Some offseason points to consider

[Angelsjunky]

I'm starting to wonder whether this will be the radical offseason some predict, or if it will be moderately conservative. Assuming a fair amount of positive regression to key players next year (especially Pujols and Hamilton), the Angels might just make a few minor to moderate moves to fill gaps and upgrade here and there. Here are some points to consider that, I think, lay out the major issues of the offseason, position by position:

 

CATCHER: Iannetta might go, with the Angels preferring to bring in a defensive back-up for Conger.  Alternately, I'll offer a (for me) rare trade suggestion: Offer Trumbo, Conger, and Grichuk or Cron to the Orioles for Matt Wieters and Kevin Gausman.

 

FIRST BASE: Pujols should be good to go, although will likely see a fair amount of time at DH. Trumbo might be the Angels best trade chip at this point.

 

SECOND BASE: The Angels will likely dangle Kendrick but won't trade him unless they're wowed. They might prefer to keep him at 2B and platoon Grant Green and Luis Jimenez at 3B.

 

SHORTSTOP: See above, but even more so. Trading Aybar is a bit tricky because he's a known quantity and provides above average play for a reasonably price. The Cardinals need a SS but Aybar is likely third or fourth on their wishlist after Tulowitzki, Andrus, and Iglesias. But if they would give up one of Lynn or Kelly for Aybar, Dipoto might not be able to say no, which would leave the Angels with defensive whiz Andrew Romine and potential super UT Tommy Field, who could be a sleeper.

 

THIRD BASE: A possible upgrade, but if the Angels keep Kendrick than they might try Grant Green here, or in a platoon with Luis Jimenez. Kaleb Cowart, despite a poor 2013, is still the third baseman of the Trout Golden Age, but he's at least a year away.

 

OUTFIELD: Trout and Hamilton are set, although where they play depends upon which of Calhoun, Bourjos, and Trumbo is with them. Calhoun looks to be the third starter and considering that Trout wants to play CF and Trumbo works well at DH and 1B, Bourjos might be the odd man out. But he'd also make a killer 4th outfielder, or "3.5" outfielder along with Calhoun if Trumbo is traded.

 

ROTATION: Three slots are set - Weaver, Wilson, and Richards. I think we can assume that Hanson and Williams are gone. Hallelujah! I can only see one of the "Three Stooges" (Hanson, Williams, and Blanton) being kept, and Blanton has the biggest salary ($7.5M) and is virtually untrade-able, so I think he stays as a mop-up man and emergency starter. But that leaves the Angels needing two more pitchers, one of whom should at least be a #2-3 type (or young #3 with upside), and the other a #3-4 type. Vargas fits the latter and might be re-signed. Tanaka for the first? I think if Dipoto can't net a Lynn, Kelly, or Cashner for Bourjos, Trumbo or Kendrick, he'll go hard after Tanaka.

 

BULLPEN: The obvious move is to go after a closer, but that might be easier said than done. Brian Wilson is the most likely target (I for one would prefer him over Joe Nathan). Wilson has some energy and character, so could provide the bullpen with the fiery leadership they've been needing. Wilson would be set-up by Frieri and Burnett, with Kohn and Del La Rosa in middle relief, Blanton mop-op, and a bunch of in-house candidates filling in as needed. That said, the Angels aren't among the interested eams listed in the latest rumors.

 

SUMMARIZING THOUGHTS

The conservative approach would be to keep the team basically intact, but trade one of Bourjos or Trumbo for the best package offered, re-sign Vargas, sign Wilson if possible, or at least a very good reliever, and keep everyone else.

 

The radical approach would be to trade both Trumbo and Bourjos, one of Kendrick or Aybar, Iannetta, and go hard after Tanaka.

 

I must say, I have no idea what route Dipoto is planning on taking - which makes this the most interesting offseason in years. I think a lot depends upon what is offered. What he should not do is trade out of desperation. Worst-case scenario and the Angels re-sign Vargas, pick up a one-year high-risk, high-reward starter like Josh Johnson, a good reliever, and hope for the best. Trumbo and Pujols can rotate at DH and 1B, and Bourjos can be a great 4th outfielder or platoon with Calhoun and Trumbo for playing time.

 

But I think we'll see at least one of Trumbo or Bourjos gone at the very least. After that, who knows.

[wopphil]

I wouldn't be surprised to see some radical moves that have the net result of making the team much better.  By way of example, as crazy as it sounds (and as someone - Xboom, perhaps - suggested), if you could move some combination of Kendrick, Aybar, Ianetta or Trumbo for cheap pitching, you could theoretically have enough money to sign a guy like Ellsbury, who would add great defense and replace some of the offense lost by Kendrick/Trumbo.  The key, I guess, is really whether or not you can get some decent $450k arms, or whether the more likely return is a guy entering his first year of arbitration. 

