Blogs By Fans Roundtable - Part IV
We, the baseball writer for the Blog By Fans are having a round-table discussion about the recently concluded Winter Meetings. It's now my turn to answer some questions regarding the Angels moves (or non-moves). Here are the Mets - Giants - and Yankee responses.
1. Do you think Jose Arredondo is ready to close now that Francisco Rodriguez has moved on to the Mets or will the Angels use a bullpen-by-committee until he proves he can handle the role?
Honestly? No, I don't think Arredondo is ready. Don't get me wrong, I think he has great stuff, but last season was his first year in the majors. While Frankie Rodriguez had a great first season, he was used as the 8th inning guy setting up Percival, Arredondo was used in less pressure situations last season as Scot Shields was the primary set-up man. I think if the Angels don't go out and get an experienced closer, such as Brian Fuentes, Shields will be used in the ninth inning...at least at the start of the season. If Shields falters, then Arredondo will be the first choice to step in, but waiting in the wings is Kelvim Escobar (after the All-Star break) and he's proven he can close.
2. Will the Angels re-sign Mark Teixeira? If not, who would you suggest they get to replace him?
No, I think he's going to sign with those bastards in Boston. The feeling I get is the Angels have given Teixeira their best offer and won't get into a bidding war once the price goes above what they want to sign him to. This means we'll be seeing Kendry Morales at first in 2009. He's unproven, but to expect 15 HR and a .270 average wouldn't be out of the question. Obviously Morales' production isn't going to replace Teixeira's, so I think the Halos will go out and get Adam Dunn who has just as much power as Teixeira, and can get on base at the same rate although he does strike out a lot. Dunn could be signed for about half the price of Teixeira, leaving some payroll room to do some other things, like signing Randy Johnson or Milton Bradley. And don't forget...Manny Ramirez is still out there!
3. The Angels are rumored to be interested in trading for Jake Peavy. Are the Halos set at starting pitching or would you be willing to part with players like Erick Aybar, Brandon Wood, Nick Adenhart and Kevin Jepsen to land Peavy?
I like Jake Peavy, but I think he's an injury waiting to happen (he's already had elbow problems last season). I'd rather see the Angels sign a player like Randy Johnson for one year, giving Adenhart and Moseley another year to mature. If the Angels do trade for Peavy, I've heard Weaver or Saunders would most likely be involved in the deal and I'd hate to see either of them go, however if San Diego would go for the deal above the Halo rotation would be epic. Runs prevented is as good as runs scored. If the Angels get shutout in signing a slugger, this might be the way they go.
4. The AL West proved no match for the Angels last season. Do you expect the Halos to run away with the division next year or is there a team that could keep things interesting in 2009?
I'm afraid of Oakland. Billy Beane's never been afraid to shake things up. They've already gone out and traded for Matt Holliday and they're rumored to be the favorite to sign Rafael Furcal. I've also read they may be bringing Jason Giambi back, who I think would be a steal. If they sign those two and somehow get a couple starting pitchers, they're going to be tough.
1. I agree with you. Shields will get the first crack. If he falters, then Arredondo will get a shot. Scioscia likes defined roles in the pen, but he's also pretty good at adjusting as the year goes on. Also, I would expect them to sign someone like Cordero on an incentive-laden contract. I would NOT like to see them go after Fuentes. Even at $8-10M per year, would be too much.
2. The Halos will definitely sign at least one, if not two power guys. Not a big fan of Abreu and others mentioned. Ramirez or Dunn would be ideal.
3. Aces are not available often. Especially one that is locked down for 4-5 years. I say the Halos go hard after Peavy. I would not include Santana, Saunders or Weaver, but others (Adehart, Jepsen, Wood, Willits, etc...) are definitely far game.
4. I am not afraid of Oakland. Holiday will struggle in the massive yard that the A's play in. Billy Beane gets was too much credit as far as I am concerned. I guess he gets that credit because he rolls the dice often. Like most GMs, some of his trades work out (i.e. Haren) and some don't (i.e. Hudson).
I think the closer position is the most over-rated in baseball, and to pay more than $10M for a one-inning guy is a poor use of resouces...so I agree with you about Fuentes.
