The perfect fit.....

[Ohtaniland]

Left Fielder Brett Gardner

Solid defense

Good leadoff hitter

Good base stealer

Hits well in Anaheim

Eppler could swing a deal with Cashman.

Any interest here?

[Troll Daddy]

A great low cost move (signed through 2019) ... although, Yankees want pitching in return. Eppler has the inside track if the Yankees really want to move him.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

We could certainly do worse. The catch is the asking price.

[tdawg87]

He's absolutely the perfect fit. But I'm going to go ahead and assume the Yanks would want either Heaney or Richards for him. Unless the Angels plan on throwing a ton of money at a starter this offseason, they can't afford to trade either of those guys.

 

Wilson is probably out of the question, even if they paid most of his salary. Santiago is honestly probably the best the Angels could do and I don't think he gets it done. An extreme flyball pitcher in NY spells disaster. They could perhaps throw in Tropeano to sweeten the deal but I don't think that would be wise.

 

I don't really see a match. If Eppler can find a way, then godspeed.

[greginpsca]

Not opposed to the move. He could leadoff, Simmons could bat 2nd, as he is a good contact guy. He also would see a lot of fastballs batting ahead of Trout. Then Calhoun could be moved to the 5th spot to give Albert some protection. Cron would bat 6th, Then Perez, Cowart/Kubitza and Gio to finish the lineup.  Going with Gardner might give Eppler a little more cash to upgrade 2b/ 3b SP,RP.

[Ohtaniland]

.344 lifetime OBP in the leadoff position would set the table for Trout to do some heavy damage. I think that the Yankees want to move him and this is where Eppler needs to get creative.

Edited November 27, 2015 by CALZONE

[70runner]

Not opposed to the move. He could leadoff, Simmons could bat 2nd, as he is a good contact guy. He also would see a lot of fastballs batting ahead of Trout. Then Calhoun could be moved to the 5th spot to give Albert some protection. Cron would bat 6th, Then Perez, Cowart/Kubitza and Gio to finish the lineup.  Going with Gardner might give Eppler a little more cash to upgrade 2b/ 3b SP,RP.

 

Albert needs protection?...from who, the IRS?  Trout is the only guy in this lineup that merits protection.  Because Albert is behind him in the Sciosciaplan, Trout will lead the world in walks.  Calhoun cleanup, Cron, and then Albert if he recovers from yet another old, overweight guy injury.

[Stradling]

First protection is basically a myth, second Trout strikes out a bit too much to just walk him all the time. He wasn't really pitched around this season. Also who exactly could we acquire that we could put behind Trout where the opposing team would rather face Trout? Here's a hint, no one.

[Stradling]

I brought up Gardners name a few months ago and I think it was fs79 that shit all over the idea because of how expensive he was.

[laagamer]

Not a fan. Not worth what we'd have to trade away for slightly above average talent. 

[ukyah]

Albert needs protection?...from who, the IRS?  Trout is the only guy in this lineup that merits protection.  Because Albert is behind him in the Sciosciaplan, Trout will lead the world in walks.  Calhoun cleanup, Cron, and then Albert if he recovers from yet another old, overweight guy injury.

 

 

you're trippin' if you think albert is hitting 6th.

[tdawg87]

Not a fan. Not worth what we'd have to trade away for slightly above average talent. 

 

1. "slightly above average" is a million times better than what the Angels threw out in left this year.

2. Define "slightly above average". I'd consider a player who has averaged a 3.9 WAR the last 3 years and a 109 OPS+ during that same period to be quite a bit better than above average. He's not a star talent, but he's a good all-around player.

 

I do agree though that he's probably not worth what we'd have to give up. Would rather Arte just throw money at Heyward or Upton and keep the pitching.

[Dave Saltzer]

I've been wanting a true leadoff hitter for years now, and have been very much monitoring the whole Gardner situation. I'd make the trade for Santiago and Cron for Gardner and a reliever or good prospect. Then, we could sign Davis to mostly play 1B while Pujols mostly DHs. The concern with Gardner is his poor second half, but, that could be attributed to his injuries. If Arte wanted, we could go after a pitcher like Cueto then, The Yankees might do this as they don't have anyone to take over 1B after next year (I don't recall them having a decent 1B prospect--I could be wrong), and long-term, that would help them lower their payroll or allow them to go after Upton if they wanted.

 

While I think I'd mostly prefer Heyward and moving Calhoun to left, trading for Gardner does make some sense. A lineup of Gardner, Calhoun, Trout, Davis, Pujols, Cowart/Kubtiza, Gia, Perez, Simmons would score some runs.

[ukyah]

 

While I think I'd mostly prefer Heyward and moving Calhoun to left, trading for Gardner does make some sense. A lineup of Gardner, Calhoun, Trout, Davis, Pujols, Cowart/Kubtiza, Gia, Perez, Simmons would score some runs.

