Bye Bye Tony!

It seems like just yesterday I was defending Tony Reagins.  It was a day or two later and stumbled across the Fire Tony Reagins website and unaffiliated facebook page.  Well your wishes came true.  Tony claims this decision was mutual, for him to step into a different role with the Angel Franchise, which is great for Tony.  He is always been labeled a "good guy" and a "great story" considering he started as an intern with the organization nearly 20 years ago.  But make no mistake about it.  Since Arte has taking over ownership, he has prided himself as an owner who wants to win.  Arte at one point said he wanted to be the New York Yankees of the West.  In order to compete you need to have superstars.  Superstars out on the field and superstars in the front office.  Reagins did a lot of amazing things while in his tenure in Anaheim.  But the Act of Attrition aka trading Mike Napoli to acquire Vernon Wells was just to heinous.  As the lore grows and people actually forget that Napoli was traded to Toronto and not Texas, this trade will go down as the worst trade in Angels History, of course until someone messes a trade up worse.  And it doesn't help that Napoli is still hitting the cover off the ball in Arlington. 

But lets take a minute to celebrate some of the Great moves Reagins made.  Although it was a three-month rental, Mark Teixera was a steal.  Had the Halos been able to go above the threshold the Yankees offered, perhaps the Halos would be in playoff contention the past two years.  Getting Dan Haren was also a steal.  I miss ole Joe Saunders and who knows what kind of pitcher Tyler Skaggs turns into, but the move really solidified the Halo Rotation in 2011, which was for the most part, outstanding. 

In close, safe journeys TR.  Thank you for your positive contributions to this team.  But I'm certainly looking forward to what's next for the Halos.

Go Angels!

In defense of Tony Reagins

At the end of the 2010 season if you could have added a player who could give you 20 Home Runs, 78 RBI, a .300 AVG, and 840 OPS, the Halos should have jumped all over it.  Remember where the team was in 2010.  The Angels finished third behind Oakland and the eventual ALCS Champions the Texas Rangers.  When Kendrys Morales was carried off the field, the Angels needed to add more offense into the line up.  And with the Angels coming into the 2011 season adding another 20 home runs with a player like Morales would have certainly matched the offense numbers that their Texas Rivals were putting up. 

So in defense of Tony Reagins, making the trade to add Vernon Wells wasn't entirely a bad idea.  Had Wells regained his 2008 form (which was entirely possible considering he was coming off a year with an injury), the Halos would have had a lot better 2011 campaign.  Rivera's defense in left field had become a liability.  Vernon's defense as advertised would have made for a better outfield.  Of course the contract alone should have prevented the Halos from making that deal, but regardless, I can at least see what Reagins was thinking when the deal was made.  In what was believed to be one of the worst contracts in baseball, a contract that was in no way movable, was moved last winter when Tony Reagins shipped out beloved Angel's catcher Mike Napoli and under achieving left fielder Juan Rivera to Toronto for Vernon Wells and his morbidly obese contract.  The moment it happened, Angel fans every where were prepared to riot.  Napoli was beloved, providing more pop at the catcher position than any other catcher in recent memory and had the ability to fill in at first base when Morales went down.  Alex Anthopoulos would stab the Halos in the back when he'd deal Napoli out of baseball obscurity to Arlington.  But when you examine that trade was the move as bad as we think?  Realistically, Napoli was slotted to be a back-up, Left Field was a defensive liability, Morales was set to return to First, and Wells in previous years was a power threat.  With big IFs in question, IF Kendrys returned, wouldn't have Wells benefited from a line up with a power switch hitter? 

There is a lot of negativity surrounding Reagins, but lets look at some of the positive Regains did.  Signed Torii Hunter who has easily become the face of the franchise when the reluctant hero Vladimir Guerrero wasn't willing to be that face.  Hunter's contribution on the field were matched by his contributions off the field.  Enter the final season of the contract, he wants to retire an Angel.  Even in his later age, he's been producing and helping to keep this team in contention.  Also mentoring young outfielders like Mike Trout and Peter Bourjos,
Hunter's contributions to this team will be felt long after he's left the organization.  The trading for Mark Teixera for Casey Kotchman and Steve Marek helped get the Halos into post-season play in 2008.  Nobody knew at the time that Tex would be destined for New York, but the move was exciting and made the team a threat in the 08 post-season.  Dealing for Alberto Callapso for Will Smith and Sean O'Sullivan was also a positive move.  Callaspo had been a spark all season and O'Sullivan has been somewhat of a bust for the Royals.  The Dan Haren trade has been tremendous.  And cash saving moves like dealing Gary Matthews Jr. and Brian Fuentes was beneficial to the team.  Even the Scott Kazmir deal at the time looked to be a good move, although Kazmir all but fell apart in Anaheim.

