A-Rod To Angels Trade Possible?
The Los Angeles Times speculated yesterday that the Angels could be a frontrunner for Alex Rodriguez, obstensibly in the upcoming offseason. Bill Shaikin speculated that such an acquisition would make Orlando Cabrera the odd man out.
On the heels of that story comes an intriguing trade rumor from Halos Heaven. Yes, it is a blog, but I have known the author for some time and can vouch for the authenticity of his sources. He says Bill Stoneman and Brian Cashman have a tentative plan in place where the Angels could trade Dustin Moseley, Jose Molina, and Jered Weaver for Alex Rodriguez.
Instead of typical sixth starter Hector Carrasco, the Angels plan to use 25 year-old starter Moseley to fill in for Weaver as he misses one start in April. It could be Moseley’s audition for a future trade. He and Molina would be the complimentary pieces, with Boras client Weaver the centerpiece.
I think Yankee fans would be satisfied with such a deal, should Weaver pass his physical. So far this appears to be just the framework of a trade; big-time success by A-Rod or serious health issues for Weaver could get in the way. And, of course, Rodriguez has veto power. I imagine the Halos would try to hammer out a long-term deal with Rodriguez to make him the next great Angel for a long time.
Jose Molina Available?
You know it’s a slow news day when the best I can find is the availability of the worst Molina brother.
Bill "What’s" Shaikin of the L.A. Times reports that Jose Molina of the Angels might be available if they opt to use Jeff Mathis as their backup catcher. Offensively, the 31 year-old is a complete zero (actually his bat has negative value) so it would have to be a club purely in search of defense and catching skills.
Though it makes sense because Mike Napoli and Mathis are the team’s two best catchers, I haven’t seen too many playoff contenders break camp with no experience behind the plate to guide their pitching staff. I would guess that if Molina is dealt it’s because the Halos have found a different veteran backup.
Alex Rodriguez And The Cubs
UPDATE: In a related story, Jon Heyman of SI.com lists a slew of teams that inquired about Rodriguez’s availability this winter: the Angels, Dodgers, White Sox, Cubs, Giants, Phillies, Diamondbacks, and Indians. Heyman says the White Sox and Dodgers were the most persistent. None of the offers went anywhere given Rodriguez’s unwillingness to waive his no-trade clause.
Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News has an imposing mustache as well as some insight into Alex Rodriguez‘s next possible destination. The article involves Lou Piniella in his underwear as well as a lot of crying and one tender kiss. I found it touching.
Anyway, Raissman believes, based on an upcoming HBO interview with Rodriguez, that a reunion with Lou Piniella in Chicago would be a dream come true for him. Rodriguez responded to the idea thusly:
"He’s on a different team in a different league. My memories of Lou are in the present and the past, not the future."
This is not the first time Rodriguez has been connected to the Cubs. Last July, later confirmed by other sources, Bleed Cubbie Blue broke news of the team’s trading deadline interest.
I would imagine that Rodriguez would not play shortstop for the Cubs for the duration of his 5+ year contract. More likely to me: A-Rod plays shortstop for three seasons, through 2010. At that point, Derrek Lee‘s contract will be up and Aramis Ramirez might be ready to shift to first base. Ramirez is a Cub through 2011 or 2012.
Tim’s take – Chance of Alex Rodriguez signing with the Cubs in the ’07-’08 offseason: 15%.
GMJ’s Non-Answer Speaks Volumes
I understand that Gary Matthews Jr. has been advised by his agent not to comment on the recent steroid raid to which his name was connected. Any kind of admission might put his contract in jeopardy (although even that seems doubtful). Like it or not, though, Matthews has already been found guilty in the court of public opinion. This paragraph from the L.A. Times says it all:
"Asked whether he had ever used performance-enhancing substances, accidentally or otherwise, Matthews said, ‘I haven’t read the story myself and I don’t have all the information. Until I get more information, that’s my position.’"
I can’t think of a good reason why he would say that if the real answer to the question was simply, "no."
Matthews Jr. Acquired HGH
According to SI.com, Angels center fielder Gary Matthews Jr. was allegedly sent HGH in August of 2004. A number of other high-profile athletes were linked to Tuesday’s steroid raid.
Interestingly, Matthews’s big league success actually began in 2004, and his isolated power has remained steady since that season. It seems possible that he started taking performance-enhancing drugs at the beginning of the ’04 season, but who knows.
