The Angels have some interest in Hank Blalock, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times. Blalock, available since the Rays designated him for assignment yesterday, is not one of the Angels’ preferred options this summer. Lance Berkman, Adam LaRoche and Ty Wigginton are having more productive seasons, but GM Tony Reagins is open-minded as he looks for production.
"We're not limiting our options," Reagins said, without referring to Blalock in particular. "There are opportunities to get better, and we're exploring all of them."
The Angels appear to be operating without financial limitations, but Blalock will cost just a pro-rated portion of the major league minimum if he clears waivers. He posted just a .254/.319/.349 line in the majors this year, though he did hit well in the minor leagues before his stint in Tampa. When the Rays cut Blalock yesterday, I speculated that the Twins could have interest as well as the Angels.
Kendry Morales is out with a season-ending leg operation and Brandon Wood has a .438 OPS, so the Angels could use a corner infielder. Blalock was mostly a DH for the Rays, though he did appear at third and first.
Brandon Wood and a B Prospect for Lance Berkman?
Morales is out, but Napoli has been filling in at 1B and doing a fine job. Wood sucks, so he’s riding the bench while Frandsen has been filling in at 3B and doing a fine job. Angels need pitching before they need infield help.
Morales is out, but Napoli has been filling in at 1B and doing a fine job. Wood sucks, so he’s riding the bench while Frandsen has been filling in at 3B and doing a fine job. Angels need pitching before they need infield help.
agreed w/ Daze, I also think that the Angels could get berkman for a couple small pieces. Clearly Wood fits that category, and I think that leaves Napoli to continue his play at 1B a bit, and DH the rest of the time in a platoon w/ – – ever so streaky — – Matsui..
Go for it as long as he doesn’t require a move to the ML roster. Let him stew in AAA for a few weeks and see if he can play up to the level he was at with Tampa in their minors system.
If he ends up sucking (which he will) you aren’t out anything. If he can get hot for 2 months then you have a bargain.
That said, if this is the “big move” then Angel fans won’t be super happy.