In defense of Tony Reagins, I believe his moves have been mostly good, but that Wells deal will certainly haunt this team for seasons to come.  Of course, if Wells bounces back... we'll all be singing a different story.

This is the Vernon Wells I've been waiting for.

I was and still am as skeptical as the next guy about the Vernon Wells signing.  As as optimistic as I tried to be about the deal, the contract was still a too big of a burden to bear and cost one position player to many when the deal was made.  And what a miserable April and May Vernon had.  Just when it looked like he was about to get hot, he gets hurt.

Tony Reagins looked like some kind of jerk, Arte says to the media "Don't spend anymore of my money!"  And it looked like the Angels might become sellers.  

Not so fast pessimists.  Vernon Wells is starting to come around.  Is he worth the contract he's getting paid, hell no.  But is he helping this team win... he's starting too.  It just took him two months to get ready.  In the last month, Wells has been hitting .288, 13 Runs off 21 hits, a double and 6 dingers.  Grab your magnifying glass, because in the past 14 days Vernon hit the ball 15 times with 48 at bats, with 7 Runs, 1 double, 4 Homers, 10 RBI and batting .313.  Is VW heating up?  He's certainly going the right direction.  Vladimir Guerrero was notorious for starting late, maybe VW does to.  I'm no stat guy, but can anyone tell me if this is typical of Wells?  

Either way, with Wells' bat becoming more productive this team can only get better.  His performance will start to impact the entire line up, winning is contagious and so is hitting.

Go Halos

Morales is out for the year?

Morales will be out for all of 2011

Do you remember how you felt when you found out the Tooth Fairy wasn't real? Or that Santa Claus was actually mom and dad? I do. It was like the wind was taken from my sails.  Last night after I made a delicious dinner for my daughter and I, I was scouring the internet for news and notes for the Angels.  I wanted to see what the score was, I hadn't been listening or watching the game.  Prior to heading to MLB.com I was checking out twitter when I saw this.

Kendrys Morales done for the year. Will have a second surgery. #Angels #MLB

 -- Scott Miller CBS Sports Los Angeles (@ScotMCBSSports)

I even messaged him back "I wish you were lying!"  He replied with "Sorry, so do I!"  That didn't make me feel better.  I even reached out to my BFF Roger Lodge and asked him if he had "any comments of the biggest disappointment for the 2011 season?'  His reply was an optimistic "That's rough!  But let's see what Trumbo can do!!!"  And although I'm more than willing to give Trumbo an opportunity to play first base every day, he can't be expected to produce the way Morales on his 2009 campaign, where he had seen 152 starts, 566 at bats, 45 doubles, 34 home runs, 106 RBI, and average of .306, slugging .596 and and OPS of .924

Lets not forget it was nearly one year ago where on a Saturday Afternoon, Kendrys Morales Walk Off Celebration changed the face of the franchise for all of 2010 and now 2011 as well.  When Morales comes back it will be two years since he has faced major league pitching and to compound that, he will be an unrestricted free agent.  Of course the Angels will offer him arbitration, he will have a lot to prove when he comes back, if he comes back as an Angel.

Not only does this affect the Angels plans this season, but certainly next years as well.  Something that has been in the back of my head since the announcement of the second surgery is a lot of the pre-season talk from  Arte, Tony, and Scioscia has been about getting Morales back mid-season would be like a huge acquisition, where we didn't have to give up any players. This setback must certainly alter some of the front office planning.  Obviously their is pressure on the Front Office to make a deal for a big bat and it doesn't necessarily have to be a first baseman, but aren't Fat Albert and Cecil's Kid up for free agency next season?  

Could revolving door at Angels' first base be Auditions for trade market?

