The Angels, soon to be under new leadership, will look to add a minimum of one starting pitcher, improve their offense and tinker with their bullpen.
Guaranteed Contracts
- Vernon Wells, OF: $73.9MM through 2014
- Torii Hunter, OF: $18.5MM through 2012
- Dan Haren, SP: $16.25MM through 2012
- Bobby Abreu, DH: $9MM through 2012
- Ervin Santana, SP: $12.2MM through 2012
- Jered Weaver, SP: $85MM through 2016
- Scott Downs, RP: $10MM through 2013
- Hisanori Takahashi, RP: $4.2MM through 2012
- Maicer Izturis, UT IF: $3.967MM through 2012
Arbitration Eligible Players (estimated salaries)
- Jerome Williams, SP: $700K
- Jeff Mathis, C: $1.8MM (non-tender candidate)
- Kendrys Morales, 1B: $2.975MM
- Alberto Callaspo, 3B: $3MM
- Erick Aybar, SS: $4.5MM
- Howie Kendrick, 2B: $5.1MM
Free Agents
- Russell Branyan (unranked 1B), Joel Pineiro (unranked SP), Fernando Rodney (unranked RP)
The Angels' new general manager will face challenges, as every GM does, but no organizational overhaul is required in Anaheim. Even after missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season, the Angels have many above-average players and the payroll to keep them in place. The Los Angeles front office can build on 2011's 86-win team by pursuing starting pitching, considering bullpen upgrades and finding a way to improve the offense.
The Angels have already committed over $100MM to next year's payroll and if they bring back their arbitration eligible players, payroll will rise to $120MM before accounting for those earning the minimum salary. This would give Tony Reagins' replacement a little more than $20MM to work with, assuming owner Arte Moreno is willing to match last year's $142MM payroll.
In other words, the Angels could conceivably bid on an elite free agent like Jose Reyes or Prince Fielder. But in an offseason that features above-average free agents at shortstop and first base, the Angels are set at both positions (Erick Aybar, Maicer Izturis, Mark Trumbo, Kendrys Morales). In theory, the Angels could trade Aybar — he'd have many suitors — and sign Reyes or Jimmy Rollins. There has even been some talk of moving Trumbo from first base to third. Don't count on a major free agent signing.
The team may get a power-hitting first baseman from within. Morales has been sidelined with a left ankle injury since an ill-fated walk-off celebration a year and a half ago and the Angels can no longer count on him to be a force in their lineup. If he does return, they'll have seven players (Morales, Trumbo, Peter Bourjos, Bobby Abreu, Torii Hunter, Vernon Wells and Mike Trout) for five spots.
The Angels could option Trout, Baseball America's 2011 minor league player of the year, to the minors at the beginning of next season. The benefit, aside from clearing space in the Major Leagues, would be delaying Trout's arrival on the free agent market by a year. If the Angels are happy to let Trout develop in the minors until mid-June, they could control his rights for an extra season seven years from now.
Howie Kendrick, a free agent after 2012, is an extension candidate this offseason. He posted a .285/.338/.464 line and appeared in 140 games, including 20 or more at three different positions (first, second and left). Bourjos, meanwhile, probably needs more time to prove himself if he’s going to land a long-term deal, even after a tremendous first full season.
Kendrick, Trumbo, Erick Aybar and Alberto Callaspo give the Angels a quartet of solid everyday infielders and Maicer Izturis is a capable reserve. While Callaspo offers less power than most third basemen, his .366 on-base percentage could be enough to prevent the Angels' next GM from bidding heavily on Aramis Ramirez. However, if the Angels want to add power, Ramirez is a fit. He's easily the best free agent option at his position and the Angels have more established players than Callaspo at the other traditional power positions.
