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.

Rodney, Rodney, say that you Rodney!

This post took me a while to write, because I have mixed emotions on Fernando Rodney.  On one hand, you look at the guy who had 37 saves out of 38 attempts.  It has to be considered that Rodney will be in Anaheim to move into that closer role.  If Scott Shields is healthy, he should slot right back into the 8th inning, as a setup man.  And although Brian Fuentes as a closer had a league leading 48 saves, he also blew 7 regular season save attempts with one big blown save in the post season.  Even if they decide to close by committee, if gives Mike Scioscia options on finishing games.  Plus with Fuentes making less appearances will keep his contract from investing the 3rd year option. 

But any Detroit fan will tell you that Rodney in non-save situtations has been shakey at best.  Fortunately for the Angels he probably won't be put into that position. His ERA is also in the 4.00.  But to counter point that, Rodney playing in Anaheim could be a different story.  However, if the idea is to put Rodney in a set up position, I definitely question the motives of the Angels Front Office.  Allowing lefty Oliver to sign with the Rangers didn't enhance the bullpen.  But if Fuentes tries to fill out Oliver's spot, the Angels might have something very special in that bullpen.  With Jepsen, Bulger, and probably Rich Thompson, the bullpen could be lights out.

What do you think of Rodney as the Angels closer.

No Arbitration asked or given

The formality of arbitration offers has come and gone for the Angels and it is no surprised that often hurt hurler Kelvim Escobar and utility man Robb Quinlan were not offered arbitration. There is also no surprise that Angel Fan's Favorite Vladimir Guerrero and Lefty reliever Darren Oliver

Escobar's injury woes will certainly affect his abilities to land a starting role with any ball club. However I think any team willing to take a high-risk, high-reward bullpen type could really benefit from Escobar. Escobar might be a surprising signing for the New York Yankees for bullpen relief. With the troubles they had bridging to Mariano Rivera in the playoffs, Escobar could be an affordable solution. I also would not be surprised to see the Boston Red Sox offer a heavily incentive based contract to have Escobar start for them, considering the chances they took on John Smoltz and Brad Penny.

Rob Quinlan really didn't see much playing time this year. The Q probably will not land a starting job with any major league team, but certainly can provide any team with a little depth. Quinlan play at 1st and left provides average defense. And his offense again is about average. I don't see him hitting the cover off the ball, but perhaps a team like Colorado could appreciate his ability to play several positions. There was also rumor interest in Quinlan's home state of Minnesota.

Vladimir Guerrero's destiny of winning a World Series ring has never come to fruition. Guerrero has meant a lot to this ball club through out the years and is partially responsible for the Angels making it to the playoffs so many times this decade. But his power is fading, his base running is atrocious, and his fielding is worrisome. At the very least Guerrero must come to realize that he cannot play in the outfield anymore. The decline to offer arbitration to Vladimir doesn't necessarily mean he will not re-sign with the Angels. But it does guarantee that any team is interested, will not cost the teams a draft pick. Vladimir is still a threat in the line up and although his power isn't what it was he's still able to hit for RBIs. I still see Vladimir returning to the Angels, in the designated hitter role. If he were to go somewhere else you'd have to assume that he would only want to sign on a team who can compete, who can afford him, and who has a role for him. The Red Sox and the Yankees don't seem like good fits. If the Rays trade away Burrell they could be in need of a DH. And perhaps the Texas Rangers. But realistically Vladimir Guerrero needs the Angels more than the Angels need him.

Probably the only surprise in the declined offers of arbitration was Darren Oliver. Oliver was perhaps the heart and soul of the bullpen that was practically hung together by a thread when Scott Shields went down with a season ending injury early in the year. My only guess as to why you don't offer Oliver arbitration is that you are hoping to re-signing for less, like Guerrero. However Oliver looked really good this year and perhaps some teams will try to get to him early this season. Again New York needed bullpen help in the playoffs, but really who couldn't use a lefty reliever.

Do you think any of these 4 should have been offered arbitration? Where do you see the four playing? Feel free to leave a comment 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.