What if the Angels went the more affordable route this offseason?

[VariousCrap]

Obviously there are a lot of really good free agents that will be available this offseason and most of them will be getting a ton of money.  I'd love to see the Angels sign a position player like Heyward and a pitcher like Zimmerman, but what if they decided to improve the team not signing the A-level free agents and instead signed the B-level free agents?  They may be able to get more players if they go that way.

 

If the Angels choose to go the more inexpensive route, who do you think they get?  Here is what I was thinking:

 

Left Field:  Colby Rasmus, Gerardo Parra or Alex Gordon

Starting Pitcher:  Wei-Yin Chen, Yovani Gallardo or Mike Leake

2B:  Daniel Murphy, Ben Zobrist or Howie Kendrick

3B:  Daniel Murphy, Ben Zobrist or David Freese

 

 

 

Thoughts?

[Glen]

The odds of the Angels signing one big free agent are pretty good. The odds of them signing two are significantly lower. The odds of getting three are ridiculously low. I think they'll have to mix and match. Get the big signing out of the way first so they know what is left to focus on.

[mulwin444]

I'd be fine with that as I think we are more than one piece away from putting a competent line-up out every game.  

 

Only problem I can see is the Angels desperately need OBP proficient guys and the best at that among the options you listed are Zobrist and Gordon who are both entering their mid-30's.  Adding both of those guys at the top of the line-up would significantly increase the chances Trout could see with men on base but the team would also be older and more than likely lose a draft pick with Gordon. Murphy and Parra are decent guys but not the greatest career-wise in terms of OBP while Rasmus is essentially signing another Kole Calhoun.

 

Pretty much any offensive free agent option you'd want to add, apart from Heyward, means the team gets older and more expensive.

 

Signing Leake or Chen (or both) frees the team to perhaps trade from the Shoemaker/Santiago,/Tropeano/Cron pool for someone with OBP skills and avoid losing draft picks

[aznhockeyguy]

Gordon and Zobrist will cost more than people expect.  Both are 2-way players, +players with the bat and glove at their respective positions.  Wouldn't mind Murphy, but he's horrid with the glove.

Edited October 9, 2015 by aznhockeyguy

[YouthofToday]

Zobrist won't cost a draft pick.

[Tyler]

Good post. I'd be thrilled with an offseason of Parra, Freese, Kendrick, and Clippard.

[marcosantinia12]

Obviously there are a lot of really good free agents that will be available this offseason and most of them will be getting a ton of money.  I'd love to see the Angels sign a position player like Heyward and a pitcher like Zimmerman, but what if they decided to improve the team not signing the A-level free agents and instead signed the B-level free agents?  They may be able to get more players if they go that way.

 

If the Angels choose to go the more inexpensive route, who do you think they get?  Here is what I was thinking:

 

Left Field:  Colby Rasmus, Gerardo Parra or Alex Gordon

Starting Pitcher:  Wei-Yin Chen, Yovani Gallardo or Mike Leake

2B:  Daniel Murphy, Ben Zobrist or Howie Kendrick

3B:  Daniel Murphy, Ben Zobrist or David Freese

 

 

 

Thoughts?

I like it. 

I think this is honestly the only thing we can hope for. So many people on here have been posting up pretty unrealistic off-season hopes. As exciting and sexy it would be to sign a Cespedes, Upton, Heyward, Price, etc. It honestly would hurt the team long run. We complain about large contracts to players on the wrong side of 30 and here people are suggesting it. The only premium free agent I think is with going after is maybe Heyward because of his youth and overall game. But even he wont be that big of an impact bat in my opinion, and we're pretty much paying for what we HOPE he will develop into as he enters his prime.

I think you go after guys like the one's you named. Definitely a speedy/high obp left fielder to leadoff. I would like Span as I mentioned in a previous post, but would be open to Gordon if he comes relatively cheap (high obp, but not leadoff type), and maybe Parra.

For those who think that pitching is a concern, I think Leake would be a great grab. I agree that a top of the rotation arm is needed but for now I'd say we stay on the conservative side and hopefully our guys pan out.

3B/2B = Get Zobrist. (Short contract, high obp guy) I know he's in his thirties but his discipline should not be affected, get him if the contract is short. 

Our biggest investment in my opinion should be into 2 RP arms *cough* Clippard and Oday *cough*

I think that does it for signings aside some fillers like Bloomquist/Uribe for backup and leadership guy or a backup catcher.

I'd love to get Martin Prado for 3rd and put Zobrist at 2nd with Gio as the utility man off the bench.

To sum it up.....

Acquisitions:

1. One of Denard Span, Gordon, or Parra

2. Zobrist

3. Leake

4. Clippard & Oday

5. Prado (or prado-like player) via trade

6. Fillers

 

Call it an off season.

No need to get committed to $100+ million

 

I'd be happy with 3/5 acquisitions

Edited October 9, 2015 by marcosantinia12

[VariousCrap]

The odds of the Angels signing one big free agent are pretty good. The odds of them signing two are significantly lower. The odds of getting three are ridiculously low. I think they'll have to mix and match. Get the big signing out of the way first so they know what is left to focus on.

