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Stoneman To Leave Angels’ GM Post

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According to Scott Miller of CBS Sportsline, Bill Stoneman will step down as GM of the Angels.  The team’s director of player development, Tony Reagins, is likely to take his place.

Stoneman seemed loathe to surrender prospects for a big bat in his tenure.  Will Reagins be the same way, given his intimacy and involvement with the team’s farm system?

There will be a press conference tomorrow, as yet another GM bites the dust.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Bonds, Nathan, Barrett

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Ken Rosenthal has a new rumor column up.  Feels like it’s been a while.

  • Rosenthal thinks it’s a sign of desperation that the Angels would entertain signing Barry Bonds, who doesn’t fit in with their club.  His OBP would fit in anywhere, but he would tie up the DH spot at the expense of Juan Rivera and Vladimir Guerrero.
  • The Cubs are expected to bring Daryle Ward back at $1.2MM (makes sense) and Steve Trachsel at $4.75MM (questionable).  Cubs fans can only hope Trachsel would be considered a tradeable asset, as Rosenthal opines.  Rosenthal also quashes the idea of trading Aramis Ramirez, both because of his full no-trade clause and the team’s impending sale. 
  • David Eckstein is expected to leave the Cardinals, no big surprise.  Rosenthal reiterates recent rumors connecting him to the White Sox, Tigers, and Mets.
  • Rosenthal’s idea for Bill Smith and the Twins: keep Johan Santana this winter, and instead trade the $6MM super-closer Joe Nathan.  Teams would line up for him, and Pat Neshek wouldn’t be a bad replacement.
  • Do you think Michael Barrett could be a free agent bargain?  Rosenthal talked to one exec who feels this way, and it is a good point if he can bounce back to .280/.350/.480 for five million bucks.

Odds and Ends: Aramis, La Russa, A-Rod

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A random smattering of links this morning…

  • I wrote a postmortem on why the D’Backs beat the Cubs over at The Hardball Times.
  • Just a whisper at the moment, but I’m hearing that the Angels could pursue Aramis Ramirez if the Cubs make him available.  They were in hard on him last year when he was briefly a free agent.
  • Seems that Joe Torre is done as Yankees manager, but Tony La Russa is not interested.
  • Another important date to mark down: November 10th.  That’s when Alex Rodriguez decides whether to opt out of his contract.  Right after the GM meetings.
  • The Tigers will stick with Brandon Inge at third base next year, perhaps feeling that his defense justified his .236/.312/.376 line.  There is hope for a rebound, since he slugged .463 the previous year.  Plus Inge is locked in for $6.2MM in ’08, $6.3MM in ’09, and $6.6MM in ’10.
  • The Mariners had a $2.7MM option on Chris Reitsma with a $0.7MM buyout and apparently some kind of option on Arthur Rhodes.  Both were declined.  Reitsma, coming off ulnar nerve transposition surgery in ’06, was supposed to be Seattle’s setup man.  He tried to pitch this year but the elbow wasn’t fully healed.  Rhodes had similar problems in ’06 and went under the knife for TJ in April.
  • You may have noticed some of the in-post ads are showing as ugly blank white space or "This page cannot be found" errors…please bear with me as I try to get it back to normal. 

More On Bonds

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All the sportswriters have had a chance to weigh in on possible destinations for Barry Bonds in 2008. Here’s a summary.

A-Rod And The Angels

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With the Yankees starting a series in L.A. on Monday, it was only natural for some Alex Rodriguez to the Angels speculation to surface.  Indeed, George King of the New York Post and Ben Villa of the L.A. Daily News mention the topic this morning.

King’s not completely sold that the Yankees will abstain from bidding if Rodriguez opts out.  As for Scott Boras, he’s not concerned about Brian Cashman’s assertion regarding the opt-out clause. 

Still, King notes that the Angels are one of few teams that can afford a $30MM player.  And Arte Moreno would love the marketing boost.  Moreno said in June that paying A-Rod $25MM+ would be disrespectful to other Angels players, despite the team’s seven-year, $118MM offer to Alfonso Soriano.  Most folks believe Moreno is just posturing, and I’m inclined to agree.  I think they’ll be involved if Alex opts out.

Villa simply mentions "whispers in the air" about the Angels pursuing Rodriguez this winter.

Don’t forget the Red Sox, who are expected to make a "huge push" for A-Rod if he opts out.

Do Yanks Have Room For Damon And Giambi?

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I think Johnny Damon’s comments yesterday have been overblown – he backed off a few hours after he made them.  And when asked point blank if he wanted a trade, he said no.  He did hint that a trade might make sense if he couldn’t play regularly, but calmed down after talking to Joe Torre.

Still, the Yankees will face a roster crunch once Jason Giambi returns to the club to act as the regular DH.  Damon has lingering injuries that will keep him from starting in center field regularly.  Between Giambi and Damon, that’s $34MM in 2007 salary spent on the designated hitter.

It’s not just Damon who could be traded – either player is eligible.  Let’s start with Damon though.  His name first came up on July 26th, with the Braves slightly interested.  Damon’s contract pays him $13MM annually through 2009, so that’s an obstacle.  And he’s owed another $4.4MM this year.  His partial no-trade clause probably isn’t a big problem, because it sounds like he’d rather go elsewhere to play every day.  The Yankees would have to eat some salary to trade Damon, probably around $8-10MM.  Damon at $8MM annually through ’09 isn’t a bad risk.

