This Team Looks Different from

Gonna go back in Time...

So before First2Third was born, I was blogging about baseball on my personal blog.  Can't believe how much this team has changed.  And with Tony Reagins out of the office, who knows what kind of team the Halos will be next year.  Here's a look at what the team looked like in 2008.  Four years later; Hunter, Mathis and Izturis are the only ones whom still remain. 

Napoli is in Texas, with the Rangers just destroying the ball.  Casey Kotchman and Sean Rodriguez are in Tampa playing for the Rays.  Both have been an important part of getting that team back to post-season play.  Figgins is on the terrible Mariners.  Wood is a Pirate, Rivera is a Dodger, Guerrero is will the Os, and Andreson and Quinlan are retired.  What a difference 5 years make.

We will win with what we got...

I originally designed this for Halos Heaven the best Angel Community site on the Interwebs, prior to the Trade Deadline.  I was against the Angels pursuing anyone but pitching.  Because even last year, towards the trade deadline I wasn't confident that Lackey would be coming back.  And Figgins was the only guy I could see being traded from the Major League Roster.  Looking at this picture though is kind of depressing.  I was hoping Lackey would return to the Halos-- He gone.  I was hoping Vlad would retire an Angel-- He gone.  And of course Figgins and Darren Oliver also left the team, along with Escobar and Arrendondo. 

With all that being said, the Angels I think had to make that move for Kazmir.  And I think that move alone will really make a positive impact for the Angels in 2010.  And it looks like I need to make a new graphic to include the Diamond Aces of; Weaver, Kazmir, Santana, Saunders, and Piniero. 

Dearly Departed

:::Updated Feb. 11th:::
According to MLB.com's Lyle Spencer, Quinlan and his goofy swing have re-signed with the Halos to a minor league deal. This should provide the Angels with another option in case either Morales or Wood spend an extended period on the DL. So it appears I spoke to soon, Robb has been serviceable in small doses and adds depth to the team. No complaints here.

Aybar are you okay, are you okay, or you okay Aybar?

Erick Aybar: Aybar injures left leg in Dominican game

Erick Aybar left a game Thursday in the Dominican Republic after apparently straining a muscle in his left leg. Aybar was attempting to beat out a grounder when he pulled up lame. The Angels haven't been updated on his condition...

Obviously Erick Aybar's health should be a major concern to the Angels.  His .312 batting average and 14 stolen bases are pivotal to the Angels offense this year.  By loosing Chone Figgins, the Angels will need a strong lead off batter.  If Aybar isn't ready come spring training, do you play Brandon Wood at SS and Maicer Izturis at 3B or keep Wood at 3B and Izturis at SS?  And if Izturis does start the year as the lead off hitter, it pretty much will keep Wood on the bench when Aybar does return.  Get well soon Aybar, the Halos need you.

Former Angel, Casey Kotchman is a Mariner?

Joining former Angel Chone Figgins in the land of Grunge Music and Over Priced Coffee,  is first baseman, Casey Kotchman.  Poor guy, I kind of feel bad for him. In less than 3 years was traded to Atlanta for Teixera, traded to Boston for LaRoche, and now being traded to Seattle for Hall.  This marks the third former Angel favorite in recent years to play ball in Seattle, with Jarrod Washburn being the other.  Kotchman gives will enhance the defense for the Mariners especially at first. Defense and a few silly faces is all Kotchman brings to the table.  It was Kotchman inability to play offense that made him expendable in the Mark Teixera trade. 

So the Mariners defense at first has maybe slightly improved over Russel Branyan.  Kotchman had a hard time staying healthy playing in Anaheim, a lot like Branyan.  But Russel Branyan had much better offense.  Then again, being a left handed hitter could help Kotchman's offense numbers playing in Safeco.

Again the Mariners make a move that makes sense on paper.  This move will help their pitchers ERA, but I still don't know how they are going to outscore teams.  Especially power teams that can take one pitchers mistake and turn it into a run.  I like Hernandez and Lee, but the rest of Seattle's rotation isn't really impressive.

This is the end... my dearest Figgins.

Sure is as good as any time to lament on the lore of Chone Figgins and how is infectious smile always beamed a ray of hope, even on the darkest Halo day. Figgins had been apart of every team that made the post season this decade. He will not easily be replaced as a player or a team mate. And no one should begrudge a guy who gave it all for the Angels, even if he is taking a huge pay day from a division rival. I certainly don't blame a guy for taking care of his family.

Good luck to Chone Figgins. Everyone at "Team The Diamond Aces" will miss you.

