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Odds & Ends: Hudson, Mets, Arroyo, Atkins

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As major league teams unveil their 2011 schedules, here are some news items….

  • As Daniel Hudson improves to 6-1 with a 1.67 ERA as a Diamondback tonight, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets that Hudson "probably" could have been a Brewer had Milwaukee accepted a one-for-one offer from Chicago for Prince Fielder.  The problem at the time was that the Brewers projected Hudson as only a third or fourth starter and wanted more for their slugger.  Obviously hindsight is 20/20 on any missed trade, but if Hudson continues to pitch well in Arizona, it will put even more pressure on the Brewers to get a big return back if they do end up dealing Fielder.
  • An anonymous NL official tells Newsday's Ken Davidoff that Jose Reyes could command "one really good prospect, one solid prospect, and one or two medium-range prospects" in a trade should the Mets put their shortstop on the market this winter.  This source seems in favor of a total rebuild for the Mets; he also thinks they should try to deal David Wright and Francisco Rodriguez.
  • Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News cites Bronson Arroyo's durability, consistent win totals and veteran presence as reasons why Cincinnati should pick up the right-hander's $11MM option for next season.
  • We've heard that the Rockies will look for a right-handed first baseman to platoon with Todd Helton next season, and ESPN.com's Jason A. Churchill cites former Rockie Garrett Atkins as a possibility for the role.  Atkins was non-tendered by Colorado last winter and after signing a one-year contract with Baltimore, was released by the Orioles last July.
  • Interim Arizona GM Jerry Dipoto will interview for the full-time position tomorrow, reports MLB.com's Steve Gilbert (Twitter link).
  • Any Boston fans tickled by A.J. Burnett's struggles this season might not want to crow too much, since Fangraphs' Joe Pawlikowski cites Burnett as comparable to the also-struggling John Lackey.
  • Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press wonders if the Red Sox might pursue Jim Thome as a cheaper free agent DH option rather than pick up David Ortiz's 2011 option.
  • Travis Buck's "organizational status is clearly at an all-time low" in Oakland, writes Mychael Urban of CSNBayArea.com.  Buck is eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter and could be non-tendered given the number of other promising outfielders in the Athletics' system.
  • If Jesus Montero can develop a solid catching glove to go along with his powerful bat, the Mariners may regret passing on New York's Montero-centered offer for Cliff Lee, writes ESPN.com's Buster Olney.
  • Blogger El Lefty Malo praises the Giants' acquisition of Cody Ross and some other recent Brian Sabean moves.
  • Angels manager Mike Scioscia thinks the Halos just need a "tweaking" rather than an overhaul in the winter, reports Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.
  • Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says upgrading the infield should be a top priority for the Cardinals in the offseason.

Angels Notes: Reagins, Scioscia, Matsui

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Let's take a look at some Angels-related tidbits..

  • Angels GM Tony Reagins blames himself for the team's underachievement this year, writes Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times.  Reagins says that he will evaluate the club from the top to the bottom in an effort to turn things around this winter.  He also stood behind his acquisition of Dan Haren, saying that the pitcher will help the club beyond this season.  Haren's contracts calls for him to earn $25.5MM in the next two seasons and has a $15.5MM club option ($3.5MM buyout) for 2013.
  • Meanwhile, Halos skipper Mike Scioscia says that the club needs only minor changes, and not a complete overhaul, heading into 2011, according to MLB.com's Evan Drellich.  Scioscia believes that the return of missing pieces from this year such as Kendry Morales will provide a major spark for the Angels next season.
  • Scioscia would not go into depth about next season's plans and would not directly address the potential return of Hideki Matsui.  The veteran, who has hit .268/.358/.448 with 19 homers in 2010, will be a free agent after the season.

Odds & Ends: D’Backs, Matsui, Ausmus, Peralta

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Links for Thursday night, as the NFL season kicks off in New Orleans….

Odds & Ends: Crawford, Yankees, Angels, Loux

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Wednesday night links, as Daniel Hudson attempts to keep his NL ERA under 2.00….

Angels Release Robb Quinlan

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The Angels released Robb Quinlan, according to MLB.com’s Evan Drellich. Quinlan, 33, spent part of eight seasons with the Angels as a utility player, though he batted just 36 times in the big leagues this year. He spent most of the season at Triple A, where he posted a .258/.336/.305 line in 144 plate appearances.

