Angels Exercise Guerrero, Lackey Options; Decline Anderson

After '09, going into his age-34 season, I'm predicting some huge offers for Vlad that take him out of Los Angeles, making Teixeira that much more important to sign this off-season for the Angels.

Seriously, I could see Vlad getting a $100MM deal next season; especially with the Red Sox in play if they don't re-sign Jason Bay.

I don't think Vladi will get blown away with huge offers next offseason. I think because of his knees and dipping numbers he will get an offer for around 4/50. Either way, I believe it will be the angels that resign him and they will resign Lackey but I expect lackey to want something closer to 5 or 6 for 75-80.

Vlad has already said he doesn't want to play anywhere else. I expect him to work out another deal with the Angels, no idea what the terms would be tho. Hopefully his surgery on the 10th will fix his knee problem.

"I think he is getting worse as he gets older. May be just me??"

Oh goodness. How short can the memory of people be? Vlad's poor first half was due to a nagging injury that he didn't rest because the team needed his production. Once Scioscia forced him to take some time off, he roared back and put up monster numbers in the second half.

.330 .391 .580

Meanwhile, in 2007, he put up the following line:

.324 .403 .547

Hardly a "decline"

"How would you guys feel if Tex is allowed to walk, but you've got Vlad's option picked up?"

Tex is an unrestricted free agent. It is his choice as to where he can go. Vlad is under team control and the price is under market, so there is no comparison. There is no question that the Angels can afford Tex, even with Vlad's option picked up. It is a matter of their willingness to pay for him.

"Can't believe Vladdy's been out there 5 years already. I guess Wilpons/Duquette (or was it Phillips, I forget?) were right when they said Vlad's back wouldn't last through the whole contract (rolls eyes)."

The ones who are really kicking themselves are the Dodgers, who let Vlad go twice (once in the DR and once in 2004)

"Angels should sign Orlando Cabrera."

What the hell for? They have 3 guys who can contribute just as much as Cabrera right now, and for less money. Aybar and Wood are near minimum and Izturis will probably get $2.5 million to avoid arbitration.

"They should trade Adenhart,Wood, and Kendrick for Matt Holliday."

You must work for the Rockies. Holliday is still a question mark outside Coors, but the main issue is that the package you suggested is worth FAR more than 1 year of Holliday.

"They should try to trade for Mike Jacobs"

Why in the world would they want such a colossal downgrade?

"I think Giambi will be rejuvenated on the west coast and he posted good numbers last year: 373obp 32hr and 96rbi"

And I think Tex is worth much more in the long term.

"Yeah I know Tex decides where he goes but it seems like he's willing to stay and that it's just a matter of money. But if it is how you say that they can afford him and Vlad easily than I see it's a non issue."

Of course they can. Even if Tex gets $20 million a year, that is not much of a bump from what they paid this year for Anderson and some other parts. Further, the team is worth nearly 3 times what Moreno paid for it, so there is tons of equity to play with.

Also, Vlad's marketing value to the team is far more than that of Tex. While Tex is a great offensive player, he doesn't have the same box office pull Guerrero has. It is sort of like Guerrero is Ruth and Tex is Gehrig as a point of comparison.

Nice to see the front office using some common sense... now let's see how far it goes.

Yes, the Angels can and probably WILL sign Teixeira. I'm calling 7 years, $140MM w/2 option years.

And I am completely STOKED that Vladdy finally got the knee scoped out. Let's see how he responds, then hopefully resign him for a few more years.

Angels should let Tex go and try to sign CC. Imagine a rotation like this:
CC
Lackey
Saunders
Garland
Escobar/Weaver

That would be an incredible rotation. Then they could find a cheaper alternative at 1st like Giambi, Jacobs, or maybe try and trade for Carlos Guillen. I know he is old and does not play good defense but I think that is a fair comprimise if you are able to go out and get CC.

dwright3b05, you have the angels signing CC and garland and moving Santana? Or did you mean for Santana to be in there instead of Garland? Either way, pitching isn't the problem for the angels, it's consistency on offense.

I would like to see a rotation of:
CC
Lackey
Santana
Saunders
Escobar/Adenhart

But with offense being the priority this offseason, Tex has to come first. Then in the situation above where they actually did sign CC, you could move one of the other starters (hopefully weaver but could be santana or saunders) and try to package them with the awful contract of GMJ for another bat (Maybe add another prospect to get Holliday?)

Hey if y'all want to sign CC and let Tex walk, we'll give you Konerko and a song for Figgins.

I did not mean to exclude Santana in my previous post...Another thought though how about signing Milton Bradley. He does bring alot of baggage but he has a great obp