Angels, Orioles Eyeing Barmes

hmm.. thats interesting.
but if they do acquire him, that means that Wood is permanently moving to 3B. there's no sense in having 4 SS on the depth chart.

Is he really better than Izturis? Is he better than Aybar? I doubt it on both fronts.

Then you have Wood who you would need to move to 3B but then where does Figgins play?

The only way Wood plays 3rd is if we trade about 4 outfielders so Figgins can get in the rotation and spell GA/Vlad.

I just don't see the Angels in the market for a middling SS right now. If we are going to trade for a SS it better be someone really good and we should be moving Aybar and Wood as part of the deal.

are you kidding? anything is better than Aybar, at this point! haha
i'll give you izturis though.

Wood is more suited to be a 3B, and everybody in the world (minus Mike & Tony) seem to know that. He's tall, solid defensively, and would finally provide solid power production from that corner.
Figgins is in his contract year, and Wood needs to be playing. Wood takes over either by the end of this year or next year... thats inevitable. Figgins is either going to another team or he might become our new SS. Actually, he could even go back into the super-sub role.

"The Angels, fishing for a utility player, are keeping an eye on Clint Barmes. . . ."
that's from the Denver Post article.

if they're really looking for another utility player, then they're shooting themselves in the foot.
Play Wood at 3rd. go throw the month of growing pains. You've got the division wrapped up... he'll come around by June (at the latest).
Make Figgins the utility man. He's better suited for that role, and the team will be better off in the long run with Wood getting as much experience as he can.

If Aybar isn't the answer then trade the guy. All the scouting reports I read indicate that the guy can be a very quality major league player.

And while Wood does have a body that plays better at 3B there have been big shortstops that have fared well. If Wood is the real deal I would rather him play SS than slide over to 3B.

Finally, I just think that Figgins has way more value than being a sub type of a player. He is the sparkplug that gets this offense going. With Kendrick at 2B, the outfield filled, where would Figgins get 500-600AB's? And while he could walk this year the Angels would be wise to retain him. Without Figgins there is ZERO speed on this team.

If he can lead off, post a 370+ OBP, and steal 50+ bases he would be every bit important to the club as anyone.

I do agree with you on Wood and his playing time. Let the kid play this year. Find out if he is going to be a superstar or a superdud. If he doesn't pan out then you redouble your efforts to resign Figgins. If he pans out you have plenty of options to choose from. It does us no good to have an elite prospect toiling in the minors.

i agree that Figgins speed is a huge asset, which is why I said that he slides over to SS. he's a good enough athlete to handle the switch.
i've been calling for an Aybar trade for the past few seasons.. he's worthless. Izturis is a fine back-up to have, though, so he could fill in the utility role.

field a team/lineup of

Figgins SS
Matthews LF
Hunter CF
Vlad RF
Anderson DH
Kotchman 1B
Kendrick 2B
Wood 3B
Napoli C

keep Morales, Izturis, Rivera, Haynes/Willits and Mathis on the bench.

if you cut Haynes, he'll get picked up by someone (which is good for him), and i think Quinlan is worthless as well. Morales has the bat the be on the club, as does Rivera.

thats a solid team that can actually compete.

For Os fans, Barmes is so much more attractive than Ronny Cedeno. Easily.

Can Figgins become Tony Phillips and get 600 ABs at 5 different positions? With the history the Angels seem to have with injuries, it could happen. And the Orioles would *love* to get Aybar if the Angels decide to give up on him.