Dipoto to look to FA to fill DH and SP spots

[Chuck]

Would be freaking awesome if we just went with our SP staff the way it is currently and signed Choo to be our RF/DH. His OBP at top our lineup with Trout and Calhoun. Damn!

 

Then trade Aybar for an arm, like Niese or Montero..

[ineedanap]

Besides replacing Trumbo and adding another starter, the Angels still need to improve the bullpen. They can't be content with what they currently have.

I agree. The BP is what made this team so great during the previous decade. We have Frieri, Smith, and De La Rosa for the 9th, 8th, 7th respectively. Burnett as a lefty specialist. Blanton has a spot and then we have Kohn and Jepsen who are out of options. So while there isn't a lot of room for guys we could use the upgrade.

[Cdaniel]

I like it but the length of the contract and dollars makes me nervous.

[HaloNation]

Would be freaking awesome if we just went with our SP staff the way it is currently and signed Choo to be our RF/DH. His OBP at top our lineup with Trout and Calhoun. Damn!

 

Then trade Aybar for an arm, like Niese or Montero..

choo

calhoun

trout

pujols

hamilton

freese

kendrick

aybar

conger/ianetta

 

looks solid

Edited December 11, 2013 by HaloNation

[Inside Pitch]

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that Michael Morse is looking for a one-year deal worth $7-8 million.

 

 

For a guy that can't stay healthy (1 season in his career with more than 102 games played), and who has a PED suspension in his history.

No, thanks.

[AngelsLakersFan]

 

This really depends on what is most important to the Angels, pitching, offense, depth, staying under the luxury tax, or keeping / hoarding prospects?

 

• Morales could be had for very cheap because he will cost us our first round pick, and he isn't worth much beyond that, but he might be the player I'd want most to solve a DH/1B issue at low cost. + to luxury tax, - to prospects + to depth

how does morales not cost us much.  He would cost us at least 14 million.  Isn't that what the qualifying offer is?  Plus a draft pick, which I think we can't offord to lose.  I however, do believe he would be a great replacement of Trumbo.

• Tanaka would be the best way to solve our lack of a third starter, and probably the best move they could make to turn this into a well rounded team. He'll cost far more than our budget currently allows, in theory. + to pitching, - to luxury tax, + to prospects

 

• Choo would be an amazing boost to the offense. With him hitting in front of Trout I bet 2014 would become one of our franchise's all time offenses. He'll cost a ton as well. + offense, - luxury tax, - to prospects

Couldn't we afford Choo if we traded Kendrick?  Kendrick has to be replaceable with Green and Lindsay.  If he isn't than why trade for Green in the first place?  I like this option.  Sign Choo and keep our draft pick.  Move Calhoun to DH/1b back up.  Trade Kendrick for top of the line prospects (yes they are never a certainty to make the majors, but it immediately rebuilds our farm system.)

• Ibanez can replace Trumbo but he's kind of the boring candidate here which might make him the option we go. He'll cost more dollars than Morales I bet and only addresses DH. + to luxury tax, + to prospects

 

• Garza is likely a great fit for the third starter spot. He's gona cost some money though, since he's the biggest name on the market, masquerading as a #2 starter. Wont cost us our pick, which is a big plus. + to pitching, - to luxury tax, + to prospects

Going with one of the low cost DH options gives us the opportunity to go with an additional low cost SP option to compete with Skaggs, Richards, and Santiago. This would provide insurance and depth only, not a realized upgrade in the rotation.

 

 

As I said earlier, Morales asking price and actual price as two different things. I see value in Morales but not anywhere close to the dollar value he is after. 

 

Choo would cost us our pick though, even though I really love the option of adding a .400 OBP to the front of Trout/Pujols.

[AngelsLakersFan]

Would be freaking awesome if we just went with our SP staff the way it is currently and signed Choo to be our RF/DH. His OBP at top our lineup with Trout and Calhoun. Damn!

 

Then trade Aybar for an arm, like Niese or Montero..

 

Remember (i believe it was 2009) when we had Figgins and Willits at the top of the lineup, and the league hadn't yet figured Reggie out? At least one of those two guys was on base when the middle of the order came up and we went nuts in the first inning that year. That was our best offensive team arguably ever, and it really had everything to do with a great top of the lineup.

 

Choo / Trout at the top of the lineup is likely a huge bump in runs scored, beyond what the simple run estimators would tell you. I think it's the single biggest upgrade we could make at this point.

[AngelsLakersFan]

choo

calhoun

trout

pujols

hamilton

freese

kendrick

aybar

conger/ianetta

 

looks solid

 

Best lineup in baseball, I don't think it'd be close.

[Richard]

Looking like Morse is about to sign with Houston

 

@Ken_Rosenthal1m

Sources: #Astros in serious discussions with Morse.

[ten ocho recon scout]

Remember (i believe it was 2009) when we had Figgins and Willits at the top of the lineup, and the league hadn't yet figured Reggie out? At least one of those two guys was on base when the middle of the order came up and we went nuts in the first inning that year. That was our best offensive team arguably ever, and it really had everything to do with a great top of the lineup.

Choo / Trout at the top of the lineup is likely a huge bump in runs scored, beyond what the simple run estimators would tell you. I think it's the single biggest upgrade we could make at this point.

too much money, we lose a pick and don't fix the pitching

That said, I'm with you. I think the improvement would be more than any available arm (if tanaka isn't posted...though I'm not totally against garza).

The offense would be insane. Not adding hamilton (even if he hit like he should have) insane, but criminal insane.

And though I wouldn't 'want' to trade howie, we could do so (still with a great offense) and maybe get a similar pitcher to garza for cheaper than he will cost.

Its fantasy, chances are less than zero. But it would be pretty awesome.

[Angel Oracle]

Only issue with signing Ibanez would be who plays 1B when Pujols needs to DH. Is Calhoun ready for 20 games there?

[HALOS23]

I wonder what it would take to get Carlos Quentin from Padres to play DH. He still has good pop, he just can't stay healthy playing OF. Which if he played with Angels... He never would have too.

[Mark68]

I wonder what it would take to get Carlos Quentin from Padres to play DH. He still has good pop, he just can't stay healthy playing OF. Which if he played with Angels... He never would have too.

And we could always use him to rush the mound against the Dodgers (or anyone else) and separate a pitcher's shoulder.

 

Not that I'm condoning that...

[DB24]

I wouldn't mind Kubel....just as long we don't overpay