[wopphil]

And for the record, I am for trading Aybar before Kendrick.  I'd rather go with a Romine/Kendrick duo than an Aybar/Green duo.  I'd also have no problem trading Ianetta if we had a competent defender to replace him, and I think Trumbo is expendable and ought to be the first guy traded.  I just think Calhoun provides more overall value than Trumbo, at 1/10 the price.

[Scott34]

And for the record, I am for trading Aybar before Kendrick.  I'd rather go with a Romine/Kendrick duo than an Aybar/Green duo.  I'd also have no problem trading Ianetta if we had a competent defender to replace him, and I think Trumbo is expendable and ought to be the first guy traded.  I just think Calhoun provides more overall value than Trumbo, at 1/10 the price.

 

I lean this way too, but I am for trading whoever brings back the best pitchers.

[AngelsWin.com]

By Jonathan Northrop, AngelsWin.com Feature Writer - 

I'm starting to wonder whether this will be the radical offseason some predict, or if it will be moderately conservative. Assuming a fair amount of positive regression to key players next year (especially Pujols and Hamilton), the Angels might just make a few minor to moderate moves to fill gaps and upgrade here and there. Here are some points to consider that, I think, lay out the major issues of the offseason, position by position:

CATCHER: Iannetta might go, with the Angels preferring to bring in a defensive back-up for Conger.  Alternately, I'll offer a (for me) rare trade suggestion: Offer Trumbo, Conger, and Grichuk or Cron to the Orioles for Matt Wieters and Kevin Gausman.

FIRST BASE: Pujols should be good to go, although will likely see a fair amount of time at DH. Trumbo might be the Angels best trade chip at this point.

SECOND BASE: The Angels will likely dangle Kendrick but won't trade him unless they're wowed. They might prefer to keep him at 2B and platoon Grant Green and Luis Jimenez at 3B.

SHORTSTOP: See above, but even more so. Trading Aybar is a bit tricky because he's a known quantity and provides above average play for a reasonably price. The Cardinals need a SS but Aybar is likely third or fourth on their wishlist after Tulowitzki, Andrus, and Iglesias. But if they would give up one of Lynn or Kelly for Aybar, Dipoto might not be able to say no, which would leave the Angels with defensive whiz Andrew Romine and potential super UT Tommy Field, who could be a sleeper.

THIRD BASE: A possible upgrade, but if the Angels keep Kendrick than they might try Grant Green here, or in a platoon with Luis Jimenez. Kaleb Cowart, despite a poor 2013, is still the third baseman of the Trout Golden Age, but he's at least a year away.

OUTFIELD: Trout and Hamilton are set, although where they play depends upon which of Calhoun, Bourjos, and Trumbo is with them. Calhoun looks to be the third starter and considering that Trout wants to play CF and Trumbo works well at DH and 1B, Bourjos might be the odd man out. But he'd also make a killer 4th outfielder, or "3.5" outfielder along with Calhoun if Trumbo is traded.

ROTATION: Three slots are set - Weaver, Wilson, and Richards. I think we can assume that Hanson and Williams are gone. Hallelujah! I can only see one of the "Three Stooges" (Hanson, Williams, and Blanton) being kept, and Blanton has the biggest salary ($7.5M) and is virtually untrade-able, so I think he stays as a mop-up man and emergency starter. But that leaves the Angels needing two more pitchers, one of whom should at least be a #2-3 type (or young #3 with upside), and the other a #3-4 type. Vargas fits the latter and might be re-signed. Tanaka for the first? I think if Dipoto can't net a Lynn, Kelly, or Cashner for Bourjos, Trumbo or Kendrick, he'll go hard after Tanaka.

BULLPEN: The obvious move is to go after a closer, but that might be easier said than done. Brian Wilson is the most likely target (I for one would prefer him over Joe Nathan). Wilson has some energy and character, so could provide the bullpen with the fiery leadership they've been needing. Wilson would be set-up by Frieri and Burnett, with Kohn and Del La Rosa in middle relief, Blanton mop-op, and a bunch of in-house candidates filling in as needed. That said, the Angels aren't among the interested eams listed in the latest rumors.

SUMMARIZING THOUGHTS

The conservative approach would be to keep the team basically intact, but trade one of Bourjos or Trumbo for the best package offered, re-sign Vargas, sign Wilson if possible, or at least a very good reliever, and keep everyone else.

The radical approach would be to trade both Trumbo and Bourjos, one of Kendrick or Aybar, Iannetta, and go hard after Tanaka.

