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Angels’ post-Teixeira direction not apparent yet
December 22nd, 2008, 7:42 am · 17 Comments · posted by Earl Bloom, staff writer
Other than give strong assurances that they aren’t kidding, the Angels have not yet explained their reasons
for their stunning withdrawal from the Mark Teixeira negotiations Sunday.
A similar but not nearly as direct reaction by the Boston Red Sox on Thursday was quickly spun into a negotiating ploy by the national media.
But some of those same sources also report the Red Sox and Teixeira agent Scott Boras haven’t talked since that showdown in Texas elicited John Henry’s statement about his team not being a factor in the first baseman’s free-agent negotiations.
Angels vice president Tim Mead indicated Sunday that general manager Tony Reagins or owner Arte Moreno (pictured in happy times) might address the Teixeira decision on Monday.
Certainly, their focus is already shifted to Plan B, or perhaps Plan C, since Raul Ibanez, now a Philadelphia Phillie, was once thought to be the counter to Teixeira’s decision to chose an East Coast venue.
Left-hander Brian Fuentes, 33, the top closer left on the market after Francisco Rodriguez’s deal with Mets, is likely part of that new plan. Fuentes has expressed a preference for pitching for the Angels and has been putting off the St. Louis Cardinals’ overtures — perhaps waiting for such an opening as the Teixeira switch by the club in Anaheim.
The Angels apparently have kicked the tires and slammed the doors on free-agent sluggers Pat Burrell and Adam Dunn and perhaps Bobby Abreu and Milton Bradley. There has been some talk of a trade with the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Jermaine Dye and/or first baseman Paul Konerko.
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It’s sad to mention, but Tex was exactly what the Angel’s needed in the 3rd spot. If he’s slipped away, they need to find somebody who, like him, has power but also can get on base frequently so that Vlad or Torri can drive him in if the 1-2 guys choke (a la the ALCS).
Konerko would be strong at 1st, but his avg is low. Dye is a great hitter, but at 34 he’s older than Vlad. No easy answers here.
If they sign Dunn, then they’re basically eating the remaining three years on Gary Matthews Jr. Not saying it’s a bad thing. I’m sure they had to promise Rivera playing time, if they bring in a fifth outfielder, then Matthews is the odd man out.
Do a trade to get Peavy and Gonzales. A quailty picther and a 1st baseman that hits for power. We may not have the $$ but we have a crap load of trade bait.. SD wants to unload their payroll she this makes perfect sense.
As much as I’d love Tex’ back, the way his agent Scott Boras is playing the waiting game plus Tex’s desire to get back on the East Coast has killed the any plans to get him back. Its better the Halos cut it now and move on to the next plan instead of getting caught at the end with no upgrades to the team. Now lets get Fuentes and another bat and move forward. Thanks for the half season of memories Tex.
Ignore the rumors of Teix needing to live on the east coast. He lives in Texas. All the rumors said CC wanted to be near the home he was building in California, and sign with a NL team so he could hit. Teix isn’t being greedy. His agent is trying to simply get 5% commission of the highest price he can. Boras is just like a Realtor telling the homeowner a higher offer will follow soon … from the Yankees. The ceiling is higher for Juan Rivera than the aging, no-hustle, 2nd half player & defensive liabilty known as Garrett Anderson. Dunn or Burrell are not the answer as they are defensive liabilities as well. The question nobody is asking: Can we trade Aybar and a minor leaguer to Atlanta to get Kotchmann back?!?!
IS GOING TO BE ONE LONG 2009 ANGELS BASEBALL SEASON WITHOUT MARK…
Teixeira’s $160+ million will allow them to plug up several holes. If they don’t sign Fuentes to close, and trade for a bat, they’ll never get past the 1st round. They also need a starting pitcher. If they don’t trade for a bat, they’ll need to trade for a guy like Peavy (as the new #1). If they don’t get a #3 type hitter, they days Weaver and their #5 starter pitch, they’ll lose those games by 3+ runs. Time to give Kendry 500 AB’s to see if he can hit 20+ HR’s. Probably could have traded for Matt Holiday without giving up much. Too late now.
