Email a copy of 'Amateur Signing Bonuses: Angels' to a friend
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By Mike Axisa | at
Email a copy of 'Amateur Signing Bonuses: Angels' to a friend
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bjsguess
The Angels have really suffered by not signing guys over slot. There were a lot of years where they just didn’t have a 1st round pick. However, there were deals to be had if you are willing to spend. This has caused the current predicament where there aren’t a lot of real high ceiling guys in the system.
Overall though – it’s impressive that their big gambles have really paid off (exception being Torres).
BK
It was one year of non playoffs. Looking at their track record it seems to me they have done an admirable job at not over spending and still being HIGHLY competitive. As a fan I do wish they would splurge on over slot impact guys, but you really cant argue with their ability to draft right and not spend exorbitantly. They seems to develop pitching very well (albeit quietly) and struggle to develop power bats.
ryankrol
Actually, they have over spent on a number of players, but mainly free agents. Vladdy, Colon, Escobar, and Guillen were all given more than anyone else was willing to give them and that’s why all 4 of them signed in 2003/2004. Only one of those players actually fulfilled his contract. This is a big reason why they refused to offer an extra year to Vladdy, Figgy, and Lackey this past offseason. The front office is still feeling the wounds. We all know what happened with Gary Matthews. The Angels pretty much pulled a “Yankees” with Torii Hunter, which brings me to my point. After 2010, look for Arte Moreno to just go ahead and open the wallet again and give free agents that extra year, as well as paying them $5 million more than what they are really worth. The question this time is if they are players who either don’t have possible future injury/stamina concerns (Colon, Escobar) and/or don’t have serious clubhouse issues (Guillen).
Chris
I think the Angels system is underrated. While the lack of power bats has been a concern in the past (although Mark Trumbo, Trout, and Cowart might help with that), they’ve managed to pull up some great starting and relief pitchers, and solid role-player types. And when they’ve needed to make a trade, they’ve still been able to do so. Although I wish desperately they could somehow undo the Kazmir trade…you know, for that package, plus one more high ceiling prospect, they might have been able to land Cliff Lee in the offseason, even if they still had to get another team involved. Oh well…
ryankrol
This is probably one of the best lists of all I’ve seen posted so far.