The Angels were reportedly interested in Giambi back in May, though Bill Stoneman denied it.  If healthy, he’d still supply the Halos a needed dose of OBP and power.  The problem is that he’s still owed about $33MM from now through the 2008 season and has a full no-trade clause.  The Yankees could eat half of the money, but that wouldn’t address a concession for waiving the no-trade.  The other problem is that the Yankees and Angels could be battling for the wild card this year if the Mariners overtake the Halos.

Giambi would be harder than Damon to trade, and I imagine it’d be a pure salary dump.  Chone Figgins was mentioned in the Angels rumor in May, but that’s a stretch and the Yanks have since acquired Wilson Betemit.  Damon might net a better player in return with less salary relief.  Both players would probably pass through waivers unclaimed, and I imagine the Yankees will at least go that far this month.

Prospects could be acquired, though probably in the form of a player to be named later realized after the season.  Getting immediate help back seems unlikely.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Dye, Lamb, Jennings

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Ken Rosenthal has a new article up.  Let’s see what’s in there beyond the Teixeira stuff.

  • The Angels have a few alternatives to Mark Teixeira in Jermaine Dye and Mike Piazza.  However, the team isn’t exactly bursting with open outfield/DH spots, especially once Juan Rivera returns.  Troy Glaus still makes a ton of sense, but the Blue Jays would want a lot.  Probably 2/3 of the Teixeira package.
  • Aside from Mark Loretta, the Padres would also like to acquire Mike Lamb from the Astros.  Even tossing aside his awful April, Kevin Kouzmanoff has been about average for his position offensively (.271/.328/.476 since May 1).  If the Padres instead used Lamb against southpaws and Kouzmanoff against lefties, they’d have a nifty platoon.
  • The Mets have inquired on Joe Blanton and Jon Garland but have found the price prohibitive.  It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that both are just innings eaters.  They’re just elevated by a terrible market for starters.
  • The Phillies also asked about Blanton, but are more likely to settle for Kyle Lohse or Jason Jennings.  Phil Garner decided to offer Jennings’ ERA up for sacrifice today, leaving him in to allow 11 earned runs in two-thirds of an inning.  That was a several million-dollar decision, as Jennings is a free agent after the season.
  • The Mets seem to have only mild interest in Luis Castillo and Mark Grudzielanek due to salary and injury concerns.    

Latest Mark Teixeira Trade Rumors

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Mark Teixeira is the biggest name likely to be dealt for the 2007 deadline, so you’re going to see millions of rumors until he’s physically wearing a different uniform.  Here’s the latest.

Rosenthal’s Latest Videos: Teixeira, Dye, Garland

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Ken Rosenthal has a couple of recent videos up at FOXSports.  Check ’em out.  Some highlights:

  • The Mark Teixeira talks are at a standstill; the Braves and Angels are reluctant to improve their offers.  The Dodgers are said to be out of the picture.  Daniels, Schuerholz, Stoneman – which one blinks first?  I’ll say Daniels; he’ll go with Atlanta’s best offer.
  • Jermaine Dye is Plan B for the Angels, but as you know the Red Sox still have interest.
  • Jon Garland can be had, but Kenny Williams’ price is sky-high.  The Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Mets, and Braves all have interest.  The Braves had offered not only Edgar Renteria but a top pitching prospect, and still were rejected.  Rosenthal expects Garland to stay put because as the asking price is not met.
  • The Dodgers are still the leaders on Octavio Dotel, but the Tribe could jump in if they part with Ben Francisco.  Would Francisco really be missed?
  • The Cubs are looking at role players like Jay Payton and Jeff Conine.  Many Cubs fans have written me looking for some good rumors – anything I would hear would go on the site.  My gut feeling is that they do nothing major.
  • The Orioles asked about Kei Igawa, but were told he’s not available.
  • Rosenthal can see Adam Dunn and Eric Gagne staying put at the deadline.  The need to deal Gagne is a bit more pressing, in my opinion.

Angels Out On Teixeira?

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According to Mike DiGiovanna and Ben Bolch of the L.A. Times, the Angels are done trying to acquire Mark Teixeira.  Casey Kotchman and Joe Saunders were agreed upon.  The Angels wanted the Rangers to settle on Terry Evans or Nathan Haynes as the third player.  The Rangers, however, wanted one of Brandon Wood, Nick Adenhart, Howie Kendrick, and Ervin Santana.

Perhaps there is some middle ground, like a Hank Conger, Sean Rodriguez, or Erick Aybar?  The L.A. Times says the door is not completely closed on Teixeira but the Angels won’t relent to Jon Daniels’ list.

Meanwhile, the L.A. Daily News sings a different tune.  Doug Padilla suggests an offer of Kotchman, Adenhart, and Reggie Willits.  He does not believe the talks to be dead.

Jermaine Dye or Mike Piazza look like the logical alternatives for the Angels.  Buster Olney believes Piazza to be a fine idea, and I agree.  Interestingly, the Angels kicked the tires of Miguel Cabrera but were rebuffed.

Teixeira may now be left to the Braves, Dodgers, and Red Sox.  I still expect a deal to be made.  The sticking point for an Atlanta appears to be John Schuerholz’s demand to get a solid reliever back with Teixeira if he is to include Elvis Andrus.

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