 

 

that's 4 of 9 that basically can't hit. that's not gonna work.

[Guest]

Not a fan. Not worth what we'd have to trade away for slightly above average talent. 

Agreed. I don't know why people here fawn over this guy. 

[marcosantinia12]

I really like the idea of getting Gardner. Your right in that he is a great fit, although I'd rather sign one of Heyward/Upton more only because of the youth. But I'd be thrilled to get 2-3 more solid seasons from Gardner.

As for trading Wilson and Cron, I don't know if I am a fan of it, Dave. They have Bird taking over 1st base so it wouldn't be a fit anyways, but I think Cron's upside is too intriguing to trade for a 32 y/o outfielder. I would be fine with it if we were low on options, but this FA class is extremely deep in both expensive as well as inexpensive options. I'd like to package Santiago in a deal for Gardner, but I would rather use him as trade bait for a 2nd or 3rd basemen, where the FA class is much thinner. However. If Eppler can get creative I'm all for it.

How about...

Santiago + Giovotella + Yabrough/Hinshaw for Gardner.

They get a cost-controlled pitcher, giovotella who would be an upgrade for them at 2nd, and a future possible 2nd baseman in Yabrough. You could argue that its best for us to keep Yarbough because of our own need at 2nd base, but if we can pick one up via FA for a couple of years and buy time for Baldoquin, then we can afford to trade him.

Sign Cabrera on the cheap for 2nd base.

Sign Maeda to cover Santiago's rotation spot and make CJ or another pitcher expendable.

Sign Hwang for 3B.

Really conservative offseason.

Edited November 27, 2015 by marcosantinia12

[Docwaukee]

Starting his age 32yo season with 3yrs and 40mil guaranteed.  

 

He's a solid players whose ability to walk would be a nice fit at the top of the order.  But his age scares me relative to his skill set and his power is a major function of his home park.  CJ wilson isn't gonna get it done so I think I'd pass on having to give up anyone else to acquire him.  

[nikkachez]

I'd still prefer Heyward or Upton, but Gardner would be a pretty solid move heading forward. I'd take Hwang, Gardner, Maeda/Cueto, Jaso/Morneau, Soria/Sipp, and a trade for a second baseman. Depends on what you give up for Gardner.

[laagamer]

1. "slightly above average" is a million times better than what the Angels threw out in left this year.

2. Define "slightly above average". I'd consider a player who has averaged a 3.9 WAR the last 3 years and a 109 OPS+ during that same period to be quite a bit better than above average. He's not a star talent, but he's a good all-around player.

I do agree though that he's probably not worth what we'd have to give up. Would rather Arte just throw money at Heyward or Upton and keep the pitching.

As much as I love the whole WAR argument, it's not the end all of player evaluation. But you're definitely right he'd be an upgrade.

So would a fat mannequin (do they make those?) we stuck in LF with a glove dressed up like Scioscia though.

I wouldn't trade anybody but Wilson or Weaver for him.

[NJHalo]

Not a fan of this guy. Way overrated due to his speed, which will be declining at his age.

 

Also, Yankees are thin in the outfield. Why would they trade him and create an even bigger hole? I smell a rat.

[Ohtaniland]

I've been wanting a true leadoff hitter for years now, and have been very much monitoring the whole Gardner situation. I'd make the trade for Santiago and Cron for Gardner and a reliever or good prospect. Then, we could sign Davis to mostly play 1B while Pujols mostly DHs. The concern with Gardner is his poor second half, but, that could be attributed to his injuries. If Arte wanted, we could go after a pitcher like Cueto then, The Yankees might do this as they don't have anyone to take over 1B after next year (I don't recall them having a decent 1B prospect--I could be wrong), and long-term, that would help them lower their payroll or allow them to go after Upton if they wanted.

While I think I'd mostly prefer Heyward and moving Calhoun to left, trading for Gardner does make some sense. A lineup of Gardner, Calhoun, Trout, Davis, Pujols, Cowart/Kubtiza, Gia, Perez, Simmons would score some runs.

Cron would not be someone the Yankees would need. They have a young left handed (tailor made for Yankee Stadium) power hitting first baseman named Greg Bird. He was very impressive with 11 home runs and an .871 OPS in 46 games after Teixeira was injured.

[nikkachez]

The Yankees do need some right-handed pop, but yeah, Cron doesn't seem like a fit though.

[ELEVEN]

Wilson AND Santiago for Gardner. Instanlly improves the pen too, by saving on the 3 inning 80 pitch starts.

[TroutCron]

No one will trade for Wilson until they see him throw invthe spring. At best he will return a bad contract. The Angels have to hope he has a good first half then maybe get something for him at the deadline.

[Angel Oracle]

If Heyward goes to NYY, then Gardner's trade to someone would be highly likely.