Angels Search For A Power Bat

The Angels are currently rolling in the American League West and need only another power bat in the lineup to help themselves out.

Unlike most years, where the Angels have been content to march out whatever team they had available, the Angels have actually tried to upgrade several parts of the team.  There seems to be a sense of urgency around the Halos, possibly because this may be the last year that they can win with the current set of Halos before they begin to transition some of their players in the minors to the majors.

The Angels are said to be considering using the speedy and versatile Chone Figgins as part of a trade package for an impact bat, along with a seeminly resurgent Ervin Santana.  Santana's attributes we've discussed in detail in this blog.  Figgins is very popular among many general managers who like that "sparkplug" type of player in their lineup.  Several teams have expressed interest in the super-utility player, the White Sox and the Yankees being the chief suitors for both. 

Looking at the Angels' lineup, the team needs more offense coming out of Third Base and Left Field, as Garrett Anderson and Vlad Guerrero will likely be making rounds at the DH spot to allow not only both players time to rest, but also to be able to allow the team to work in regular DH Juan Rivera and to keep the surprise of this season, Reggie Willits, in the lineup.  So, it looks like Third Base will be the best option for the Halos to upgrade, unless Kotchman is able to slide over to third for a season or so.

That seemed to be the theory recently when reports came out that the Angels inquired about possibly getting Adam Dunn from the Reds.  Talks died when the Reds asked for "a proven Major League starting pitcher, a Major League infielder - preferably a second baseman - and a top prospect."

Translation:

• RHP - Ervin Santana (understandable, since the Angels have been shopping him)
• INF - Erick Aybar or Chone Figgins (don't the Reds already have a full middle infield?  Does that mean that Brandon Phillips is on the way out?  Figgs would make more sense then Aybar in this case and would be understandable, as he could eventually move to the outfield to sub for the loss of Dunn.)
• Top Prospect - Likely either 3B Brandon Wood, RHP Nick Adenhart, or Aybar anywhay. 

And that, my friends, was probably the deal breaker.  The Angels hoard their prospects like a dragon does gold and to lose a top prospect would kill any deal that they choose to do. 

The Angels could give Jermaine Dye a shot if they thought they could get him for just Figgins and Santana, and such a role would work, as the Angels would be getting rid of a pair of players nearing arbitration and the White Sox would be getting more pieces to rebuild. Y ou have to admit, Figgins manning center would be a lot better than seeing Darin Erstad and his porcelian knees running around out there.

Other options:

• Mark Teixeira (1B - Rangers) - Possible, but unlikely, as the Angels would hate to see some of the players that they traded away come back to haunt them in the same division.
• Mike Lowell (3B - Red Sox) - The only way I could see this happening only if the Red Sox slide Youkilis to Third and obtaining Teixeira from the Rangers.  That's the only way, but both teams are stingy with their prospects and won't give up anything of value if they had their way, which is a shame, as a package of LHP Jon Lester and SS Ericky Aybar would be tempting.
• Scott Rolen (3B - Cardinals) - The Cards need positional players and they could get a couple of good ones if the Angels are willing to dicker.  Rolen starting slowly, but he may need a change of scenery and maybe get away from Tony LaRussa.
• Nomar Garciaparra (1B - Dodgers) - Nomar could be able to handle Third, as I think he's got enough left to man it for a year and a half.  Unfortunately, neither team has parts that they would be able to match up with.
• Mark Loretta (UTIL - Astros) - Loretta is currently hitting well and the Astros are pretty much out of contention.  If the Angels were willing to offer pieces that the Astros needed, say catcher Jeff Mathis, I think the Astros would be willing to go for it.  Morgan Ensberg is another option.

Zambrano Likely To Hit Free Agency

I hate to break it to you Cubs fans, but it sounds like Carlos Zambrano is done in Chi-Town.  Zambrano has been awful for much of the season and his brawl with Michael Barrett only figures to spur the Cubs to allow their one time ace to leave via free agency.

Part of the reason is the sale of the Tribune Company, which as pretty much frozen the Cubs’ assets and prevents the Cubbies from spending a ton on extravagant contracts like they did this past off-season, where they spent over $300 million.  With ownership in flux, the Cubs are under a strict budget and will not toe the line anytime soon.

Another part is the fact that the Cubs appear to have a set young core of talent in the rotation.  Rich Hill is looking like another Barry Zito and Sean Marshall looks like he may yet become a capable end of the rotation lefty.  Jason Marquis and Ted Lilly, two players that the Cubs were chastised for signing, are instead looking very much like they’re worth their money.  And while Zambrano’s presence at the top of the rotation is a plus, the Cubs may be able to stay in contention with their rotation as is and look for a capable fifth starter option instead.

There is one other reason why Zambrano also won’t stay with the Cubs.  Zambrano is said to be considering re-hiring Scott Boras as his agent.  Should he go that route, Zambrano will almost certainly be priced out of the Cubs’ range, as the two New York Teams would love to have Zambrano’s youth and ability in their rotation. 

The Cubs Make More Mistakes With Murton

Matt Murton was sent to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, returning to the minors for the first time since being called up in July 2005.  The reason, given by Lou Piniella, is that Murton’s changed his batting stance over the winter that that Pinella advised him to return to his original stance.

Murton, however, has a different opinion, stating that his low production isn’t about a chance in his stance (he says he hasn’t changed it, btw).  It’s about the fact that he hasn’t gotten any playing time because the Cubs signed one too many outfielders.  They signed Alfonso Soriano and have abandoned the experiment after Soriano tweeked a hamstring.  They decided to go hard after Cliff Floyd to platoon with Murton even though Murton didn’t need a platoon partner and now they are rushing Felix Pie to play center and they failed to trade Jacque Jones, who would have welcomed a trade and even better yet, can play centerfield. 

I really don’t think the Cubs know what the hell they are doing?

Murton will probably be dangled in exchange for bullpen help, and as I’ve said several times, teams need to take advantage of the Cubs’ incompetence for just badly managing Murton this year.