Dunn would be ideal, even if Teixeira returns. The only reason I'd like to see the Angels sign Abreu would be if he were to be used at DH exclusively, but the Angels don't need that. Hopefully they stay away from Burrell too. I've heard rumor that Dye is available. I don't think he'd be a bad option if the deal is right, plus he's only signed for one more year so he wouldn't be clogging up the roster for too many years.
If the Angels can get Peavy without giving up either Weaver, Saunders, or Santana I'm all for a deal getting done.
1) I think a bullpen by committee wouldn't be bad to have: shields and Arredondo. I think this approach will enable Scioscia to use the hot pitcher at the time and also allow them to pitch multiple innings sometimes. Oftentimes I see a setup guy that is blowing guys away in the 8th inning, but in order for the "closer" to get his save, he needs to be brought in no matter how well the previous pitcher is pitching. What do you guys think of Jepsen and Bulger- you think they could be quality relievers? How bout a bounce back year from Speier?
2) What about Ty Wigginton to fill out 3rd base and occasionally LF? He's not a bad player, with decent power. I don't know about his defense though. Sign Giambi to be the DH/occasional 1B, Dunn in left, wouldn't be a bad lineup.
Lineup
2B Figgins
SS Izturis
RF Guerrero
DH Giambi
CF Hunter
LF Dunn
C Napoli
1B Morales
3B Wigginton
3) Trade Kendrick, Aybar and either Weaver/Adenhart to the Padres for Peavy
Rotation
1) Peavy
2) Lackey
3) Santana
4) Saunders
5) Weaver/Adenhart
Bench: Matthews Jr., Willits, Wood, Rodriguez, Quinlan, Mathis
Relievers
1) Shields
2) Arredondo
3) Oliver
4) Jepsen
5) Bulger
I've always thought it was strange to use a lesser pitcher in a higher leverage situation. If your closer is your team's best pitcher, why not use him when the game is truly on the line...like 2 on, one out in the 7th? Instead of just using him in the 9th?
Jepsen's been moving slowly throught the Angels minor league system (5 years in single A), but he did have a great season last year split between double A and triple A and he's only 22. Bulger just turned 30 last week and hasn't had much of an opportunity to show what he's got at the major league level. Unless the Angels sign or trade for some relief help, I think we'll see both of these guys next season in Anaheim. Speier's a good pitcher and I think last year was just an "off year". I haven't heard anything, but he may have been hurt because his 2008 season was totally out of character compared to his career numbers.
I like Wigginton and I'm surprised he was non-tendered. I'm also surprised I haven't heard any news of Angels interest in him. I've read he could be signed for less than what the Dodgers gave Casey Blake (3 yr/$17M) and Wigginton is a better 3B than Blake, plus given the opportunity could hit at least 25HR. Sign him to play 3B, Wood at SS, and trade Figgins (for Rich Harden?).
I don't understand all of the Giambi hatin' going on. A cheap, lefthanded DH who can hit 30+ HR. What's not to like, if for only 1 year though.
I like that rotation...I like it a lot. I think I'd give S-Rod more time at 2B if he shows he can handle it.
Hey Jim, follow-up to the roundtable.
Q: Let's fast forward to this time next year. Vlad reaches free agency, do the Halos bring him back? Should they bring him back?
Man, that's a tough question. Guerrero has been a great player for the Angels, pretty much the face of the franchise, but he's in obvious decline. This year he had off season knee surgery, something he's put off for a couple of years, so hopefully he's feeling better and is able to have a bounce-back year. I think the Angels will wait and see how he does in 2009 before making their decision to re-sign or not. My personal feelings are they will try to sign him to a contract extension, but with the understanding that he'll see more time at DH than he'd like. Another thing that I think is important to the Angel organization is he's got a legitimate chance of going to the Hall of Fame. I don't think he's there yet, but he has a very good chance. And his would be the first Halo on a plaque.
So to answer your question, yes the Angels will bring him back, as they should.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Sharon
http//www.autoloans101.info
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Sharon
http//www.autoloans101.info