Quinlan drew interest from the Twins, Rockies and Dodgers last winter, before signing with the Angels in February. As usual, he played all four corner positions in 2010. Earlier today, the Angels released another veteran role player, Brian Stokes.

Angels Release Brian Stokes

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The Angels released right-hander Brian Stokes, according to the MLB.com transactions page. The Halos acquired Stokes last winter when they sent Gary Matthews Jr. to New York in a trade that didn't help either team. The center fielder struggled in New York and the Mets released Matthews in June.

Stokes, who turns 31 today, posted an 8.10 ERA in 16.2 innings for the Angels with as many walks as strikeouts (16). He was more effective in 14 minor league outings this year, posting a 4.08 ERA with more than twice as many strikeouts as walks. 

The Angels’ 2011 Rotation

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The Angels won’t have to look outside the organization for pitching this winter, since they have six major league starters under team control for 2011 plus an assortment of minor league arms. If the group stays healthy, the Angels could have one of the league’s better rotations next year.

That’s especially true if Scott Kazmir can recapture the form that made him one of the league’s most exciting starters just a couple years ago. He’s just 26, so we shouldn’t rule out a mid-career renaissance for the left-hander. Still, Kazmir’s walk rate remains high (4.9 BB/9) and his strikeout rate has dropped for the third consecutive season and now sits at 5.6 K/9. That’s not too far below the league average, but Kazmir struck out 10.4 batters per nine just a few seasons ago as a 23-year-old. The Angels don’t need Kazmir to strike out more than a batter per inning again, but they do need him to lower his 6.19 ERA.

Kazmir is something of a variable, but the Angels have four more predictable starters. Jered Weaver has been one of the league’s best pitchers this year. The 27-year-old has set himself up for a big raise through arbitration after posting a 3.14 ERA with 9.8 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9. Ervin Santana has put together another strong season (4.02 ERA, 7.0 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 186 innings) and he’ll be back in 2011. Joel Pineiro is now recovering from a left oblique strain on the disabled list, but he was effective in 20 starts before getting hurt, posting a 4.18 ERA with 5.7 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9. 

Dan Haren hasn’t had any trouble adjusting back to the American League since the Angels traded for him in July. He has a 3.39 ERA with 7.2 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 in L.A. and he doesn’t turn 30 until next week, so like the rest of the Angels rotation, he’s still in his prime.

If Kazmir falters or someone gets hurt, manager Mike Scioscia will be able to call on Trevor Bell. The rookie right-hander is in the Angels rotation now and has pitched well so far. His season ERA sits at 4.85, but his strikeout (6.6 K/9) and walk (2.9 BB/9) rates are respectable. The former first rounder has always shown excellent command in the minors and Baseball America suggested before the season that Bell could become a back-of-the-rotation starter.

Other Angels prospects are further away from contributing in the major leagues. Trevor Reckling, a 21-year-old left-hander, and Fernando Rodriguez, a 26-year-old right-hander, have struggled with command at Triple A this year. Reckling could become a mid-rotation starter, according to Baseball America, but he isn’t there yet. Tyler Chatwood pitched at three levels this year and the 20-year-old posted a 2.84 ERA with improved command. It was a promising season for the right-hander, but he still only has 13 games of experience above A ball.

The combination of Weaver, Haren, Santana, Pineiro, Kazmir and Bell should give the Angels a strong rotation next year. That depends on health, of course, but for the time being, GM Tony Reagins can focus on other needs since the Angels' 2011 rotation seems capable of keeping the club in contention.

Odds & Ends: Van Mil, Werth, Millwood

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A few more Saturday night links….

Odds & Ends: Wakamatsu, Lilly, Delcarmen, Rays

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Links for Thursday night..

Twins Send Van Mil To L.A.; Fuentes Trade Complete

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The Twins will send right-hander Loek Van Mil to the Angels to complete the Brian Fuentes trade, according to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune (on Twitter). The Twins designated Van Mil for assignment over the weekend, when they had to create roster space for Fuentes.

Van Mil, a native of the Netherlands, stands 7'1". The reliever spent most of the 2010 season at AA and posted an overall ERA of 6.15 in 26 appearances with 7.2 K/9 and 5.9 BB/9. Van Mil turns 26 this month, but he was still considered a "potential impact reliever" by Baseball America before the season. BA explained that Van Mil has a sound delivery that's hard to repeat and explained that he must throw more strikes to reach the majors.

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