If Money Wasn't An Issue...

[Angelsjunky]

This would be our 2014 Angels (or something like it):

 

Lineup

RF Calhoun

CF Trout

1B Pujols

LF Hamilton

DH Trumbo

3B Freese

2B Kendrick

C Conger

SS Aybar

 

Bench - Shuck, Iannetta, Romine, Green

 

Rotation

Weaver

Wilson

Tanaka

Garza

Richards

 

Bullpen

Wilson

Frieri

Smith

Burnett

de la Rosa

Salas

Kohn

 

Of course money is an issue and more realistically we'll only get one of Tanaka/Garza, or perhaps someone else, and see Howie Kendrick traded for another starter, and not see Wilson signed. So realistically we'll see something like this:

 

Lineup

RF Calhoun

CF Trout

1B Pujols

LF Hamilton

DH Trumbo

3B Freese

2B Green

C Conger

SS Aybar

 

Bench - Shuck, Iannetta, Romine, Jimenez

 

Rotation

Weaver

Wilson

Tanaka/Garza/Nolasco

Trade for Kendrick

Richards

 

Bullpen

Frieri

Smith

Burnett

de la Rosa

Salas

Kohn

Blanton

 

Depending upon what Howie brings in, I can live with that.

Of course it could also be Trumbo, and Iannetta might be involved, but I think the second roster is more probable than the first, but the first would be a very, very good team.

[tdawg87]

You spelled "Cano" wrong in the first lineup.

[Brent Maguire]

As long as we sign Tanaka or Garza, I'd be pretty satisfied. Sign a lower level starter or make a trade for the 4th starter and it already looks way better than last year. 

[Docwaukee]

If money wasn't an issue, I'd still steer so far clear of cano it would be silly. 

 

I would bring in

Tanaka,

JP Howell

Joe Nathan

 

I would trade Aybar and Trumbo for a kickass young starter

sign Stephen Drew for SS and one of Choo, Granderson, Napoli, or Cruz to DH

[mtangelsfan]

If wishes were fishes

[nate]

I kohnt believe you like Kohn over Jepsen.

 

Also, Nathan over Wilson all day long.

Edited November 27, 2013 by nate

[Troll Daddy]

I would be happy if we sign one free agent SP and no more trades for now.

[Mark68]

You spelled "Cano" wrong in the first lineup.

He tried sounding it out and it came up "Kendrick".

[Angel Oracle]

The first scenario would necessitate trading away exactly zero additional players and losing zero draft picks (Tanaka, Garza, and the Beard not requiring draft pick compensation). 

[TroutAdell]

Jensen over Kohn and maybe someone from the scrap heap in spring training in the pen. I am not a fan of Garza. He has above average stuff but hasn't really accomplished much with it. He also is very injury prone.

[TroutAdell]

Jepsen over Kohn and maybe someone from the scrap heap in spring training in the pen. I am not a fan of Garza. He has above average stuff but hasn't really accomplished much with it. He also is very injury prone.

[tennischmp]

 I thought money doesn't matter?

[Angelsjunky]

Matt Garza is what he is: not exciting but solidly a #3 starter. He'd give the Angels what they most desperately need - a third #3 or higher starter to go along with Weaver and Wilson.

 

Now of course we can dream that Richards will be that good in 2014, and I think he could be, but I could also see him being about average - a #4 type - for a year, before breaking out in 2015 as a #3 type.

[Agalloch]

I'd kill to have the first lineup, if only....

[Angels]

4/60 is the highest I would go for Garza...though I bet he gets more given the weak free agent class for pitchers.

 

I'm hoping for Tanaka.

[deepdrive]

Isn't this thread a lot like 'If weather wasn't an issue, where would you like to live" or "If smell wasn't an issue, how would you rate that restroom"

How do you eliminate one of the biggest issues and have a meaningful discussion?

[Mudville]

So far the issue you are pointing to is just a fan perception right now. What the season start payroll is will be determined by the front office.

 

So think on a grander scale, is going over the cap worth the additional revenue in fan participation? It is only a percentage tax of the amount over the cap not the entire team payroll so it is clearly a pennies on the dollar fine and could be less of a roadblock as many of you think.

[HaloMilliVanilli]

I'd sign Tanaka, Phil Hughes and Roy Halladay (if it seems like his recovery is going well), and sign Jesse Crain in the bullpen.  I'd also trade Erick Aybar (or Howie Kendrick or Mark Trumbo) along with sweeteners to the Dodgers, Royals or Pirates for an arm like Zach Lee, Jamison Taillon, Tyler Glasnow, Yordano Ventura or Nick Kingham.

 

Lineup: 

RF  Calhoun, CF Trout, 1B Pujols, LF Hamilton, DH Trumbo, 3B Freese, C Conger, 2B Kendrick, SS Romine

Rotation:  Weaver, Wilson, Tanaka, Richards and Hughes (with Halladay as a wild-card and Williams as potential injury replacement/longman)

Bullpen:  Frieri, Crain, Joe Smith, Burnett, DeLaRosa, Salas, Williams/Blanton/Hanson