Roster Squeeze for Angels
The LA Times points out a sticky situation:
The roster move the Angels make to activate infielder Maicer Izturis, who began a rehabilitation assignment at Rancho Cucamonga Monday, is not as clear-cut as it seems.
Reserve outfielder Nathan Haynes is the logical choice to be sent to triple-A Salt Lake, but even though Haynes made his major league debut last week, he is out of minor league options because he was removed from the Angels’ 40-man roster three times during his minor league career.
It’s a classic problem for teams: they want to keep a player like Haynes (of course), but at the same time, would it really be that big of a deal? If Haynes were going to turn into anything, he probably would’ve right now, so they’d basically be putting a reserve outfielder at risk in the middle of his career-best hot streak.
That said, the Times recommends a couple other courses of action. Erick Aybar could be demoted, which makes plenty of sense, since he and Izturis are somewhat redundant. Also, Shea Hillenbrand could be axed. That makes even more sense, because if Haynes really is worth hanging onto, it stands to reason that he could outhit Hillenbrand’s vomit-inducing 241/261/324 line.
(Side note: when you can be accused of having an "empty" .241 batting average, you suck. It’s that simple.)
So, let’s say Shea goes back on the market. Do I hear any bids? Cash considerations? A single-A backup catcher?
…
That’s what I was afraid of.
By Jeff Sackmann
Brew Crew Ball
Angels To Pass On A-Rod?
ESPN recently interviewed Angels owner Arte Moreno, who speculates that Alex Rodriguez may be looking for a $200MM contract. Moreno’s subsequent argument on why he wouldn’t pick up that tab is suspect.
Moreno believes that since Vladimir Guerrero is one of the best players in baseball and Vlad’s contract had an average annual value of only $14MM, signing A-Rod at $25MM+ would disrespect Guerrero and his teammates. Dan Weber points out that the Halos offered Alfonso Soriano almost $17MM annually…was that disrespectful also? What about Garret Anderson making only $2.5MM less than Vlad?
The reality is that the market was different when the Angels signed Guerrero. He was signed in January of 2004 to the five-year, $70MM pact. In this day and age, that’s a monstrous bargain. A 27 year-old Miguel Tejada would get more than $12MM annually if he signed next winter. I don’t buy the disrespect argument. If Rodriguez is overpriced, just leave it at that and don’t sign him.
Shea Hillenbrand Expendable
It’s an understatement to say that Angels’ DH Shea Hillenbrand is an expendable player. He’s hitting .236/.250/.311 in 148 ABs, the third-worst hitting performance in baseball according to VORP. Only Jason Kendall and Chone Figgins have done more damage to their teams.
Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times writes that the return of Garret Anderson and Vladimir Guerrero‘s need to DH could spell the end of the Shea Hillenbrand Era in L.A. It was a lousy signing to begin with; $6.5MM wasted. At least it was just money. Brian Sabean gave away Jeremy Accardo to acquire Hillenbrand last year.
So, who wants a double-play machine with no glove? Tough call. Open DH jobs are hard to come by. Maybe the Giants would want him back, or the Tigers or Orioles could plug him in at first base.
Heyman On Teixeira
With the trading deadline a mere two months away, we have to drum up some big names on which to speculate. The advent of no-trade clauses and the valuation of young pitching seems to have resulted in fewer blockbusters. Mark Teixeira seems to be this summer’s big name.
We last speculated about Teixeira two weeks ago. The Orioles and Nick Markakis were discussed, as well as the fit for the Angels. The Nationals were seen as a long shot. Jon Heyman has talked to some baseball execs on this topic, and he’s got more ideas. Heyman adds the Red Sox, Yankees, and Dodgers to the mix as well.