The Angels face a dilemma behind the plate. Jeff Mathis posted a .174/.225/.259 line while sharing catching duties with Hank Conger and Bobby Wilson. Only the Twins and Astros, baseball's two worst teams, had their catchers combine for a lower OPS than the Angels' .555. But manager Mike Scioscia admires Mathis’ glovework and the skipper's endorsement resonates, since he spent 1,395 Major League games behind the plate himself. Mathis is a non-tender candidate given his projected $1.8MM salary and the team's cheaper, more offensively capable alternatives. If the Angels don’t expect Conger to hit as well as he did in the minors, they could go outside of the organization for catching depth. It’s one of the primary weaknesses of an offense that the Angels should look to improve over the winter.
Weaver, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana will occupy the top three spots in the rotation for the next two years, giving the Angels one of the top rotations in the game. Like every MLB team, they have internal candidates for the back of the rotation. But the Angels' chances of unseating the American League champion Rangers would be better if they had more at the back of their rotation than Jerome Williams, Trevor Bell, Tyler Chatwood and Garrett Richards. It appears Joel Pineiro will sign elsewhere as a free agent and the Angels may attempt to sign a replacement. California native C.C. Sabathia would give the Angels one of the best rotations in baseball, though he seems to favor the Bronx.
Last offseason the Angels spent on the bullpen, signing free agent lefties Hisanori Takahashi and Scott Downs to multiyear deals. It's unlikely the Angels will make a similar splash this offseason, even though rookie closer Jordan Walden blew a league-leading ten saves in an otherwise strong season. Rich Thompson, Walden, Downs and Takahashi provide Scioscia with four solid late-inning options and the club's new GM will likely mix in new pieces for depth and competition.
The Rangers have established themselves as the team to beat in the AL West. But the Angels can compete with Texas in 2012 if their new GM improves the rotation and finds a way to infuse offense into a lineup that will remain mostly intact from last year.
One idea- try to trade one of your overpaid corner OFs to the Braves for Derek Lowe to make room for Trout, if you feel you can contend. Lowe’s bad but not entirely useless, and it’s just for one year.
Trout: I think one more year in the AAA would be best for him. That way he can see “Major League pitching” and still be on the 40man roster. Trout was handeled by the teams ace and by wicked breaking balls.
The Angels should try and unload Vernon Wells. Fans dislike him and you can’t have a guy who fans hate.
It would be easy to trade Vernon.. Just put 80 million in a briefcase and send him packing.
AAA in the PCL will do him no good.
keep wells and see how he does.. i think he will have a strong Season.. look at his carrer Stats he goes bad,good,bad,good,good,good,bad(avg wise).. He always hits power.. he did this year with 25 bombs.. Next year he will hit bombs, get RBI’s and get discipline at bat… I agree to much money but might as-well keep him then get rid of him..
Not sure on the discipline. His walk rate plummeted to 3.8% last year and it’s never been that great (6.6% career) to begin with.
Oh, and he sucks.
Genius! Maybe the Angels can try and unload Vernon onto AA and the Jays…
…. oh wait
The only way to find a taker for Vernon Wells is first to find a team who’ll take Tony Reagins.
I’d be ok with a Lowe ($12 mill) for Hunter ($18 mill) swap. They might have to figure out a way to offset the salaries, though. According to this website, ATL probably won’t have much cash to spend next year.
At the end of the day, ATL would be dealing a spare part for a guy that could honestly add 23 hrs to their OF. This trade would probably be a best-case scenario for dumping Lowe. I think if something like this presents itself, they have to figure out a way to make it work. Maybe other pieces are involved on one or both sides, I don’t know. What I do know is ATL’s OF right now is anemic.
Hunter has NTC
and has said multiple times he’d like to play in ATL
last i heard he wanted to finish his career with the Angels
ballplayers say that all the time.
they also say they want to play in atlanta all the time
how can you believe one and not the other?
I don’t really come across a lot of quotes of players saying they think ATL specifically is a “destination”. Not anymore, anyways. I agree with you though in the sense that we’re not really talking about anything with substantial weight. Pure boredom-driven speculation. Nothing more.
he said he wanted to play in atl bc of the large african american population. his reasoning was he could be a role model of sorts and a leader in the community. also, atl figures to be a very competitive team next year, so there’s that.
anyways, it was just a thought. i dont honestly think it’ll happen. i’d just like ATL to get something of value for lowe.