Back in May, a bright Saturday Afternoon, in Anaheim.  Those were simpler times.  In the process of a comeback and the bases were loaded.  Angels First Baseman Kendry Morales stepped into the batters box, all the while being televised on Fox for a National Game. Morales launched a walk-off grand slam and won the game.  But not all would be golden for the Halos, his first career grand slam, would later become his final plate appearance for the 2010 season.  While coming to home plate after his monstrous swing, joining the bench clearing celebration, poor Kendry would break his leg jumping on to home plate.

All the talk was who would replace Kendry at 1st?  Obviously it would be difficult to find someone who could match the power and defense that Kendry provided.  Brandon Wood attempts were futile. Kevin Frandsen was a decent fit, but provided little power.  And a bevy of Minor Leagues would attempt to replace Morales, Paul McAnulty, Michael Ryan, and Robb Quinlan.  There was even at least one attempt to make a trade for the Chicago Cubs' 1st Baseman Derrek Lee, that didn't happen because of Lee's no trade clause. Lately there has been fills ins like Howie Kendrick, Bobby Wilson, and probably receiving the most starts at 1st, Mike Napoli.  But for the past few nights, following Napoli being claimed on the wavier wire the tenth man in an Angel uniform suited up for 1st base.  Juan Rivera.

Although Mike Napoli wasn't claimed on Waivers and a trade involving Napoli will not be made, Rivera has been doing a phenomenal job at first base.  But I believe this has more to do with an attempt to move Rivera and not Napoli.  Tony Reagins mentioned in passing that nearly half the Angels were placed on Waivers.  Only 4 names were discovered by the media.  Brian Fuentes- who was later traded to the Twins, Mike Napoli- who was claimed by Boston (know deal was made), Bobby Abreu and Juan Rivera.  Since there has been no reports of Rivera being claimed off of waivers, I have to believe he has cleared waivers.

Could Rivera's strong performance at 1st Baseman make him an asset to a contending team?  Or an upgrade to a non-contending team who is in need of a corner outfielder and 1st baseman be desirable to work out a trade.  Rivera's contract his affordable.  Is this an audition for Rivera?  Only Tony Reagins and Mike Scioscia know for sure.  

Go Halos 

Los Angeles Angels closing situtation gets some closure.

“I don’t know. It was funny – I felt like I was pitching on the road  quite a bit,” he said. “I came in to a lot of boos. Fans come out here  in droves and they come out to be entertained. They’re going to be  entertained one way or the other – either by my frustration or by my  success. I felt like I gave them a lot more success than failure. … I  put it on the line every time.”

Much to my surprise, Angels General Manager Tony Reagins made another move that would not get too much national attention.  Reagins dealt the Angels closer Brian Fuentes to the Twins.  The Halos will not know what they will get in return from the Twins until October 15th.  This was ultimately a win win move.  When you look at the Twins bullpen, which was plagued with injury this season, this move makes them immediately deeper in the bullpen.  And it is being said that Fuentes will be used mostly as a Lefty Specialist and will close on some occasion.  The Twins currently have the 3rd Best Record in the American League and hold the lead in the American League Central by 4.5 games.  Especially in the playoffs, the more depth you have, the better your team will do.  And although Fuentes wasn't lights out in the Playoffs last year, he did lead the league in saves last year and his more recent stuff was looking good.

I'm glad to see Fuentes get an opportunity to play for a winner and perhaps make another post-season appearance.  I think had the Angels attempted to make Fuentes a Lefty Specialist, the Angels might have won a handful more of games.  He didn't have the caliber pitches of Percivial or K-Rod, but he did lead the league in saves last season.  The Angels promote Fernando Rodney, who looked lights out prior to Fuentes' return from his early stint on the DL.  Unfortunately, the damage has been done to the Angels in 2010.  The struggles finding consistency has plagued every aspect of the Angels this year.  The good news is that with Fuentes now in another uniform there is no chance his option vests (not that it was likely to vest as a Halo), the Angels save a little money and perhaps get a nice piece from Minnesota.  And if the prospect isn't so nice, at least this will allow the Angels to move forward and piece next years bullpen together now. With Rodney closing; Stokes, Bulger, Jepsen, K-Rod2.0, and Thompson seems to set up next years bullpen.  With more defined roles, perhaps the Angels bullpen can return to form of their dominant selves.  