So, how bad does Arte think the SoCal economy and baseball attendance is going to get this summer?
If you can’t beat the red sox then you have to join them. Therefore, sign Manny!!!! He is the most clutch hitter of our generation and just think of how he will step up when we meet boston in the playoffs next time. Furthermore, sign Derek Lowe, another ex red sock who I also believe would step up to the challenge of facing boston in the playoffs. If you cant sign them, sign Adam Dunn and trade for Jake Peavy.
Forget Tex already! We won the west without him and we can do it again. Lets play the kids and find out what we have.I think we will be surprised at what they can do if we give them a chance.Stop looking for the quick fix with the over the hill guys.look in the past with all those over the hill big bats that we paid a lot of money for.
No need to waste money on Fuentes when we have Arredondo. Bring in Hoffman to mentor and give Arrendondo a full year in the set up role and make him the closer next year. Spend money on hitting.
I don’t know if you heard what Borass told a paper in Ft. Worth about saying to the effect that Tex was the reason for the Angels success last year,what?
The Angels were already 11 ahead before Tex arrived, Thanks for the seven singles in the playoffs!
The whole point in trading for Tex was to make a grab for the brass ring - the window of opportunity to compete in the playoffs is beginning to close for this group as Vlade and Hunter (the other big bats in the lineup) age. Unfortunately, picking up Tex really didn’t change our inability to compete in the playoffs one iota. The Angels, even with Tex, seem like a team with good enough starting pitching to make the playoffs while lacking the offensive pop to go deep into the playoffs (see the Atlanta Braves of the late 90s for more on this dilemma).
It may be time to start looking to the future. We now know that just the addition of Tex didn’t get us where we want to go. And now the money Tex is looking for could handcuff a team for a long time (see A-Rod and the Texas Rangers for more on that). Bid Tex a hearty farewell and let’s see what Morales can do over the course of a full season.
O.k. now that we failed on or offensive side we need to make are pitching the best in the Majors by trading for Peavy !!!
If we do this then who cares about those pricey 1st baseman!!!
Let the pitchers be Veterans and let the hitters develop!!!
Be smart ANGEL nation, Arte and Tony!~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At some point sanity must kick in and fortunately, Arte pulled the plug before he gave away the store. Yes,Tiexeria will be missed he is a true professional, however, life does go on. Does anyone remember Wally Pip? Now Lou Gehrig was his back-up and until Pip took himself out of the game, no one heard of Lou. Well we do have a couple of guys who can play first base and hit, Morales and Trumbo and who knows maybe someday they too will be the player everyone wants, who knows until you give them a try full time. That is what makes baseball so intriguing new talent always shows up somewhere, maybe if we are lucky, it will be our turn to uncover a gem.
I think some people give these players a little too much credit. Boras is paid all that money to be the mouth piece. Tex wanted every penny he could get. You know the reputation agents have before you sign with them. I laugh at people who think that Tex is a great guy and it is his agent that is shooting for the extra money. Players decide if they want to sign a contract. Let Tex go off to New York. Buying championships has not worked there for the past 8 years.It is a great feeling watching a team like that lose and even a greater feeling when the Angels beat them.
We have to keep to the script of signing good character players. Matthews was a terrible signing and his 9 teams in 9 years speak to that. I would love to see the Angels trade for Peavy. His current contract is a bargain compared to what the Yankees are paying for top line pitchers. And he is a true gamer. The asking price is steep but I believe the risk will be worth the reward. If you can maintain a solid pitching staff you can remain competitive for a long time look at the Atlanta Braves of the 90’s.
If the Angels stay pat, then i really don’t see them being serious about winning a championship and maybe not even the division,which has gotten a little better(Oakland,texas) I think they would do ok by trading some one with value Figgie-plus prospecs and get some power out of third base. I think Morales will produce 20+lond balls and if they napoli plays at least 80-90% of the time we’ll be ok; and please go out and get Peavy do what needs to be done. Guerrero is getting older our window with him is closing every year that goes by. Come on Arte show me that you’re not all talk!!!