Lot of rumors out there about Chone Figgins are heating up the hot stove.
Will he be signing with the Seattle Mariners?
UPDATE: Sports Illustrated John Heyman twitters: 4 years, $35 Million, Figgy close to signing with M's.
After last week's sighting of Figgy on a golf course in Hawaii, yours truly was convinced he would be available for another week or two. But according to Ken Rosenthal he is headed to the Emerald City for a frapuccino with Sasquatchiro.
Other sources say that the ink has not left the pen and that while Desmond DeChone has been offered 4 years $32 million from the Portland Cobains of Aberdeen, his hometown discount loyalty is being tested by a 3 year, $24 million deal from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
And of course, another team looking for a singles-hitting On-Base machine with excellent infield leather could swoop in and drop more than $9 million a year for a good track record of health and positive chemistry.
0 recs | 276 comments
If Figgy wants to go languish away in bitterly cold Seattle.....by all means go on ahead...
Take the money…….but nah he wont be a traitor in my eyes………plus it will finally FREE BRANDON WOOD!!!!!!!!!
norcaliangelsfan - December 4, 2009
Ugh
Please don’t let this happen. I f’n hate the Mariners.
chairmanofthebar - December 4, 2009
Tony's reaction to Mariner reports:
http://www.ocregister.com/sports/figgins-222568-angels-reagins.html
Doesn’t sound like the Halos will budge over 3 years. See ya Chone :(
ihearhowie2.0 - December 4, 2009
If we could trade for Carl Crawford, no one would care.
Would Bobby Wilson and Scot Shields do the trick?
wumbug - December 4, 2009
maybe they would want Rivera in return or Napoli.
what about Napoli/Dondo/Pettit for C.C.?
SenorChuckles - December 4, 2009
Could be.
I thought of all those, but I had to start somewhere provocative.
wumbug - December 4, 2009
would you rather have C.C or Bay?
I do like the Crawford fellow and it would put an end to the Granderson rumors :/
SenorChuckles - December 4, 2009
36 HRs is a lot easier to hit spending most of your time in Boston
rather than in Anaheim.
CC is left handed. Will likely hit 15+ HRs and steal 50+ bases. He’s an All-Star, GG LFer. He’s three years younger than Figgy. Potential HOFer.
I choose CC.
wumbug - December 4, 2009
If Bay can't hit 36 HRs in Anaheim
Then I don’t think CC will be able to hit 15.
But he’s still freaking fast and a the leadoff hitter we need next year.
TheAntiSox - December 4, 2009
hes not a leadoff hitter
tbmd - December 4, 2009
Ditto
#2 in the lineup
wumbug - December 4, 2009
we already have a leadoff hitter...
his name is Bobby Abreu.
Nashdiesel - December 4, 2009
because he still has blazing speed.
SenorChuckles - December 4, 2009
30 steals and only 8 CS last year...
he had a better SB % than figgins.
Nashdiesel - December 4, 2009
yeah I just cant see him leading off but hey im not the expert...
Soth is so who knows if he goes Aybar or Abreu
SenorChuckles - December 4, 2009
I'm still saying Matthews.
Jay Cal - December 4, 2009
Well how bad is his relationship with the angels.
Thats what I dont get about GMJ, there are lots of players wanting to be in a winning organization. I guess GMJ just wants to be the star he believes he can be.
SenorChuckles - December 4, 2009
If the FO comes to Matthews
And lay it out… you have no trade value. We’ll play you every day in Left Field, we’ll trade you to a team willing to take on 45% of your contract, I think he’d be okay with that.
Jay Cal - December 4, 2009
Rated number 8 of the 10 worst contracts of the 2000's
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/The-10-worst-baseball-contracts-of-the-2000s;ylt=AjEaaecwpPYKX03A3MrwGE5nYcB?urn=mlb,206780
This is one of those contracts that gets bumped up because of bonus points earned by outside circumstances. Sure, Matthews would be a candidate for the list based on performance alone. He’s an awful center fielder with an inconceivably bad -37.8 UZR/150 last year. The player behind him on the list? Adam Dunn(notes). The one ahead of him? Gary Sheffield(notes). Yeah, that bad. Matthews also hits like his dad. No, not when he was a solid corner outfielder in the ’70s and ’80s. Like Gary Matthews Sr., 59, would today.
Bonus point No. 1: Matthews actually thinks he’s good.
Bonus point No. 2: The Angels, like so many others, were seduced by one catch. This can’t be proven unequivocally, of course, but surely the Angels knew that Matthews’ productive 2006 was due to a spike in batting average on balls in play (.349, almost 50 points higher than his career average) and that his overall defense showed massive regression that year. Still, The Catch — awesome three years later — was one of the season’s defining moments and left everyone with a lasting image of Matthews that was completely misleading.
Bonus point No. 3: He got popped with an HGH rap three months after he signed with the Angels. He still hasn’t explained it.
Balls and Strikes - December 4, 2009
oops
heres the article
thats what I get for being lazy
Balls and Strikes - December 4, 2009
Is this GA?
Angel Hawker - December 4, 2009
WIN!
Clutch - December 4, 2009
You really want to cut his RBI's in half?
I agree that Abreu COULD lead off, but I personally would rather have his 100 RBI’s. He aint gonna get that batting lead-off.
Rally Manatee - December 4, 2009
He'll make up for it in runs...
and also increase the RBI totals of those hitting behind him.
Nashdiesel - December 4, 2009
Good call
But with that speed. he could be.
TheAntiSox - December 4, 2009
Not even a hard decision.
I’d take Crawford over Granderson, Bay or Holliday. I’m sure i’m in the minority though.
halofolife - December 4, 2009
What Granderson rumors?
Stirrups - December 4, 2009
+1
SenorChuckles - December 4, 2009
Shields is a FA after next season.
$5.35MM coming off the books unless he’s re-signed.
The article says that they want an experienced, back of the bullpen/closer……he is.
We lived without him this past year.
wumbug - December 4, 2009
True and Maddon does know what Shields is capable of.
But I doubt the angel trade Shields away.
SenorChuckles - December 4, 2009
Heyman is tweeting the deal coud be
4 years $35million Link
Epic Dean - December 4, 2009
They are saying 4 yrs 36 million...
sorry but he’s not worth that. We already did that with Darin Erstad, I’d prefer we didn’t repeat the mistake.