Go Halos

The 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse or The Angels put 4 players on the Waiver Wire.

Much to the surprise of no one, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim put four players on the Waiver Wire according to Ken Rosenthal. Nevermind that the players that are put on waivers are supposed to remain confidential, Angels closer: Brian Fuentes, Odd man out of the Outfield: Juan Rivera, the De Facto 1st Baseman: Mike Napoli and lead-off hitter: Bobby Abreu.  Talking heads like Roger Lodge of AM 830's Sports Lodge, attempted to mass up a media frenzy with Angel fans with this report.  And a few callers called in rallying behind Napoli and making statements like trade Fuentes and Rivera, with slightly less articulation.  Its kind of funny when you hear all of these armchair GMs demand that the Angels go after this player or that player.  And get rid of this guy or that guy. 

But the Waiver Wires are simply a way to test the interest of players to those teams looking to make a surge into the post-season.  There is no guarantee that any of the 4 horsemen will be bringing the Apocalypse after the waiver wire deadline, which is Tuesday.  I also don't see this as Reagins throwing in the towel either.  And in reality, most of these guys will probably stay right here in the Halosphere.  But looking closer at a few of the players you can measure the goods they could bring to a team.

Brian Fuentes certainly has to be on many teams radar.  Fuentes has already save 23 games, last year he led the league with 48 and the year before he had 30.  His ERA is down from last year.  He's been able to get a hanful of wins and seemingly has pitched a lot better recently.  There doesn't seem much of a chance for Fuentes' Option to vest, which means he'll be a free agent at the end of the year.  Teams who are currently struggling with Bullpen Issues could find the lefty invaluable.  The Yankees, Phillies, Giants, Cardinals, all could use more depth in the bullpen.  And even if he comes out of the bullpen as a lefty specialist, instead of a closer, he would be a great asset.

Mike Napoli's versatility at the very least has to make some GMs take notice.  Napoli's defense at catcher is passable and he has looked surprisingly well at 1st base.  Napoli has a pretty good pop already having hit 21 Home Runs, which is one more this year then he has hit in the last two years with a couple of more weeks left to play ball,  and that was spending the first half of the season in a platoon at catcher.  Any team in need of a catcher would certainly be tempted to pick up a claim on Napoli.  And for a team like Boston, New York, or the Rangers, his power would shine a little brighter and could help those teams in the long stretch.  Napoli is expendable for the Angels because of the young core of catchers already in the team.  Mathis and Wilson have shared most of the catching duties this year, with Budde and Conger waiting in the wings.  And after this season the Angels will bring back Kendry Morales at 1st.  This would also save the Angels some money when it comes to his arbitration hearing this year, where surely he expects to see a raise.

 Bobby Abreu has recently got hot.  His mixture of speed, 17 bags and power, 15 home runs could help some teams.  His bat also affords him the ability to hit just about anywhere in the line up.  The drawbacks to Abreu are slightly steeper than Napoli or Fuentes.  Abreu has one more year on his contract, so any team making a move for Abreu is going to have to over pay him for next year as well as this year.  And finding playing time is becoming more difficult in Anaheim already, with Abreu shifting from Right to Left and working some nights as a DH.  The biggest obstacle in Abreu will be that salary and I'm all but sure the Angels would choose not to eat any of his salary if he is moved. 

And lastly Juan Rivera, the poor guy just hasn't performed up to his normal standards this year.  And who knows if it is a mental thing or if his skills have just started to diminish.  Notorious for being a later starter, all of his measurable numbers are down.  His defense has looked down right terrible.  And he hasn't earned enough consistency at any position to keep regularly at bats.  Rivera's contract isn't gigantic by any stretch, but there comes a point when a GM just won't pay for what Rivera is providing.  Sure a change of scene might do Rivera a great deal.  And maybe a team like the Reds or Giants could use Rivera.  I thought Rivera would have been moved prior to the trade deadline, but since then he's looked worse and worse in the outfield. 

