KevinStockerIsGod

I think the point of moving Wilson is allocating enough resources to go after one of the Top 3 available, Lester, Scherzer, or Shields. Say what you want about Wilson, but he's valuable to our team since he fills a rotation spot without a ton of depth to go to. They only move him to clear money and space for one of those guys.

I think it depends more on the AL West landscape than our team. Our team will resemble the team from last year for the most part, and I expect them to be the frontrunner or one of two top AL West teams. You can assume that the Rangers will be at least somewhat better than last year just by regulars returning for injury and depending on what they do this off season. I believe the Mariners will be as good if not better than last year and represent our biggest challenge. The A's should regress just based off talent they've traded or lost via FA, however I can't count them out. The Astros probably won't be very good, but may be a tick better by young players improving. If the health of our team (Richards especially) and our depth (which has already improved) hold up, we should be in good shape.

Even if the Angels can't extend Zimmermann, they surely would get a 1st rd pick by offering up the QO. 1st round picks don't necessarily translate to a star player, however does the opportunity cost of keeping Kendrick this year and letting him walk next year with no return outweigh Zimmermann for a year and a 1st round pick? Of course other players involved would need to be taken into consideration, but I'd still move for Zimmermann.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-angels-howie-kendrick-20141120-story.html Mike DiGiovanna just posted a story about Kendrick's trade interest and lists Fister and Zimmermann as trade candidates. Dipoto basically says we aren't moving him unless we get better and it's a strong offer. Basically same Nats said for Fister and Zimmermann.

Bob Nightengale ‏@BNightengale 8m8 minutes ago Veteran #Nats pitcher Doug Fister, who like Zimmermann also is eligible for free agency in 1 year, also is available if a deal makes sense

Bob Nightengale ‏@BNightengale 11s11 seconds ago The #Nats are informing teams that ace Jordan Zimmermann is available,but only if they get strong return,emphasizing it is not a salary dump

Would anyone have a problem sending Kendrick and any of our BP arms for Zimmermann? The depth we created certainly allows that conversation, if the Nats were so inclined.

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/max-scherzer-free-agency-tigers-yankees-dodgers-cardinals-nationals-112014 Ken Rosenthal posted a story this morning about 5 teams that may be interested in Scherzer. The Angels aren't listed as one, however within the story he lists the Nationals as a potential interested team. He notes that Zimmermann has rejected their proposals for an extension. If the Nationals look to pursue Scherzer, Rosenthal says they will look to move Zimmermann. The one trade he notes to make sense is Zimmermann to the Angels for Howie Kendrick and a bullpen arm. He seems to think both teams would talk about that deal. Personally, that is a move you do everyday of the week if you are the Angels. Even if Zimmermann leaves after the year, you definitely extend the qualifying offer and pick up a 1st round pick, which they won't do for Kendrick. We also have deep RH RP bullpen depth to move guys from.

Without delving into Haren's current performance or guessing what he will look like next year, he has the Dodgers over a barrel. No team would trade for him knowing he'd retire, except the Angels. The Dodgers are paying him $10 mil, so if they wanted to move him or get money off the books, the Angels could hypothetically trade for him with the Dodgers picking up a portion of the tab. Could be advantageous for the Angels to look at this if you could get Haren for 1 year, at 5 mil or less, especially with pitching prices the way they are.

Lester and Scherzer are looking at the 6+ year, 140+ mil range...Shields is clearly the tier under that, most likely 4-5 year deal, 60+ mil. It's funny to think that if Shields pitched 3 or 4 games better at the end of the year, he may be looking in that upper tier threshold. A team (ahem, D'Backs) may get desperate and offer him #1/2 money (5, 100), but he's probably looking at 4/60-5/80 or something around there b/c of age and playoff performance. If it's true that he may want to play in So Cal, perhaps a 4/60 would entice him and maybe the Angels play there. But if he's getting closer or over 100 mil, I doubt the Angels do that, and at that point if they are interested, they are probably looking at Lester or Scherzer too then. Most likely none of them.

Greinke signed a six-year, $147 million deal with the Dodgers in December 2012. Given the way he talks about those two months with the Angels, you wonder if he might consider signing there should he opt out of his contract after the 2015 season, which he may do depending on market conditions. A native of Florida, Greinke said he enjoyed living in Orange County briefly. “It’s got to be the best part of L.A., that area,” he said. “It’s really nice over there, at least for my personality type, I guess. The city over there is as great as it gets, the team was good, the stadium and fans were great too. That part of town is the No. 1 thing they have going for them. It’s easier to get to the beach.” - From Mark Saxon's blog on ESPN: http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/dodger-report/post/_/id/11581/sneak-peek-at-a-freeway-series

Mike DiGiovanna ‏@MikeDiGiovanna 1m Angels LHP Tyler Skaggs said MRI confirmed flexor tendon strain but no surgery required. Fully expects to pitch again this season. Glad it wasn't anything more, but to clarify that he expects to pitch again this season isn't very reassuring.

Jeff Fletcher ‏@JeffFletcherOCR 1m #Angels Mike Trout, on competing with A's now: "When we're going good, we can beat anybody."

To be fair, we have completed 3 trades this season, for Grilli, Thatcher, and Street, so it's not like we haven't done anything.

Players on DL can be traded...typically don't because they are on the DL and aren't playing. Last instance I remember was SD sending Peavy to the White Sox while on the DL.

MLB Network Radio ‏@MLBNetworkRadio 2m Scioscia on deadline: "Jerry DiPoto is working very hard,I don't know if you can say we're done.Right now, we're very confident in our team" Not earth shattering info, but it sounds like we are doing a little more than "keeping our ear to the ground".

Jerry Crasnick ‏@jcrasnick 5m #Tigers, #bluejays, #orioles, #brewers, #angels, #royals, #sfgiants. #Rangers, #dbacks and #pirates have scouts in Philly tonight.

Jerry Crasnick ‏@jcrasnick 5m #Tigers, #bluejays, #orioles, #brewers, #angels, #royals, #sfgiants. #Rangers, #dbacks and #pirates have scouts in Philly tonight. Cliff Lee Watch.

Alden Gonzalez ‏@Alden_Gonzalez 44s Big takeaway: #Angels not done. They're going to try to get a LH, may even get another potential closer. Just a swap they felt made sense.

Here's why the trade is beneficial, for both sides... For the Angels, they get a veteran pitcher who has closed for a playoff team and only on the payroll this season. If he doesn't bounce back, then he's off the books next season and the Angels have an extra $4.25 mil. If he does, maybe you bring him back for another season. They lose a "cost controlled" guy, but are they gonna spend $4.5mil (or more depending on arbitration raise) on a guy they can't trust to hold a lead? The cost control doesn't matter at this point if you option him or cut him loose. For the Pirates and Frieri, he goes back to the NL in a division that's easier to play in and has a fresh start. Frieri seems like a good guy and I wish him the best. It was clear in his body language and results that this wasn't a blip in the radar this year for him and the Angels.

LeBlanc is still on the team, will be at AAA. Wouldn't be surprised to see them pick up another depth arm to stash in case of injury.

Los Angeles Angels ‏@Angels 36s Today the #Angels granted RHP Joe Blanton his unconditional release.

In the game with the "B" players vs. the Rangers, Angels take a 2-0 lead with a 2 run double by McDonald.

Salas looked good.

Productive out.