Will the Angels be able to use this as a way out of his lousy five-year, $50MM contract? Highly unlikely, in my opinion. HGH wasn’t on the banned substance list until 2005, and Matthews has never tested positive for anything. There probably won’t be any suspension and the Jason Giambi situation indicates that the Angels can’t void his contract based on this information.
Here’s a link at Matthews’s minor league teammates in ’04. Based on the SI.com article, one of them may have been involved as well.
Angels Rumors
A couple of minor trade/signing tidbits surfaced today courtesy of Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.
DiGiovanna mentions in a reader Q&A that he asked Bill Stoneman whether the team would have interest in Bernie Williams, and Stoneman said he preferred to go with younger players. Whoever wins the fourth outfielder job in L.A. (Erick Aybar?) should manage a decent amount of at-bats. Garret Anderson, Gary Matthews Jr., Vladimir Guerrero, and Juan Rivera isn’t the healthiest bunch. Guerrero and Anderson did avoid the DL last year though.
The Q&A also mentions the idea of sending Reggie Willits to Florida for young pitching. That idea has been around for a while; I wonder if the two clubs have had discussions about him. Center field remains a glaring weakness for Florida.
Also, while not much of a story, Nick Adenhart didn’t seem to mind being mentioned in last summer’s Miguel Tejada trade rumors. The team’s top pitching prospect grew up an Orioles fan in Maryland. Though he’s yet to pitch above A ball, Adenhart might be able to post a sub-5 ERA in the bigs right now.
Juan Gone Still On The Radar?
Despite published reports to the contrary, Tracy Ringolsby says the Tigers and Orioles are considering extending a spring training invite to Juan Gonzalez. He adds that despite Bill Stoneman’s denial, the Angels had scouts watching Gonzalez in Puerto Rico this winter.
Now let us all sit back and wait for those three clubs to re-deny interest. It’s funny to me that the clubs even felt compelled to comment on the rumor in the first place.
Juan Gone Still On The Radar?
Despite published reports to the contrary, Tracy Ringolsby says the Tigers and Orioles are considering extending a spring training invite to Juan Gonzalez. He adds that despite Bill Stoneman’s denial, the Angels had scouts watching Gonzalez in Puerto Rico this winter.
Now let us all sit back and wait for those three clubs to re-deny interest. It’s funny to me that the clubs even felt compelled to comment on the rumor in the first place.
Juan Gonzalez Wants Back In
It was bound to happen sooner or later – Igor, aka Juan Gonzalez, is attempting another return to the Majors. Published reports in Puerto Rico named the Angels, Tigers, and Orioles as interested parties. Update: the Orioles aren’t interested after all. And the Tigers denying interest as well. Ah, there we go – the Angels are not pursuing him. That was awesome – each team systematically denied any interest in Gonzalez within a few days of the rumor surfacing.
The slimmed-down Gonzalez spent last year in the Atlantic League and he’s currently playing in the Caribbean Series. Baseball Prospectus’s Derek Jacques reports:
"Juan Gonzalez makes the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz look nimble and flexible. Watching him run the bases, I constantly expected to hear a loud snapping sound followed by a trail of body parts. Igor still has the long looping swing, but his bat speed isn’t where he can really turn on Dessens’ heat in the third. He’s trying to cheat, and it just isn’t working."
Last year, Gonzalez was said to be in the best condition of his life and supposedly drew interest from the Cubs, White Sox, Red Sox, Athletics, and Rockies.
Juan Gonzalez Wants Back In
It was bound to happen sooner or later – Igor, aka Juan Gonzalez, is attempting another return to the Majors. Published reports in Puerto Rico named the Angels, Tigers, and Orioles as interested parties. Update: the Orioles aren’t interested after all. And the Tigers denying interest as well. Ah, there we go – the Angels are not pursuing him. That was awesome – each team systematically denied any interest in Gonzalez within a few days of the rumor surfacing.
The slimmed-down Gonzalez spent last year in the Atlantic League and he’s currently playing in the Caribbean Series. Baseball Prospectus’s Derek Jacques reports:
"Juan Gonzalez makes the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz look nimble and flexible. Watching him run the bases, I constantly expected to hear a loud snapping sound followed by a trail of body parts. Igor still has the long looping swing, but his bat speed isn’t where he can really turn on Dessens’ heat in the third. He’s trying to cheat, and it just isn’t working."
Last year, Gonzalez was said to be in the best condition of his life and supposedly drew interest from the Cubs, White Sox, Red Sox, Athletics, and Rockies.