Ultimately I feel that none of these players will be moved.  It is just Tony Reagins looking to see if he can move some payroll in hopes of landing a Real Big Fish in the offseason.  Although if some of these players are not moved, it is hard to see the Angels making any acquisitions in the off season.  Only Arte, Scioscia and Reagins know what the Angels next move is. 

Go Halos.

Are you Haren what I'm saying?

Color me surprised by the signing of Dan Haren.  Before last year's trade of Sean Rodriguez and prospects for Scotty Kazmir went down I was of the opinion that the Angels should pursue Dan Haren.  And at the time you heard all kinds of reasons why Tony Reagins couldn't make that move; contract length, money owed, prospects to get the deal, etc.  But in the bottom of the 5th inning in a losing effort to the Texas Rangers, Tony Reagins confirmed that this deal has been in the works for a while.  So when I popped on facebook yesterday afternoon to see what was going on, certainly made me smile.

However, I'm sad to see Joe Saunders go.  He was a gutty pitcher.  He isn't or will he be an Ace, but he was a guy that would go out there and was a pivotal to the successful season the Halos had last year. I felt much worse when I saw Saunders being interviewed.  Saunders hasn't had the best of year, but he really wasn't on my list of guys who should be moved.  I really do wish nothing but success to the Saunders and hope to see the Diamondbacks get back to some winning ways behind Saundo next year.

Haren was tied for the most strike outs in the National League, but has given up a lot of hits and homeruns.  His home runs given up should drop considering Anaheim is more of a pitchers park and there are some reservations about bringing in a guy who has an ERA nearly identical to Saunders, but ultimately this move makes the Angels better and if you watch tonight you'll see why. The Angels have wasted no time into re-introducing the new Angel to the American League.  Haren pitches tonight against the Boston Red Sox.  A Win tonight will certainly send a statement to the Texas Rangers.  But more than anything else, the Angels need a winning streak.  And with Haren on the mound tonight with Weaver following tomorrow, I like those chances.

Go Halos

Angels become active in the trade market.

Yesterday I started to write about whom I thought would be moved and what trades I could guess would be coming our way.  I wasn't really expecting to hear the Angels wanted Alberto Callaspo, let alone made the trade for him.  Now truth be told, 3rd base was probably our biggest liability in the infield.  The Brandon Wood Experiment didn't exactly pan out.  Kevin Frandsen had looked really good at third, but has slowed down as of late.  And then the often injured Maicer Izturis, who is off the DL this week it just too much of a health risk to expect everyday production from.  Alberto Callaspo expected to debut for Halos tonight, was traded to the Angels for SOS, Sean O'Sullivan and Will Smith, not the Fresh Prince.  Smith is a minor leaguer who didn't look to contribute to the teams success this season, however SOS just pitched a gem of a game in New York earlier this week and looked to be starting in lieu of the injured Scott Kazmir.  

Callaspo certainly won't single handily win the World Series for the Angels, but he does bring some stability at third.  He hit 73 RBI and 11 Home Runs last year.  And has already hit 8 HR thus far.  Callaspo is no stranger to the Angels as he was originally drafted by the team.  
 

The true question is which piece falls next.  With Napoli's hot bat, I doubt 1st base is an area Tony Reagins is focusing on.  And with the way the Halo Bullpen has looked this season, maybe that will be the next area the might Reagins will improve on.  Needles to say, the trade deadline is rapidly approaching.  Will this be the year that Reagins doesn't make a big name trade or has Reagins mastered the persona of a Ninja just waiting to make his next move surprising the most hardcore Angels Fan.  

Go Halos

It is much to soon to call this season done!

This division is Texas’s to lose. Neither Oakland nor LAnaheim is a good team. The Angels might try to spend the money to fill some holes, but I think they have just too many. I doubt Oakland has the money to fill any of their holes. The best strategy may be to try to get a little better, and hope that Texas collapses.

--BaseballMusings.com

Along with surrendering the American League division to the Texas Rangers, this clever writer from Baseball Musings also managed to create a clever little nickname for our beloved Halo Franchise, LAnaheim. Counting the Halos out now would be a terrible decision.  Lets just pretend that the last two years, didn't exist.  So the Angels GM Tony Reagins hasn't spent the past two years acquiring high caliber talent before the trade deadline, like trading for Mark Teixera or Scott Kazmir.  Or lets pretend that the last two years, the Angels haven't won the division, over coming injuries.  Why not forget about Mike Scioscia being one of the best managers in baseball.  In fact, lets just forget about ever positive motion the Angels have made.  

