8:50pm: San Diego’s “working very hard” to trade Headley, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney, though he doesn’t specify whether the Angels are involved (Twitter link).
7:56pm: The Angels are close to acquiring a third baseman, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports (Twitter link). They have “strong interest” in new Padres third baseman Chase Headley, Nightengale adds.
Headley was already part of one trade this week, going from the Yankees to the Padres on Tuesday in what amounted to a salary dump for New York. For now, the Padres are on the hook for $12.5MM of Headley’s $13MM in 2018, the last year of his contract. Given that the Angels are positioning themselves to contend in 2018 and the Padres are still amid a rebuild, the 33-year-old Headley would make more sense on Anaheim’s roster.
Headley has an important fan in Angels general manager Billy Eppler, Joel Sherman of the New York Post notes (Twitter link). Eppler was in the Yankees’ front office when they acquired Headley from his current team, San Diego, in 2014.
Along with Headley, the Angels have shown interest in free agent third basemen Mike Moustakas and Todd Frazier, who was teammates with Headley in New York last season, this week.
GEEZ ANGELS
“Headley was already part of one trade this week, going from the Yankees to the Padres on Tuesday in what amounted to a salary dump for New York. For now, the Padres are on the hook for $12.5MM of Headley’s $13MM in 2018, the last year of his contract.”
Headley has a one-time assignment bonus of $1M if traded, in addition to his $13MM 2018 salary, which is why the Yankees agreed to pay half of it, $500K.
Technically, doesn’t that mean the Padres on the hook for $13.5MM, not $12.5M, Connor?
Wow postseason here come the angels
Ha ha
They not good yet…
They’re better than they were.
neither is your english…
If the Angels want to make a serious championship run, then they are going to HAVE TO prepare for injuries. It is terribly unfortunate, but if there is one team that almost has as much bad luck as the Mets, with injuries to their talented pitchers, it’s the Angels.
Their lineup is coming together quite well, their defense is looking good, they have a good mixture of talent up and down their lineup. They just need to add another bench piece, another solid and reliable arm for the pen, and again they need to prepare for injuries to their starting staff…
Whether that is by adding another guy like the Cubs’ Montgomery, that could work in a long relief/spot starter role, and eventually get bumped down to AAA to stretch out as their next man up, if an injury happens…Maybe they could ultimately decide to go to a 6-man rotation, to help avoid injuries, or they can bring in a couple of veteran, bounce back candidates on minor league deals…
Depending on their confidence in their returning starters, the Angels may want to sign another starter as well, to fill out that 6-man rotation..Maybe even signing a veteran like CC Sabathia, idk, but the Angels are going to have to prepare for the worst case scenario; otherwise, this talented roster may potentially go to waste, and the Angels would have their post-season and pennant dreams derailed…
So the Cubs are going to accommodate Montgomery’s reported desire to start by trading him to a lesser team that would then use him in the exact same manner the Cubs were using him? That makes no sense…
And what exactly are the Cubs getting back for a cheap, controllable pitcher who is 3 years from FA? The Cubs are legitimate WS contenders. They, too, need to be prepared for injuries and Montgomery is a huge part of that preparation.
Everyone has to prepare for their starters getting injured. Not only the Angels and the Mats. Look at Seattle and the Yankees. Seattle had all but one SP on the DL. NY had CC, Tanaka, Pineda and more. Everyone’s worst case and most likely scenario is that 1 or 2 of your starters are going to make a visit to the DL. It an obvious and I’m sure they have a game plan just like anyone else in the Majors.
They missed the postseason by 5 games with that crap pitching staff. And now they are loaded with support for a full trout season. I don’t know how it’s so laughable they are going to be a postseason team
The Angels Staters were 6th in ERA last year. Not “crap”. If they stay healthy and with the addition of 150 innings of Ohtani, they can be much much better.
Ohtani, and Richards are all close to top of the rotation starters and last year they combined for 28 innings for this team. Naturally Ohtani was not here, but they plan is for them to add close to 300 innings to that 28 innings. I’m not worried about the starters all that much.
Uh…no
They need more pitching
Headley
Angels just keep going
Machado?
Yep.
Nope
Not sure LAA has enough quality prospects to acquire Machado.
Nor headley lol
there’s 29 teams that have the prospects to get headley from san diego
Several offers are on the table for Manny Machado – Cardinals, White Sox, Yankees, Phillies and Giants
Machado, trout, upton, and ohtani would be an awesome Middle of the lineup
Lol Chase Headley
What’s with these teams and their infatuation with Chase Headley?
