Listening to sports talk radio or visiting baseball rumor sites and it seems like people forgot where the Angels were prior to the 2002 World Series Championship Season. The Angels did lose out on their alleged first choice free agent Carl Crawford to hated rivals Boston Red Sox. In fact the Red Sox's great improved their team this off-season by free agency signings and a blockbuster trade with the Padres that landed them Adrian Gonzales. Seemingly, the 2nd Choice Free Agent for the Halos is Adrian Beltre. The Former Los Angeles Dodger, Seattle Mariner, and Red Sox has put up pretty good numbers in both offense and defense. Will he radically change the team? No, but his offense would be a god-send for a team who had trouble scoring last year.
But the rumors have it that Beltre's demanding agent Scott Boras will only allow his agent sign for at a six year deal, which the Angels are too particularly found of. As the sands fall through the hour glass and the free agent market becomes more and more bleak, what do the Angels do if they can't land their 2nd Choice?
As some have reported the trade market is down right now as well and the Angels might not have the prospects (not named Mike Trout) to land a big trade. So what is a franchise to do? Forgotten are the upgrades made to the pitching rotation and forgotten is the raw power of Kendry Morales.
Scenario #1
Do nothing. Callaspo was a decent option at third base. Reagins made the trade to bring him back to the Angels family last season. Getting acclimated to return to the Angels might have just need some time. Now with half a season under his belt and a full spring training with the Halos might prepare him for better year with the Angels. Any upgrade in performance would benefit the Angels woes at 3rd.
Scenario #2
Brandon Wood had a real bad year last year. But also was under a lot of pressure to perform. Perhaps another go behind third might get him right. Wood had some big shoes to fill last year with the departure of Figgins. But maybe Wood can find his bat? Maybe his short time in the Arizona Fall League helped him to regain his confidence. Maybe every day at bats might get him going again. The Angels must find some value in Wood, otherwise he might have been designated for assignment in lieu of Kevin Frandsen.
Scenario #3
This one is my favorite option. Long before Kendry Morales ever hit a home run in Anaheim, he was taking fielding at 3rd, 1st, Left, and Right. Perhaps moving Morales to the hot corner is what the Angels need. By moving Morales to Third Base, you also free up a spot at First base for Mike Napoli. Napoli was the best fill in option at first when Morales was injured. And although Napoli would probably prefer to be the every day catcher, its obvious that Mike Scioscia sees him more as a back up. And with the emergence on Hank Conger whom could earn the starting catcher spot and provide some Napoli like power into the line up, who could blame him. And with this line up you can still use a platoon of Juan Rivera & Bobby Abreu at LF/DH.
Scenario #4
Would involve elevating Mark Trumbo to third base. Most of his background is at first, but putting him at third might be the quickest way to get him a look at the Major League Level. Putting Trumbo at third might re-create a Brandon Wood like environment or might allow him to blossom. This option is about as much of a roll of the dice as would be playing Wood.
Ultimately I see the Angels signing Adrian Beltre. And I also forsee Mike Napoli playing on another team next year. But all I want for Christmas is Mike Napoli in the line up.
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