience. Lets get Morales healthy to DH, Trumbo stay at 1st….focus on 3rd base (Aramis)! Ianetta will help at C (maybe I am a little biased since I also went to school at UNR). Wasting $100 million on CJ Wilson is questionable to me since that $$ could be spent elsewhere in areas where we are weak, not already strong.
Jameson VanDyke
I agree with everything except A-Ram. What about brining Joe Saunders back? Looks like Arizona is going to Non-Tender him and he did well in Anaheim and now has an even better outfield to track down those fly balls. The guy had another 3.6ish ERA season and will be an solid 4th starter.
Jay Mollindo
I would rather take Kuroda instead of bringing Saund-o back. And must agree on passing on A-Ram.
Sammy L.
Madson is perfect to help out, but thats the key, help out, if they sign him he will be the set-up man as he was for Lidge, and help waldo, like i said i think madson is perfect but costs way to much to have as a Set-Up man
Diablo 2
I said sign Bell for 9M but no he is now with the Marlins =/..Rather trade for a closer then have Madson..But what can they give for Bailey?
cookmeister
I don’t think they should use significant $ on a closer. Just get a solid reliever or 2 with back end of the bullpen type experience. Something along the lines of maybe a Saito or maybe make a trade for Juan Carlos Oviedo.
PushDown
Pass on Madson.
He is an above average player that is asking for a ton of money only because of the market. The Angels need more depth in their bullpen, as in signing a couple of relievers like Luis Ayala, K-Rod, Francisco. Just to hold down the 7th, maybe 6th, and fill-in for Walden whenever he hits those learning curves. Waldo has one of the best fastballs and showed last year he can be dominating at times, with a little experience and mentoring,he could be one of the top closers. So giving more prospects, especially when the ANgels have JUST began reloading their farms, for a closer for the future, would be wasteful when they already have one.