Guy has been average, at best, as a hitter for the last 5 years and was well in the negative in runs saved as a defender last year.
good question
2 WAR player.
He was awesome after the Yankees moved him to first base. I think teams are banking on him finding his groove from last season.
his price tag
This may be almost as great as their Pujols acquisition.
Ha! The Angels are building a dream team from 2012.
Noooo stop not him, might as well get The Panda smh
headley is a 2 win player compared to valbuenas 0.0 wins. He’s a huge upgrade
Also…fewer bat flips.
I sure hope they get someone. valbuena is not someone I want to see playing third everyday
No Headley! No! Just No!
Sorry about the double post.
No! Just No!
Maybe that Cubs guy was right when he said they’ve also gotten Cozart to play 3rd and were just waiting for this trade to be final. We shall see.
That would be incredible if that happens
I would go upvote every single comment he’s ever posted.
Has to be a Padres player. 4 players who can play the position, Solarte, Spangy, Asuaje, and Headley.
Have to imagine it’s Headley though.
And Luis Urias on the way, too many 2B/3B options.
If this is their answer for third they better be getting some pitching.
I thought Dipoto left LA?
Headley has made millions his entire career off of one season. He must be a great teammate and an awesome man cause he isn’t a very good player any more.
Very true, very true, just like Gary Mathews Jr who made millions from the Angels of off one amazing catch in center with the Rangers smh
Haha so true!!
Except that he signed a 4-year deal coming off a .243 season.
Because apparently that 2nd half in 2012 didn’t help his free agency stock at all.
I remember that 2012 season when people thought Headley was on the brink of becoming a star. The Padres dodged a bullet in not extending him.
Still not close to being a threat to the stros
Very true very true, just like the Mariners who made trades left and right.
Hard to get excited over Headley
chase headley isnt a good 3b anymore, he cant make the throw that well
Where’s the pitching acquisitions. Pitching is the need for this team. One Ohtani doesn’t solve all.
Woof with headley, kinsler and Albert the angels infield just screams defence
Kinsler is actually a good defender though.
And Pujols is a DH
The New Asian guy will DH
Good pickup for the Angels, Headly has been roughly a 2 war player, compare to the .4 war player they gave in Escobar.
Oh no
Remember when the Angles went out and got all the big names- Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols, CJ Wilson… they get the big names and ppl think oh they’ll be good… but they sucked, and they’re gonna suck again
to be fair, they did have the best record in the AL in 2014
89 Wins in 2012. Best Recod in Baseball in 2014. 85 wins in 2015.
Their pitching can’t stay healthy. The team hasn’t been bad. Not great. But not bad.
Is Headley confirmed? Would think they would go after Frazier, buddy of Trout’s. Could use another lhh in lineup but not the biggest deal.
Frazier hits from the right. Chase is a switch
It’s only one year.. WHICH IS A PLUS PLUS PLUS. He gets on base and not giving Valbuena full time play is a good deal. It give the Angles flexibility late in games when Pujols comes out. It’s a nice move.
That said… GET RELIEF PITCHES. The Angels are going a six man staff. There staff goes 7 or 8 deep. It’s all about health. I wouldn’t mind another starter, but I really want Relief Pitchers.
Mets make sense for Headley. If Padres can move even half Headley’s salary Montgomery will be a good buy for them. Six years (five? ) if an average starter. That’s worth a lot.
So Padres traded for Headley just for the pitcher that came with him? Doesnt seem like a good deal unless Angels pay his entire salary
If Mitchell pitches 180+ innings and sub 4.50 era, he’s worth $15 mil per year. He’s going to get a chance to start, which is where he was at his best in the minors
That’s very optimistic. I guess if they have roster space it’s worth the lottery ticket. Seems like they basically got a rule 5 player without going through the rule 5 draft.
All we have is optimism rt now! We’ll flip Headley here soon for more…prospects
Padres have payroll flexibility. They gave up essentially nothing to get Headley and Mitchell.
Now if they eat a significant portion of Headley’s contract they can probably get some value in return for him. Looks like they’re basically just trying to buy players at this point.
Would prefer Moustakas. Need a legitimate left handed power hitter. He just turned 29 has 3 to 4 years left in his prime. Would give the Angels more balance. Because I have the feeling that they will be in the market for a second basemen by June again.
