Just like most baseball fans out there, I'm always giddy around this time of year because I know that the major league baseball trade deadline is almost near! It's that anticipation of landing that one big bat or power arm for a team in contention that has me clamouring for information everyday via cellphone or on the net. It's the final two weeks or so in the trade season before the July 31st deadline that often has me on the edge of my seat,checking blogs, the MLB website, or SportsCenter frantically to see who the Angels or another team has landed in some type of deal. It's that sense of do or die, that one move that can send one team into the promised land (possibly) and another into rebuilding mode.
It's a feeling us Angels fans know all too well...the ups and downs of possibly landing a blockbuster player or a blockbuster lemon. In recent years, the summer trade winds have been quite kind to the Angels, with past acquisitions such as, first basemen now Yankee,Mark Teixiera and left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir, (both acquired at the trade deadline or close to),sending the Angels into the postseason both times with a division title to boot. We Angels fans have been quite spoiled the last two seasons, almost expecting a huge acquisition almost every year now. This season,we need that HUGE acquisition more than ever! With Kendry Morales on the shelf for the rest for the season, and a platoon of players filling at 1st base,the Angels need to go out and acquire someone like an Adam Dunn, an Adam LaRoche, or even a Lance Berkman.
The Angels once had their eye on Chicago White Sox 1st basemen Paul Konerko but, over the last few weeks, the White Sox have vaulted back into contention,making a trade between the Angels and White Sox less likely. According to sources at mlb.com, talks about an extension with the Nationals and Adam Dunn could be souring, making him more of an attractive acquisition to teams in the league. Some people at mlb.com believe that Angels outfield prospect Peter Bourjos could be trade bait to lure Dunn to Anaheim. Dunn is currently batting .288 with 22 homers and 59 RBI's for the sub .500 Washingtion Nationals.
Aside from Dunn, the Angels also are in need of help at 3rd base, in the outfield, and on the bench. One hot acquisition could be that of Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Carl Crawford. Crawford is hitting .321 with 11 homers and 31 stolen bases for the surging Rays. Crawford would certainly fulfill the Angels need for a speedster and is a stolen base threat every time on base, which fit right in with the Angels aggressive style of play. Another name that always seems to arise this time of year is that of Jermaine Dye. Dye would be an excellent bench player with big pop, that could be at Scioscia's disposal when in need of a big hit with runners in scoring position. The only down side is that he hasn't played a lick of ball this year and there's no guarantee that he is interested in coming back to baseball. Dye hit .250 with 27 homers and 81 RBI's in 2009.
The Angels also need a relief pitcher...someone like a Matt Capps would be a perfect fit, although the oft injured future hall of famer Pedro Martinez could also be a possibility. The trade winds are definitely blowing and us fans are anxious to see which moves GM Tony Reagins makes this year to fortify an already talent rich team. If the Angels want to stay competitive with Texas, its gonna to take a few more pieces to make a run at a 4th straight division title and make the postseason a reality once again.
GO ANGELS!
It's a feeling us Angels fans know all too well...the ups and downs of possibly landing a blockbuster player or a blockbuster lemon. In recent years, the summer trade winds have been quite kind to the Angels, with past acquisitions such as, first basemen now Yankee,Mark Teixiera and left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir, (both acquired at the trade deadline or close to),sending the Angels into the postseason both times with a division title to boot. We Angels fans have been quite spoiled the last two seasons, almost expecting a huge acquisition almost every year now. This season,we need that HUGE acquisition more than ever! With Kendry Morales on the shelf for the rest for the season, and a platoon of players filling at 1st base,the Angels need to go out and acquire someone like an Adam Dunn, an Adam LaRoche, or even a Lance Berkman.
The Angels once had their eye on Chicago White Sox 1st basemen Paul Konerko but, over the last few weeks, the White Sox have vaulted back into contention,making a trade between the Angels and White Sox less likely. According to sources at mlb.com, talks about an extension with the Nationals and Adam Dunn could be souring, making him more of an attractive acquisition to teams in the league. Some people at mlb.com believe that Angels outfield prospect Peter Bourjos could be trade bait to lure Dunn to Anaheim. Dunn is currently batting .288 with 22 homers and 59 RBI's for the sub .500 Washingtion Nationals.
Aside from Dunn, the Angels also are in need of help at 3rd base, in the outfield, and on the bench. One hot acquisition could be that of Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Carl Crawford. Crawford is hitting .321 with 11 homers and 31 stolen bases for the surging Rays. Crawford would certainly fulfill the Angels need for a speedster and is a stolen base threat every time on base, which fit right in with the Angels aggressive style of play. Another name that always seems to arise this time of year is that of Jermaine Dye. Dye would be an excellent bench player with big pop, that could be at Scioscia's disposal when in need of a big hit with runners in scoring position. The only down side is that he hasn't played a lick of ball this year and there's no guarantee that he is interested in coming back to baseball. Dye hit .250 with 27 homers and 81 RBI's in 2009.
The Angels also need a relief pitcher...someone like a Matt Capps would be a perfect fit, although the oft injured future hall of famer Pedro Martinez could also be a possibility. The trade winds are definitely blowing and us fans are anxious to see which moves GM Tony Reagins makes this year to fortify an already talent rich team. If the Angels want to stay competitive with Texas, its gonna to take a few more pieces to make a run at a 4th straight division title and make the postseason a reality once again.
GO ANGELS!
2 comments:
Ah, the joys of trading deadline. It's always a nail-biter not knowing who is going where until the last possible minute.
Would you prefer a hot bat or someone that provides the team with consistency for the postseason?
Can't I have both?
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