Angels Exercise Guerrero, Lackey Options; Decline Anderson

According to a press release from the club, the Angels exercised their 2009 options on Vladimir Guerrero and John Lackey and declined their option on Garret Anderson.  Nothing unexpected here.

Guerrero will earn $15MM, while Lackey is also a bargain at $9MM.  The Angels chose Anderson’s $3MM buyout over his $14MM option, but they could still re-sign him.

Angels Rumors: Teixeira, K-Rod, Uggla

The Angels were eliminated, so it’s time to look forward to the offseason.  Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times has the latest.

  • Mark Teixeira said the right things again, about how his time with the Angels gives him something to think about as a free agent.  Joel Sherman believes Tex is a great fit for the Yankees, even if he is the "ultimate Boras client."  Sherman figures the Yanks, Red Sox, Orioles, and Angels will compete for Teixeira.
  • Francisco Rodriguez‘s first choice is the Angels.  Sherman believes the Angels’ apparent willingness to let K-Rod go is a warning sign for other teams like the Mets.
  • Garret Anderson will be bought out for $3MM, and didn’t want to discuss whether he’d return after that.  Shaikin says Chone Figgins could move to left field if Anderson leaves.
  • Shaikin says the Angels have considered acquiring Dan Uggla as a way to compensate if Teixeira leaves.  Uggla would probably play third base.
  • John Lackey answered in the affirmative when asked whether he’d wait to see the Angels’ offensive plans before considering an extension.  Lackey’s $9MM option is an easy decision but he is a free agent after the ’09 season.

Perrotto’s Latest: GMs, Angels, Offseason Moves

John Perrotto at Baseball Prospectus has his Every Given Sunday column up, let’s take a look at what he has to say:

  • Perrotto believes that there’s a good chance that the only GM change baseball will see this offseason may be the one we already know about, as Pat Gillick has already announced his retirement. Perrotto cites Assitant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. as a likely replacement. The most likely other change is in Seattle, and cites Dodgers’ Assistant GM Kim Ng as a possible replacement, which would make her the first female general manager in the game’s history. Perrotto believes Cashman and the Yankees will work something out, though notes that if Cashman leaves, he will ascend to the top of both the Mariners’ and Phillies’ lists.
  • Angels’ owner Arte Moreno says that the 2009 club will not exceed the current $123MM payroll. This leaves the Angels with hard decisions on Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez, Garrett Anderson, Juan Rivera, and Jon Garland. Of all those options, I see Teixeira as the top priority, as well as the most likely to return. Garland and Rivera seem like certainties to be gone, with Garland being one of the more appealing starters on the free agent market.
  • The Robinson Cano trade rumors continue, as Perrotto expects the Yankees to make a run at Orlando Hudson. Giving up on Cano seems like a mistake to me, but he certainly hasn’t lived up to the expectations he set when he nearly won a batting title in 2006. The Yankees are also not likely to re-sign Jason Giambi or Bobby Abreu.
  • The Tigers feel they have a good chance at re-signing Freddy Garcia for 2009. Garcia could potentially be a nice rebound candidate in a rotation that desperately needs help. Perrotto mentions that Detroit has considered Derek Lowe as a possibility, but I don’t see how that could work with the Tigers trying to cut payroll at the same time. One thing seems certain: Kenny Rogers will not be pitching for Detroit in 2009.
  • The White Sox have removed the nameplate from Joe Crede’s locker. Doesn’t seem like he’ll be back in 2009, not that that’s necessarily a new revelation.
  • The Royals/Jeff Francouer rumors continue in Perrotto’s column. It’s been written all over the site, but doesn’t it seem like the Royals should actually be pursuing people who have a career OBP that isn’t lower than several good hitters’ career average?
  • The Giants are willing to trade Matt Cain for a solid power hitter in return. Again, I think keeping a rotation headed by Cain and Tim Lincecum for the next few years is a far better option than trading Cain.
  • The Pirates have said that the only guarantee for their rotation next season is Paul Maholm. It’s been a rough season for Ian Snell, but I don’t see why he wouldn’t be guaranteed a spot as well, unless they’re not positive he’ll still be with the club.
  • The Mariners will likely non-tender Erik Bedard, completing the downward spiral on what has been one of the worst trades in recent history. Bedard will have shoulder surgery and likely miss a good portion of 2009.
  • Speaking of disappointing moves: Both Greg Maddux and Kosuke Fukudome are in danger of being left off their respective teams’ postseason rosters.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Angels, D’Backs, Giambi, Ellis

Here is the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

  • Many important Angels will reach free agency this winter: Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez, Jon Garland, and Juan Rivera.  Rosenthal doesn’t expect any of these four back.  Garret Anderson‘s $14MM option will not be exercised, but he could be re-signed.  John Lackey and Vladimir Guerrero both have reasonable club options for ’09, but the Halos need to plan beyond that.
  • Several journalists have noted the D’Backs may restock the farm system if they let Adam Dunn, Orlando Hudson, Brandon Lyon, and Juan Cruz depart as free agents after the season.  They’re not worried about Dunn accepting an offer of arbitration. Why would he want a one-year deal?
  • Rosenthal guesses the Indians, Mariners, Blue Jays, and A’s might have interest in Jason Giambi this winter.  Giambi’s .398 OBP ranks 7th in the AL.  The leader: fellow free agent Milton Bradley at a staggering .446.
  • Mark Ellis surprisingly postponed negotiations with the A’s on an extension.  It had been said Ellis wanted to figure out a contract before season’s end.  He’s the affordable free agent alternative to Hudson.
  • The Twins are trying to get creative to find bullpen help.  GM Bill Smith says he’s made many waiver claims and won some.
  • Rosenthal says "speculation persists" that J.P. Ricciardi will be canned after the season.
  • The Tigers aren’t considering trading Magglio Ordonez, but Nate Robertson could be moved this winter.  Robertson seems due for a move back to the NL.  He earns $7MM in ’09 and $10MM in ’10.
  • The Reds are being questioned for holding on to relievers David Weathers and Jeremy Affeldt.

Garret Anderson Enters Contract Year

One 2009 MLB free agent who’s not getting a ton of attention yet is lifetime Angel Garret Anderson.  The Angels are faced with a tough decision – $14MM for ’09 or a $3MM buyout.  So Tony Reagins will need to ask himself if he’d sign Anderson to a one-year, $11MM deal.  PECOTA says he’ll be worth less than $2MM in ’09.

Finally free of injuries, Anderson had a big second half in ’07.  This year, the Angels will wisely give him a break by rotating him through the DH spot on occasion.  As Mike DiGiovanna writes in the above-linked article, the Angels’ decision on Anderson will be especially tough if he has a good but not great season (something similar to his last three).

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