Hoops McCann

The issue is, as it stands today, that rotation just isnt good enough, especially in the post-season. I dont see Weaver as a legitimate ace anymore, mainly due to injuries and reduced velocity. Wilson is a good pitcher, a good #2 but he has some ups and downs. I hate to say this, but beyond Weaver and Wilson, it looks like 3 #4 types. I assume Pujols and Hamilton will bounce back and produce (actually, I'm fairly certain AP will have a very, very good year with an OPS of around .9xx) and the offense will be good. I'm a legitimately concerned that the pitching staff is the yolk around the neck of the team this season.

Rangers A's Angels Mariners Astros I see the Rangers as a 92+ win team with the A's as a 90 win team. If things break right for the Angels, they could be in the #2 spot over the A's, but I'm still not a fan of the pitching staff.

So, assuming that the case isnt overturned as he's banned for the year. Who believes the Yanks will cut him and take the $60M hit (as he has two years left on his deal)? Assuming the Yanks do cut him and eat the salary, does anyone believe another team will pick him up for the 2015 season or have we seen the last of A-Roid? I can see A-Rod getting the Bonds treatment and no one signing him.

When you've sucked for more than 100 years, I guess this is the last gasp of a truly desperate organization. Only the Cubs.

I studied at those fine universities many, many years ago. My undergraduate degree is from SLU in Biology/Biological Engineering and Wash U School of Medicine (Molecular Microbiology). You'll enjoy Wash U if you decide to attend school there. Beautiful campus, excellent faculty, very intelligent student body and it's located in a pretty hip area of St. Louis. And, when native St. Louisans ask you where you went to high school (because they will), just tell them St. Louis University High (SLUH) and then just tell them you're not a native.

St. Louis for law school. If that is the case, it must be either my alma mater, Washington University, or my other alma mater, Saint Louis University. Either way, both excellent schools. Washington is better if you intend to practice law outside of MO (say if you plan to return to CA) and SLU if you intend to stay in MO/STL area. No real down side for either. If you do move to St. Louis one thing is certain - you will become a Cardinal fan. The Angels will always be your team, as they should be, but being in an NL city, you can have an NL team and am pretty sure you'd be hard pressed to find a better NL team than the BOTB. By the way, the weather sucks. It's hot as hell in the summer and freezing cold in the winter. Spring is nice, but not very long and autumn is the best season.

Pujols is a GG caliber 1B...and Trumbo is not. No way Trumbo gets the starting 1B job over AP, assuming AP is healthy and his foot can handle it.

He isnt. Seattle ownership/management is even worse than the Angels. And, that's not good.

Why would the Royals even contemplate that trade? It's fairly one-sided and not in a good way for the Royals. The Locke for Trumbo would seem plausable, although I think the Buccos would rather hold on to him as AJ Burnett is not a lock to come back and if he does, it's likely only for one year. But, they do have some pitching depth and do need some power in that line-up.

Match made in heaven. My disdain for the Red Sox has hit an all new high (or low). This guy is everything that is wrong with baseball. Couldnt happen to a nicer guy, nicer team and nicer fan base.

just more polish for the turd in the Bronx. He'll be pretty good for 3 years, but its the last 4 that will be a killer. Still, way over-payed for his skill sets and career numbers. And, as long as the Yankees pitching (especially starting) isnt improved, this and the Cano signing isnt enough. Pitching wins the post-season and they dont have any (CC seems to be in sharp decline). Also, I assume they also believe that A-Roid will be suspended for the entire year.

Using the average of the two highest bids and then the player can select which team. That is great for teams like the Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers, not as much for smaller market teams or teams less appealing to Japanese players.

deals like this is why young, controllabe starting pitchers are the most valuable commodity in baseball. When Nolasco is looking for an $80M deal, you know FA pitching market is ridiculous.

fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...wont get fooled again.

Dont know Marcus Stroman, but I do know an Abe Froman. They arent related, are they?