Let Seattle have him.
Nashdiesel - December 4, 2009
Not excited about this
be careful what you ask for because we’re officially rebuilding at 3rd base if this is true. If Wood doesn’t handle this job, I wouldn’t be counting on any division title in 2010. No leadoff hitter, no consistency at a crucial position.
What if Aybar and Morales don’t repeat brilliant 2009s…what kind of team is this?
ihearhowie2.0 - December 4, 2009
I predict:
Aybar will continue to improve. Dramatically.
Morales may lapse if AL pitching found a weakness in his offense during the 2009 playoffs.
Stirrups - December 4, 2009
Ya I can't help but feel Morales will just be solid
and not the total stud he was last season. I feel like Kendrick needs to step it up this year to offset the lost production and day-to-day value Figgins brought that Wood simply is just not capable of at this point.
we need aybar’s locker next to Abreu’s PRONTO. kid needs to learn how to walk!
ihearhowie2.0 - December 4, 2009
My guess is that Morales will experience a moderate regression
But Kendrick will bounce back. Wood will deliver the goods. Aybar will also regress a little.
Jay Cal - December 4, 2009
I'm calling it
Morales is going to have another 100+ RBI season
Teixeira Who? - December 4, 2009
allow me to one up you...
200 RBI season for K-Mo
SenorChuckles - December 4, 2009
and allow me to one up you...
80 HR, 240 RBI season for K-Mo.
yeah… suck on that!
howiestheman - December 4, 2009
Didn't we say the same thing about Woody a few months ago.
And at the same time claimed he wopuld win the Cy Young as well?
halofan4life - December 4, 2009
i reserve the right to forget/ignore my past stupid posts
but yeah, you’re probably right. =D
howiestheman - December 4, 2009
I thought those power stats and Cy Young award...
…were for Granderson?
sothball - December 4, 2009
Curtis Granderson?
is he available from the Detroit Tigers? Because, if he indeed is, I think the Angels should definitely look into trading for this young, exciting players.
howiestheman - December 4, 2009
...this young exciting players???
Does he have a twin? Damn…I was hesitant to support a trade for Granderson, but how can you pass up a 2 fer (…and yes, that’s what SHE said).
sothball - December 4, 2009
i think i got all 1866baseball
not too sure what happened there. =D
howiestheman - December 4, 2009
touche...
SenorChuckles - December 5, 2009
I'm completely torn on Figgy...
I’ll be sad to see him go, but not necessarily devastated.
Of course, if Wood turns out to be like McPherson, devastation could ensue.
bc56274 - December 4, 2009
for an extra million a year
figgins is willing to risk not going to the playoffs every year? that doesn`t make sense. seattle must have brain washed him into thinking they can beat us and texas in `10.
Rally Manatee - December 4, 2009 via mobile
Our initial offer was only 3 years...Seattle is offering 4...
It’s the 36 million guaranteed that he wants.
Nashdiesel - December 4, 2009
their GM is pretty capable
how far are they from taking this division? What if they told him they’re planning on doing X, Y, and Z this offseason and he’s convinced they’ve got us beat?
ihearhowie2.0 - December 4, 2009
Yawn
The Mariners are a 3rd-place team with or without Figgins. Heck, I’m happy to see them tie up that much of their payroll in a guy whose production may very well decline over the term of the deal.
I’ve loved having Chone Figgins on the Angels these past 7 years, but he’s just not worth that much going forward.
jjackflash - December 4, 2009
I tend to agree.
wumbug - December 4, 2009
Agreed.
Lets take those draft picks. Figgins is a real good player. But he is hardly replaceable. The only way I want him back is if we are able to trade Matthews and move Figgins into LF.
Jay Cal - December 4, 2009
For that price, SIGN HIM TONY!!!!!
That is far less than what people were predicting (5/50 ish) . To lose him for a few million is silly. ESPECIALLY to the AL West.
I don’t know what the Angels offer is, so the real question isn’t wether HE is a ‘traitor’, but ‘did the FO lowball him’?
Wally's World - December 4, 2009
Angels are offering 3 yrs 24 million
It’s not a “few million” to retain him it’s another 11-12 Million.
Nashdiesel - December 4, 2009
its about 1 million more per year, with 1 extra year.
Wally's World - December 4, 2009
So $13 million more.
snowhor - December 4, 2009
I love Figgy, I really do.
But if he opts to sign with the M’s, so be it. What we have to do is focus on re-signing Lackey and perhaps pulling off a trade for Halladay or signing another quality reliever to shore up our ’pen. And pray to the baseball gods that Brandon Wood is as good as advertised.
halofolife - December 4, 2009
Well Said.
10 27 02 - December 4, 2009
What if getting Halladay means giving up Wood?
We already told Toronto they can’t have Aybar. In my mind, the next logical step would be to ask for Wood. If we lose Figgy and Wood, we’re left with Izzy or Matt Brown at 3rd. I think we need to re-sign Figgins in order to trade for Halladay.
Rally Manatee - December 4, 2009
If Wood went in a deal for Halladay...
You still have Izturis. If they both were traded, why not go and get Beltre, Tejada, Glaus, Mora, Garciaparra? If that’s all you’re looking for… someone that can hadle the position, there are veterans there in that list. Or, stay cheap and work with Freddy Sandoval or Matt Brown. Either way, we wouldn’t be up shit creek, our FO knows what’s up.
matt92130 - December 4, 2009
If Halladay will only sign a long-term deal...
….with teams that train in Florida, he’s definitely not coming to the Halos.
mustard_man - December 5, 2009
I just read that too...
That’s retarded.
Only going to a team that trains in Florida….. F’n ridiculous and I don’t buy it.
matt92130 - December 5, 2009
Do you think figgy will get a call from the white sox some time soon?
SenorChuckles - December 4, 2009
no they already have Teahen
RaysOfHope - December 4, 2009
so maybe OF?
Dye is gone, Quentin or Jones would DH. giving a spot open for Figgy.
SenorChuckles - December 4, 2009
they have no money to spend
Rios, Peavy contracts took Figgy off the table for them
ihearhowie2.0 - December 4, 2009
I still dont know why they got Rios.
