Angels only looking to upgrade top of the rotation

[SoWhat]

http:/www.angels.mlb.com/news/article/103067252/angels-expected-to-stay-the-course-at-winter-meetings

@Alden_Gonzalez: Key quote from Dipoto in that story: "If the chance to get better [in rotation] exists, it's probably gonna have to get better at the top."

@Alden_Gonzalez: That means #Angels aren't interested in trading for veteran SP who is'nt a *clear* upgrade over Weaver/Richards/Wilson/Shoemaker/Santiago.

[wopphil]

Great to hear. Sounds like like Dipoto is thinking along the same lines as most of us on here.

[totdprods]

A tiny ember to go with the Lester mystery team smoke?

[wopphil]

I wonder if the team would consider trading Calhoun. If it were to bring in a very good, young-ish starter (along the lines of Andrew Cashner), it might 've worth looking into.

[mulwin444]

I wonder if the team would consider trading Calhoun. If it were to bring in a very good, young-ish starter (along the lines of Andrew Cashner), it might 've worth looking into.

I think anyone can be had for the right deal but that leaves us with a solid hole in RF and in the lead-off spot.  We'd still have to sign someone on offense if we traded for pitching.

[SoWhat]

I wonder if the team would consider trading Calhoun. If it were to bring in a very good, young-ish starter (along the lines of Andrew Cashner), it might 've worth looking into.

No way. Offense is down and pitching is everywhere, I'd rather hold onto whatever young position players we have.

[Guest]

I wonder if the team would consider trading Calhoun. If it were to bring in a very good, young-ish starter (along the lines of Andrew Cashner), it might 've worth looking into.

After seeing what happened to the A's after trading away Cespedes, I'd advise against cannibalizing the major league team in a trade. Trading Calhoun or Howie would be a  huge mistake.

 

I hope "only looking to upgrade top of the rotation" isn't used to justify doing nothing however. With the M's and Rangers likely substantially improving next year, we need a lot more depth in SP to stay competitive.

Edited December 3, 2014 by ScottLux

[wopphil]

Not saying I would do it, just that I wonder if Dipoto would consider it. If you could swap Calhoun for someone like a Yordano Ventura or Alex Wood, you have to consider it.

[nikkachez]

It also says they don't have the money to add that type of arm in free agency or the prospects to get one in a trade. Maybe a wishfully thought precursor to a Lester deal?

[wopphil]

And for anyone who is going to say that Calhoun couldn't get us a good young starter in return, I will point out that Calhoun was fifth in WAR among all major league right fielders last year, and has five years if club control.

[wopphil]

If you could swap Calhoun for a cost-controlled starter, you could sign a guy like Nick Markakis or Melky Cabrera for a lot less than what Jon Lester will get (and conceivably within the cap).

[nikkachez]

If you could swap Calhoun for a cost-controlled starter, you could sign a guy like Nick Markakis or Melky Cabrera for a lot less than what Jon Lester will get (and conceivably within the cap).

Yeeeeah but we lose a draft pick if we sign Melky and it costs a lot more money to sign an older player. Obviously everyone has a price, but Calhoun and Trout are, and should be, here to stay. 

[Erstad Grit]

Lester is better

[Mark68]

Just sign Lester. This is the one situation and he is the one player that the luxury tax threshold should not keep us from acting upon.

[QuinlansMinion]

No way you trade Calhoun.  He could be the best leadoff hitter in baseball next year.

 

Considering the rest of our offense is declining, were going to need him.

[Mark68]

No way you trade Calhoun. He could be the best leadoff hitter in baseball next year.

Considering the rest of our offense is declining, were going to need him.

Yes, Trout is declining.

But I absolutely see your point.

Don't forget that Calhoun is still under club control for the next few years, which should help for future payrolls also.

[QuinlansMinion]

Yes, Trout is declining.

But I absolutely see your point.

Don't forget that Calhoun is still under club control for the next few years, which should help for future payrolls also.

Well actually I was talking more about Pujols and Hamilton.  Also it didnt seem like we had many guys who had a great 2nd half.  

[Angel Oracle]

Sign Lester?   Great    

Don't sign Lester?   No biggie, but don't go after either Scherzer or Not in Big Games Shields.

[Dave Saltzer]

Not that I'm entirely opposed to signing Lester, but I want to go on the record and say that if we're going to commit that kind of money (let's say 6/$150 million), I think a better use of the money would be to sign Moncada and Lopez and still have $50+ million available, even after signing penalties. Long term, those are better moves.

[Mark68]

Not that I'm entirely opposed to signing Lester, but I want to go on the record and say that if we're going to commit that kind of money (let's say 6/$150 million), I think a better use of the money would be to sign Moncada and Lopez and still have $50+ million available, even after signing penalties. Long term, those are better moves.

That's the beauty of it. Moncada and Lopez would not count against the luxury tax, so signing Lester wouldn't necessarily preclude either Cuban player being signed. My guess is that if they are going to be signed, any deal for Lester or any other free agent shouldn't change that.

[Second Base]

This is hilarious.  How many times have I preached the Angels are fine on depth, but should chase quality over quantity?  And how many people disagreed with this simple logic.

 

In almost all cases, Quality > Quantity.  Pitching included. 

 

How many of those who disagreed with me will now suddenly be on board with this "no-duh" idea just because Dipoto said it?  

[wopphil]

Scotty, just because you preached it doesn't mean you have been alone in your beliefs. In fact I cannot recall anyone on here advocating quantity over quality (though some have advocated building depth/quantity).

[Mark68]

This is hilarious.  How many times have I preached the Angels are fine on depth, but should chase quality over quantity?  And how many people disagreed with this simple logic.

 

In almost all cases, Quality > Quantity.  Pitching included. 

 

How many of those who disagreed with me will now suddenly be on board with this "no-duh" idea just because Dipoto said it?  

I've always been on board with the idea of Lester, not Scherzer or No Game James.

 

If we somehow have the pieces to trade for someone like Hamels, I would probably not like the pieces that would go to the Phillies.

 

If it's a Howie for Zimmermann trade, hell yeah, I'm on board.

Edited December 4, 2014 by Mark68

[Butcher'd]

This is hilarious.  How many times have I preached the Angels are fine on depth, but should chase quality over quantity?  And how many people disagreed with this simple logic.

 

In almost all cases, Quality > Quantity.  Pitching included. 

 

How many of those who disagreed with me will now suddenly be on board with this "no-duh" idea just because Dipoto said it?  

 

You're the best man....I think we should all bow down to your genius behind our computer screens. 

[Mark68]

You're the best man....I think we should all bow down to your genius behind our computer screens.