With less than a week before the major league trading deadline, the Los Angeles Angels sit atop the American League west by 10 games. They also have the best record in baseball at 62-39, but I'm still worried. Although the Angels have made the post season 4 of the last 5 seasons, they haven't made it to the World Series since 2002 and have lost 9 straight post season games to the Red Sox. If the play-offs were to start today, the Angels would face-off against those Red Sox, and despite last weekend's 3 game sweep in Anaheim, the Red Sox are a team who've proven they can "turn it up a notch" once the post season starts.
For the last few years, we Angels' fans have complained about GM Bill Stoneman's inability to swing a trade for a "big bat". Now that Stoneman's stepped down to become a special assistant and Tony Reagins has taken over trade talks, 2008 looked like it might be the year for a deadline deal. Shortly after taking control of the Angels' front office, Reagins shocked us all by working out a deal and signing Torii Hunter at a Del Taco off the 91 freeway. Finally! We've got ourselves a "ninja" in the GM seat. However, with only a week to go before the trading deadline all of the rumors flying around the internet have the Angels standing pat. And I can understand their thinking. Best record in baseball, thinning farm system, pitching wins play-offs, etc., but I'm still worried. What should the Angels do? Here's what I think:
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Trade Brandon Wood. Wood's a great prospect, but where's he going to play? Figgins is at 3B. Move Figgins to 2B? What about Kendrick? Move Figgins to the already over-crowded outfield? Not unless the Angels are able to unload Mathews Jr.'s contract (and he waives his no-trade clause). Send Wood to Cleveland for Casey Blake and Rafael Perez. I'd much rather see Blake on the bench and filling in for Kotchman the last two month of the regular season and into the post season than Robb Quinlan. Or how about dealing Wood to Baltimore in a George Sherrill trade. K-Rod has stated he's filing for free agency after this season and after the year he's having in 2008, possibly breaking the all-time saves record, he'll command a hefty raise. One the Angels might feel they can't afford. With Sherrill, they'll have a replacement until Arredondo can step into the closers role in 2010. Or… - Go out and get Greg Maddux if he'd be willing to waive his no-trade clause. The Angels' starting pitching has been fantastic, but are showing signs of tiring. Jered Weaver left his last start with tightness in his back and John Garland was scratched from his last start due to neck stiffness. Would Maddux waive his NTC for a chance to play in the post-season? He's stated he'd consider a trade to a west coast team, and everyone thinks of the Dodgers. Last time I checked Anaheim was west coast. I think all it'd take to get Maddux would be a low level, grade C/C+ prospect. Or...
- Do nothing. Breeze into the play-offs and take their chances. After all, they did just sweep the defending champs, minus Angel-killer David Ortiz (42 for 139, 12 HR against Angel pitching). Did I mention I'm still worried?
There was a recent trade rumor involving Atlanta's Mark Teixeira. The rumor was Robb Quinlan and Brandon Wood for Teixeira. Yeah, right. If the Braves are that desperate (which they're not) to make a deal, the Angels should jump all over it. I don't think a "blockbuster" is in the Angels' future, but hopefully they do something to improve their roster. Once October comes, it's a whole new ballgame...and I'm still worried.
