Comments on: Angels Should Sit Out Free Agency http://monkeywithahalo.com/2009/11/02/angels-should-sit-out-free-agency/ The happenings of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:57:39 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Dennis http://monkeywithahalo.com/2009/11/02/angels-should-sit-out-free-agency/#comment-85 Dennis Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:26:04 +0000 http://monkeywithahalo.com/?p=3627#comment-85 I have to admit that my unseemly pining for Matsui is probably unrealistic. I think he still has a few solid years left as an offensive player, he has such a solid approach at the plate. It'd be really entertaining watching Abreu and Matsui grinding opposing pitchers down night after night with their patience. But his ability to play the field is definitely an issue, and though he claims that he can still play left, it would most likely be at a pretty piss-poor level. Hunter would lose 20 pounds in one game if he ever had to play between Abreu and Matsui in the OF. And Scioscia seems to hate having one guy hogging up the DH at-bats, so Matsui may not be his type of player if indeed he can't play the field with a decent amount of regularity. And like you point out, his first choice is to remain a Yankee, and I can definitely see him going to Seattle. The fact that Nick Johnson's OBP was third in the majors behind Pujols and Mauer is enticing, but he is a big risk...he might break a bone if a kitten jumped on him...but I do like his upside if healthy. I'm hopeful that we will pick up a good reliever. And Reagins has been great with trades so far. Looking forward to reading your trade ideas next week! I have to admit that my unseemly pining for Matsui is probably unrealistic. I think he still has a few solid years left as an offensive player, he has such a solid approach at the plate. It’d be really entertaining watching Abreu and Matsui grinding opposing pitchers down night after night with their patience. But his ability to play the field is definitely an issue, and though he claims that he can still play left, it would most likely be at a pretty piss-poor level. Hunter would lose 20 pounds in one game if he ever had to play between Abreu and Matsui in the OF. And Scioscia seems to hate having one guy hogging up the DH at-bats, so Matsui may not be his type of player if indeed he can’t play the field with a decent amount of regularity. And like you point out, his first choice is to remain a Yankee, and I can definitely see him going to Seattle. The fact that Nick Johnson’s OBP was third in the majors behind Pujols and Mauer is enticing, but he is a big risk…he might break a bone if a kitten jumped on him…but I do like his upside if healthy. I’m hopeful that we will pick up a good reliever. And Reagins has been great with trades so far. Looking forward to reading your trade ideas next week!

]]> By: Garrett Wilson http://monkeywithahalo.com/2009/11/02/angels-should-sit-out-free-agency/#comment-83 Garrett Wilson Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:04:17 +0000 http://monkeywithahalo.com/?p=3627#comment-83 Dennis, I admire your passion brother, but I have to disagree with the Matsui assertion. He was good in the World Series, but he is nearing the end of the line and he allegedly is only willing to play for the Yankees or Mariners anyway. Nick Johnson is just an even more injury-prone version of Casey Kotchman, I'll pass. There are definitely good relievers on the free agent market, but my complaint is the price they will all want. Soriano was good but he will be expensive and has a long history of arm problems. I like where your head is at though with trading for Halladay. As I said, the trade market is a far more attractive option this off-season. I have some ideas for that I will share next week. Dennis, I admire your passion brother, but I have to disagree with the Matsui assertion. He was good in the World Series, but he is nearing the end of the line and he allegedly is only willing to play for the Yankees or Mariners anyway.

Nick Johnson is just an even more injury-prone version of Casey Kotchman, I’ll pass.

There are definitely good relievers on the free agent market, but my complaint is the price they will all want. Soriano was good but he will be expensive and has a long history of arm problems.

I like where your head is at though with trading for Halladay. As I said, the trade market is a far more attractive option this off-season. I have some ideas for that I will share next week.

]]> By: Dennis http://monkeywithahalo.com/2009/11/02/angels-should-sit-out-free-agency/#comment-82 Dennis Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:58:23 +0000 http://monkeywithahalo.com/?p=3627#comment-82 I certainly agree that there aren't any players out there that merit a big money, long term commitment. Holliday is a good, solid player, but I don't think he will be worth the contract Boras will get for him. Bay will similarly command more money than he is worth, esp. given his flaws. I do think, however, that this is a good free agent class with lots of potential bargains to be had. There are quite a few players whose flaws (inability to play good defense, injury issues, etc) will drive down their price considerably but who possess considerable upside. I've extolled the virtues of Hideki Matsui elsewhere on this blog - he can probably produce close to what Jason Bay will produce at something like half the price. Of course, with his World Series MVP award, maybe the Yankees will now keep him around, they can afford to be sentimental. Nick Johnson is interesting, though his Figgy-like .405 SLG is a concern. And though Rich Harden is a right-handed, injury-prone version of Scott Kazmir, I think he can probably be had for a decent price. And we certainly do need bullpen help, Saito or Lyon would be great pickups. I love Rafael Soriano and his 102k in 75 IP, but he will probably command closer money and I don't see the Angels committing that kind of money to their bullpen two years in a row. I would love it if we traded for Roy Halladay. I'm just not sure we have the prospects/ excess young players to get him. I'd sure give up a lot, though, if we were able to sign him to an extension this winter so he wouldn't just be a one year rental. Otherwise, I'd be content bringing back Abreu, picking up a Matsui or Johnson, a good bullpen arm, and, if there is still money left over, gambling on Harden. I certainly agree that there aren’t any players out there that merit a big money, long term commitment. Holliday is a good, solid player, but I don’t think he will be worth the contract Boras will get for him. Bay will similarly command more money than he is worth, esp. given his flaws.

I do think, however, that this is a good free agent class with lots of potential bargains to be had. There are quite a few players whose flaws (inability to play good defense, injury issues, etc) will drive down their price considerably but who possess considerable upside. I’ve extolled the virtues of Hideki Matsui elsewhere on this blog – he can probably produce close to what Jason Bay will produce at something like half the price. Of course, with his World Series MVP award, maybe the Yankees will now keep him around, they can afford to be sentimental. Nick Johnson is interesting, though his Figgy-like .405 SLG is a concern. And though Rich Harden is a right-handed, injury-prone version of Scott Kazmir, I think he can probably be had for a decent price. And we certainly do need bullpen help, Saito or Lyon would be great pickups. I love Rafael Soriano and his 102k in 75 IP, but he will probably command closer money and I don’t see the Angels committing that kind of money to their bullpen two years in a row.

I would love it if we traded for Roy Halladay. I’m just not sure we have the prospects/ excess young players to get him. I’d sure give up a lot, though, if we were able to sign him to an extension this winter so he wouldn’t just be a one year rental. Otherwise, I’d be content bringing back Abreu, picking up a Matsui or Johnson, a good bullpen arm, and, if there is still money left over, gambling on Harden.

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