- The Story: The Angels have been heavily linked with Jason Bay after the first day at the Winter Meetings in Indianapolis. The Monkey Says: Reports vary as to just how much contact the Halos have made with Bay, but it seems pretty obvious that they are highly interested in bringing him on board, though I don’t think he meshes very well with Angel offensive philosophy.
- The Story: Would the Angels move spring training to Florida to appease Roy Halladay? The Monkey Says: That is just about the most asinine thing I have ever heard. There is no way Arte Moreno would ever cater so greatly to just one player.
- The Story: John Lackey is looking to be too pricey for the Mets. The Monkey Says: Big John’s list of suitors continues to dwindle with the Red Sox seemingly focused on much cheaper alternatives and the Yankees claiming they are going to reduce payroll (yeah, right). As unlikely as it once seemed, Lackey could still end up returning to the Angels.
- The Story: Brandon Wood knows he still must prove he deserves the starting third base job despite the lack of competition. The Monkey Says: That is definitely the right attitude for Woody to take, especially since there is still a chance that the Angels will bring in some kind of insurance policy at third.
- The Story: The Mets are stepping up their efforts to acquire Juan Rivera. The Monkey Says: The Mets want a cost-effective corner outfielder and Rivera certainly meets that criteria, but it doesn’t look like the Mets really have much to offer the Angels in return. Nonetheless, it is becoming more and more evident that the Halos are looking to move Juan Rivera.
- The Story: Hideki Matsui is on the Angel radar as Plan B type free agent option at DH. The Monkey Says: As is Vladimir Guerrero and I suspect several other DH-type veterans will start getting linked with the Angels if they strike out on Jason Bay and Curtis Granderson. But don’t expect much on the low-cost veteran front until well after the Winter Meetings.
- The Story: The Seattle Mariners are now showing interest in Darren Oliver. The Monkey Says: Pretty much the only Angel free agent that Seattle hasn’t shown interest in is Robb Quinlan. Those dastardly Mariners are obviously trying to drive up the price on anyone the Angels are targeting. This means war!
- The Story: Tony Reagins isn’t ruling anything out at the Winter Meetings. The Monkey Says: After being dormant most of the off-season it sure sounds like Reagins has awoken from hibernation and arrived in Indianapolis ready to do some heavy wheeling and dealing.
- The Story: Both Chone Figgins and John Lackey declined arbitration yesterday. The Monkey Says: No surprise here. The Angels will get Seattle’s first round pick (#18) in the 2010 amateur draft and will also get the first pick of whatever team signs John Lackey, assuming they don’t re-sign him.