I must say, I have no idea what route Dipoto is planning on taking - which makes this the most interesting offseason in years. I think a lot depends upon what is offered. What he should not do is trade out of desperation. Worst-case scenario and the Angels re-sign Vargas, pick up a one-year high-risk, high-reward starter like Josh Johnson, a good reliever, and hope for the best. Trumbo and Pujols can rotate at DH and 1B, and Bourjos can be a great 4th outfielder or platoon with Calhoun and Trumbo for playing time.

But I think we'll see at least one of Trumbo or Bourjos gone at the very least. After that, who knows.

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[AngelsLakersFan]

I would hate to see Bourjos as a reserve next season. It's not fair to the kid and it's a mishandling of resources. We have seen what Bourjos can produce as a full time player and we have seen his value off the bench. We need to convert the difference into something tangible on the field.

[Stradling]

I would love to see a couple of trades that bring in high ceiling pitchers.  If that costs us Aybar, Ianetta and Trumbo so be it.  Like stated above I would prefer to keep Howie, because I think he brings some gap power and hasn't shown signs of regression. 

[Vegas Halo Fan]

ROTATION: ...Blanton has the biggest salary ($7.5M) and is virtually untrade-able, so I think he stays as a mop-up man and emergency starter.

 

Any time Blanton starts will soon become an emergency if it isn't one to begin with.

[Ohtaniland]

FIRST BASE: Pujols should be good to go, although will likely see a fair amount of time at DH. Trumbo might be the Angels best trade chip at this point.

 

2004-2011 Albert Pujols played an average of 151 games at 1st base so lets hope he can return healthy enough to do that. 

[Docwaukee]

the timing of all this is going to be interesting as the trade market might not open up for a bit for the halos.  A few big pieces need to fall first like Tanaka, Cano, Choo, McCann etc.  Even some of the midling FA signings like Beltran and Napoli likely to get come off the board before teams will look to trade pitching for hitting.   Of course, Boras clients will be available till the end. 

 

I would like to see them come out of the corner swinging and get a pen arm at the least. 

 

I know it's unlikely, but I'd still rather they keep Hanson and let Blanton go.  Hanson can actually take a pay although that scenario is very rare. 

 

I think they're gonna keep Howie and move Green to 3b. 

[YouthofToday]

The Orioles trade wouldn't fetch Gausman or Wieters alone, much less both.

[ten ocho recon scout]

I lean this way too, but I am for trading whoever brings back the best pitchers.

agreed. We have guys we all like, but if we're gonna make moves, it should be whoever improves us most.

[ten ocho recon scout]

Any time Blanton starts will soon become an emergency if it isn't one to begin with.

beat me to it. We should just give the other team a bye in those situations.

[Docwaukee]

beat me to it. We should just give the other team a bye in those situations.

I think the thing that will bum me out the most this off season is if we keep Blanton around

[ten ocho recon scout]

I'd say stock up on ice cream sandwichs and lighthearted comedy dvd's doc. I think uncle joe is here to stay.

He probably took over wells' locker.

[Angelsjunky]

 

By Jonathan Northrop, AngelsWin.com Feature Writer - 

 

 

I couldn't sneak this one by you, could I Chuck?

 

Any time Blanton starts will soon become an emergency if it isn't one to begin with.

 

True, but as bad as Blanton was last year, he has SOME value. Let us not forget that before 2013 he was a serviceable, albeit average at best, starter.

 

I'd also like to see Matt Shoemaker in the mix for emergency starts. I read somewhere that his pitching style might work better in Anaheim than it does in Salt Lake.

 

FIRST BASE: Pujols should be good to go, although will likely see a fair amount of time at DH. Trumbo might be the Angels best trade chip at this point.

 

2004-2011 Albert Pujols played an average of 151 games at 1st base so lets hope he can return healthy enough to do that. 

 

Yes, but I think they should go easy on him as well - or he should go easy on himself. Plantar fasciitis can come back; it isn't like we're out of the woods. He obviously has a propensity for it.

 

the timing of all this is going to be interesting as the trade market might not open up for a bit for the halos.  A few big pieces need to fall first like Tanaka, Cano, Choo, McCann etc.  Even some of the midling FA signings like Beltran and Napoli likely to get come off the board before teams will look to trade pitching for hitting.   Of course, Boras clients will be available till the end. 

 

I would like to see them come out of the corner swinging and get a pen arm at the least. 

 

I know it's unlikely, but I'd still rather they keep Hanson and let Blanton go.  Hanson can actually take a pay although that scenario is very rare. 

 

I think they're gonna keep Howie and move Green to 3b. 

 

Good points, Doc.

 

I think Hanson would be best served transitioning to the bullpen, but I don't know if he's willing to do that and might prefer to go elsewhere.

 

As for the last, I think you're right. The only question, though, is why didn't they play Green at 3B last year?