LA Times: Angels, who beat A's, 12-1, could go shopping in Japan for a pitcher

[AngelsWin.com]

Angels have a scout in Japan to look at right-hander Masahiro Tanaka, who some project as a No. 2 or No. 3 starter in the major leagues.

OAKLAND — The Angels' pursuit of pitching this winter will likely extend to the Far East, where a significant rotation boost could be acquired without having to trade players such as Mark Trumbo or Howie Kendrick.

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[Angel Oracle]

Here's my off-season pron, Tanaka and the Beard.

[ELEVEN]

Should boost ticket sales.

[gotbeer]

Sign Tanaka, resign Vargas.  And your starting pitching is set for 2014.

[Glen]

Foreign presence!

[WallyWorld]

Sign Tanaka, resign Vargas.  And your starting pitching is set for 2014.

 

that still leaves you with very little depth.  playoff teams start a season with at least 7-8 quality SPs, because inevitably guys get hurt along the way.  You can't have Barry Enright starting games for you if you're really trying to contend.

[ukyah]

we need way more than one starting pitcher, but i'd take him as a starting point.

[Docwaukee]

This guy could make all the difference.  The one thing that the halos are going to have the most trouble acquiring this offseason is a legit #2/3 SP.  Vargas is a nice player, but there are other options out there to replace his production if he can't be signed.  There just isn't anyone available that can slot between Weaver and Wilson that is worth going after except maybe this guy.  There won't be anyone on the good side of 30 as a free agent for the next few years.  They have no one in the farm that projects to that spot and they don't have the farm pieces to trade for one.  They could probably get one via trade of a major league player, but it sure would be nice to get a club controlled #2 who is 26, reasonably priced, and going to be around for awhile without weakening the major league club. 

 

If this guy is truly a #2 then you could trade Trumbo, Bourjos, Howie or perhaps one of Trumbo/Bourjos along with Green for a legit 3bman and relief help or a SP and 3b prospect/reliever to replace Vargas.  

[WallyWorld]

"although Tanaka might not be in Texas ace Yu Darvish's class, he could be as good as or better than Hiroki Kuroda, who is 68-68 with a 3.37 earned-run average in six big league seasons."

 

meh.  could be solid, but it's tough for me to get too excited about the guy.