As a life-long Angel fan, I have come to know the top and the bottom of the A.L. West. Though only 20 years into fandom, I feel like I have cemented myself as supportive and critical at the same time. I always expect the best from my team. I also realize the best is sometimes finishing over .500.
This year, the best was a World Series Championship. But Angels fans know all too well what happened this year. This led me to forget about the rest of the season and look ahead. The Angels will be at a crossroads and major changes and overhauls could be in place.
Manager Mike Scioscia has stated that the Angels are built for the long haul. That is a bold statement. Scioscia does have some power in executive decisions, however the fact remains that it is Arte Moreno's final decision. Arte Moreno may be the best owner in baseball. While he is willing to spend money, he's also shrewd with it. He only spends money on good investments and likes homegrown talent over big-dollar free agents.
His style may be put to the test this offseason, however. The Angels are not built for the long haul yet. They are at a crossroads in their short dynasty over the A.L. West. The A.L. west will be much more competitive next season. I do not see the Mariners competing soon, but the Athletics will be better, as long as they do not trade away their entire team before the trading deadline, and the Rangers will be competitive if they get a pitching staff.
The Angels have the most important offseason of any other team. There are multiple club options, two unrestricted free agents that could be paid more than an entire third-world country, and a weak free-agent class that could cause for overpayment for role players.
The first challenge is figuring out what to do with the options. Vlad, GA, and Lackey all have options this season. More importantly, all three are leaders of the team and faces of the franchise. I believe that the Angels need to keep all three around.
This team is built around Vladimir Guerrero and his next contract, either by extension or free agent, will not be as lucrative as he has now. He is getting older and slower, he is becoming a liability in the field, and his bat is not as dangerous.
Granted, he is still a great player, but he is not the Guerrero of old. The old Montreal stadium deteriorated his body quicker than expected. His run is slow and awkward at times. He used to be a 20-20 player, who grew into a 30-20 player, but is now a 20-and-at-best-five player.
To me, Vlad reminds me of Barry Bonds more than anyone. Someone who became the face of a franchise and was the most exciting player to watch bat. One who used to steal a decent amount of bases and as time went on could still steal a bag but had ailing leg problems.
Also, both players would become a liability in the field when only a few years ago they were feared both on offense and defense.
Garret Anderson is the Tim Salmon of this team—a leader who plays the game the right way and who leads by example. A classy player who has stepped aside to let the younger players play more and taken a backseat as a role player. Anderson needs to finish his career as an Angel most fans believe.
The main reason for keeping Anderson around is because he is such a fan favorite, letting him go after a disappointing season will cast doubt on the management. People criticized the Orlando Cabrera trade but there was a tangible trade-off in the deal, and Garland proved his worth to some extent.
Also, the professional that Anderson is, he could be willing to restructure the contract to take some millions off his contract and allow more spending elsewhere. The Angels will not low-ball him, but they cannot pay him and Vlad the same way they have the last few years.
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about 1 month ago
Here's what I'd do:
1. This is kind of obvious. Use the options of Lackey and Guerrero.
2. Sign Teixeira at all costs.
3. Negotiate an extension with Lackey.
4. Don't use Garret Anderson's option. If they can't re-sign him, Willits can be an everyday player. He has a great K/BB ratio and the Angels could use his plate discipline.
5. Don't re-sign K-Rod. Closers are highly overvalued as you stated. Arredondo can be closer in 2009.
6. There's a possibility that Darren Oliver will be a type A free agent. If he is, don't re-sign him. If not, try to re-sign him.
7. Sign a starter just for depth, but not Garland. He'll be overvalued this offseason and his WHIP is too high to be anything more than a 4 or 5 starter.
I agree with a lot of this article as you can see. You share a lot of my views for what they should do. Nice Job.
from about 1 month ago
thanks... and with GA do u think they don't pick up the option and then re-sign him for cheaper? and I believe Willits should be the 4th or 5th outfielder and not Matthews Jr. and I did not think of the Type A free agent... I agree to not sign him if that is the case. As for starter I really think a veteran arm like Maddux, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, or some one who has been around awhile would be good for the Angels
about 1 month ago
I dont think the Angels deserve Jon Garland , Why did they not use him in the Boston series??? Remember 2005 when he beat the Angels> Jon Garland is way better than John Lackey ! I wish Jon Garland would come back to Chicago we miss him , and at least they were smart enough to use him in the play offs. I see Jon Garland going to the Yankees or maybe the Mets they will pay him good.
from about 1 month ago
Garland has proven himself as a number 5 pitcher for the Angels this year. The main reason why he won't be an Angel next year is the return of Kelvim Escobar, (next to Carmona) the best number 2 pitcher in the Major Leagues in 2007.
about 1 month ago
Wasn't the vetoed trade for Tejada LAST season... which would make it Stoneman and not Reagins that was overruled. And if memory serves correct, wasn't it Orioles owner Peter Angelos who vetoed the trade?
from about 1 month ago
It was this past offseason before he was dealt to Houston and before he jumped 2 years in age. And I am not sure on the Angelos line but u may be right... I will get back to you on that
about 1 month ago
Actually, it was last trading deadline, not off-season.
http://www.ocregister.com/sports/stoneman-free-agent-1875961-signed-trade
OC Register Article reviewing Bill Stoneman's tenure:
"To be fair, he (Stoneman) reportedly hammered out a multiplayer trade for Orioles slugger Miguel Tejada at the 2006 trading deadline, but Baltimore owner Peter Angelos ultimately vetoed it."
from about 1 month ago
Fair enough you got me on that... It has been awhile since that ordeal went down but great memory and thanks for catching it I will change it now or omit that area...
about 1 month ago
ummm....the person i remember was Kennedy...didn't he go to Orleans or something? miss that guy.
:)
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