 

 

I don't think the players I'm talking about would be considered big free agents.  Which is kinda my point.  You can sign more of these types of players.

[VariousCrap]

I'd be fine with that as I think we are more than one piece away from putting a competent line-up out every game.  

 

Only problem I can see is the Angels desperately need OBP proficient guys and the best at that among the options you listed are Zobrist and Gordon who are both entering their mid-30's.  Adding both of those guys at the top of the line-up would significantly increase the chances Trout could see with men on base but the team would also be older and more than likely lose a draft pick with Gordon. Murphy and Parra are decent guys but not the greatest career-wise in terms of OBP while Rasmus is essentially signing another Kole Calhoun.

 

Pretty much any offensive free agent option you'd want to add, apart from Heyward, means the team gets older and more expensive.

 

Signing Leake or Chen (or both) frees the team to perhaps trade from the Shoemaker/Santiago,/Tropeano/Cron pool for someone with OBP skills and avoid losing draft picks

 

 

Good point regarding signing one or two of the starting pitchers I mentioned.  None of them are too old and being able to use Shoe, Santiago or Trop as trade bait, may be able to solve the lead-off issue the team has.

[gotbeer]

Obviously there are a lot of really good free agents that will be available this offseason and most of them will be getting a ton of money.  I'd love to see the Angels sign a position player like Heyward and a pitcher like Zimmerman, but what if they decided to improve the team not signing the A-level free agents and instead signed the B-level free agents?  They may be able to get more players if they go that way.

 

If the Angels choose to go the more inexpensive route, who do you think they get?  Here is what I was thinking:

 

Left Field:  Colby Rasmus, Gerardo Parra or Alex Gordon

Starting Pitcher:  Wei-Yin Chen, Yovani Gallardo or Mike Leake

2B:  Daniel Murphy, Ben Zobrist or Howie Kendrick

3B:  Daniel Murphy, Ben Zobrist or David Freese

 

 

 

Thoughts?

 

I think that from your list.  Rasmus and Gordon aren't going anywhere.  If they are inexpensive, they will stay put where they are comfortable with.  Parra though will go to the highest bidder which will still be inexpensive.

 

Chen and Leake I can see moving.  Although I don't know if Chen is an upgrade to what we have now.  Leake at least has that low WHIP, but always am hesitant on a NL pitcher going to the AL with non dominating numbers.  Gallardo is probably going to move, but again, not sure if he's an upgrade.  His WHIP is awefully high.  

 

Zobrist is going to get paid.  I don't think he will be inexpensive.  Also doesn't help he plays for KC which like Gordon, KC has money to spend.  

 

Kendrick is a possibility.  But not many players go back to teams that traded them.  Would be nice if he did though.  

 

Murphy  is also a possibility.  Mets may blow their wad on Cespedes.

[VariousCrap]

while Rasmus is essentially signing another Kole Calhoun.

 

 

 

I was thinking about this.  Who wouldn't want another Calhoun on the team?  I know I would.

[Second Base]

I consider it highly likely the Angels will spend, but it won't be of Dipoto proportions.

Chances are, you'll see Hector Santiago traded for a reliever. You'll see Shoemaker tied with a prospect like Ellis or Gatto for a halfway decent 3B prospect to battle Cowart and Kubitza for 3B. Then we'll see someone like Willie Bloomquist brought on as UTIF and to provide infield depth.

These are all under the radar moves, before they unleash the big one. Jason Heyward. 10 years 220 million.

But he won't be finished. Eppler hates nibbles. Once CJ Wilson proves healthy in Spring, he'll eat most of his contract, and add Cowart too, and trade them. In return he'll get a RP and 24 year old OF in AAA with intriguing upside but also risky.

[Adam]

80-85 wins and another wasted season with Trout

[greginpsca]

My number 1 choice is Alex Gordon. But, he has said he will agree to his accept his option with KC. His option is for around $13-14 mil. not really inexpensive.

Edited October 9, 2015 by greginpsca

[Vegas Halo Fan]

Right now the Angels need quantity. One big signing would get us another third place finish. Far too many holes in the roster to spend big on fixing just one of them.

[ten ocho recon scout]

Murphy is kind of growing on me. And parra wouldnt be a bad option. Dont think that would "solve" our issues, but would definitely help.

And yes to clippard and oday.

And again this damn site gets my hope up on a move that probably wont happen, but whoever started the prado idea, that would actually be a decent little move.

[AngelsFanSince86]

I hope they mostly take this approach, but sign at least one FA that isn't on the back-end of their career (my hope is Heyward).  I also am ok with any of the guys you listed as long as they don't come at the cost of a draft pick.  Also, I don't like Leake.  A guy with a career ERA of almost 4, ERA+ of 101, and coming from the NL to the AL just sounds bad.  At best he is average. No thank you.  I like Gallardo better even with his WHIP, but still makes me a bit iffy.  Chen would be ideal for this situation

[Adam]

Right now the Angels need quantity. One big signing would get us another third place finish. Far too many holes in the roster to spend big on fixing just one of them.

 

They need to add multiple very good players

[Skankhunt42]

Doesn't matter who they sign, they will decline soon as they get here. Fact.