Rather keep Hunter and his superior offense, defense and contract than Wells.
The pen is set i believe Angels have players in the system tha can give us a very strong pen.. Such as Van mil, and David Carpenter.. The Starting is set.. resign Jerome and get shoemaker/Richards/chatty to fight for the 5th spot.. 1st base could be an issue though if Morales isn’t back.. 3rd base covered with GilVelasquez…RF Trumbo if Morales is back and ring thirsty if not Trumbo 1st… Hunter/wells LF/Dh…If morales is back
Pretty sure the Angels new GM is going to look for another starter. The rookies you mention aren’t ready, and are they really going to want to count on Jermone Williams repeating his brief 2011 success over 180-200 innings?
Gil Velasquez? Rofl
Gil Velasquez? Rofl
Absolutely clueless.
Sign A-ram.. Trade Abreu/Mathis/Callaspo.. For 3rd base prospects or Starting pitching..And while Angels are firing people.. Fire Mickey Hatcher.. And get a guy that can get this team to hit.. We need someone like Mattingly… So lets go halos do your scouting and get the team a new hitting coach
Sign Aramis? Are you KIDDING me? Great idea, let’s add a 33 year old to an already aging offense. Better yet, let’s throw the 3 year/36 million contract he wants at him.
Congratulations, you managed to obliterate even the slightest trace of logic in your thought process after typing 3 syllables…
Further congratulations on being like every other clueless fan who says “trade X,Y and Z” like it’s as easy as 1-2-3.
Yeah, it’s easy to trade an aging, defensive liability in Abreu whose power and average declined considerably last season. Oh, did I mention he’s making 9 million?
Jeff Mathis…yeah bro, the phones in Anaheim are ringing off the hook. Who wouldn’t want to add a AA catcher to their squad.
Callaspo- Yep, even more phone calls for a player with absolutely no pop playing a power position. I’d just assume non-tender him but the one saving grace is his cheap arbitration price.
vernon wells is paid
Vernon Wells, OF: $73.9MM through 2014
That is all.
Jered Weaver, SP: $85MM through 2016
Win. That is all
I wonder if the Yankees will take a look at Rodney…
Ha!
I thought you were banned?
Glad to see that meme travels.
Glad to see that meme travels.
…unfortunately Dangerfield is dead
They may take a “look”…and then move on.
Vernon Wells, OF: $73.9MM through 2014 I just smashed my head against the wall.
The next GM should make it public that he wants to use some of Wells’ contract money to sign CC and Fielder and if Wells says “NO” He’ll be run out of Anaheim.
If Vernon was going to bail on his contract, he would have done so in Toronto. He publicly admitted that he didn’t think he was worth the money. “I’m a waste of money….don’t get me wrong I still wanna get paid, but I’d be pissed too if I had to pay me”. That quote is 100% made up by the way
I remember that quote, what he said was that he didnt feel worth the money, that he thinks no player is worth the money..
the funny part of the Vernon Wells saga, is that he didnt want to stay in Toronto forever, so he was reluctant to sign a long term deal.. When it was presented to him, he said he HAD TO THINK ABOUT IT.. then called them back to agree.
lol
in hindsight that makes me laugh.
Run out of Anaheim…and still paid.
Rangers winning the AL West again, no matter what the Angels do.
So the Rangers lose Wilson, Angels Sign Fielder and Wilson and trade vernon wells to baltimore (reagins is the gm there)
and the Angels don’t win the west?
If that happens AA will trade back for Wells and trade him back to LA for Trout.
I think its only the low low price of $63Million through 2014 for Vernon Wells.