Fortunately, arbitration was offered to Figgins, along with John Lackey. I briefly touched upon the players who weren't offered arbitration in my post titled No arbitration asked orgiven. But here is the silver lining. A 18th Draft Pick from Seattle, that is if the Mariners do not sigh a high ranked free-agent, plus a sandwich pick. That would give the Angels a two picks in the 1st round. Seattle's 18th and the Angels 31st. Plus as I brought up on Knocking on Wood? MLB are you serious?the Angels have internal options at third base. Brandon Wood, or in a pinch Maicer Izturis can fill in at 3B.

Personally I'm glad that Figgins ended up on the Mariners. I thought he was going to go to New York. The Mariners require a lot of work to become a threat to the Angel franchise. Figgins helps, but he doesn't answer all the questions. By signing with the Ms, the Angels get a better pick in the draft.

Were you surprised that the Ms signed Figgins? Who will play 3B for the Halos next year? Leave a comment and tell me what you think.

Knocking on Wood? MLB Network are you serious?

Last night on MLB Networks Hot Stove show, a panel consisting of Greg Amsinger, Harold Reynolds, Joe Magrane, and Ken Rosenthal broke down teams in need of a Third Baseman. Right behind the Phillies they list the Angels. Are you serious?

Reynolds suggest that Chone Figgins would be the right fit for the Angels. Well he is right that Figgins is a perfect fit for the Angels. However his new salary will not be a perfect fit. The business of baseball comes into play. When Figgins signs his new contract he is expecting to make near 10 million a year. 5 Years at 50 Million is what I think Figgins will eventually sign for. But the Angels do not want to be on the other end of the contract, not when there are more pressing needs for the Angels.

Rosenthal suggests Adrian Beltre to the Angels. Who is familiar with the American League West. Magrane suggests that Beltre is the best available third baseman today. Beltre does have a lot of power, but only had 8 home runs last year. On top of that, the Mariners offered Beltre arbitration, which means he'll cost the Halos compensatory picks. If you have to pick between the two, Figgins is the superior third baseman, at least in 2009.

But I'm on the side of the table that said let Figgins go sign with the Yankees to play Left Field. Let Adrian Beltre go play Third for the Phillies. Let me tell you about a young guy named Brandon Wood.

In 2006, Baseball American said that Wood was the 3rd Best Prospect behind Delmon Young and Justin Upton. A sprinkle of at bats in 2007, 2008, and 2009. He never had consistent at bats at the major league level. Nor does he have anything left to prove in the minor league. And with that he is all out of options. At this point the Angels will either trade him or play him. And he is under team control for a few more years, only making roughly $400,000 a year. There are some comparisons to Kendry Morales and Brandon Wood that many believe that consistent at bats will translate into some explosive offense.

Is Brandon Wood the best option for the Angels at third? Who should the Angels chose?
Leave Comments below.

Read My Lips, No New Free-Agents!!!

Originally posted at HalosHeaven

The void that will be created with the departures of John Lackey, Chone Figgins, Darren Oliver, and Vladimir Guerrero will be felt long after they sign new contracts with their new teams. Lackey is a true number one Ace, Figgins is a true lead off hitter and has great defensive skills, Oliver isn't only a lefty specialist, and Vladimir was the face of the franchise. But like Tony Reagins said on the Drive yesterday, you have to take the emotion out of the business decisions.

We Will Win, With What We Got or Lightning Strikes Twice.

Last year the Halosphere was bent because Mark Teixera took his U-Haul to New York for a big payday. Some of the Fan Faithful believed in the unproven Kendry Morales. And that investment paid in dividends. Could Brandon Wood produce similarly to Morales? Wood has nothing left to prove in minors. Given an opportunity of having regular at bats and every day play, perhaps he could put together a good season. And if his defense isn't as great as we were once led to believe or his offense never gets started, he can always be platooned with super-utility player Maicer Izturis.

What about Sean O'Sullivan, given a chance to shine could he become the John Lackey of 2002? And with a rotation of Weaver, Santana, Saunders, Kazmir, couldn't the Angels survive with a pitcher like O'Sullivan or Matt Palmer, Trevor Bell, Dustin Moseley or maybe even Anthony Ortega? Those 5 guys gave us 22 wins last year. With Vladimir Guerrero gone, our Designated Hitter position becomes a platoon position. It allows Bobby Abreu to take a day or two off, from the field. Giving playing time to Gary Matthews Jr. or Reggie Willits. And when days Abreu is in the outfield, Napoli could share time at DH keeping his bat in the line up, which when hot is a nice bat to have.