Forgive me if I don't buy the media hype proclaiming this as the year Texas wins the division.  These are the same talking heads that proclaimed Seattle would win it all last year and would win it all this year.  How are these Seattle predictions working out?  Before you get all worried about Cliff Lee joining the Ranger's pitching staff keep this in mind, Seattle had Lee along with King Felix and still couldn't manage to be contenders.  Cliff Lee, although a phenomenal pitcher, can't pitch every day and hasn't pitched particularly well in Texas.  The Ballpark in Arlington is a hitters park and as the summer heat gets hotter, well, Texas pitching has a way of withering.  Not to mention that the Rangers gave up there everyday young 1st Baseman and are relying on Chris Davis... who isn't exactly setting the World on Fire.  I will admit... Vladimir Guerrero looks totally rejuvenated in Texas... but he is a bit injury prone.  Same with Josh Hamilton. 

I won't try to pretend to understand the Pythagorean or try to explain strength of scheduling, but what I saw out of our Halos last night reminded me of last year's squad.  Hit the ball and score.  As the infamous "Wonder Dog" Rex Hudler would say... another lousy single.  A couple of lousy singles led to "Just Another Halo Victory" last night.  They won't all be that easy, but if the Angels can continue with the same principles... there will be a showdown in the American League West. 

Go Halos

Angels, Tigers Discuss Granderson Trade

MLBTR is reporting that the Angels and Tigers are discussing a Granderson Trade.

The Angels and Tigers have discussed a trade for center fielder Curtis Granderson, according to Ken Davidoff of Newsday. Davidoff says the Halos would use Granderson in left field and either shift Juan Rivera to DH or trade him. In my opinion, the Angels could fill several needs cheaply for the Tigers with players such as Mike Napoli and Brandon Wood. Davidoff adds that the Yankees "think very highly" of Granderson and the Cubs are "expected to inquire."

Granderson has always played well in Anaheim. But he is far from a complete player. He has good defense but his offense is sub-par. He does have good speed, but his OPS is much to low to be a lead off hitter. And he doesn't hit well against Lefties.

The move at the very least is interesting. But I can't see the Angels trading either Wood or Napoli for a player who is similar to a younger Gary Matthews Jr. Before Tony Reagins makes a move, our outfield is slated to look like Juan River (LF), Torii Hunter (CF), and Bobby Abreu (RF). With Matthews scheduled to be the 4th man. If Matthews moves, then Willits is promoted to the 4th man. That means The Angels still have an abundance of outfielders.

Preferably the Angels, if they are going to make some trades, should look to trade for another starting pitcher. Considering John Lackey isn't likely to return. There is a lot of IFs this off-season and it looks like we'll be waiting to January to see how it all works out.

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.

Wire Waiver Trades are sneaky

So say you are a successful baseball franchise still very much in the playoffs. But knowing full well that you really aren't going to clinch a wild-card spot. You've got a pitcher who injuries have often hurt is ability to help the club. So what do you do???? You put his large salary and his deflated numbers out on the waivers and wait for a hungry shark to take a bite of your chum.

And that's just was the Angels GM Tony Reagins did. A trade should be worked out as we speak that would send a pair of 21 year olds to the Tampa Bay club in return for 25 year old Scott Kazmir. Alexander Torres and Matthew Sweeney. Torres is a lefty who was playing in Arkansas. Sweeney has been compared to a young Aubrey Huff, he played 3rd for Rancho Cucamonga and has had a problem staying healthy.

Its kind of hard to believe that sure Torres and Sweeney have upsides, but Kazmir is still young himself. His contract doesn't expire until 2011 and he has an option in '12. And who knows, with the magic that Jeff Mathis seems to work with Ervin Santana maybe Kazmir can get back to his past performance. Kazmir has a lot of experience in facing the Red Sox and the Yankees, which can help in October. He might not be an ACE, but he certainly can be a better option that Bell or Sullivan.

Look for an announcement to be made soon, the Angels don't get mentioned in Rumors unless its for real.