Cafardo on Gonzalez, Martinez, Webb, Lackey

Definitely eager to see Hoyer's first move. Given SD's strong bullpen and Mike Adams being able to take the Closer role in 2'10, trading Heath Bell will be an easy way for Hoyer to get "some of his own" prospects into SD's system.

Hoyer also has a big decision to make with whether to stick with Kouzmanoff at 3B or trade him, giving Headley 3B.

However, trading Adrian will obviously be the biggest thing Hoyer can do to start putting his fingerprints into the core of the Padres 2'10 team, and let's be honest, why wouldn't he want his work to be a distinctive part of who the team is next year? Trading Bell, Gonzo, and Kouz would be an exciting way for Hoyer to come into San Diego. I think the fans here are excited enough by Kyle Blanks to allow Adrian to leave, especially if Hoyer can wrangle away Casey Kelly or Daniel Bard.

I also would love to see the team give Pedro a competitive 2-year offer, he'd thrive at Petco and Jed could pay him a Schilling-like visit to convince him why he could be a part of a competitive team by 2'11... Maybe...

but Theo Epstein might be reluctant to part with Casey Kelly, Clay Buchholz and Daniel Bard"

then there wont be many Sawx trades

Adrian Gonzalez rumor might be a little premature.
Carfardo probably started it today to sell papers.

There's no comparing V-Mart and Mauer. One contract won't influence the other.

in fairness bobmac - all teams have prospects they won't trade. Plenty of articles pointed who the Phillies would and would not trade for Halladay or Lee.

And there will not be many Sox trades - I just don't see them trading pitching prospects they need and outfield prospects for a 1B they want.

This is because the Sox made a run at him at the deadline - but it was clear the Sox were going after 1 move, and that was V-mart. They will explore a trade but it will never be serious. Hoyer would be avoiding Boston for a bit, the same way the Theo and Josh Byrnes haven't done anything of note.

lakersdodgersyankees4life, why won't the sox make any trades? It's not like we're Dodger fans who say every player is untouchable! There is no comparison between Theo and Coletti.

If the Sox arent willing to trade any of their prospects, there wont be any Halladay/Fielder, Agon trades.

And the difference is our players are ESTABLISHED players, not guys who struggled in the minors last year.

"in fairness bobmac - all teams have prospects they won't trade. Plenty of articles pointed who the Phillies would and would not trade for Halladay or Lee."

No one knew the Indians were just gonna give Lee to the Phils either though

Kazmir's not that good anymore Melonis

the Angels are not a small market team and have Vladdys big contract coming off the books.. I dont see why they shouldnt be able to re-sign Lackey

Getting another closer makes little sense as they gave big bucks ot Fuentes last offseason. I realize hes not great but its not where i would spend money if im the Angels

gerald, i disagree, somewhat. Yes the Angels are a big market team, but I dont think money is the main thing in the Halladay/Felix talks(at least for the recieving teams). Its more about the prospects. Sorta like the Dodgers, they have used a great deal of prospects in recent years in trades(Tex, Kazmir, etc) and a lot of talent is either in different organizations or in the lower half of the minors. They have the money to make a deal, but the question is if they have the prospects...

Ok, I'm really curious to see what people think about this, just an idea I got while reading all of the posts...

The Mets are looking for a short-term solution at 1B (with Ike Davis about a year away) and they already said they want a RH 1B for next year to platoon with Murphy, so let's say the Mets were to sign Vladimir Guerrero on a 1 or 2 year deal to play 1B with Murphy? I know he hasn't played it before and he's aging fast but I figured A) its a platoon situation offering a lot of days off and B) 1B is much less demanding than OF. I also figured the market for Vlad wouldn't be huge and I can't see his value being too high. While he will offer his RH bat, maybe he can bring a positive mindset to the team as well. And among all things, Omar loves Vlad. Is this too far fetched?

If the Angels want to keep John Lackey, and I hope they do, they will. They have the resources to do so. Of all the players that are free agents, to me he is the most irreplaceable. There simply isn't a good crop of starters you could plug the hole with. Without Lackey the Angels are left without a front-line starter.

The writer forgets to mention that the Angels bullpen will be much better next year (if they can keep Darren Oliver) with the return of a healthy Scott Shields. The Angels would also serve themselves well by developing Kevin Jepsen as their next closer, and not spending millions on another import when it isn't necessary.

As for the offense and defense, Figgins is also very difficult to replace. His defense is gold glove caliber and, save the playoffs, he was one of the bet table-setters in the league. He should be resigned. Losing him creates multiple holes - comfortable leadoff role, defense at third, speed on the base paths, etc..

Abreu should be brought back. Period.

Bringing back Vlad is a more complicated matter. I just don't think Scioscia will earmark one slot on the roster for a player that will only used as DH. He likes using players in multiple roles.

Moving forward, I think the Angels need to address the following issues:

1. They have to find out what they are doing with GMJ. He was not happy sitting the bench this year, and I think he'll demand a trade in the off season. It would be best for both parties to make that happen. Team chemistry is huge. I actually like GMJ very much as a reserve outfielder, but his contract is just too large for that role and he won't be happy in that role.

2. If Figgins is resigned Brandon Wood needs to find a new home. He is out of options, so packaging him with GMJ and a pitching prospect for quality bullpen and utility depth could prove huge for another WS run.

3. Whether they resign Lackey or not, the Angels should absolutely go after Roy Halladay or another front-line starter. I still think they need one more pitcher for depth purposes.

4. Resign Darren Oliver and find out if Kevin Jepsen can become your closer.

5. Find a good 4th outfielder to take over for the (hopefully) departing GMJ.

6.

I would love to see Lackey end up in Boston but I really dont see how the Angels could let him go. Also, I highly doubt the Red Sox will be trading for Adrian Gonzalez, Felix Hernandez, and certainly not Roy Halladay. They will most likely end up signing someone like Rich Harden, Erik Bedard, or Ben Sheets. I think they will just wait this year out with guys like Ortiz and Lowell and once they are off the books that is when I expect them to start making some big moves. Their top prospects will be further along in terms of development and that gives guys like Lars Anderson to prove that last year was just a fluke and that he is a solid ballplayer.

HAHA, the Red Sox a small market team. Woohoo!

Problem with the Angels isn't the size of the market, it's getting the yuppies to put down their lattes and pick up a beer and watch 9 innings of baseball on a nearly daily basis.

I'd think that if the Angels offered Wood, Trevor Bell, and Trevor Reckling for Halladay, the Jays would have to listen. Although that would mean that resigning Figgins would be likely."

Obviously, but that kills their main farm pieces for one year of Doc. If they werent willing to do it last year, why do it this year, when you have less control(only one year)? Doesnt make sense, IMO

Sorry all. Got rushed. Boston is a big market team because of a century old tradition of raBid fans who now live all over the USA. Boston's regional area (NE) is smaller than some big market metro areas.