But why scrimp in save in 2010?

According to MLBTradeRumors, 2011 will see nearly 30 pitchers who will be available to file for Free Agency. Some of the names available in 2011 will be Josh Beckett, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Ted Lilly. Let alone All-Star catcher Joe Mauer and Albert Pujols.

What better way to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's existence than to break the bank for a Lee or Halladay and a Mauer or a Pujols.

The Angels can Win With What We Got

No Holliday, Maybe Bay?

According to MLB Trade Rumors, Jason Bay rejected Boston's $60 million over four years deal earlier this week. Red Sox front office weren't surprised. But what might be a little more surprising is that the Angels threw their name into the into the Jason Bay sweepstakes with Angel Owner, Arte Moreno denying the that the Angels would be pursing Matt Holliday but suggesting "You Have to Look at Bay"

Its obvious the Angels won't allow themselves to be used as a bargaining chip for Super Agent Scott Boras and his client Matt Holliday, but it is surprising to hear that the Angels do have interest in Bay. The Angels have 4 outfielders signed; Juan Rivera, Torii Hunter, Bobby Abreu, and Gary Matthews Jr. Even if you moved Abreu to DH, you still have three outfielders. Surely Bay would supersede Matthews in right or left, but again it just means the Angels need to find someone willing to take Matthews. And while we're at it, a signing of Bay pretty much ends the Chone Figgins sweepstakes for the Angels.

Moreno finished up his comments by saying he would like the Angels to add "We'd like to have a power bat, a starter and another bullpen guy." A starter could be Lackey. A bullpen guy could be Oliver. A power bat isn't Figgins and sadly isn't Guerrero anymore. Perhaps Jason Bay could put up the same amazing numbers in Anaheim as he did in Boston. Batting Bay 3rd or 4th would certainly add some power to the Angel line up.

This is a move the Angels should make. Taking themselves out of the Holliday sweepstakes makes Holliday slight more affordable and that he'll likely sign with the Yankees, Red Sox, or even re-sign with the Cardinals. Moreno saying he has interest in Bay also drives his price up more. Making the Red Sox, Yankees, Cardinals, and whomever else is interested offer a more premium price. Which could help the Angels re-sign Lackey, if the teams listed above are serious about signing Bay.

ESPN Insider predicts the Angels will sign Holliday

Hat tip to Halos Heaven poster AngryFan, Olney speculates that The Angels will sign Matt Holliday

As I've mentioned in other posts, the Angel roster already has 3 capable outfielders-- Juan Rivera, Torii Hunter, and the recently re-signed Bobby Abreu. Adding another outfielder forces Abreu to DH, which no longer becomes an option for a platoon type position. Holliday seemingly found his bat in the National League. But was he ever terrible in Oakland, facing American League West Pitching.

A Holliday signing could bolster the offense of the Angels which looked somewhat anemic during the ALCS, however signing Holliday all but guarantees that Chone Figgins will not be returning and the Angels will probably have a need to move another player (Gary Matthews Jr., Reggie Willits, or even Juan Rivera.) Also a contract to Holliday would be expensive which would probably tie the hands of Angel Front Office to re-sign John Lackey or another free agent starting pitcher.

I would have to say that I would be against such a signing. Holliday's price tag will be much to high and there is no guarantee will be getting the Matt Holliday of the National League or the Matt Holliday of the American League.

Torii Hunter adds another Golden Glove - Aybar and Figgins snubbed

Torii Hunter won his 9th Golden Glove award.

Mike Scioscia was quoted in the article Torii adds another Gold Glove to mantel

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said he felt Hunter was the AL's MVP at the time he was forced to the disabled list for a month.

"He's the captain of the outfield," Scioscia said. "Torii is as good as it gets out there, with his athletic ability combined with his knowledge and awareness."

Scioscia felt both his left-side infielders -- third baseman Chone Figgins and shortstop Erick Aybar -- were viable Gold Glove candidates.

"I've never seen a left-side infield with the range of Figgy and Aybar," the manager said late in the season. "Both those guys had seasons worthy of Gold Gloves."

I have to agree with Scioscia. Jeter plays some pretty good D at short, but I don't think he played better than Aybar. And was there any better 3rd base play from anyone other than Figgins?

MLB Trade Rumors is talking Elias Rankings

Hat Tip to the MLBTradeRumors about the Elias Rankings

The 2009 Elias Rankings have been released, and Ed Price of AOL FanHouse has a full list of the Type-A and B free agents.