SenorChuckles - December 4, 2009
On one hand
Its great that he’s no longer a priority and we can pursue Lackey and Bay a bit harder. Meanwhile, Wood finally gets his shot at a full season and, hopefully, will be a pleasant surprise like K-Mo was in 09.
On the other hand it sucks that he’s still in the AL let alone the AL West.
We’ll miss him.
TheAntiSox - December 4, 2009
BWood Era
Signing Figgins doesn’t make the Mariners the winners of the West. They still lack pitching depth behind King Felix and have lost their #3 and 4 hitters – unless they re-sign them. But committing $9M / year to a slap hitter means less to spend on what they really need.
Wood is not McPherson. He’s a much better defensive player and just needs the opportunity. Jason Bay hadn’t progressed past AA at 24 while Brandon has played 3 years at AAA already at 24 and look where Bay is at today.
ksangel - December 4, 2009
Thanks for memories Chone
It’s been fun watching you all these years, but it’s time for both sides to move on.
Great move by the Angels. That money is better allocated elsewhere.
matt92130 - December 4, 2009
Does this shut the door on Halladay too?
Now that Figgy is leaving it seems that Wood isn’t expendable. Brandon’s name is always in the Halladay trade talks and it doesn’t look like they would be able to strike a deal without sending him to Toronto.
TheAntiSox - December 4, 2009
I think its fair to assume that Halladay would still be available
Depending on how much we’d be willing to give up, minus Brandon Wood.
halofolife - December 4, 2009
Yeah and Aybar
TheAntiSox - December 4, 2009
Wood is still expendable if we need him to trade for Halladay
I’ll take Matt Brown at 3B if we have Halladay.
Jay Cal - December 4, 2009
Yikes
Unlike Wood, Brown still has a lot to prove in the minors. If takes Wood, Napoli, and/or Aybar to get Halladay then I say forget it.
TheAntiSox - December 4, 2009
I guess this is where you and I disagree
Brown isn’t the answer, but certainly Izturis could do an adequate job at 3B, right?
Jay Cal - December 4, 2009
For the time being
Sure, Izzy would be fine.
TheAntiSox - December 4, 2009
Yeah, Wood, Aybar and Naps for one year of Halladay would be a pretty stupid trade to make.
snowhor - December 4, 2009
I dont think the Jays GM is that stupid.
he has said he wants an Arm, a Bat, top prospect, and a decent prospect. All Ninja has to do is put the pieces together.
SenorChuckles - December 4, 2009
We'd need to negotiate an extension first.
If we can get multiple years for those guys, I MIGHT do it. But still, I’d really like to see what Wood and Naps can do with 500+ ABs in Halo red.
Rally Manatee - December 4, 2009
you mean freddy sandoval...
: p
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - December 4, 2009
Still Trade for Halladay
If we need to include Wood to get Halladay, there are plenty of FA Third Basemen on the market who’d play for less than it would take to sign Figgy ( I think the Q man is still a FA).
Not that I’d rather have any of them, but having a genuine ACE starter would be NAILS in the playoffs! See if Roy will sign a 4 yr deal with an option yr. Now lets go beat NY!
AngryFan - December 4, 2009
my guess is that it will make it pretty tough
ihearhowie2.0 - December 4, 2009
Seattle always signs away all our trash
see Spiezio, Scott and Washburn, Jarrod
I’m ok with it because it makes them better now, but 2 years from now they will surely regret it.
blochead - December 4, 2009
Shigetoshi Hasegawa
AngryFan - December 4, 2009
Jake Woods
Slasher52 - December 4, 2009
Aaron Sele
He was their trash once, then ours, then theirs again.
Rally Manatee - December 4, 2009
Sele was the AL West whore
Except the A’s, I think. Has there ever been a player that has played for an entire division?
Slasher52 - December 4, 2009
Win
Jay Cal - December 5, 2009
Meh
I just don’t like that he’s going to the M’s. Otherwise, meh. The time for Brandon Wood has come!
Clutch - December 4, 2009
Keep in mind, guys, too
That IF the M’s don’t sign a BETTER free agent after Figgins…
The 18th pick of the 2010 MLB Draft IS OURS!
Clutch - December 4, 2009
that's what I'm hoping for.
Assuming that the Ms don’t sign Bay, Holliday, or Lackey, then who out there will circumvent the Angels for getting the 18th pick.
Jay Cal - December 4, 2009
Well if they sign Lackey we'd still get the pick
Clutch - December 4, 2009
Just have to worry about Bay or Holliday then
I don’t see them signing Holliday, but Bay…you never know.
Clutch - December 4, 2009
I don't see it happening.
I thought the Ms would sign Matsui though. And make a trade with Oakland for Kurt Suzuki. I want a team comprise mostly of Japanese Players.
Jay Cal - December 4, 2009
I thought Kurt was Hawaiian.
Rally Manatee - December 4, 2009
perhaps
but with a last name like Suzuki, he’s got to be part Japanese. My friend is full blooded Japanese, but tells people he’s Hawaiian because he has family that lives there. No exactly accurate, but not wrong either.
Jay Cal - December 5, 2009
Probably part Japanese
I have a friend who, similarly, has a Japanese last name but considers himself Hawaiian as he is, in fact, half-Hawaiian. Would probably be the same for Suzuki then.
Clutch - December 5, 2009
Right
But I highly doubt Lackey signs with the Ms.
Jay Cal - December 4, 2009
Lackey to the Mets is what im hoping for.
SenorChuckles - December 4, 2009
Hells yeah
We’d grab their draft pick too.
Jay Cal - December 4, 2009
The mets pick is pretected
We’d get their 2nd round pick instead
Epic Dean - December 4, 2009
*protected
Epic Dean - December 4, 2009
but pretected sounds much safer.
SenorChuckles - December 4, 2009
Cool
Time to start my home pretection business then
Epic Dean - December 4, 2009
I get 25% of profits then :)
SenorChuckles - December 4, 2009
And a samich pick too
Right?
Jay Cal - December 4, 2009
Yup
mmmmmmmmmmm samich
Epic Dean - December 4, 2009
We're going to re-stock the farm
this years draft.
