Guest webmasterofwrestlegame Report post Posted December 21, 2004 The Anaheim Angels are the new kings of redundancy. So far they've spent $8 million on a shortstop they din't need (besides Eckstein, they also have Maicer Izturis), and they've spent $7 million on a 40 year old center fielder when they have one of the game's best defensive center fielders tethered to first base (with a cool .400 slugging percentage and his own $8 million contract). Cabrera's better defensively, but is he $8 million better? Of course not. The Angels have spent $15 Million without actually making their team better. I'll dispute that. The goal all along this summer was to improve pitching and get payroll down to the $80 - 90m range. Sele and Ortiz left, leaving us short of a fifth starter. Then the decision was made to let Glaus go (McPherson is ready) and Percy leave (no brainer with K-Rod). And with Appier's contract off our backs, we have money to play with (though Anderson's new contract kicked in this summer). Erstad is a great CF'er....but, his $8m contract is a lot to be sitting in the stands injured and as he is an all out player, he is safer for us at 1st. Going into the summer, it was likely that we would trade Gullien (for whatever we could get). It was also automatic that we would move Anderson back out to left, his favoured position, and meant the Angels could make a legitimate run on Beltran. So the moment the Gullien trade happened, we had the gap at centre-field. It was clear that Beltran was going to take his time signing, and not knowing at what price we could maybe get him, and with pitching to get sorted, we had to make a move at centre-field so we knew what we could spend on pitching. Normally, Figgins could fill there but Kennedy's injury means he has to fill-in at 2nd. The Finlay signing then happened, at a price where it meant we could still make a run at pitching, where the primary targets were Pavano and Clement. The Pavano tour stopped short of Anaheim when it became clear the Yankees were favourites and given the Benson deal, he has an inflated price. Meanwhile, the opportunity to sign Byrd for $4-5m for one season appeared, and given our deep pockets, we could do it, despite having already spent money on Morales and Yan. Then Clement chose the Red Sox, and we had some pitching money to spend. No-one else out there took the Angels fancy (for whatever reason), and so they upgraded at Shortstop (and Cabrera keeps Vlad happy). So going into the winter I though the Angels would get a CF'er (didn't care if it was Beltran or not, personally) and a stud pitcher. Turns out we got a CF'er, Shortstop, and pitcher. That is not too bad, but not really an upgrade at pitching. We have awesome depth on the infield and outfield now. So goal not achieved really, but we certainly made the effort and what we've ended up with seems fair in the circumstance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geniusMoment 0 Report post Posted December 21, 2004 The Anaheim Angels are the new kings of redundancy. So far they've spent $8 million on a shortstop they din't need (besides Eckstein, they also have Maicer Izturis), and they've spent $7 million on a 40 year old center fielder when they have one of the game's best defensive center fielders tethered to first base (with a cool .400 slugging percentage and his own $8 million contract). Cabrera's better defensively, but is he $8 million better? Of course not. The Angels have spent $15 Million without actually making their team better. I'll dispute that. The goal all along this summer was to improve pitching and get payroll down to the $80 - 90m range. Sele and Ortiz left, leaving us short of a fifth starter. Then the decision was made to let Glaus go (McPherson is ready) and Percy leave (no brainer with K-Rod). And with Appier's contract off our backs, we have money to play with (though Anderson's new contract kicked in this summer). Erstad is a great CF'er....but, his $8m contract is a lot to be sitting in the stands injured and as he is an all out player, he is safer for us at 1st. Going into the summer, it was likely that we would trade Gullien (for whatever we could get). It was also automatic that we would move Anderson back out to left, his favoured position, and meant the Angels could make a legitimate run on Beltran. So the moment the Gullien trade happened, we had the gap at centre-field. It was clear that Beltran was going to take his time signing, and not knowing at what price we could maybe get him, and with pitching to get sorted, we had to make a move at centre-field so we knew what we could spend on pitching. Normally, Figgins could fill there but Kennedy's injury means he has to fill-in at 2nd. The Finlay signing then happened, at a price where it meant we could still make a run at pitching, where the primary targets were Pavano and Clement. The Pavano tour stopped short of Anaheim when it became clear the Yankees were favourites and given the Benson deal, he has an inflated price. Meanwhile, the