The November 17th, 2011 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including Santana could be traded if the Angels sign Wilson, Hollander promoted to director of baseball operations, Halos unhappy with Astros joining the AL West and much more…
The Story: The Angels might look to trade Ervin Santana if they sign C.J. Wilson.
The Monkey Says: Or Dan Haren. Or nobody because this rumor comes from Joel Sherman of the NY Post. The same Joel Sherman that said the Mets would trade David Wright for Peter Bourjos and two elite pitching prospects. He is likely just recklessly speculating like he always does with this supposed rumor. That being said, it does kind of make sense to move Ervin for some offensive help, though it still leaves the Angels with a hole in their rotation that they would have to address, so I’m not quite sure it make as much sense as Sherman seems to think.
The Story: Justin Hollander has been promoted to director of baseball operations.
The Monkey Says: Hollander survived the front office purge and got a promotion too. Hard to complain about that. Hollander is the resident “stat guy” so it is nice to see him given more power than he had in the previous regime. However, since he was the stat guy in the previous regime, there is always a chance that maybe he was partly responsible for some of the missteps that Reagins made… but I really hope not.
The Monkey Says: I have to say, I never thought of that idea, but I kind of like it. In fact, I hope that whenever Selig retires, the new commissioner steps in and sets up a more radical realignment scheme like that… but it will never happen because it makes too much sense.
The Story: Mike Scioscia got one second and one third place vote for AL Manager of the Year.
The Monkey Says: I thought he would do a little better than that, but I’m not going to complain. I’m just happy for Joe Maddon.
The Story: C.J. Wilson is asking for a six-year, $120 million contract.
The Monkey Says: He probably should have asked for that before he stunk up the joint all post-season long. There is no way he gets anywhere near that, but it at least seems obvious now that he is out for the biggest payday possible.
The Story: The Angels released pitcher Anthony Ortega.
The Monkey Says: Ortega made three spot starts in 2009 but then hurt his arm and fell off the prospect radar altogether. The 40-man roster now stands at 35.
The Story: The Rockies are shopping closer Huston Street.
The Monkey Says: Street is very good, though homer-prone. He is also due a very reasonable $16.5 million over the next two years, so I think the Halos would be fools not to jump all over him. He carries an injury risk with him, but at his salary, the Angels aren’t going to find anyone better on the free agent market.
The Story: The Angels spring training schedule has been released.
The Monkey Says: Get your tickets now! I hope I can make it this year, but I doubt it since it isn’t exactly a short road trip for me anymore.
The Story: Decoding Angels GM Jerry Dipoto.
The Monkey Says: Let’s hope Scotty is right, because I would make ALL of those moves he suggests and they all seem pretty reasonable (though I think they can’t sign Wilson for the same contract as Jered Weaver, just out of principle).
The Story: Mark Trumbo paid a surprise visit to his third grade teacher.
The Monkey Says: Hehe, I am totally calling him “Marky Mark” now.