Offseason Trades/FA Acquisitions?

[wopphil]

Hamilton isn't going anywhere. Owed tons of money, not terribly old, and for as much as he has disappointed, he is still a league-average outfielder.

[NachoPop]

I think we'll get one of Scherzer or Shields.

I also hear that Garrett Richards may be ready by April/May, not the All-Star Break like some have said. He slated to start running in December.

The rotation we'll begin the season with will be Weaver, Shoemaker, Rasmus, Wilson (FA acquisition or trade, who could be our #1 guy entering the season).

From what I hear, depending on what Josh does for us in the postseason, we may Vernon Wells his arse in the offseason.

No Santiago?

[TroutCron]

I think Wilson will be on a short leash next season. If he can't throw strikes and go more than 5 innings with his 100 pitches he would be bad on the pen.

Weaver

Shoemaker

Santiago

Rasmus

FA signing (they won't give up a first rounder)

Richards in May

The problem is not having starting pitching in the upper minors. Injuries to the staff may be harder to overcome than this season.

[Second Base]

Crazy turn of events, without doing any research, I think A.J. Burnett suddenly has a change of heart and plays one final season, going for a ring.  Will sign with the Angels for around 10 million and with some clever maneuvering, the Angels will find themselves just barely under the tax threshold.  CJ will suck coming out of the gate and find himself in a lefty specialist/set up role in the bullpen.  Pestano will replace Grilli. 

 

By May, our rotation will be Weaver, Richards, Shoemaker, Burnett and Santiago or Rasmus.  

 

The team will have shown from it's 2014 World Series campaign that effective starting pitching can be found in the most unexpected of spots. 

[ten ocho recon scout]

Sorry Chuck, but no way in hell does that happen.

arte has dumped big money old guys in the past. I think it all depends on what happens this post season. If hamilton misses it, i can see arte eating some money and seeing if hamilton feels he could start fresh somewhere else.

[Stradling]

arte has dumped big money old guys in the past. I think it all depends on what happens this post season. If hamilton misses it, i can see arte eating some money and seeing if hamilton feels he could start fresh somewhere else.

Ok, that is different than dumping him. I could see him eating some salary and trading him, but flat out releasing him and eating the rest of the contract after being injured this year, that will not happen. I am not defending Hamilton here, I have no idea whether or not he will ever be a above average player or not, but there is zero reason to release him at this point or this off season.

[nikkachez]

Well Moran will be coming back from TJ surgery and Diaz/Pestano can take Grilli and Thatcher's spots. Street's option will obviously be picked up. I think they check under every rock for left-handed relief depth on the cheap, sign a couple guys to minor league deals for depth. The bullpen's the strength as of now, keep adding arms to it. Even with Pestano, Diaz, Gott, and Bedrosian-ish already in the system. The starting pitching needs a major upgrade, that's a given. Lester or Shields would be my picks. 

 

So Lester/Shields and a minor bullpen addition or two? But the lineup isn't going to look the EXACT same. Right? Headley's expected contract is supposed to be waaay down since he hasn't been able to repeat his 2012 season. But him and Freese have very similar offensive abilities (Headley has had a down year, but has bounced back with the Yankees.) If Headley can get his 2013 year (.250/.347/.400 equaling to a .747 OPS with a 116 OPS+) but he would represent a huuuuuge upgrade at third defensively and gives the team a little longer to develop another third baseman. Freese is a free agent after next season, need to add someone that can hold it down for a couple years. Trade him for depth. What about taking a page out of the A's book and getting a third catcher that can play multiple positions? Get someone like Gattis from the Braves and have him DH while giving Iannetta chances to DH all while having another catcher on the roster to back up. 

 

Lineup would look something like- Calhoun: RF, Trout CF (I prefer Trout leading off), Pujols 1B, Hamilton LF, Gattis DH/C, Headley 3B, Kendrick 2B, Iannetta C, Aybar SS

 

Cowgill, Cron, Navarro, Beckham, Cron, Green, and O'Malley fight for bench spots. Conger is still the backup (strictly a backup though.)

 

Pitching Staff has- Lester, Richards, Weaver, Shoemaker, Wilson. Bedrosian, Gott, Diaz, Rasmus, Santiago, Moran, Salas, Pestano, Jepsen, Morin, Smith, Street give us depth and length. 

[nikkachez]

Lester doesn't cost a draft pick either

[greginpsca]

Who from Japan might be available?

[SoWhat]

Well Moran will be coming back from TJ surgery and Diaz/Pestano can take Grilli and Thatcher's spots. Street's option will obviously be picked up. I think they check under every rock for left-handed relief depth on the cheap, sign a couple guys to minor league deals for depth. The bullpen's the strength as of now, keep adding arms to it. Even with Pestano, Diaz, Gott, and Bedrosian-ish already in the system. The starting pitching needs a major upgrade, that's a given. Lester or Shields would be my picks.

So Lester/Shields and a minor bullpen addition or two? But the lineup isn't going to look the EXACT same. Right? Headley's expected contract is supposed to be waaay down since he hasn't been able to repeat his 2012 season. But him and Freese have very similar offensive abilities (Headley has had a down year, but has bounced back with the Yankees.) If Headley can get his 2013 year (.250/.347/.400 equaling to a .747 OPS with a 116 OPS+) but he would represent a huuuuuge upgrade at third defensively and gives the team a little longer to develop another third baseman. Freese is a free agent after next season, need to add someone that can hold it down for a couple years. Trade him for depth. What about taking a page out of the A's book and getting a third catcher that can play multiple positions? Get someone like Gattis from the Braves and have him DH while giving Iannetta chances to DH all while having another catcher on the roster to back up.

