Here's the latest from the AL West…
- The Angels are considering a contract extension for the newly-acquired Chris Iannetta, reports Troy Renck of the Denver Post (Twitter link). Iannetta is signed through 2012 and the Halos have a $5MM club option for 2013 that Iannetta can now void due to being traded before the start of the 2013 season.
- Also from Renck, the Rockies tried to acquire Angels right-hander John Hellweg in the Iannetta trade. Hellweg, 23, has a 3.83 ERA, an 11.4 K/9 rate and 7.6 BB/9 in four minor league seasons. He spent last season pitching for the Halos' Class A+ affiliate.
- Japanese shortstop Munenori Kawasaki wants to play in the Major Leagues, but only for the Mariners, reports MLB.com's Matt Weber. Kawasaki, 30, is a free agent so he can sign without a posting fee and he said he's willing to sign a minor league deal and play a different position if necessary.
- MLB.com's Greg Johns has more details on Kawasaki, who has a career .294 average but just hit .267/.310/.327 last season with Fukuoka. Johns says the Mariners have scouted Kawasaki in Japan so he is "at least on the Mariners' radar."
- The Athletics aren't one of the teams interested in Eric Chavez, reports Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link). "He wouldn't be a fit for them and vice versa," Slusser writes.
- In a mailbag piece, MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan looks at the obstacles preventing the Rangers from making a move for Prince Fielder and Matt Garza. Sullivan also notes that it's only a matter of time before Ron Washington gets another contract extension from the club.
- The Mariners' deep minor league system seems to give them an advantage under the new collective bargaining agreement, writes Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times.
Geoff Baker needs someone to explain the new CBA to him before he starts to embarrass himself even worse. To say that article was off the mark would be pretty kind.
John Hellweg Maybe Angels don’t need to sign another RP
You must not have noticed the 7BB’s per 9 innings. The guy is 22 playing in A+ and still manages a WHIP around 1.5. If his control ever stabilized then he could potentially be a bullpen arm but right now …
I actually didn’t notice that ty…Maybe one more yr in the minors for him
His numbers as a starter are actually really good as compared to as a reliever
Contract extension mean goodbye to Conger. Dipoto is giving away the farm for old players. Reagins 2.0!
Perhaps Reagins never left in the first place?
He does still work for the Angels.
That’s not true he said he wanted to improve the farm system..Then he again he offered A-ram money
Iannetta is old? What if he thinks Conger could be terrific playing a third of the games at catcher and half the games at DH? That would be DiPoto NOT repeating the Napoli mistake. Plus, Iannetta’s value was pushed down by an organization that only recognized what he couldn’t do before, instead of appreciating what he could do. Smart to lock him up before his value shoots up.
Your sentence of “Plus, Iannetta’s value was pushed down by an organization that only recognized what he couldn’t do before, instead of appreciating what he could do.” could be changed to add Napoli’s name and it would work for the Ranger’s in what they got from him. Therefore, I really don’t see Scioscia seeing any plusses in his game. He is an offensive upgrade over Mathis though and that in and of itself is hilarious!!!
He’s a much more natural defender than Napoli. I imagine he’d get much more of a chance from Scioscia.
I would really like to see what Iannetta does for half a season before locking him up. If he pulls a Wells (coming from friendly offensive confines to the offense depressing Angels stadium) and sucks it would be good to know that we are off the hook at the end of the season.
This also leads me to think that Conger is not the catcher of the future. If Iannetta is extended that Conger should be moved immediately.
He batted .238 last year!!!!!! You better hope that offensive outburst wasn’t due to Colorado……
like the profile pic! boston terriers rule!
new lion killing all litters of previous pack leader. this is exactly what feels like.
might as well trade conger for his own good if iannetta is really extended. rockies trash must be our gold.
Could the “extension” actually just working the option back into the contract? Congers job isn’t in jeopardy b/c of Iannetta….Angels will run 2 C’s as always and that will give Conger time to mature…
DPoto trading all of the young SoCal guys? Chatwood, Conger and Trumbo next?
Not a chance he trades Trumbo and HIGHLY unlikely he trades Conger since he considered the Catcher of the future.
Not a chance he trades Trumbo and HIGHLY unlikely he trades Conger since he considered the Catcher of the future.