The Angels are looking around for a left-handed reliever, tweets Danny Knobler of CBS Sports. Having committed $23MM to Scott Downs and Hisanori Takahashi during the 2010-11 offseason, left-handed relief is a surprising target.
During this offseason, the Angels signed righty relievers LaTroy Hawkins and Jason Isringhausen. If they focus on a southpaw, Mike Gonzalez and Arthur Rhodes are still on the free agent market. Matt Thornton, Will Ohman, and Sean Burnett are a few that might be available in trade, in my estimation.
Some people who talk with the Angels are convinced they'll trade designated hitter Bobby Abreu this spring, adds Knobler, and perhaps they can kill two birds with one stone. Abreu, 38 this month, hit .253/.353/.365 last year and is owed $9MM in 2012.
Anthony Smi.
Mike Gonzalez, if anyone.
James Coughlin
Bob Abreu and 30K for Matt Moore.
WiiCat
Since when was Tony Reagins the Rays GM?
thebigbangdito
seriously.. i player with little role on the angels (abreu).. for a pitcher with years of control with good upside… i’d take that deal in a heartbeat
stl_cards16
ummm you think? geesh
Bryan
Change that to 30M and they might wait 3 seconds before hanging up the phone
James Coughlin
So you say.
vtadave
Yes, we all saw that he said that. Thanks.
bigpat
That might work.
Lunchbox45
add longoria to even things up
RyÅn Krol
Matt Thornton or Mike Gonzalez would probably solidify their bullpen.
Walden CL
Thornton/Gonzalez SU
Hawkins RHP
Downs LHP
Isringhausen RHP
Takahashi LHP
All but the closer would be veterans, with all of the middle relievers from 2011 going back to AAA. The more I think about it, the less surprised I am because the Angels I believe gave up 3 pitchers in the Rule 5 Draft, and had a couple more leave via Minor League free agency, AND had a number of pitchers with horrible seasons at AAA. Therefore, having a solid veteran bullpen, while putting Bell, Jepsen, Thompson, Cassevah, Rodriguez, and Kohn back at AAA, could do 3 things: A) Bring back that dominant bullpen the Angels used to have, B) Give the younger pitchers more seasoning as the veterans hold the fort, C) Create enough depth to spell injuries or a struggling reliever, and for a big mid-season trade.
It’s still not exactly the 1990 Reds, but I like what Dipito is doing here.
bigpat
lolwut?
sportsnut969
Indians have Raffy Perez and Tony Sipp both Bullpen Lefties and they are currently looking for a CF or LF could there be a match ???.
David McMahon
If they were looking for a lefty reliever they should have targeted Darren Oliver. He was great for us ’07-09.
RyÅn Krol
They probably want someone younger.
Lunchbox45
If its a 1 year deal, whats the difference
Jeff 31
Wonder what they’d offer for O’Flaherty. Braves have a glut of relievers and some positional needs.
T Morgan
I was kind of thinking the same thing. Maybe we could a young cost controlled OF with some pop. We might have to throw in a minor leaguer or so, but Mark Trumbo sounds appealing to me.
vtadave
O’Flaherty was lights out last year, so not sure I see that happening. Where would Trumbo play?
T Morgan
I am going off straight memory (on a bus ride to game) but I had read that they were working him out at both 3B and LF. He’s young.. Cost controlled and hit 29 HRs last year.
Lunchbox45
Freeman > Trumbo
T Morgan
I know where he played last year, but he did play RF some and is looking to play 3B or a corner OF. He’s a RH bat with power and young. No need to argue on freeman v. Trumbo, not even part of the discussion.
Lunchbox45
Trumbo hasn’t proven he can play any position besides 1B
so how could you not include the current Braves 1B in the discussion?
T Morgan
Because just like the Angels, I think his bat is in play. 1B isn’t open. Hence why no reason to talk about it. He had above average range at 1B, hence why the Angels are working him at 3B. And I’d rather have a guy with a proven bat.
Jeff 31
Realistically, the Braves needs are a 3B or LF, and CF.
You’d need a good propsect to get EOF.
If I thought Morales could play LF I’d want him, but if he’s fully recovered I suspect his value would be more then EOF. I’d consider Venters in such a situation though.
Medlen could fill EOF or Venters role easily I think, maybe even better.
Lunchbox45
proven bat is hitting HR’s and not doing literally anything else?
Patrick OKennedy
Dan Schlereth for Maicer Izturis, anyone?
Allison
Dennys Reyes. Ya know ya want him!
Orlandojjk
I’d go with Mike Gonzalez on this one. Still not sure why we need another lefty, but the more depth, the better. I still have confidence in Downs and Takahashi, but I guess adding Gonzalez would make sense too.
User 4245925809
Why not take a flyer on Rhodes if he’s willing to sign a minor league deal? it couldn’t hurt to make him an offer. At least with Anaheim he’s got a chance to win next year and he could accept it if they made it and he has a chance to think it over.
User 4245925809
Why not take a flyer on Rhodes if he’s willing to sign a minor league deal? it couldn’t hurt to make him an offer. At least with Anaheim he’s got a chance to win next year and he could accept it if they made it and he has a chance to think it over.