The Yanks seemingly wouldn’t mind adding a major slugger at first base, and Heyman’s source doesn’t think they want Todd Helton. But unless the Yanks revert to their old ways and trade The Franchise – Phil Hughes – a Teixeira acquisition seems unlikely. The Yankees don’t have other elite pitching prospects. They would have to go to more established players. The Rangers don’t have a fit for Robinson Cano, though Chien-Ming Wang and his groundballing nature could work.
There’s no real reason for the Red Sox to give up the farm for Teixeira, unless they just want to keep him from the Yankees. I don’t see it.
The Dodgers I see as a strong player. James Loney plus one of their top-rated starting pitching prospects and it’s a done deal. I’m not sure Nomar can handle third base these days, but I don’t see that problem preventing a trade.
Back to the Orioles – as much as Teixeira is dying to play for them, he’s not going to take a big discount and the price in young players will be high. Then again, if the O’s could work something out involving Daniel Cabrera but not Markakis, that gamble could work for both clubs.
The Angels are a fantastic fit, but when has Bill Stoneman ever made a trade like this? I guess there’s a first time for everything.
Let’s not count out the Mets, Braves, or Tigers, either.
Latest On Giambi
A slew of stories in today’s papers featured Jason Giambi, as reporters approached him yesterday regarding the Angels trade rumor. Giambi said, "News to me," which I find kind of hard to believe. I think it’s safe to say that someone in his camp told him about yesterday morning’s New York Post article from George King.
Giambi’s broken quotes seemed to indicate that he never asked for a trade, and that he has no desire to go to L.A. As you know, he has the right to veto any trade. An Angels spokesman denied interest, but what else is he going to say? Bill Stoneman did the same, and publicly passed on Troy Percival as well.
The MLB Players Association and Commissioner’s Office are currently trying to figure out how to interview Giambi about his recent steroid comments to USA Today. Giambi mentioned that he’s "probably tested more than anyone else," which is in part because of his amphetamine use.
This story is already getting kind of old…we need some more pristine trade rumors to surface. Give us some decent Ken Griffey Jr. rumors or something. Giambi has a no-trade clause, tons of baggage (including his age), and a nearly immovable contract. The Yankees are probably stuck with him.
Angels Interested In Jason Giambi
I definitely did not see this one coming. According to George King of the New York Post, the Angels are interested in trading for 36 year-old Yankees slugger Jason Giambi.
The interest surfaced prior to Giambi’s public semi-admission of steroid use and subsequent MLB investigation. The Angels will wait it out to see whether the Yanks are able to void his contract. As Peter Abraham said yesterday, it’s not likely.
Giambi earns $21MM this year and another $21MM in 2008. He has a $22MM club option for ’09 with a $5MM buyout attached. Now, no club would exercise the option, so essentially the Yankees owe $47MM for 2007-08. Take out the money Giambi has already been paid this year, and the remaining commitment is about $41.4MM.
In theory the Yanks could eat about $15MM, and the Angels would send over some fairly valuable players in Chone Figgins and Jose Molina. However, I don’t think Arn Tellum would instruct Giambi to approve the trade with nothing in return. That full no-trade clause could be a major obstacle. Typically a player wants his option exercised to waive his no-trade rights, and Giambi’s ’09 option is crazy. Yes, Giambi would be close to home once again, but I doubt that alone would be enough.
Assuming he can stay healthy, Giambi would give the Angels a much-needed dose of OBP and power. The Halos rank tenth in the league with a .326 OBP and also tenth with a .394 SLG. Giambi is just what the doctor ordered for their offense, and they might be able to get him without surrendering any top prospects or young pitchers.
More Rosenthal
Ken Rosenthal’s been a busy man today. He’s got another column up for FOXSports.com; go read it. The high-level version:
- Rosenthal sees the Yankees declining Bobby Abreu‘s 2008 option and turning to Melky Cabrera or a big name free agent for right field. I agree; you can check out my other assessments of 2008 club options here. Might be time to switch my predictions on Juan Uribe, Jose Guillen, and Paul Byrd. I can now see Uribe declined and the other two exercised. Byrd has come alive, and Guillen’s strong May has sparked the chance of the Ms taking their $9MM option for ’08.
