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.

Should our expectations be Lowe?

Rev Halofan works up the Angel faithful at Halos Heaven on a possible deal that would send Derek Lowe to Anaheim for Gary Matthews Jr.

Last year the Atlanta Braves signed former Angel left fielder Garret Anderson to a one year deal. And although Anderson had a fairly decent year, Anderson is expected to file for free-agency. It is unknown if the Braves are going to re-sign Anderson who will be 38 this June. After the season ended, Matthews has become vocal about wanting to be traded.

"I don't expect to be back; it's time to move on," Matthews said. "I'm ready to play for an organization that wants me to play every day. This organization has other plans, and that's OK."

The idea would be to trade Matthews to the Braves for Derek Lowe. Lowe is owed 45 Million over the next three years. Matthews is owed 20 Million over the next two. This would certainly give the Braves some some salary relief, but they would require another starting pitcher. Matthews would more than likely fill the void that Anderson's departure would create. But the loss of Lowe would require the Braves to pursue a free agent pitcher or perhaps making a trade.

On the surface, this deal looks fairly reasonable. Lowe's 15 wins could replace Lackey's 11 wins. But his production isn't nearly as impressive as Lackey and the Angels would be on the hook for an additional 25 million. Its not a bad idea, but the Angels already have a pretty solid pitching lineup. The Angel's 5th spot could be filled by Matt Palmer, Sean O'Sullivan, or a prospect who might be ready to shine. Moving Matthews isn't a bad idea, but a move for Lowe should only be made if the Angels are planning on packing Lowe in a bigger trade.