Jay Cal - December 4, 2009
Right.
The highest payrolled, perrenial losers. That sounds right up his alley.
Rally Manatee - December 4, 2009
Lackey's gonna sign with the team that offers the most.
Mets, skanks, bosux or the M’s. Thats what’s so hilarious with FA’s. They all claim its about going to a team with a chance to win, when in reality its all about the Benjamins. Remember how A-Roid turned around the rangers and won a ring?
halofolife - December 4, 2009
If the Red Sox dont go after Lackey, why should the Yankees.
SenorChuckles - December 4, 2009
assuming the Red Sox dont go after Lackey that is.
SenorChuckles - December 4, 2009
I meant he's gonna chase the big money contract.
Not that his choice of FA destination is limited to these clubs alone.
halofolife - December 4, 2009
This is going to backfire badly for the M's if this goes through.
clover_black - December 4, 2009
Don't tell them.
Better them than us.
wumbug - December 4, 2009
LOL
agreed.
Jay Cal - December 4, 2009
The chance for regression is there, but Figgins has a skillset that ages pretty well.
And if the contract is $9 million/year, then I’m all for it. He only has to be a 2+ win/year player to be more than worth that contract, and that shouldn’t be too hard for him.
The fourth year does worry me a bit, though.
JLProck - December 4, 2009
I'm with you.
He might not be what he is today in his 4th year, but I see no reason for a dramatic fall off over the next 3 years. Good to great “D”, lots of hits, good OBP, and good steals (lots of CS too).
I’m conflicted. Figgy is great, came up with the Angels (yes, I know we got him for Kim Bartee in one of the best trades ever short of Jose Guillen for Izturis and Rivera), and I’ll miss him. However, ever since the Angels drafted Brandon Wood, I’ve been hoping that he’ll get his chance and rake.
Of course, I said the same thing about Dallas McPherson replacing Troy Glaus. Lordy, I hope history doesn’t repeat itself.
Slasher52 - December 4, 2009
Speed is NOT a skill set that ages well.
Stirrups - December 4, 2009
wrong
Wally's World - December 4, 2009
explain
I mean, as a general proposition, you slow down as you get older.
jjackflash - December 4, 2009
hey watch it
1. i resemble that remark
and
2. you are making too much sense…
Rev Halofan - December 4, 2009
Ichiro, posednick, Henderson, Abreu, off the top of my head.
His contract ( at 4 years) would run till he is 35/36. not 40/41.
Wally's World - December 5, 2009
Yeah I thought this was more or less common knowledge
linkbruin - December 4, 2009
Right. This rare time, incredible so...
Stirrups - December 4, 2009
Rickey Henderson would like a word with you.
66 steals and 118 BB at age 39. Figgins appears to be a very similar player; no where near as good, but still the same skill set minus the power.
JLProck - December 4, 2009
That is the exception
not the rule.
PhiSlamma - December 4, 2009
You give me Ricky Henderson. I give you...
Ato Boldon
Carl Lewis
Linford Christie
Donovan Bailey
Maurice Green
Kenny Lofton
Luis Aparicio
Vince Coleman
Tony Womack
Not to mention the numbers 62, 52, 41, 34, 42…
Stirrups - December 4, 2009
Otis Nixon stole 252 bases from his age 32 season to his age 36 season.
Maury Wills… 253.
Ozzie Smith… 196.
Lou Brock… 371.
These are obviously some of the best base stealers of all-time, and Figgins is no where near this level of good. But he appears to be a very smart base runner, and that’s a key factor when it comes to being fast on the basepaths.
JLProck - December 4, 2009
I'll take your
Lofton= avg. about 25 per yr.
Coleman= avg. about 35 per yr.
Womack = injuries ( you can’t just assume he will be injured, by that logic we shouldn’t resign Lackey either.)
Aparicio = about 20 per yr.
and those are just the 4 i looked up.
Wally's World - December 5, 2009
average what?
you mean average stolen bases? I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Vince Coleman’s SB totals for his ages 32-35 seasons: 50, 42, 12, zero, DNP (and that was a HUGE dropoff from early in his career…in other words, it’s evidence that he lost his speed).
Lofton: 25, 30, 16, 29, 30 (a big dropoff from his younger years).
Aparicio: 25, 18, 17, 24 (about HALF of what he was doing beforehand).
So if you’re trying to use these guys as examples of players who didn’t slow down, you couldn’t be more wrong. Each and every one of these speedsters suffered a tremendous decline in SBs starting around age 32.
Try again.
jjackflash - December 5, 2009
Fair Comparison
comparing Figgins to a 1st ballot HOFer, possibly the greatest leadoff hitter ever. That’s what made Rickey Henderson Rickey Henderson, as Rickey Henderson would say.
jjackflash - December 5, 2009
Check it.
Meanwhile Shannon Drayer of ESPN Seattle says the deal is “all but done” but most likely will not be announced today.
SenorChuckles - December 4, 2009
Figgy an M?
If Figgins signs with the M’s, well, then “good-by”….we won’t miss his .085 playoff batting average and it is a pretty sure bet Figgy will never get another chance to improve it.
angelmike - December 4, 2009
I say nice knowing ya..
I would take the money and run too if I was in his shoes, just like everyone else here.. Anyone who disagree is either full of it or already a million aire! Bring on Wood so we can finally see what this guy is made of..
Anaslime - December 4, 2009
Absolutely not full of it.
I seriously can’t fathom how, when making near EIGHT figures a year, a player (Figgins) chooses an extra million or two to play and live in a terrible environment. My desire to stay with a winning franchise (one that I’ve already spent 7 season with) would absolutely be worth more than a couple of extra million. How rich is rich enough? Can Mark Teixiera actually feel the impact the extra cash he got from the Yanks is having on his life? Doubt it. I’d leave money on the table in a heartbeat if it meant I could stay in the same city, keep with the same teammates/friends, continue to develop roots in the community, and continue to be cheered on by the same fan base. Am I alone?
PitPerc - December 4, 2009
not at all
Blaze453 - December 4, 2009
How is Seattle a terrible environment?
Great ballpark, beautiful city and area, relatively new GM and manager bringing needed direction to the team…what’s there not to like? Don’t get me wrong, I’m Angels through and through, but Seattle isn’t exactly Kansas City or Washington, for that matter.