24.6 Million per year X 3 more years.
cot’s says 21 million…
like Bryan said, Cot’s has him at 21 mil. It says that the rest (about 3.6) is being paid by the Jays (it says signing bonus so im not sure how that is working)
no it doesnt
Wells, Vernoncf9.113Brian Peters7 yr/$126M (08-14)$26,642,857 $24.643$ 24.643 $24.643
copied and pasted from cots
i see that. At the bottom it says signing bonus pd by TOR. Not sure if they just paid this seasons, but it has (3.643) in the slot so not sure. I’ve never looked at these kind of things before so I’m not sure how it works
7 years/$126M (2008-14)signed extension with Toronto 12/06
$25.5M signing bonus ($8.5M payment each March 1, 2008-10)
08:$0.5M, 09:$1.5M, 10:$12.5M,11:$23M, 12:$21M, 13:$21M, 14:$21M
full no-trade clause (waived 1/11)
Wells may opt out of contract after 2011
award bonuses: $0.25M for MVP, $0.2M for WS MVP, $0.15M for LCS MVP, $0.1M for most All-Star votes in league
Wells to donate $143,000 annually to Blue Jays charity
acquired by LA Angels in trade from Toronto 1/21/11 (Jays paid Angels $5M in deal)
This is what it says when I look at Cot’s. We in a twilight zone, or am I just dumb?
the base 24.6 includes $3.6 of pro-rated signing bonus. which is being paid for by Toronto. Cot’s is correct. Go to Cot’s, click on Angels, then click on 2011. You’ll see on the top, Vernon Wells $24.643, then on the bottom “Wells, Vernon Signing Bonus Paid by TOR” $(3.643) – Vernon Wells net 2012 pay from Angels 21m, same in 2013, & 2014
“Vernon Signing Bonus Paid by TOR”- Paid, as in past tense, they already paid that signing bonus in the 08,09,10 seasons. Jays gave 5 million and they will not have anything to do with Wells starting next season.
Wrong. His signing bonus was pro-rated over the life of the contract equal installments of $3.643 paid in past and payable by TOR. Look at the Cot’s spreadsheet. 2014, the only player under contract is Vernon Wells. Vernon’s 2014 pay is $24,643, Angels total payroll $21.0
Angels should target Ramirez to play 3B. would be a really go fit for both sides.
Hope Morales comes back healthy, its still a pretty good team.
Ramirez is going to be another Gary Matthews Jr, doesn’t worth it. Either they’ll try a trade or stand pat until 2013 and then pursue Wright.
im confused by your preference
WAR last 3 years
Ramirez- 3.6, .4 (124 games), 2.2,
Wright – 1.9, 4.0, 3.6
Ramirez will come cheaper and is an FA now, Wright is a brutal fielder.
I’m confused by your post. According to the WAR stats you posted, Wright has been far more valuable over the last three seasons.
Ramirez`s last year hurt that
but based on overall production vs expected contract length and figures, Ramirez will give you better fielding, less offensive but less of a price, commitment and saves you a year of a stop gap which definitely wont be as good
except GMJ may have been using PED’s and had just 1 good season before signing. Ramirez has a proven track record. Not saying he is a great fit, but he is far from GMJ
It would be a good fit. The Angels are known to sign old washed up players and throwing a ton of cash at them (i.e. Hunter, Abreu, Matsui)
How is Ramirez washed up
Hunter= Beast….Matsui=Garbage….Abreu=Beast 1year garbage for last 2
Hunter=beast?
Dude, do you know ANYTHING about baseball?
The dude is making EIGHTEEN million per year, yet he’s putting up 9 million dollar numbers.
The “big 3” offensive slash line (average, OBP, slugging) have ALL declined for him considerably. His stolen bases are down, and he’s no longer playing a premium position.
Please, enlighten me on how Hunter is a beast?
C’mon! Hunter sucks! For 20mil a year lol please. I’d rather have Beltre
How is a 33 year old third baseman a good fit for an offense that desperately needs to get younger?
As GM here is what I would do (all reasonable):
No arb offers to Mathis, Branyan, Rodney and Pineiro.