opportunity to sign Byrd for $4-5m for one season appeared, and given our deep pockets, we could do it, despite having already spent money on Morales and Yan. Then Clement chose the Red Sox, and we had some pitching money to spend. No-one else out there took the Angels fancy (for whatever reason), and so they upgraded at Shortstop (and Cabrera keeps Vlad happy). So going into the winter I though the Angels would get a CF'er (didn't care if it was Beltran or not, personally) and a stud pitcher. Turns out we got a CF'er, Shortstop, and pitcher. That is not too bad, but not really an upgrade at pitching. We have awesome depth on the infield and outfield now. So goal not achieved really, but we certainly made the effort and what we've ended up with seems fair in the circumstance. But they did not really get that much, if any better. Cabrera is not that much better than Eckstein. They lost Guillen, then added Finley. Finley will probably not put up his numbers from last year, I doubt he will match Guillens production from last year. They traded Ortiz to cincy for junk, then signed Paul Byrd. Ortiz has a better arm than Byrd, and sans last season has been a consistant winner for the Angels. They let Ben Weber walk, who from 2000-2003 had an era under 3.00. Last year he had carpel tunnel syndrome, and therefore sucked. But, it would have cost the angels only 600,000 to take a chance that he could come back, he is supposedly 100% healthy. To me it appears the team is not going to be any better than last season, and could very easily be worse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HarleyQuinn 0 Report post Posted December 21, 2004 Crediting Rotoworld... Milwaukee Brewers re-signed SP Chris Saenz to an MLC. He'll miss 2005 after having TJ surgery. Milwaukee Brewers signed MR Julio Santana(2.84 ERA in 38 games with Detroit in 2002) to a MLC. Baltimore Orioles are close to a 1 year, $957 K contract with OF Luis Matos(.224/.275/.333 in 89 games). Cleveland Indians offered 3B Casey Blake(.271/.354/.486 in 152 games) a 2 year contract with an option for 2007. New York Mets have discussed a 1 year, $750 K contract with 1B Andres Galaragga. New York Mets are close to signing INF Chris Woodward(.235/.283/.347 in 69 games with Toronto). Detroit Tigers signed MR Andrew Good(5.31 ERA in 17 games for Arizona) to an MLC. Baltimore Orioles re-signed SP Bruce Chen(3.02 ERA in 7 starts) to a 1 year $550 K contract. St. Louis Cardinals re-signed MR Mike Lincoln(5.19 ERA in 13 games) to a 1 year $360 K contract. Cincinnati Reds re-signed 2B D'Angelo Jiminez(.270/.364/.394 in 152 games) to a 1 year $2.87 Million contract. Pittsburgh Pirates re-signed 1B Daryle Ward(.249/.305/.474 in 79 games) to a 1 year $975 K contract. Los Angeles Dodgers signed SS Jose Valentin(.216/.287/.473 in 125 games with the White Sox) to a 1 year $3.50 Million contract. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geniusMoment 0 Report post Posted December 21, 2004 Reds sign Joe Randa for third. Goodbye Kearns, Dunn or Pena. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted December 21, 2004 Good to see the Mets continuing their tradition of signing guys who have no business playing anymore. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strummer 0 Report post Posted December 21, 2004 Bruiser, who are you referring to? Edit: Oh, Galaragga, sorry missed him in the list. That's Omar Minaya looking out for a friend, plain and simple Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted December 21, 2004 Ran across this tidbit elsewhere. This morning, Elliot Harris of the Suntimes Quick Hits in the sports section had this to say about the Kent Mercker signing: Former Cubs left-hander Kent Merker has signed a 2-year deal with the Cincinati Reds. It's his third stint with the Reds. Which means he pretty much should have the telephone number to the television announcer's booth memorized. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted December 21, 2004 I only want Sosa gone once we know we have Beltran. Can't sign Beltran without getting rid of Sosa. No money to give Carlos. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geniusMoment 0 Report post Posted December 21, 2004 Thing is, he cannot criticize Marty Brennamen, as the team and city would chose Marty over Kent. Griffey once got upset that Marty said Griffey did not run hard to first, causing a potential double to only be a single. When confronted about it, Marty told Griffey the next time he does not run hard he will say the same thing. Marty said he was here before Griffey, and will be here after Griffey. And this was during 2000, when Cincy loved Griffey. In other words, Marty will say what he wants, and does not give a fuck if you like it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slovakia 0 Report post Posted December 21, 2004 So basically we chose two departing free agents over Steve Stone in this mess. WHAT THE FUCK?!?!? Now we don't have Stone OR Alou. