Brad Pitt says he now feels "a little bit romantic about the A's" after portraying GM Billy Beane in the Moneyball movie, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Here's the latest from Oakland's division…
- Vernon Wells, who could opt out of his contract this offseason, told Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register that he doesn't expect to walk away from the three years and $63MM remaining on his deal. It will be a shock if he opts out given his .219/.252/.406 season line.
- The Mariners named Joe McIlvaine an assistant to GM Jack Zduriencik. The 64-year-old former Mets and Padres GM has spent the last 12 seasons working for the Twins. When MLBTR’s Howard Megdal ranked every GM in Mets history last October, McIlvaine placed fourth.
- Michael Young was the subject of near-constant trade rumors last offseason. He tells the Associated Press (link via ESPN) that he never really wanted to leave Texas, even after he requested a trade. The Rangers are glad they held on to Young, who has a .331/.374/.472 line with 40 doubles this year.
Vernon Wells opting out of his contract to hit free agency would almost be as bad as the Angels move to take on his contract
DAMN YOU, TONY REAGINS! TRADING OUR BEST HITTER (NAPOLI) FOR VERNON WELLS!! HOW DO YOU STILL HAVE A JOB??? This team better not look the same in 2012. I WANT PRINCE FIELDER AND CJ WILSON. Thanks, Joe.
Are you putting up the money yourself?
If he were to put his money toward anything, it should be to pay Vernon Wells the remaining 63 mill to opt out.
I pay $10,000 a year in season tickets. Going on 15yrs… I think I should have some say? I’m sick of watching this boring offense. <—- $10,000 well spent
Where the hell are you sitting to pay $10,000?
And how has there been no price change in 15 years? I would say he should be thankful it hasn’t gone up about 30% in the last 10 years.
I pay $10,000 a year in season tickets. Going on 15yrs… I think I should have some say? I’m sick of watching this boring offense. <—- $10,000 well spent
Much like last year when Angel fans wanted Crawford and Beltre, I don’t see the Halos getting Fielder or Wilson.
Exactly. Angels fans don’t realize that Fielder and Wilson will cost more than they guys they didn’t sign last year. And now you have to think about how much salary space Wells is taking up. Angels won’t get either of them.
Here’s one Angels fan who didn’t want either player. And then just as I suspected, I later read that the Angels were already deep into the trade market, with deals in place for Beltran and A Soriano before the Jays swooped in with Wells.
Tony Reagins didnt trade Napoli for Wells. Anthopoulos traded Wells for Rivera and Napoli. Reagins was just the sucker that agreed to it
Wells is still an upgrade over Rivera, and Napoli had no role even if the Angels did get rid of Mathis. With Morales projected to return at the time, and with Trumbo, Conger, and Wilson moving forward, there was no place for Napoli. Wells is a #6 hitter and his run production in his last 108 games has been pretty good for a #6 hitter. You think the Angels are really worried about his contract? Plenty of money is coming off the books for them, so they can keep Wells in the 6 hole for a long time and not have to depend on him.
Not really. Rivera had a much better offensive season, as far as defense goes, then I agree. Morales IMO isnt coming back. Wilson and Conger both look awful
Reagins should hire Manny to beat Wells into submission until he ops out of his deal
CJ isn’t coming to Anaheim
I would do anything to get outa texas. It would be so draining to play in that weather…
Like you would know. I’m a Rangers season tix holder. People overrate how hot it is. Once you’ve lived here for a short amount of time you get use to it. CJ has no problem pitching in the heat.
He won’t go to the Angels because he wants to win.
And he wants money, which are two reasons that Texas has the upper hand on LAA. And as for CJ being a west coast guy, Texas is out there plenty, so Texas will be fine in CJ talks.
doubt it, think new york will drop a pretty penny for CJ just cause they can and need more pitching, if CJ is all about the money he ain’t all about Texas.
He will go to the Angels, or any other team playing in a pitcher friendly ballpark, because they have the stadium that accommodates good pitching and defense.
2.34 ERA away from that video game ballpark. The Rangers have the stadium built for big bats, the Angels have the stadium built for dominant pitching. Texas’ history with big name free agent pitchers is pretty dormant for a reason. I will be shocked if CJ stays in Texas.
Looking at the Arbitration Eligibles for the Rangers. i wonder if the Rangers may look to trade Young this off season again.
it would still be a good idea, but he has veto power now so that ship may have sailed
Doubtful, why? He’s so good.
Nah, Wells is going to leave $63MM on the table just out of the goodness of his heart (sarcasm).
Nobody would.
I wonder how the conversation went when Bill Plunkett went to Wells to ask him about opting out of his contract? Or the conversation when Plunkett pitched the story to his editor. I mean, is this seriously worth mentioning? It’s that obvious.
Also, I think his lede is way over the top. At the time it maybe seemed like a bad contract, but definitely not one of the worst of all time. Wells was coming off some good years and looked like he’d be a strong centrefielder for a long time.
It just turned out that he never lived up to that
If CJ Wilson leaves, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Rangers try to make Young a pitcher…
He needs to convert to catcher next lol.
He needs to convert to catcher next lol.
If Vernon opted out, Reagins would prob just give him more years to get him back.
If Vernon opted out, Reagins would prob just give him more years to get him back.
Vernon opting out would be a pipe dream
Why are so many people against Tony Reagins? If I’m correct, the Angels were at or near the top of the division for a decade. By my standards that is consistent success and fans continue to slander him for that one trade.
Beane, a great GM, has not been able to coagulate a strong team for a while.
Epstein has made two close to terrible signings in Lackey and Crawford.
Cashman messed up on Aj.
Every GM makes terrible decisions and some do not deserve all the criticism they are enduring.
“Why are so many people against Tony Reagins? If I’m correct, the Angels were at or near the top of the division for a decade. By my standards that is consistent success and fans continue to slander him for that one trade.”
a lot of money spent on winning a weak division without any progression to being a more dangerous playoff team
“Epstein has made two close to terrible signings in Lackey and Crawford … Cashman messed up on Aj.”
though both John Lacking and AJ Burnout weren’t particularly good signings and definite overpays, at least both GMs were addressing starting pitching needs. and few people disagreed that Carl Crawford seemed set to cement his reputation as one of the best non-power players in the game.
What was Reagins/Angels addressing with VW? their need for overpaid, aged outfielders no longer able to bring middle-order beef?
oh, and Beane … true he hasn’t done jack recently, but unless Billy Crystal steps up again, or Damon and Affleck get together again, ain’t no one making a movie about Theo or Cash!!
Beltre was/is a Boras client..enough said….both he and Napoli have had great years…but Napoli…where did that come from? he has never hit for a high avg.
The players union would go ape s*it if Wells opted out..i would mind if he did and he was brought back for even half that amount. We could use some flexability
I have not been thrilled with Tony Reagins..aside from Harten deal and getting Teix..arriving late to Winter Mettings? Gimme a break….not doing anything to address team in the july timeframe. What concerns me more with the Angels…is develop some talent in the minor leagues…this talent coming up was under the Farm Director they let go….