- Torii Hunter‘s having a well-timed career year, but the Twins can’t trade him unless they’re out of contention. Tough situation. The Twins are 7.5 games back in the Central, 7 out of the wild card. If it’s double digits in July the decision gets easier.
- It wouldn’t be easy for the Cardinals to trade Scott Rolen right now, based on the factors outlined here.
- Erick Aybar remains an excellent trading chip for the Angels. His .600 OPS doesn’t help his value, but it’s pretty much what PECOTA expected. There’s a small chance Aybar becomes Barry Larkin, but to me he looks like the next Cesar Izturis.
Rosenthal’s Latest
Ken Rosenthal posted a new article this afternoon. A good read as usual, though not chock full of new rumors.
- Rocco Baldelli remains the Devil Rays’ best trading chip; they hope to see the 25 year-old return and re-establish the trade value he had in 2006. Many are already saying the Rays waited too long on Baldelli, but let’s see what they get for him before making that judgment.
- Reggie Willits has hit his way into a starting job for the Angels. Nice to see an Angel drawing walks 12% of the time. That will enable Willits to remain effective after his batting average regresses. Rosenthal says third base is the clear position for upgrade for the Angels. Garrett Atkins is desired, and Rosenthal would consider Brandon Wood a reasonable bounty. If I’m Dan O’Dowd, I’m making that deal. Meanwhile, Bill Shaikin believes the Blue Jays would ask for Wood for Troy Glaus, but would settle for Ervin Santana and 1B/3B/DH Matt Brown. Shaikin’s source says J.P. Ricciardi is not yet prepared to trade Glaus, however.
- Rosenthal speculates that the Braves would like to add a big-time starter to get away from the current plan of "Hudson and Smoltz and pray for lightning bolts." Sorry, that was the best weather rhyme I could come up with. He mentions Rich Harden and Dontrelle Willis, accompanied by the obligatory Jarrod Saltalamacchia rumor. Poor Salty.
Renck’s Latest
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has a host of trade rumors in his recent column. Let’s break it down:
- Time to restart those Todd Helton rumors, as the first baseman is hitting a robust .360/.473/.533. Renck thinks a trade to Detroit is unlikely, but that the Yankees, Red Sox, or Braves could make a play for him this summer. The Yanks came up recently via Mark Healey. Maybe with Helton’s strong start, the Rockies can get their part of Helton’s $90MM contract down to $30MM.
- Renck likes the Rockies, Braves, and Red Sox as suitors for Rocco Baldelli. Rocco hopes to return in early June from a strained left hamstring. I wouldn’t expect a deal until at least late June.
- The Astros apparently are not making Chris Burke available despite his demotion. That’s a shame, because the Rockies like him. The Rox are hoping to see Kaz Matsui return from a back strain this week, so we’ll see how that goes first.
- The Angels still have interest in Garrett Atkins but talks haven’t been serious. Seems odd that Dan O’Dowd would sell low on Atkins at this point, but I guess it depends on the return and the Rockies’ projections for him.
Troy Percival To Attempt Comeback
UPDATE: I spoke too soon – the comeback is on. It sounds like Percival wants a late inning role on a contender.
Another comeback almost as interesting as Rickey’s is Troy Percival‘s. Though a decision on the comeback was supposed to come down today, we haven’t heard anything yet. Mike Scioscia urges caution, saying that he has a lot to overcome before he’s ready for the big league grind again.
Top Angels’ relievers Francisco Rodriguez and Scot Shields had amusing reactions, but their presence really locks up the late innings for the Halos. A healthy Percival could possibly supplant Darren Oliver or Hector Carrasco as a long man, as both have been horrible this year. It’s conflicting – this is Troy Percival, so we want to see him as an Angel. But we also want to see him pitching the ninth.