Slasher52 - December 4, 2009
I think the Mariners have concluded that to beat the Angels they have to be the Angels.
44FAN - December 4, 2009
Does that mean we're going to sign Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui?
That would be one old outfield! JK, BTW.
Slasher52 - December 4, 2009
Which will piss off the Lookout Landing crew endlessly.
Might be worth it to have them spend a season pulling for “pussy hits”.
Stirrups - December 4, 2009
I predict a clubhouse chemistry problem when Figgy starts to steal thunder
away from an aging Ichiro.
44FAN - December 4, 2009
We got used to "Angels' Baseball" last year.
We’re a bit used to it by now.
Read bullet point #3
JLProck - December 4, 2009
The last bullet is funniest.
Yeah, sure. NOW you knuckleheads discover some dignity.
Stirrups - December 5, 2009
Dignity, schmignity.
JLProck - December 5, 2009
I'm witchu
3 years at $8 mill on winning team would be better than 4 at $9 on a losing team. I know I would stick with the Angels if I were him.
Rally Manatee - December 4, 2009
surprised with all the figgins hate coming out from this
no player is perfect. he was a great angel and never did anything but what he was asked to do, and he did it well.
a lot of our fans are arrogant. Why is everyone SO sure that Figgins will all of a sudden be terrible for another team and we’ll just keep winning every year? Don’t take winning for granted…
ihearhowie2.0 - December 4, 2009
No hate here...
just really happy we didn’t sign another Darin Erstad or GMJ type contract….now if we can only ensure that Izturis doesn’t play at 3b we’ll be fine.
Nashdiesel - December 4, 2009
I'll happily accept Izturis
If Wood is playing in Toronto and Halladay is pitching in Anaheim.
Jay Cal - December 4, 2009
dont be surprised if Izturis works his way into half the ABs at third
Scioscia’s job is to win games, not develop players. If Wood is hitting .215 through May, I’d look for the mouse to take over.
ihearhowie2.0 - December 4, 2009
And I really don't have a problem with that.
Mice-Tits isn’t a bad player. If Wood isn’t producing, then so be it.
Jay Cal - December 4, 2009
The dude hit .300 last year
and nearly .400 with RISP. Aybar, Izturis, Kendrick, Morales? I’m really okay with that (as long as our outfielders can provide some power).
Teixeira Who? - December 4, 2009
Izzy leading off
makes just as much sense as Aybar. Maybe even more sense. Last year, he scored more runs and drove in more runs in a lot fewer ABs. He had more pop last year too. I honestly hadn’t considered Izzy as the lead-off hitter until now. Maybe Wood and co. for Halladay should be done.
Rally Manatee - December 4, 2009
i think he will stay backup scocia seems stuck with aybar being in the lineup every night
TheAngelsColts - December 4, 2009
I'm thinking more like
if Wood gets traded. We’d have both Izzy and Aybar in the lineup.
Rally Manatee - December 4, 2009
idk i dont see him getting traded especially with the news that figgy is gone
if they were going to trade him they would have kept figgy i think. personally they didn’t try had to keep him cause they could have payed him what marinars did and not hurt them to bad unless they are going after lackey or holladay hard
TheAngelsColts - December 4, 2009
yes-- this.
Why isn’t Toronto asking about Izturis. He played the entire left side of the pitching mound for us, didn’t he?
2B, SS, 3B. Hell I think he played LF too.
Jay Cal - December 5, 2009
I love everything Figgy has done here
but he’s the wrong side of 30 and slowing down. I think the $9mil a year is better spent elsewhere
Epic Dean - December 4, 2009
The team gave $9m a year to Abreau and he's 36!
mustard_man - December 4, 2009
The team gave 18 million to Abreu...
and Figgins wants 36. It’s the length of the contract that’s the issue.
Nashdiesel - December 4, 2009
If you are going to count contract years, then you also have to count player age
The point is that Figgins is 4 years YOUNGER. Figgins will be 36 when a new 4-year deal ends, Abreu will be 38 when his two year deal ends. Figgins has more good days in front of him than Abreu does.
mustard_man - December 5, 2009
Abreu had 100 RBI
consistently.
Jay Cal - December 5, 2009
I am not hating
I am glad for figgy.. In the end it all works out we can get excited to finally see what Wood can do and it free’s up more money for Arte. The type of play changes for the team and they can now become more focused on the direction they want to go. As far as Figgy, I hope he enjoyed the postseason because he will never be in one again.
Anaslime - December 4, 2009
+1
Those that do are always looking for the next bestest thing (Wood), and disregard the reality of what losing him will mean.
Wally's World - December 4, 2009
Interesting.
With all the photons posted here over the past 4 months concerning Figgy’s obvious destiny being elsewhere and how that is to the Halos’ strategic advantage in so many ways (not to mention the future of Brandon Wood), I find it odd that prevailing opinion is BOTH to let Figgy go AND to dictate where he goes when he does.
Stirrups - December 4, 2009
I blame fantasy baseball for this.
44FAN - December 4, 2009
The only honest option anyone here can pick is to be asked later
Right now, no he is not. He has given us his best years and his only all-star year. He’s earned the opportunity to get paid. We aren’t in a position to outbid for him and we have Brandon Wood and other options to replace him.
However, if September rolls around and the Mariners are ahead of us or on our ass, Brandon Wood is a bust, Maicer is on the DL, and Figgins is hittin .310 with 35 SBs and 100+ runs scored, EVERYONE HERE WILL THINK HE’S A TRAITOR.
That’s just how this works. Overall though, I think all of us here in Anaheim will respect him for a while.
Commander_Nate - December 4, 2009
We are losing all our midget players...
44FAN - December 4, 2009
At least we still have
Willits, Izturis and Amarista.
blochead - December 4, 2009
Willits is a free agent I thought.
44FAN - December 4, 2009
nope
Balls and Strikes - December 4, 2009
wishful thinking
blochead - December 4, 2009
The concern I have is going to be based more on lineup construction than anything else
The loss of him a the top of the order is going to be hard to replace. Lead off bats are hard to find, especially at 3B.