C – Wilson/Conger
1B – Trumbo/Morales
2B – Kendrick
SS – Aybar
3B – Callapso
UIF – Izturis
LF – Wells
CF – Bourjos
RF – Hunter
DH – Abreu
Basically – the same lineup as the Angels trotted out in 2011 sans Mathis. You keep Trout in AAA until June UNLESS you have a collapse with Wells or Abreu. There is no need for A Ramirez. Izturis / Callapso can provide similar value (defense included) for a fraction of the cost. No way to Reyes. No way to Pujols/Fielder UNLESS they are convinced that Morales will not be able to contribute and/or the prices fall below what is expected.
Rotation:
1. Weaver
2. Haren
3. Santana
5. Chatwood/Richards/Williams
I would spend my FA dollars on a 4/5 insurance type pitcher. Would be totally open to having Pineiro come back on a 1/$3-5m type deal. Looking for someone who could go 150 innings with an ERA sitting in the 4.50 range. He may not be needed if the other guys step up but it’s hard to be comfortable if you are counting on quality from 2 out of the 3 guys I have slotted in the #5 spot.
Bullpen:
Would look for one more solid arm. I think Walden will be fine but if one of the closers falls through the cracks I would jump on him. Giving Walden another year or two of experience won’t hurt (and will keep his salary down). Personally, I like having 3 reliable arms and right now the team really only has two plus a quasi reliable one in Takahashi.
I would pray that Abreu plays well so that we can move him by mid-season (to bring up Trout). Wells just needs to hit like he can (260 / 25 HR’s), Morales to be healthy, and the young catchers step up and play at league average levels. Do that and the offense will be OK.
This plan would allow you to be $10m (at least) under budget for a mid-season trade. We don’t get locked up into any other long-term crap deals. Hunter comes off the books at the end of the year – saves another $20m. This year is all about evaluating what you have. Don’t make any serious commitments yet. After this year you have to deal with options for Haren/Santana. You also have a decision about whether to lock up Kendrick, Izturis, and Aybar as they can all walk as FA’s.
enjoy not making the playoffs again
86 win team that played below expectations. A healthy Kendry, better bullpen, and better 4/5 starters … yeah – I think that could be a 90 win team no problem. I’d take my chances on that.
Keep in mind Angels and ARTE! are near a deal with Fox.. Therefore if the deal is a success Angels will be getting More that the $80M contract Tex signed with fox.. So money might not be an issue if they land this deal.. Lets go Arte get this done!.. So if arte gets this.. its a must to sign A-Ram.. Plain and simple.. A-ram is priority here.. trade Callaspo.. Keep izzy.. And if possible just get pen help.. But i feel the problem is 3rd.. Getting A-ram and if A-ram does A-ram type offense then the Angels are more than solid for next season (BTW signing A-ram is a risk)
LOL, in three separate posts you’ve INSISTED that signing A-Ram is a priority, and at the conclusion of the third one you FINALLY get around to admitting that signing A-Ram is a risk?
Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.
If the Angels are going to throw huge dollars around this winter, it will be for three names and three names only. I’m sure you can guess which ones.
Agreed.
A-Ram is NOT the answer. Look, WAR is imperfect but at least it uses a holistic approach for valuation. When you factor in defense, baserunning, and offense, Callapso and Izturis can match what A-Ram brings to the table. It’s not sexy but it is effective.
While they definitely might not be the most exciting names out there, two free agents I think the Angels should really take a look at are Rod Barajas and Mark Buehrle…Barajas is a massive upgrade offensively over Mathis, and calls a good game (see Clayton Kershaw and Hiroki Kuroda). Sign him to a one-year deal and work Conger in 1-2 days a week until he’s ready to contribute full-time. Mark Buehrle could probably be had at 2 years, with maybe a third year option. He’s a durable innings eater, and exactly the type of consistent pitcher the Halos need at the back of their rotation.
