Since Kendry Morales' season-ending leg injury, there has been plenty of speculation about whether or not the Angels will make a move to replace him. Manager Mike Scioscia voiced his thoughts on the subject to Fanhouse's Tom Krasovic, suggesting that the team would rather not merely rent a player for the remainder of this season.
"At this point, it would be a piece that you bring in that would help you past this year — make you better for the future also," Scioscia said. "I think that's a deal that would be very attractive to [the front office]."
Scioscia's comments indicate the Angels are less likely to pursue players such as Paul Konerko or Adam LaRoche, who are in the final year of their contracts.
We heard yesterday from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that the Angels were "hovering" around Mike Lowell, whose contract also expires at season's end. Krasovic's report explains why the Angels could be hesitant to pursue Lowell, though perhaps the cost of trading for him would be negligible enough that the club would still consider it.
Scioscia added that the Angels don't feel any pressure to make a move, and that a middle-of-the-order bat could "evolve" from within the organization.
If they have any decent young pitching to give up, Prince Fielder could probably be had (1.5 years left before FA).
Smoke screen – pure and simple. The Angels don’t NEED anyone for next year at 1st base. The type of injury Morales sustained lends itself to a full recovery. The only kind of a player that would make sense would be:
1. 1 year rental that will only cost cash
2. A 1st baseman that could easily slide into DH next year (i.e. someone who’s 1st base skills won’t be missed and who makes an appropriate amount of money to DH)
3. A player that can cover 1st and 3rd. If the Angels have given up on Wood they could move said player to 3rd next season
Option 1 makes the most sense as those guys are plentiful. Konerko, Lowell, LaRoche, etc all fit. Option 2 is harder to fill. Really, Lowell maybe the only person I can think of. And even Lowell doesn’t swing it well it enough to be a full-time DH. As for option 3 I can’t think of anyone who might be available.
Fielder will simply cost too much in terms of talent AND money. Lowell looks cooked. Can’t count on him to do anything. Only way I take him is if it’s post-release paying the league minimum. Konerko should come with maybe a “B” type prospect only due to his current salary. LaRoche shouldn’t cost anything either. A 1st baseman with a sub 800 OPS isn’t terribly attractive to anyone.
problem with number two. I think Abreu is destined to be the DH next year, so either Bourjous or Crawford–assuming the Angels go after him–will take one LF and move Rivera to RF.
If the Angels are looking for something long term….
– 3B currently has Maicer Izturis and Kevin Frandsen, both are doing an amazing job, both however are most suited for middle infield duty. If the team has lost confidence in Wood, 3B might be the spot of a permanent fix.
– Outfield could potentially be one, but that seems like it wouldn’t come until next year at the earliest. Grabbing another OF would slide Abreu over to DH, which is currently manned by Matsui, but will more than likely be open next year unless there’s a rotation of Napoli and Abreu there. Much of this depends on if the Angels have confidence in Willits, Ryan, Bourjos or Trumbo to be an everyday player. If they do, no move is necessary, if they don’t, they might make a move.
MOST LIKELY TARGETS: Michael Cuddyer, Prince Fielder, Miguel Cabrera, Adam Dunn, Mark Reynolds.
Most, if not all of these guys will have a hefty price tag, but would appear like the type of player the Angels are looking for. I’m not saying the Angels will land ANY of them, in fact, I’d bet the Angels don’t have a snowballs chance in hell, I’m merely saying that these guys have a degree of availability and are the types of hitters you can expect the Angels to inquire about.
none of those guys u mentioned are going to be traded to the angels, and i would go as far as to say that all of them except maybe Fielder is not available
Did you even read the post or do you just skim and reply. I said “snowballs chance in hell”. I also said those are merely the types of hitters the Angels would inquire about. You don’t need to point out the obvious, when I already did.
What about Travis Hafner?
He can play first when needed and he dh’s too. He is under contract until 2012
Doesn’t seem likely. For whatever reason Kronk’s not producing consistently and hasn’t done so in a couple of years. I think they’d stick with Napoli.
i meant to reply here…
he is starting to come around hitting wise though
how about Ryan Doumit C/1B/ DH and like Dotel for Mark Trumbo and another low level prospect?
Dotel’s ERA would scare me away as a GM. The American League is cosiderably more difficult than the National League, if Dotel’s turning in some bad games there in Pittsburgh, he’d be slaughtered in Anaheim. Doumit is intriguing but really hasn’t shown he’d be any better of an option at 1B than Mike Napoli.
I don’t think I’d trade Trumbo for Dotel and Doumit alone, let alone throwing in another prospect.
So the Angels want somebody but don’t want to pony up the price to get them. What else is new? Also, in my opinion this seems to say to me that the Angels are just plain giving up on this season from the front office standpoint. My guess is that they feel like they’re already behind and the Morales injury probably puts them out of contention. So they’ll play out the season as best they can, but won’t make any moves unless they benefit them next year (since this year is probably a wash).
Smart thinking, from a front office standpoint- but probably not so fun if you’re a fan of the club this year to see them have to struggle without much reinforcements.
To me ARam from the Cubs makes the most sense. I know he is struggling, but if he gets past that thumb injury, he playes a great 3B. I bet the cubs would do a WOOD for AMRAM deal straight up. I’m just not sure the Halos can cover all the money owed. Thoughts?