LA Times: Angels have sights set on Matt Garza and Raul Ibanez

[AngelsWin.com]

Garza would give the club a solid arm in the rotation and Ibanez would take over at designated hitter. The team is sizing up the possibility of acquiring both free agents.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Angels would be pleased to sign Matt Garza and Raul Ibanez and call it a winter.

View the full article

[TroutAdell]

It is way easier to find a DH than young pitching( stating the obvious). The Angels must keep that first round pick to draft an arm. Morales doesn't 'warrant the loss of the pick.

[Guest]

Ibañez is a very very bad choice

[fan_since79]

These two moves, if they happen, and the other acquisitions represent a significant upgrade over last year's roster.

 

I'm starting to get excited about 2014. 

[VariousCrap]

I wouldn't mind seeing the Angels sign Garza and Ibanez.  I'd still like them to get another relief pitcher.

[Angels_Make_Me_Drink]

I'm okay with Ibañez if its only for a 1 year deal. He's worth a gamble, if he doesn't work out, I'm sure Cron will get a look around the mid-season point. It shouldn't be that hard to find an adequate DH type of player.

 

I would be thrilled if we could get Garza. Weaver, Wilson, Garza, Richards, Skaggs? I'll take that. Moves Santiago to the BP as a SU man? As long as Garza is priced reasonably and the years are reasonable, I think he'd be a great #3. I really want this rumor to be true. To me, it feels like we've got a great chance at signing him.

Edited December 12, 2013 by Angels_Make_Me_Drink

[Angels Never Die]

I really think they should look into trading Kendrick first.

[VariousCrap]

I would be thrilled if we could get Garza. Weaver, Wilson, Garza, Richards, Skaggs? I'll take that. Moves Santiago to the BP as a SU man?

 

 

Uh...Santiago will be in the starting rotation next year.  Skaggs will most likely be in AAA.

 

Weaver

Wilson

Garza

Santiago

Richards

 

Is the rotation we will see if Garza is signed.

[Brent Maguire]

I think Santiago is a future bullpen arm but last year was a pretty solid year for him in the rotation. His command issues will probably prevent him from being a full time starter but he's super versatile in that he can start games or pitch well in short spurts out of the pen. 

 

I think Santiago will be the 6th starter and be used in the bullpen to start. Dipoto's comments about Skaggs made it sound like he was ready to be in the rotation to start the year. 

[VariousCrap]

Santiago proved he can start last year.  He'll be in rotation next year.  Skaggs isn't ready.

[Angels_Make_Me_Drink]

That works for me. I just want Garza. Another solid proven veteran makes me feel a lot more comfortable.

[Brent Maguire]

Santiago proved he can start last year.  He'll be in rotation next year.  Skaggs isn't ready.

I think they find a way to give 20-25 starts for Richards, Skaggs and Santiago. 

 

Somebody will get injured so it's nice to have the flexibility between those 3. Santiago definitely showed he can be a useful starter last year, no doubt. 

 

However, I don't agree with the notion that Skaggs isn't ready. He hasn't been given a chance to prove himself for more than a few starts. 

[Docwaukee]

I'm just not feelin' the Ibanez thing.  I hope I'm wrong, but I am very skeptical about him being a productive hitter in 2014.  Granted, he doesn't have to be a middle of the order bat, but I would think the team would be looking to do a little better. 

[kevinb]

I don't know how I feel about Ibanez or Garza. Ibanez is 41 and he doesn't really get on base all that well which this team really lacks. Garza seems decent or middle of the road but I would rather not pay a ton of money for someone who is a 3 or 4 starter. I would rather have the DH have more versatility. Who knows how much time Pujols will be playing at first. 

Edited December 12, 2013 by Kevinb

[Brent Maguire]

I don't know how I feel about Ibanez or Garza. Ibanez is 41 and he doesn't really get on base all that well which this team really lacks. Garza seems decent or middle of the road but I would rather not pay a ton of money for someone who is a 3 or 4 starter. 