Our 2010 MLB Free Agent list has been updated, and below is a summary of differences between the official rankings, and those projected by Eddie Bajek.

* Chone Figgins qualifies as a Type-A, not a Type-B as projected.
* Melvin Mora qualifies as a Type-A, not a Type-B as projected.
* Vladimir Guerrero qualifies as a Type-B, not a Type-A as projected.
* Gregg Zaun goes from no compensation to Type-B.
* Jerry Hairston Jr. goes from Type-B to no compensation.
* Hideki Matsui goes from Type-B to no compensation.
* Aubrey Huff goes from Type-B to no compensation.

I'm not Tony Reagins, but I'm pretty sure that means The Angels offer arbitration to Chone Figgins immediately and maybe not offering arbitration to Vladimir Guerrero. By offering arb. to Figgins, it will give the Angels some compensatory draft picks if Figgins is signed by another team. If The Angels offered Vlad arb., Vlad would probably accept it and we would be held to the arbitration hearings. If he doesn't accept arb., then the Angels would get compensatory drafts, but much lower picks. If the Halos do not offer arb., then the Angels would be free to re-negotiate a contract with Vlad.

2010 Top 50 Free Agents according to MLB Trade Rumors

2010 Top 50 Free Agents or so says MLBTraderumors

1. Matt Holliday - Mets. The Mets could grab headlines by signing Holliday to a six or seven-year deal for more than $100MM.

2. John Lackey - Yankees. Last winter's strategy of signing the best two starters and the best hitter available contributed to the Yankees' World Series title. With rotation question marks after C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, it makes sense that the Yanks will pursue the best available starter in Lackey.

3. Jason Bay - Red Sox. It's been rumored the Red Sox are willing to offer four years and $60MM to Bay. That seems to be a fair opening bid, given his defensive struggles.

4. Chone Figgins - Angels. The Angels have internal options at third base, but he'd be hard to let go after a career-high .395 OBP and excellent defense at the hot corner.

5. Randy Wolf - Mets. The Mets regrettably chose Oliver Perez over Wolf a year ago. As the best available starter aside from Lackey, Wolf is primed to get a three-year deal worth more than $30MM.

Other notes says Vladimir To the White Sox.

I posted this on my favorite Halos Site of record, Halos Heaven. I think I'd rather lose Figgins than Lackey. I mentioned on Halos Heaven that John Lackey is going to go where ever the best money is at. Which could be New York or even Boston. Heaven forbid, that the Texas Rangers come up with a sweat-heart deal and sign Lackey away. Could you picture Ian Kinsler and John Lackey hanging out at a Cowboy's Game? I think I just threw up a little bit. If Lackey doesn't sign with the Angels, I hope he ends up in St. Louis, you know Halos Midwest.

Long Time coming, but the Red Sox finally get their comeuppance

It had seem that up until late afternoon, the Red Sox has unceremoniously owned the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Not even the lore of Dave Henderson could affect this bound and determined Halo Staff. In a no class move, the Red Sox looked to its storied tradition of whoopin on the Angels in Post-Season to one of the guys who had ripped the heart out of the franchise in years past. Henderson's homerun off of Donnie Moore killed the Angels momentum in 1986. The Angels would go on to lose two more games in Boston that year and wouldn't make it to another ALCS game until 2002.

You get the feeling that the Angels know they are about to accomplish something special. I was lucky enough to be at Game 2 of the best of 5 series and Boston's pending demise was palpable. It is without a doubt one of the greatest come from behind wins for the Angels, down to their last strike, last out, in Fenway, and manage to come up 3 runs giving them not only the lead, but the victory.

Red Sox reliever Billy Wagner worked into a second-and-third, two-out jam in the eighth, prompting manager Terry Francona to summon Jonathan Papelbon from the bullpen for a four-out save. Juan Rivera greeted Papelbon by lining his first pitch to right center for a two-run single, momentarily making it a 5–4 game, but Boston added an insurance run in the bottom of the inning. Papelbon retired the first two batters in the top of the ninth, but Erick Aybar kept the inning alive with a two-strike single. After Chone Figgins worked a walk, Bobby Abreu, also down to his final strike, doubled off the Green Monster to score Aybar from second. Torii Hunter then received an intentional walk, loading the bases for Vladimir Guerrero. Guerrero ripped Papelbon's first pitch for a two-run single to center, putting the Angels ahead 7–6. Closer Brian Fuentes retired the Red Sox in order in the bottom of the inning for the save.