Lineup would look something like- Calhoun: RF, Trout CF (I prefer Trout leading off), Pujols 1B, Hamilton LF, Gattis DH/C, Headley 3B, Kendrick 2B, Iannetta C, Aybar SS

Cowgill, Cron, Navarro, Beckham, Cron, Green, and O'Malley fight for bench spots. Conger is still the backup (strictly a backup though.)

Pitching Staff has- Lester, Richards, Weaver, Shoemaker, Wilson. Bedrosian, Gott, Diaz, Rasmus, Santiago, Moran, Salas, Pestano, Jepsen, Morin, Smith, Street give us depth and length.

Calhoun is the only piece the Angels have that could net Gattis.. So you can scratch him off your wish list

I hope the Angels stay away from the top arms on the market. Scherzer will cost close to $200M and a draft pick, Lester and Shields are in their 30's with a whole lot of mileage on their arms, both will decline very soon.

No more large contracts for players in their 30's, PLEASE!

Edited September 25, 2014 by SoWhat

[Inside Pitch]

Who from Japan might be available?

 

 

Kenta Maeda maybe....  

[Second Base]

I think one thing you can guarantee from hyped Japanese players, you'll need to overpay.  I'd rather look for guys like Wada or Kuroda who didn't come with much fanfare. 

[CAAngelsLifer]

in what world are we able to get Gattis? That seems incredibly unlikely... i'm for it- can we trick them into taking Hank Conger for him? 

and I think the Yankees hold onto Headley. Headley will be turning 31 and his best season was 3 years ago, probably looking for a contract that protects him in his mid-late 30's.. That's RIGHT up Brian Cashman's alley. They can put 45 year old A-Rod back at short stop. i hear they LOVE old short stops. Their other one died or something- there are memorials everywhere! Poor guy- he seemed great. 

[CAAngelsLifer]

I'm going to be rational but positive and go ahead and assume Richards will come back pitching at a high level and that it will be early next season. He works really hard (just look at his progress last off season) and will be very motivated after 2014's various tribulations. 

 

I'm sure it's sarcasm when people say "give 'em the farm for ____" but that mentality scares me. At least we got a few good draft picks this year- it's a start. At this point in the conversation I should probably head over to the Futures Forum. I'm interested in our catching depth too. 

[nikkachez]

in what world are we able to get Gattis? That seems incredibly unlikely... i'm for it- can we trick them into taking Hank Conger for him? 

and I think the Yankees hold onto Headley. Headley will be turning 31 and his best season was 3 years ago, probably looking for a contract that protects him in his mid-late 30's.. That's RIGHT up Brian Cashman's alley. They can put 45 year old A-Rod back at short stop. i hear they LOVE old short stops. Their other one died or something- there are memorials everywhere! Poor guy- he seemed great. 

Because no one will give Headley anything over 3 years

[Guest]

Arte's gotta pony up for pitching via free agency since he's all out of Rondons. 

Edited September 25, 2014 by failos

[YouthofToday]

Am I the only one who has confidence in Butcher to discover a change in mechanics from another pitcher and turn the asset into an in-the-money SP?

[nando714]

Shields

Another Ave sp.

Pablo Sandoval

Middle reliever.

[NJHalo]

Josh Hamilton even up for A-Rod

[Angel Oracle]

I'd be leery of Shields, who turns 33 in December and has pitched over 1900 innings in his MLB career, granted he's missed maybe 1 or 2 starts TOTAL in the past 8 seasons.

He's gonna get big money, and I'm not so sure it's smart to give it to him.

 

Further thoughts on Cueto: It looks like he only has the two seasons in seven where he spent time on the DL.   But, they have come in the past 4 seasons.   Guy is nails when healthy, and is 29 in February with only 1,200 MLB innings pitched.  

How much will he command though, and is it risky when two of the past 4 seasons saw him make a combined 35 starts out of about 66?

Edited September 26, 2014 by Angel Oracle

[DoubleOffTheWall]

Crazy turn of events, without doing any research, I think A.J. Burnett suddenly has a change of heart and plays one final season, going for a ring.  Will sign with the Angels for around 10 million and with some clever maneuvering, the Angels will find themselves just barely under the tax threshold.  CJ will suck coming out of the gate and find himself in a lefty specialist/set up role in the bullpen.  Pestano will replace Grilli. 

 

By May, our rotation will be Weaver, Richards, Shoemaker, Burnett and Santiago or Rasmus.  

 

The team will have shown from it's 2014 World Series campaign that effective starting pitching can be found in the most unexpected of spots. 

 

I could see this happening. I prefer this much more so than going after an early 30s pitcher with a ton of innings on his arm like Scherzer, Lester or Shields.

 

I'm pretty much done with these "big splashes". I like the SF Giants model of spending first round picks on pitchers, and then supplementing the rotation with no 3 types like Vogelsong (their best pitcher in the 2012 playoffs by far) and Hudson.