Take a look at what the Angels did right this off season. They didn't over pay for any free agents including their own. They offered arbitration to the two guys who got picked up quickly, which netted them four draft picks. Replaced Vlad with a cheaper, more patient hitter, in Matsui. Replaced lefty Darren Oliver (7th Inning Reliever), who is/was still valuable for a former closer who saved 37 of 38 games last year. That move bolstered the bullpen, which was a huge problem for the Angels last year and with the return of Scott Shields the 7th, 8th, and 9th will look better than it did last year. The Angels also re-signed Abreu who had over 100 RBI. Then you have guys like Torii Hunter who is a Silver Slugger and Golden Glover winner, Morales who hit 34 Homeruns and 103 RBI., a platoon at 2B who hit over 18 home runs, a catching platoon who hit over 25 home runs, and I haven't even got into AVG. OBP. or OPS. And the Halos Rotation consist of three players who have been All-Stars, and another guy who had an All-Star year last year.
Just because the Halos front office didn't over spend on declining free agents or trade away their entire farm system for a one year rental doesn't make them worse. Spending money in the right places, like adding Fernando Rodney who can save the Angels money in the long run by not allowing Fuentes contract to vest. Spending money on bringing in a World Series MVP, Hideki Matsui, who is a proven commodity in a World Series race and who's patience at the bat could rub off on younger players like Brandon Wood or Howie Kendrick. The re-signing of Bobby Abreu was a necessity after he was able to influence batters like Erick Aybar and Maicer Izturis. Hopefully the veteran leadership of Abreu, Hunter, and Matsui can rub off on the much younger infield.
The real interesting move the Angels committed to is Matt Palmer. Last year's off season was picked up relatively cheap when he couldn't keep a job in San Francisco. Palmer to collect 11 wins, with a handful of those wins coming in relief. There is something about Palmer that kept the Angels in a lot of situations that they probably should have lost. Tony Reagins has even said that the "5th starters spot is Palmer's to lose." Personally, I would have rather had the Angels pursue a project like project like Chien-Ming Wang or even a Ben Sheets. But you cannot deny the successful decisions of the Front Office, and you have to accept that they know a lot more than most of us bloggers. But what do you think? Are the Angels making smart decisions with their money? Did they blow it, by not pursuing Sheets or Wang? Can Palmer pan out as a regular 5th man starter? Leave me a comment and tell me what you think.
Just because the Halos front office didn't over spend on declining free agents or trade away their entire farm system for a one year rental doesn't make them worse. Spending money in the right places, like adding Fernando Rodney who can save the Angels money in the long run by not allowing Fuentes contract to vest. Spending money on bringing in a World Series MVP, Hideki Matsui, who is a proven commodity in a World Series race and who's patience at the bat could rub off on younger players like Brandon Wood or Howie Kendrick. The re-signing of Bobby Abreu was a necessity after he was able to influence batters like Erick Aybar and Maicer Izturis. Hopefully the veteran leadership of Abreu, Hunter, and Matsui can rub off on the much younger infield.
The real interesting move the Angels committed to is Matt Palmer. Last year's off season was picked up relatively cheap when he couldn't keep a job in San Francisco. Palmer to collect 11 wins, with a handful of those wins coming in relief. There is something about Palmer that kept the Angels in a lot of situations that they probably should have lost. Tony Reagins has even said that the "5th starters spot is Palmer's to lose." Personally, I would have rather had the Angels pursue a project like project like Chien-Ming Wang or even a Ben Sheets. But you cannot deny the successful decisions of the Front Office, and you have to accept that they know a lot more than most of us bloggers. But what do you think? Are the Angels making smart decisions with their money? Did they blow it, by not pursuing Sheets or Wang? Can Palmer pan out as a regular 5th man starter? Leave me a comment and tell me what you think.
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