Angels were 5th in OBP in baseball last year. 

 

Adding Pujols back full time helps. A slight rebound from Hamilton helps. Calhoun playing full time this year will help. And adding a career .356 OBP bat in Freese will help. 

 

It's very realistic to see them finish top 3 next year in that category. Replacing Trumbo w/Ibanez wouldn't be too bad. 

[ukyah]

for you guys saying that santiago is going to be in the rotation and skaggs will be in AAA, as if it's a forgone conclusion. dipoto said himself and santiago reiterated that the plan was for him to pitch both out of the rotation and in the bullpen, as needed. dipoto also said that skaggs had proven himself in a smattering of experience between the minors and mlb and that it was time for him to take a spot in the rotation.

Edited December 12, 2013 by ukyah

[AngelsAndRamsFan]

I don't think there's much value in signing Garza for 5 years and 85+ million (at least). The last two years, he's missed 1/3 of his starts (he's averaged 21 starts) and when he returned to the AL after being out of the AL for 2 1/2 years, he put up poor numbers with the Rangers (4.38 ERA, 1.32 WHIP). 

[Angel Oracle]

Here's a thought. Let's say that Garza is signed, and then Santiago and Richards put it together in 2014 and Skaggs is ready to start 30+ games in 2015 (not far fetched).

Does Wilson then become a trade chip if one more piece is needed to truly challenge for post-season play in 2015? He would only have two years remaining on his now more friendly contract, and would still only be 34 in 2015.

Edited December 12, 2013 by Angel Oracle

[Angelsjunky]

Garza won't get more than Weaver and Wilson (5/$77.5MM), at least from the Angels - I just don't see them wanting to insult Jered and CJ by offering an inferior pitcher more money, even with inflation.

 

I agree that Skaggs is in the rotation. I don't see much point in sending him to Salt Lake, especially considering its Salt Lake. If he can re-capture his mechanics in spring training, I think he's penciled into the rotation. Santiago is the swing man, which makes me wonder what they plan for Blanton.

[Angel Oracle]

Find someone willing to even pay a third of Blanton's 2014 salary, and then buh-bye.

[Angelsjunky]

So if the Angels get Garza and Ibanez, I'm guessing they're done for the offseason, unless they end up trading Kendrick for prospects and put Green in at 2B. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Iannetta traded and the Angels sign a defense-first catcher to back Conger up.

 

But let's take a look at the team as it would look with Howie:

 

RF Calhoun

CF Trout

1B Pujols

LF Hamilton

3B Freese

DH Ibanez

2B Kendrick

C Conger

SS Aybar

 

Bench - Iannetta, Shuck, two of Green, Romine, Jimenez, Field

 

Rotation: Weaver, Wilson, Garza, Richards, Skaggs

 

Bullpen: Frieri, Santiago, Smith, Burnett, De La Rosa; two of Kohn, Salas, Jepsen, Blanton, Maronde, Rasmus, Rapada, Coello, Morin, Alvarez, Shoemaker

 

So there would be a couple roster spots to be worked out at spring training - the infield bench positions and the last two bullpen slots. Both will likely see some movement throughout the year. Also, there are likely going to be some AAA tweaks - like another catch, for instance.

 

That's a pretty good ball-club. Maybe not a great one, but one that should be able to win 90 games and compete for a playoff berth.

[bloodbrother]

Joel Sherman ‏@Joelsherman1 7m

Feeling among execs growing that Garza signs soon with #Diamondbacks #Angels viewed as front runners

[KingJustinian]

I wouldn't mind seeing the Angels sign Garza and Ibanez.  I'd still like them to get another relief pitcher.

 

I think not getting a relief pitcher comes down to roster space at this point. They can always add that during the season.

[CanadianHalo]

@JeffFletcherOCR: #Angels don't believe Matt Garza is close to signing. They aren't expecting signing anyone today.

[T.G.]

listening to mlbnetwork radio this morning... a number of GM's have concerns over Garza's medicals.  No details, but there are some red flags.