I'm not sure that the defensive improvement would be enough for the Cards. I think what will likely happen is that Craig will be moved back to the OF, Adams moved to 1B and Jay likely kept in CF but platooned with Robinson (who is pretty good defensively and who had a good post-season). I dont see them trading Miller unless they are blown away by the trade or can get someone like Tulo, which we all pretty much agree, isnt very likely. And, I dont think the Aybar/Boujous deal fits into that category.

What makes Bourjous any more valuable than Jay? In a significant way?

Does Bourjous really offer a significant upgrade at CF? Defensively...yes, but offensively, it seems Jay has an edge, therefore, I dont see a lot of value in adding Bourjous to a deal. So, essentially, it comes down to Aybar for...pitcher. I may be wrong...maybe the Cards would see a lot more value in Bourjous over Jay, but in my opinion, I dont. He may be an upgrade, but not one of real significance.

I dont think the Cards would be interested in Trumbo because I dont see what position he will play? Outfield? 1B? He cant play CF, so he's either in LF or RF. Holliday is there and likely Taveras..or even more likely, Allen Craig moved back to the OF and Matt Adams plays 1B. Either of these scenarios, I dont see Trumbo being a player that the team needs. As I've mentioned in the past, I dont see the Cards trading for Aybar either. I dont think the Cards FO sees enough value in that type of a deal. The team could keep Miller and sign Drew or Peralta for SS and give up only a draft pick. I think Angel fans need to let go of the Miller talk.

So, Cardinals get Bourjos and Aybar for Miller and Maness? I dont see that happening....

I dont see any team taking on the Kinsler contract unless Ranger's pay part of it. I would also assume that the Ranger's really just want to trade Kinsler and not Andrus as they can slot Profar in for Kinsler. They may only be willing to part with Andrus if they cant readily move Kinsler, which is what I'm assuming. But, the Adrus' contract isnt very friendly either, but likely would be more potential suitors than for Kinsler.

I dont think anyone in MLB has enough prospects or enough valuable young players under control to be able to trade for Trout. The Angels would want them all and rightly so. I dont think many organizations even have the players let alone the willingness to make the deal. He's the most valuable player in baseball given his age, contract, status and ability. Angels need to buy out his arb-eligable years and do whatever they can to ensure he's on the team for the long-term. He's that special of a player. He's like watching Pujols (apologies for mentioning this) in his prime. So good, he takes your breath away. Now, he's a guy that I would be willing to give up: Miller, Rosenthal, Martinez and Taveras for. Would that be enough?

This I agree with. If I were the Angels, I may try to get Kelly + Siegrist for Aybar rather than Lance Lynn. That would be a much better haul for the Angels. As a Cards fan, I'd be happy with a Lynn for Aybar swap. Not so much if it were Kelly + Siegrist.

That is just sheer speculation. And, if that is the truth, then the entire front office would need to be fired. Do you honestly believe that the Cards management and coach wouldnt use Miller because they had a trade lined up and didnt want him hurt? Come on...that is preposterous. Again, Aybar just isnt very good and Bourjos hasnt been able to stay healthy long enough to really know his true value. So, again, based on those two facts, I'm pretty certain the Cards wouldnt be interested in that deal. I could be wrong, but knowing the team as I do, I tend to think I'm more right than wrong. Now, Lynn for Aybar...that may be possible. I just dont see a good match in trade partners between the Angels and Cards.

That would be an excellent off-season. In fact, if that were to happen, I believe expectations would and should be high...like division champs high. However, I dont see the team winning the Tanaka sweepstakes nor do I see a Trumbo/Headley swap. I dont think Trumbo's power translated well to that park and the Padres may not want that deal. Smith and the beard for the pen is a must (or Balfour) and I think the Lynn for Aybar trade is doable. I hope that what you said comes to fruition. Well, even if 2/3rds to half happened, that would still be a solid off-season. And, please stop the Aybar for Miller talk. That is non-sensical. That is not nearly enough value in Aybar to get Miller straight-up, so even suggesting it is fantasy.