Hopefully Morales is ready to go at DH. Move Abreu to the bench…. I’d consider Aramis on nothing longer than a 3-year deal, but I’d much rather prefer David Wright.
Wouldn’t touch Ramirez.
Wright is also a huge risk. You are talking about $15-16m PLUS prospects. All for a player who has been in decline and now comes with all sorts of injury question marks. I would only take on Wright if the cost were nothing more than a few middling prospects (or Callapso/Izturis).
Since Wright’s peak in 2007 (8.9 WAR) he has dropped to 7.1, 3.6, 4.0, and last year at 1.9. Basically over the past 3 years he has averaged 3 WAR – which is right in line with his salary.
Also, can anybody think of any bad contracts that the Angels just MIGHT be able to swap Vernon Wells for? Johan Santana? Barry Zito? Carlos Zambrano? (that last one would probably require some additional $, and is probably very unlikely anyway in that the Cubs are already desperate to unload Soriano…)… I’m just spitballing here…
Barry Zito, Lowe, Lackey probably the only ones
but red sox dont do the lackey deal, perhaps with more cash, braves do the lowe deal..
giants do the zito deal in a heart beat.
While not a bad contract swap, I wonder if the Angels could package Wells with a guy or two with more value and send them to another team? What they got back would obviously depend on who they sent with him, but there are a couple of teams that I can think of who could afford the Wells contract, as well as hide him in their lineup.
Angels would have to atleast send 50% of his contract, as well as a good prospect..
I Cant think of anyone who could afford wells, who doesn’t have 3 better outfield options..
its not just that hes overpaid, its that hes overpaid AND bad.
I don’t disagree, and in all likelihood Wells isn’t going anywhere, but I think regardless of if this theoretical other team has a better option for the OF they might be willing to put up with him out there if the piece(s) they got with him were good enough.
I don’t disagree, and in all likelihood Wells isn’t going anywhere, but I think regardless of if this theoretical other team has a better option for the OF they might be willing to put up with him out there if the piece(s) they got with him were good enough.
Not really a bad contract… but, Wells, cash, + Pitching Prospect + ? for Markakis?
why on earth would the orioles do that?
’cause Reagins is their new gm?
win
Not sure I’d go for that trade, since part of the idea of getting rid of Wells would be to free up the outfield/DH spots, to make sure Trumbo, Trout, and Morales (possibly) have spots. That’s also why I was thinking of pitchers…Zito, Lowe, Zambrano, Santana are all grossly overpaid, but they might be serviceable 4th or 5th starters, which is an area of need for the Halos. Point being – if the Angels are going to carry an undesirable contract, it might as well be for someone who might be useful (and in the case of Zambrano or Santana, might still have upside)
just trying to think of other options… we really don’t have any left handed batters…
also, I’d trade for Santana in an instant
santana is owed less and still probably pretty good..
it would prob have to be wells + 50% of his salary + 2-3 top prospects
“THE PLAN:”
1. Stop screwing around and sign the new TV deal.
2. Sign Prince Fielder and Yu Darvish.
3. Win the 2012 World Series.
4. Celebrate by drinking champagne out of Bourjos’ Gold Glove.
5. ???? (It’s called a blackout for a reason).
6. Profit.
prince to angels is a good fit
Correct, he definitely wants to stay in Los Angeles, but it’s with the Dodgers, or bust. It’s the lone reason why he nixed trades to the Yankees and Tigers last season.
articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/04/sports/la-sp-0805…
Don’t get me wrong, I would love to plug him in at the back of our rotation, but every single indication is that his loyalty is with the Dodgers. If he doesn’t work out a deal with them, he’s headed back to Japan for his swan song.
I replied along with a link
Red Sox may do Lackey-for-Wells, if you throw in Conger. A salary dump for both teams, but Lackey may benefit from returning “home” and Wells could hit better in Fenway. Still, neither is worth their deals by a long shot!
Sign Prince Fielder, Ramon Hernandez, and acquire a 4th starter, possibly using Trumbo to get that accomplished.