Huh? Whats wrong with Kinsler?
He is going to be 36 next season. He just put up worse numbers than Pujols. And people think a 230 hitter is going to be the lead off hitter.
When anyone talks batting average I realize they don’t know much about the game today.
Kinsler is a one year contract. Was a six WAR player three years in a row then had a two+ WAR last year. Ausmus managed him, so he must think there is much in the tank. HUGE improvement over last year. Very nice addition with the potential of being a great addition. It’s one year.
Moustakas cant get on base, cant play defense and the Angels would have to give up a draft pick and lock him in long term for a lot of money. I much prefer this.
PS. Headly had the same WAR last year.
Moose is gonna be too costly, and angels seem determined to keep next years flexibility financially. Maybe for a run at machado or something idk
Moustakas is a bad idea, no matter how many times you post it.
If he is truly “in his prime”, then that’s unfortunate for him—his defensive skills are average at best. It’s true his HR total for 2017 was almost 2x his best year, but there are a lot of players who can make that statement after last season. That suggests the ball was juiced, which means his true skill set may be a low 20s HR/low .400s SLG if the ball specs revert to pre-2017 standards. Mike Schmidt, he ain’t.
He will cost some team $18M to $22M per season, for a guaranteed 5 or more seasons. That team should not be the Angels, ever.
Can someone check to make sure that Dipoto didn’t somehow sneak back into the Angels front office?
It’s about time me Moreno, get something going or trout will.
At least Angels are trying to put together good team unlike some teams (Padres, Marlins, White Soxs, Tigers, Athletics)
Although the padres and athletics have been been linked to several big names during the offseason and the White Sox are trying to develop their young talent. Lol.
Padres tried this route and failed
Angels still don’t have any pitching so this is mute
Padres are building a team the right way… from the ground up
You’re wrong if you don’t think the Angels have pitching.. Dead Wrong.. Everyone got hurt last year. They basically added Five Starting pitchers AND they were 6th in starting pitcher ERA last year. There is a lot of upside on that staff. A lot. And they were better than average with EVERYTHING going wrong.
You forgot Ramirez. . The Angels are going to have a six man rotation. The Staff is 8 deep. If they want to add a Starting Pitcher, I’m OK with that. But I can live with that.
I would much rather add 3 bullpen guys. .
Don’t forget about Jaime barria as well.. scouts keep talking about him over on baseball America
Kinda wish you were mute.
Wow, great observation of rebuilding teams, John
Wonder if the angels would be willing to just take him and pay his salary? Judging by the last trade he must have negative trade value right?
That move was a direct result of the Stanton acquisition and the Yankees need to stay under the luxury tax threshold. They needed to unload salary to make some room for other pieces.
To other teams with payroll flexibility, the remaining 12.5M he’s owed is basically market value for a roughly 2 war, league average player like he is. I’d say that makes his trade value more in the zero to slightly positive range rather than negative. If the Padres eat a chunk of the contract I think he can return something if value.
Need one more starter !! Going to be crazy this year at Tempe Diablo …
Next year Angels sign Brice Harper!!!! Haha what it’s Christmas a guy can wish
The padres went nuts a few years ago in the off season sticking up their roster. Didn’t play out on the field as it did on paper, did it…having said that, pretty cool what the angels are trying to do
Well, it’s not like J-Upton wasn’t a good player, or Kimbrel. They just sucked w the Padres and didn’t gel. Melvin Upton was even a decent player. Norris was a bust, but was an all star the previous year. Sometimes it doesn’t work out, but it was the most excited Padre fans had been in a while. Now we rebuild, and it’s going pretty well so far.
How about Preller trades the healthy Headley for the injured Ohtani to make up for the medical records snafu from last year?
The angels are going to be just fine.Epler is doing a great job so far this winter.I’m sure he’s going for more pitching.don’t forget Cowert he’s really a 3rd basemen and he’s has a lot of power he’s still needs more at bats at a Major league level have you seen how far he can hit the ball??? Bunch of dummies on this post. Lol!!!
I think mlb needs to change the regular season end date to August 31st and start the playoffs on September 1st NCAA tournament style. Astros against the Marlins start it off in 9 1/2 months with a best of 5. Let’s add some real drama. Otherwise I can guarantee you right now that the Angels will not make the playoffs in 2018. I am a fan, just being realistic.