This will really change the everyday dynamic of the lineup
laxtonto - December 4, 2009
So what are we looking at?
ss-Aybar
rf-Abreu
cf- Hunter
1b-Morales
lf- Rivera
2b-Kendrick
DH-Napoli
3b-Wood
c-Mathis
Thats not bad, but not overly impressive either.
Balls and Strikes - December 4, 2009
I think it looks good
but I definately think Figgins gone and possibly Lackey will open up a bid for Bay, or at the very least vladdy thrown in the DH slot.
Anaslime - December 4, 2009
Abreu will lead off...
OH BUT BHARV! HES LIKE 35~!
One word: Yankees.
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - December 4, 2009
That's dumb.
Then where does Aybar hit? You want him behind Abreu? Or do you want a bottom 3 of Wood/Aybar/Mathis? That’s just bad. Aybar isn’t an ideal lead-off hitter, but it’s better to keep him there, and have Abreu hit behind him.
Rally Manatee - December 4, 2009
has good speed and baserunning has gotten better. also gets on base pretty consistantly
TheAngelsColts - December 4, 2009
Abreu leading off and a bottom 3 of Wood/Aybar/Mathis doesn't sound dumb to be
It seems logical to give more ABs to your more productive hitters like Abreu and Kendrick than to your less productive hitters.
stolenbases - December 4, 2009
i see your point but i do think aybar would work well in the twop two at least
TheAngelsColts - December 4, 2009
You put Aybar in the 9 hole.
So the lineup rolls over like it did with AK hitting 9th and Eckstein hitting 1st.
halofan4life - December 4, 2009
ss-Aybar
rf-Abreu
cf- Hunter
1b-Morales
lf- Bay
2b-Kendrick
DH-Rivera
3b-Wood
c-Mathis
The Blake Griffin Era - December 4, 2009
and Napoli is.....?
howiestheman - December 4, 2009
Toronto
as part of a package for Halladay.
Jay Cal - December 5, 2009
killer screenname dude...welcome to HH.
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - December 5, 2009
it may have already been said, but im not reading 92 comments...
the mariners signing figgins does not make them contenders to overtake the angels in the AL West. i would much rather figgy sign with M’s than the yankees, redsox, or one of the AL Central teams. we’ll be fine, figgy won’t be playing in october, and he will regret not staying for less.
expoforever - December 4, 2009
I wont regret it!!
Because when he sits down to watch the playoffs in october, it will be with a bigger wad of money in his pocket…. At the end of the day thats what these guys play for and I don’t blame them. They played for fun as kids now its a profession.
Anaslime - December 4, 2009
WOOPS HE WONT REGRET IT!!
Anaslime - December 4, 2009
You just assume that we will keep making the playoffs depending on unproven players?
See 2006.
Wally's World - December 4, 2009
Also see:
2004 (Chone Figgins, Kevin Gregg)
2005 (Ervin Santana, Dallas MacPherson)
2007 (Casey Kotchman, Howie Kendrick, Reggie Willits, Joe Saunders)
2008 (Erick Aybar, Jose Arredondo)
2009 (Kendry Morales, Jason Bulger, Kevin Jepsen)
mattwelch - December 4, 2009
Matt Welch FTW
howiestheman - December 4, 2009
good points but . . .
2004 Kevin Gregg? a middle reliever. Far far away from a top 5 leadoff hitter GG caliber D. in 2003 figgy showed what he was capable of. Wood has not. neither has anyone else yet shown they can be an effective leadoff hitter, though we can figure Abreu will get the job done if it is him. Or I really hope Aybar keeps growing and can do it. Maybe that is the plan.
2005. Mcwho? Santana is a starting pitcher. pretty much every year with every team there will be a rookie or two starting.
I give you 07
2008. Aybar platooned and hit 8th or 9th. Not a big deal. Arredondo was a pleasant surprise that definitely helped.
2009. Actually the best example to refute my statement. So I give that too.
Wally's World - December 5, 2009
Exactly laxonto.
And I’m curious… Why the traitor question? If it was the Red Sox maybe, but the Mariners?
They haven’t been competitive with us for 6 or 7 years it seems….
If the Angels only offered 3 years for 24 million then they’d only have themselves to blame for low-balling a team MVP type of player.
Jack Frost - December 4, 2009
I cant forget '95...
Most disappointing season ever. Somehow I blame the mariners for it especially Johnson and that bald dude… Buhner
Balls and Strikes - December 4, 2009
This just means one more problem for Texas
Now they will still have to compete with us and AND an average to good Seattle lineup.
Commander_Nate - December 4, 2009
Figgins at 9 million per just doesn't feel right...
He was really good this year, but otherwise he’s not exactly been an elite player.
hammerdog - December 4, 2009
couldnt agree more...
and hes aging. Its more likely to be downhill for Figgy from here on out than getting better.
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - December 4, 2009
Does $9m a year to Abreau feel right?
mustard_man - December 4, 2009
Who the hell is Abreau?
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - December 4, 2009
Yes because it was only for 2 years
and Abreu is a much better hitter and baserunner than Figgins.
Nashdiesel - December 4, 2009
Oh Abreu....
Yes, more consistent numbers and a shorter contract = yes, its fine.
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - December 4, 2009
yeah he's no Rickey Henderson
Anyone else hear that guy is saying he would take the field if anyone asked….
Balls and Strikes - December 7, 2009
HELLO? wake up hammerdog, it's 2009/2010!
Have you not noticed the abundance of players with far worse skill sets and #’s who have been making and will continue to make far more than 9 million per? At least Figgy has earned his payday, and deserves it.
Wally's World - December 4, 2009
WOULDNT LET ME MAKE A FANSHOT BUT IT IS OFFICIAL CHONE FIGGINS HAS SIGNED WITH THE MARINERS
TheAngelsColts - December 4, 2009
probably because there 3 out there already.
MAKE A FANPOST!!!
SenorChuckles - December 4, 2009
it should still let me but it didn't have an URL like it does when i go to do it at other sites
TheAngelsColts - December 4, 2009
and im saying it is no longer a question it is official
TheAngelsColts - December 4, 2009
official? They said they wont announce today.
Link FTW?
SenorChuckles - December 4, 2009
Do you have a link?
