2008 Season Review - Part 1

The New Kid In Town
After ending 2007 season being swept by the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS, the Angels front office was looking to make a change.  The first big change was the resignation of long-time Angels general manager, Bill Stoneman.  Stoneman stepped down as the Angels GM in mid-October and was replaced by the team's director of player development, GM Tony Reagins.  One of first situations Reagins faced was the possible acquisition of Yankee's third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who had opted out of his contract, which was announced during the World Series, making him a free agent.  The Angels were considered one of the front runners to sign Rodriquez who would address their need for a big bat and someone to man the hot corner.  The Angels apparently talked everything but money with Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras.  Rodriguez would end up re-signing with the Yankees, but another All-Star third baseman became available during the general manager's meetings in November. 

Miguel Cabrera
The Florida Marlins put Miguel Cabrera on the market, and once again the Angels were rumored to be the front-runners in landing the third baseman.  The Angels first offer was rumored to be Brandon Wood, Nick Adenhart, and Mike Napoli/Jeff Mathis/Hank Conger, but the Marlins were insisting on Howie Kendrick in any deal.  The trade rumors also included Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla in the deal if Kendrick was to be traded, but the addition of Uggla would require the Angels adding a fourth player.  The Angels were speculated to have briefly looked into signing free agent third baseman Mike Lowell, but Lowell was reportedly looking for a 4-year deal, something the Angels weren't interested in doing.  Towards the end of November, the Angels rumored offer for M-Cab was Ervin Santana, Howie Kendrick, Chris Bootcheck, and Nick Adenhart. 

The First Trade
On November 19th, Reagins made his first trade as Angels GM when he acquired Jon Garland from the Chicago White Sox for shortstop Orlando Cabrera.  Many thought the acquisition of Garland was done to allow the Angels to include a pitcher in a deal for Miguel Cabrera, rumored to be either Ervin Santana or Joe Saunders.  Also, the speculation was the White Sox were freeing up money to sign Minnesota's free agent center fielder Torii Hunter.

The "Ninja" Strikes
Out of nowhere, on Thanksgiving Day, the Angels signed 7-time Gold Glove winner Torii Hunter to a five-year contract worth $90M.  The Hunter deal was consummated over chicken soft tacos at a Del Taco off of the 91 freeway between GM Tony Reagins and Hunter's agent Larry Reynolds.  The signing of Hunter and the trade for Garland during the same week caused speculation to grow that the Angels were getting closer to making a trade with the Marlins for Cabrera.  With the additions of Hunter and Garland, the Angels now had an excess in the outfield which would allow them to deal either Reggie Willits or Juan Rivera, and the inclusion of one of the Angels starters.

The Other Miguel
The Angels were also rumored to be int