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted December 21, 2004 Are you going to miss Alou? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slovakia 0 Report post Posted December 21, 2004 I'll miss the production when it was there, but I won't miss the incessant bitching about the strike zone, or his shitty baserunning, or the way he treated the broadcasters like shit. Now I hope Michael Barrett or someone roughs up Bob Brenly, then we'll have to get Stoney back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HarleyQuinn 0 Report post Posted December 21, 2004 Credit: Rotoworld The New York Yankees have found their 2B of the future....Tony Womack! He was signed to a 2 year $4 Million contract. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike546 0 Report post Posted December 21, 2004 Credit: Rotoworld The New York Yankees have found their 2B of the future....Tony Womack! He was signed to a 2 year $4 Million contract. Where have you been? They signed him weeks ago. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cartman 0 Report post Posted December 21, 2004 Well no, Womack "agreed to terms" two weeks ago. He "signed" today. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike546 0 Report post Posted December 21, 2004 Ah. Same thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HarleyQuinn 0 Report post Posted December 21, 2004 Credit: Rotoworld The New York Yankees have found their 2B of the future....Tony Womack! He was signed to a 2 year $4 Million contract. Where have you been? They signed him weeks ago. It was agreed to at the time, just never formally announced... erm, what Cartman said Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Failed Mascot Report post Posted December 22, 2004 J.D. Drew joins the Dodgers. 5 years and $55million. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HarleyQuinn 0 Report post Posted December 22, 2004 Colorado Rockies are expected to sign 3B Desi Relaford(.221/.296/.305 in 114 games for Kansas City) to a 1 year deal later. The New York Mets are expected to sign 1B Andres Galaragga to an MLC. Chicago White Sox are close to signing SP Orlando Hernandez(3.30 ERA in 15 starts for the Yankees) to a 2 year deal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geniusMoment 0 Report post Posted December 22, 2004 The reds are reportedly very interested in the recently non-tendered Wade Miller. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfaJack 0 Report post Posted December 22, 2004 Miller said yesterday that 10 teams have contacted him, including the Brewers. I think I'd be very wary of him, as he hasn't had surgery to fix the fray in his rotator cuff. His injury risk is pretty big. As an aside, does anyone know why the Astros offered Tim Redding a contract? When are they just going to give up on that piece of crap? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Precious Roy 0 Report post Posted December 22, 2004 Big contract for Drew, this has boom/bust all over it. I think with that kind of money they should have just kept Beltre. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted December 22, 2004 Big contract for Drew, this has boom/bust all over it. I think with that kind of money they should have just kept Beltre. Beltre himself is a fairly sizeable boom/bust. Drew's injury prone, but when healthy, he will hit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Failed Mascot Report post Posted December 22, 2004 Drew is also an excellent RFer with a gun for an arm. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cartman 0 Report post Posted December 22, 2004 I think I'd be very wary of him, as he hasn't had surgery to fix the fray in his rotator cuff. His injury risk is pretty big. That didn't stop the Mets from giving Pedro 50 Million. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted December 22, 2004 I think I'd be very wary of him, as he hasn't had surgery to fix the fray in his rotator cuff. His injury risk is pretty big. That didn't stop the Mets from giving Pedro 50 Million. Speaking of the Mets... Mets make offer to Dave Dravecky Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted December 22, 2004 With the Drew signing, I'm fairly confident the Cubs' outfield with be Dubois, Patterson, and Sosa in '05. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted December 22, 2004 With the Drew signing, I'm fairly confident the Cubs' outfield with be Dubois, Patterson, and Sosa in '05. I think if the Cubs find a left handed hitting outfielder to platoon with DuBois, they're in good shape. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HarleyQuinn 0 Report post Posted December 22, 2004 Ben Grieve would be a pretty optimal choice to platoon with DuBois as already mentioned I believe. He only made $700,000 last year and at that price, he'd be a great pickup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cartman 0 Report post Posted December 22, 2004 Wade Miller signs a 1 year deal with Boston. Thank you Theo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