Teixeira Who? - December 4, 2009
post a link
here in the comments – unless you are in the room with Figgy, in that case, post a picture of him holding up the contract please
Rev Halofan - December 4, 2009
Or punch him in the crotch, either or.
Teixeira Who? - December 4, 2009
it came into a radio station and was said on the angels radio station via a diffrent station
trust me i didn’t really want it. i cant believe we couldnt spend 8 or 9 mill a year on him but i guess they decided to go with wood and mabye that means they are going to focus that money on lackey or some other free agent
TheAngelsColts - December 4, 2009
it came out via jim bowden
TheAngelsColts - December 4, 2009
Done
LAASurfin - December 4, 2009 via mobile
good
I am a 44 yr fan of the angels and I dont want the autry yrs to resurface. Every yr or 2 you need to bring along young guys it is woods turn :)
Blaze453 - December 4, 2009
FREEEEEEEEE BRANDON WOOOOOOOOD
this is just gonna bring the M’s even more pain in 2010… oh well, Lookout Landing is only entertaining when the self loathing is amped up to 11.
clover_black - December 4, 2009
wow they def. have two top speed threats though now
TheAngelsColts - December 4, 2009
Adios and Good Luck
to Figgins. I’ll miss him, but he obviously is not worth $9 million a year to the Angels. Keeping Figgins would have eliminated any possibility of keeping John Lackey and/or acquiring Roy Halladay in all likelihood, assuming the Angels stick to their plan not to really increase the payroll this year. As has been documented elsewhere, the Angels only have around $12-$15 million in free agency money to play with. Meanwhile, this gives Wood his chance. Just as importantly, I don’t think this move really improves the Mariners. They still have plenty of holes in the lineup, and no right side of the infield.
jjackflash - December 4, 2009
i think aybar is the likely replacment for leadoff and i see wood playing third now
TheAngelsColts - December 4, 2009
this distrubs me
it seems the Angels aren’t doing anything to improve the team and are letting all their players go. Ok guess we don’t want a championship caliber club letting pieces go and not adding seems like a bad strategy.
Angelsrthebest101 - December 4, 2009
How do you know they're not doing anything
Just because it’s not being reported doesn’t mean there isn’t stuff goin on behind the scenes
Epic Dean - December 4, 2009
Your post disturbs me.
clover_black - December 4, 2009
Where do these people come from? Jeez.
44FAN - December 4, 2009
Yeah, especially since the off-season is over now.
MLB changed the rules to say the Angels must make all of our roster moves by 12/4/09 for the 2010 season. All other teams may still do deals, though.
You’re right. We’re fucked.
snowhor - December 4, 2009
Damn
We blew it.
Slasher52 - December 4, 2009
son of a bee sting!
why wasn’t i aware of this?!
howiestheman - December 4, 2009
wow
what all angel fans want an old team let youth be served!!!!
Blaze453 - December 4, 2009
my favorite michael jackson quote.
… too soon?
clover_black - December 4, 2009
Nope, works for me!
Uh, the quote, not the action…aww shit. Nevermind.
Slasher52 - December 4, 2009
Yeah, letting Teixeira and K-Rod go was a disaster
Come back, Scott Spiezio!
mattwelch - December 4, 2009
panther
yeswecan - December 4, 2009
I'm watching all this.........
I read that the Angels offered $24MM for 3 years. I have to wonder: When and where does Brandon Wood play?
I cannot believe the Angels legitimately thought Figgins would accept $24/3, leaving our long-prized prospect on the bench or as trade bait. It makes more sense to me that it was a calculated token offer, knowing he would probably get more from someone else.
Taking everything I can into consideration, I believe they made the internal business decision to move on past the Figgins era long before our 2009 season ended, similar to what they did with KRod a year ago.
wumbug - December 5, 2009
Figgy would have played left, Rivera right, and Wood 3rd.
If Wood was a bust, Figgy could have been the insurance policy at 3rd.
mustard_man - December 5, 2009
Youre right
We should see if we can trade Kendry for Mark McGwire, Weaver for Sandy Koufax, Torii for Ted Williams head and Aybar for Ozzie.
Dude, do you remember the days of Chili Davis and Mo Vaughn? I will take young guys over these over the hill types any day of the week.
Balls and Strikes - December 7, 2009
Fairly early to assume that they're not going to add any pieces during the rest of this off season
HaloFanInDC - December 4, 2009
I'm still not entirely convinced that Figgy has really signed with the Ms.
Every article I have found just says they are close to a deal.
He probably has signed, but I really hope he hasn’t.
~MMP~ - December 4, 2009
TWITTER!
But yeah, hes gone.
PhiSlamma - December 4, 2009
Meh
The Erection Era has begun.
PhiSlamma - December 4, 2009
Become the Wood.
Slasher52 - December 4, 2009
Feel the Wood
Moondoggy - December 4, 2009
We got Wood
howiestheman - December 4, 2009
Wood finds the holes.
linkbruin - December 4, 2009
Wood doesn't like back door sliders.
Slasher52 - December 4, 2009
Wood really knows how to handle balls in on his hands.
PhiSlamma - December 4, 2009
Wood goes deep.
WiHaloFan - December 4, 2009
4Y @$36M could (taking a swag) be broke down the following way…
2010: 2.4 WAR @ $4.5M/WAR = $10.8M
2011: 2.05 WAR @ $4.75M/WAR = $9.74M
2012: 1.7 WAR @ $5M/WAR = $8.5M
2013: 1.35 WAR @ $5.25M/WAR = $7.09M
Total: 4 years at $36.125M
vr, Xei
Xeifrank - December 4, 2009
I haven't read everything here...
But I keep seeing Adrian Beltre’s name pop up in signing with the Angels. I really do not want that to happen. Unless Wood is packaged to Toronto to acquire Halladay, this just seems stupid to me.
Slasher52 - December 4, 2009
Im getting tired of baseball!!!
What happened to loyalty? Everytime a player hits free agency its another episode of show me the money!!! I love Figgins and I hope the Angels pony up enough to keep him. I think the Angels should match the 4/$36M…..thats what I thought he would get at the end of the season. But if he wants to go to Seattle for a few more bucks and start off hot every year only to fall back to their mediocre selves….go ahead. Oh yeah Figgy, where are you gonna bat in the order??? You had a good year because of Bobby and then fell apart in the playoffs. Go ahead and follow Frankie’s route, halfway through the 2010 season you will be wishing you were in southern Cali!!!
