So in the wake of the Mulder injury and the oncoming Blanpocalypse, here are the remaining FA starters

[jshep]

Chris Capuano (35)
Odrisamer Despaigne (27)
Jon Garland (34)
Ubaldo Jimenez (30)
Jair Jurrjens (28)
Jeff Karstens (31)
Jason Marquis (35)
Jeff Niemann (31)
Clayton Richard (30)
Ervin Santana (31)
Johan Santana (34)
Joe Saunders (33)
Barry Zito (36)

 

- Ubaldo and Ervin are both going to be expensive and attached to draft picks, so that should be a no go.

- Garland's agent said he's not likely to pitch in 2014.

- Marquis had TJ surgery and isn't going to be back until late in the season. And then he'll be an almost 36 year old version of Jason Marquis.

- Niemann isn't expected to be back until the 2nd half, last I heard.

- Johan and Karstens are both coming off injuries, don't know what the latest timetable is on them though.

- Zito doesn't sound like he's planning on pitching in 2014 either.

 

Capuano would still be neat! Karstens is mildly interesting if he's healthy. Other than that...yikes.

Edited February 18, 2014 by jshep

[Llewyn Davis]

Ubaldo figured something out in the 2nd half last year.

 

13 starts, 84 innings, 69 hits (7.4 H/9), 27 BBs (2.9 BB/9), 100 Ks (10.7 K/9), .223 BAA, 1.82 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 3.7 K/BB

 

His strand rate went back to the way it used to be when he was elite. So did his SwSt%, and he threw more first pitch strikes than ever before in his career. Also developed his slider and split finger. There is a lot to like about what Ubaldo did last season, and he only just turned 30.

 

Giving up a 1st round pick who probably wouldn't amount to anything - especially with the way we draft - for that kind of upside is worth it. We're talking about lightning in a bottle. You pay him as a #3, and you might be getting an ace in return.

Edited February 17, 2014 by Llewyn Davis

[ELEVEN]

Blanpocalypse now?

[AngelsAndRamsFan]

From Fletcher's tweets, it sound like the Angels would only be interested in signing Capuano for one year and 2-3 million. At this point, he's still looking for more than that. I'm not sure what type of contract Capuano is looking for.

[jsnpritchett]

Ubaldo figured something out in the 2nd half last year.

 

13 starts, 84 innings, 69 hits (7.4 H/9), 27 BBs (2.9 BB/9), 100 Ks (10.7 K/9), .223 BAA, 1.82 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 3.7 K/BB

 

His strand rate went back to the way it used to be when he was elite. So did his SwSt%, and he threw more first pitch strikes than ever before in his career. Also developed his slider and split finger. There is a lot to like about what Ubaldo did last season, and he only just turned 30.

 

Giving up a 1st round pick who probably wouldn't amount to anything - especially with the way we draft - for that kind of upside is worth it. We're talking about lightning in a bottle. You pay him as a #3, and you might be getting an ace in return.

 

You might also be getting the guy who was pretty terrible for a few years before that 2nd half of 2013.

[Llewyn Davis]

You might also be getting the guy who was pretty terrible for a few years before that 2nd half of 2013.

 

So have the scouts watch tape of him, and see what they think. Every FA signing is a gamble on some level. The Angels have the money. The SP is still somewhat suspect. Ubaldo could shore it up and give us the edge we need to propel us into the postseason. I think the juice is worth the squeeze here.

Edited February 17, 2014 by Llewyn Davis

[HaloFan85]

Blanpocalypse now?

I prefer Blantzilla.

[The God of Runs]

Joe Blanton is fat

[Brent Maguire]

I don't think the Angels are in a position to give up a first round pick.

Sure, that pick could amount to nothing but what if that ends up being a pitcher that this team desperately needs in 2-3 years?

The team needs to try to hoard draft picks, not give them away.

[Stradling]

I don't want to give up the pick, but like I have said before, if we could trade a middle infielder and bring back talent that would take the place of the lost pick, I would be ok signing Santana at the right price. I would not sign him if we weren't able to trade someone like Howie or Aybar and bring in solid minor league prospects.