If Figgy leaves plug in Wood and let him get 500 at bats…..Wood might turn out to be Adam Dunn type of player!! Who cares if he bats .220, as long as he hits 35-40hr and 120 rbi’s.
Angels1223 - December 4, 2009
I would take $12 million more for my loyalty (which is how much more M's offered)
It’s free agency, just name of the game now.
linkbruin - December 4, 2009
Loyalty to who?
The fans? The owners? The manager? Why does any employee owe loyalty to an employer?
Give me a freaking break.
mustard_man - December 5, 2009
LA Times blog says Reagins hasn't been told they're out of picture
link
linkbruin - December 4, 2009
so lets say figgy is gone which according to what prompted me to say what i said he is.
who leads off now for us???? i say probably aybar with abreu staying hitting second assuming we dont pick up a bat which is still possible
TheAngelsColts - December 4, 2009
Not done yet.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/12/mariners-on-verge-of-signing-chone-figgins.html
6:52pm: Larry LaRue of The News Tribune says the Mariners need to wait until at least Monday to finalize the deal. Why Monday, you ask? Because that’s the deadline for free agents to accept arbitration, and they have to make sure Adrian Beltre declines before proceeding with Figgins.
Rally Manatee - December 4, 2009
well cause technically they still have to wait to see the physical and figgy still has to decline arbitration officially which is what he does anyway with signing with someone else
TheAngelsColts - December 4, 2009
I will miss Figgy, but it is time to see what Wood can do
I feel as long as Wood can stay healthy, this will help the Angels in the long run. Wood will strikeout a lot and hit for a low average, but he has the potential to develop into a 25+ home run hitter with adequate defense at 3B.Equally important is that he will be super cheap and under club control for awhile which will allow the Angels to spend their money upgrading elsewhere. Even if Wood fails miserably we have Maicer.
With 2 back up options in Wood and Maicer, I feel this is a very wise use of resources by the Angels.
stolenbases - December 4, 2009
agreed!
Blaze453 - December 4, 2009
Looks like there's still time for the Angels to counter-offer.
I’m really torn on this. I really want to see Wood play, but I also don’t think we have a viable replacement for Figgins in the lead-off spot. I’m really growing fond of the idea of re-signing Figgy to play LF, put wood at 3rd, and rotate Rivera and Abreu at DH.
Rally Manatee - December 4, 2009
i like
this.
feNOMINAL - December 4, 2009
I wouldn’t worry too much about the “leadoff” thing. Batting order doesn’t matter that much as long as you aren’t doing crazy things like hitting all your worst hitters first and best hitters last.
vr, Xei
Xeifrank - December 4, 2009
Well, Figgins isnt an option
he signed for more years for more money on a different team.
Batting order only matters the first inning while OPS matters the whole game.
You wont miss Figgins, I promise.
PhiSlamma - December 4, 2009
It's not official yet. Ninja could still do something over the weekend
Epic Dean - December 4, 2009
I agree
that would be a nice option, but I don’t want Figgy if it means Lackey has to go.
We need Lackey more that Figgy.
The Blake Griffin Era - December 4, 2009
Don't think this deal is gonna happen
The Mariners offered arbitration to Beltre. He made $12M last year, which means he’s guaranteed $10M in arbitration. No one else is going to offer him close to that. There’s almost no chance he turns it down. If he accepts, you can forget about Figgins in Seattle.
Suboptimal - December 4, 2009
As a Boras client
I bet you Beltre tests the market.
Rev Halofan - December 4, 2009
Looks like you're right
Damn that man is a high roller.
Suboptimal - December 4, 2009
He's not guaranteed anything in arbitration
As a free agent he can be offered anything by his present team. The 20% pay cut only applies to non-free agent arbitration players.
WiHaloFan - December 4, 2009
Farewell to FIggy
It’s time to start the Brandon Wood era. I was a big Figgy fan, but we need that money to get an Ace, hopefully we can resign Lackey now.
The Blake Griffin Era - December 4, 2009
If Figgins becomes a Mariner, watch for the 180 degree flip-flop in Mariner land
Mariners’ Fan (for the past six years): I HATE F******* Chone Figgins!!!!!! Chone?? Chone? Isn’t it Sean??? F**** Chone!!! That &*&$^#% pest!!! That stupid &#^$%#^# !!!
Mariners’ Fan (after the signing): Chone Figgins is AWESOME!!!! The best!!! Just the best!!! I love him!! I LOVE HIM!!!! <3 CHONE!!!!!
[M Fan proceeds to tear off the “Beltre” on the back of his jersey and slaps on the name “Figgins”.]
(Note: In respect of Rev’s F-bomb rules, I avoided using the actual derogatory language that has been hurled at Figgins over the years by angry, petulant Mariner fans.)
XYZ123 - December 4, 2009
It has already happened. Already a new rule posted.
Making fun of his name has now become “stupid”, and not allowed.
Stirrups - December 4, 2009
My hate for Figgins was based solely on him being a useful player for the Angels.
It was more of a hate for the uniform, not the player.
JLProck - December 4, 2009
Do not ask what is it
Let us go and make our postseason visit
Rev Halofan - December 5, 2009
Don't hate the playa, hate the game.
44FAN - December 5, 2009
spanish for underware
Figgy tends to slump twice a year always in crucial times. see 09 alcs. Izzy can cover third no problem… B wood will not be the next k-mo or troy glaus. He is more likely to be the next robb quinlan! As for pitching this does free up monies to re-sign Lackey, but why would they? His attitude has gone to S*** , and has turned down every offer the Halos have thrown at him, I will assume Arte and tony will moved past him retaining our Pro-am 09 roster…. but this will also allow them to bring back what will be the Halo in the HOF #27
never forget '86 - December 5, 2009
LACKEY has NOT turned downevery offer
Prior to the start of the 2006 season, he gave the Angels a below market value contract of 4 years, $26 Million buying out two years of arbitration and two years of free agency.
PLEASE do not talk about what you DO NOT KNOW ABOUT.
Rev Halofan - December 5, 2009
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