[Docwaukee]

I don't trust Santana or jiminez. Not enough to forfeit a pick anyway. Capuano still the best choice IMO. If Blanton sucks again which has high probability, and the halos get off to a slow start as a result, jd might be toast before the asb.

[DMVol]

I don't trust Santana or jiminez. Not enough to forfeit a pick anyway. Capuano still the best choice IMO. If Blanton sucks again which has high probability, and the halos get off to a slow start as a result, jd might be toast before the asb.

Really don't get the strategy...Seems awfully high risk...Richards, Skaggs and Santiago all need to be ready to go (which could happen, I guess) AND none of those 3 or Weaver and CJ getting hurt (very unlikely)...Absolutely no room for error....talk about a high wire act...

[AngelsFaninGA]

I wouldn't mind kicking the tires on Odrisamer Despaigne. 

[Inside Pitch]

Matt Shoemaker

[Angel Oracle]

Will they regret not keeping Williams as pitching depth?    Granted the $3.9 million re-up may be a bit high for pitching depth. 

[DMVol]

Will they regret not keeping Williams as pitching depth?    Granted the $3.9 million re-up may be a bit high for pitching depth. 

You have to have some depth....I can't believe DiPoto and Scioscia actually think Blanton or Shoemaker can be that depth, though....I know Skaggs and Santiago need a chance and we owe Blanton 8 million regardless but if something happens to any of the 5 projected guys in the rotation, we have no answer, none.....I guess we could still sign Capuano but that's about it....and it's scary....

[jshep]

Really don't get the strategy...Seems awfully high risk...Richards, Skaggs and Santiago all need to be ready to go (which could happen, I guess) AND none of those 3 or Weaver and CJ getting hurt (very unlikely)...Absolutely no room for error....talk about a high wire act...

Honestly not sure there is a strategy worth mentioning at play here.

[ettin]

Although I have no particular knowledge of Johan Santana's medicals he would intrigue me simply based on his pedigree.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

I prefer Blantzilla.

 

Blantasrophe.

[fan_since79]

Come on, "apocalypse" and "catastrophe" are overstating the case a bit.

 

He'll start ten games, lose eight of them, and then be pulled from the rotation. With the rest of our team humming on all cylinders, we could easily survive that.

 

Right?

[AngelsAndRamsFan]

I didn't know Llewyn Davis was a baseball fan.

[Second Base]

As previously mentioned, Arte isn't necessarily interested in the Luxury Tax as much as he's interested in operating under their yearly budget and right now, 150 million is a lot closer than most people realize.  They could theoretically sign Ubaldo, but for a team that's looking at locking up Trout long term and build for the future, signing this sort of starter to a backloaded deal and forfeiting the highest pick they've had in years seems counter-productive. 

 

The best move here may actually be a trade.  As far as 2B in AA/AAA and the majors go, they have Kendrick, Grant Green, Taylor Lindsey and Alex Yarbrough.  They want to compete this year, so keeping Howie is preferably.  Grant Green is still learning the position, but he's athletic and his bat speaks for itself.  He may end up being a better 2B than Lindsey or Yarbrough.  

 

Keep Romine up as the backup 2B, have Green play the full year at 2B in Salt Lake, and deal Taylor Lindsey for a AAA starter with upside because right now, Lindsey's stock is looking pretty good.  The Angels would still have Kendrick, Green and Yarbrough on their 2B depth chart and would be no worse for it. 

Edited February 17, 2014 by ScottyA_MWAH

[robblin17]

Although I have no particular knowledge of Johan Santana's medicals he would intrigue me simply based on his pedigree.

 

When was the last time low risk, high reward has worked for the Angels?

Edited February 17, 2014 by robblin17

[AngelsAndRamsFan]

@masnRoch: Source: #Orioles have made substantial progress on Jimenez and are working to finalize deal. Believed 4 years and around $48 mil.

[JAHV76]

That list is sad.