I'll start out with the futility of trading for a first baseman. Let's assume that guys like Pujols, Votto, Adrian Gonzalez, Miguel Cabrera, and the ugly guy in Boston are not in play. Prince Fielder is a great hitter, but what do you do with him next year when Kendry comes back? Plus Fielder would cost a ton of prospects, so let's assume he's not going to be an Angel. There are a few first basemen who fit into the rental category. Here they are along with their projected linear weights runs above average per 150 games:
Lance Berkman +17
Adam Dunn +20
Paul Konerko +16
Derrek Lee +11
Adam LaRoche +3
The guy we have right now, Mike Napoli, projects at +17. He's just as good with the bat as this crew and to my complete surprise, can field at first base. We could spend a lot of money and surrender minor league depth to put a different (not better) first baseman out there, but why anyone thinks this is a good idea is beyond me.
How about third base? This is another position where the really good guys are not available. There's no way on earth we can get David Wright, Evan Longoria, or Ryan Zimmerman. On one hand, you've got once promising players who have played their way off major league rosters like Hank Blalock and Edwin "EE-5" Encarnacion. Then you've got once great, but now shadows of themselves like Mike Lowell and Miguel Tejada. There is Jorge Cantu in Florida, but he's just an average hitter and a terrible fielder. I see no reason to dip into this pool when we can just get some high OBP from Kevin Frandsen, who shall not whiff, and Maicer Izturis, when he gets better.
I do have a few proposals though.
1. Trade Hank Conger, Will Smith, and a player to be named later to Kansas City for David Dejesus. Dejesus projects as a +9 hitter and a +10 fielder. He has range we could sorely use in the outfield corners, and could lead off or bat second. He's having a career year, hitting .331. He gets on base, can play all three outfield positions, and has a strong throwing arm. He also has a cheap option for a 2011 contract.
2. Trade Juan Rivera and a Rich Thompson to San Diego for Heath Bell. San Diego has a ridiculous number of no-name dominant relievers, just like we used to. Maybe it has something to do with Bud Black. Bud can probably make Rich into another. Meanwhile, we get a reliever we can trust right now to bump Fuentes out of the 9th inning. San Diego left fielders have combined to hit .196 with a .582 OPS, so Rivera would be a good fit for them and expendable for us if we got DeJesus.
Make the deals, and let's get back into the flag flying business.
0 recs | 48 comments
This is a stupid question, but
Are you Chone Smith by any chance?
blochead - July 1, 2010
he is
Rev Halofan - July 1, 2010
Cool thanks
It wasn’t stated outright in his profile, but it has a link to his projections site.
blochead - July 1, 2010
How'd
you figure that out?
Figgi4life - July 1, 2010
Yup
One and the same.
RallyMonkey5 - July 2, 2010
Hell no!
Keep Nap and forget the trade deadline. I still think Angels get the division with what they have. But it’s going to take a super hot streak to go deep in the post season. But no matter who they could go out and get, it wouldn’t change anything.
So hell no.
Monkeyspanked - July 1, 2010
We Will Win With What We Got!
norcaliangelsfan - July 2, 2010
Why get Bell...
when Lee can throw CGs :D
SenorChuckles - July 1, 2010
Kaz Conger and PTBNL for Lee?
Not that Seattle would go for it
red floyd - July 1, 2010
Maybe...
I really don’t think our offense is much of a concern. Every game, including tonight, indicates we need pitchers.
Commander_Nate - July 1, 2010
Argh, reply fail
Commander_Nate - July 1, 2010
I'm thinking Kaz has zero appeal for any team right now.
AlohaHalofan - July 1, 2010
is Conger rated higher than the Twins’ Ramos and the Yankees’ Montero? Why wouldn’t Seattle go for Kaz, they traded for Ian Snell, signed Bedard again, and enjoyed Washburn. Seattle would love our left overs. Give ’em Trumbo for their trouble.
SenorChuckles - July 1, 2010
Modify pitching if anything
leave everything else alone for now
NA1NSXR - July 1, 2010
These are at least well thought out.
To be honest, I really don’t like #1 at all. I think Conger should be off limits.
Number two I would like if you replaced Rivera with WIlson or Budde or something like that. Bell is great and I actually would like us to go after him, but giving up a decent pitching prospect and an everyday power hitter for one reliever doesn’t seem like a good idea. If I’m not mistaken, SD needs catching as well and Wilson or Budde are about as MLB ready as they’re going to be.
Commander_Nate - July 1, 2010
How about Juancho in the proposed DeJesus trade, OF for OF?
red floyd - July 1, 2010
See reply fail above
Laptop touchpad strikes again
Commander_Nate - July 1, 2010
I was thinking
The Royals wouldn’t want a veteran outfielder, that if they trade DeJesus for younger players that opens up an OF spot so they can finally have space for Alex Gordon. Of course, to play Gordon now all they have to do is sit Podsednik.
I honestly don’t know what the Royals are smoking these days.
RallyMonkey5 - July 2, 2010
“everyday power hitter” must be a loose term.
Gorbachav5 - July 1, 2010
I'm thinking in terms of career/full season numbers
Juan’s always been much hotter in the 2nd half of the season and has finished in the mid-20’s in HR in his previous 2 full seasons. He’ll finish with 20+ again this year unless this eye problem he has now turns out to be serious.
Commander_Nate - July 2, 2010
Wonder why I have not heard about this eye problem until about an hour ago?
Weird. Nobody fan-shot it?
Downing Rules - July 2, 2010
I was going to write the exact same trade opportunity in tomorrow's Halolinks.
Trade Rivera to SD for relief, trade Conger to KC for DeJesus
WiHaloFan - July 1, 2010
I would want Heath Bell
100% yes on Heath Bell, but I don’t think he’s on the block. There’s no one really to replace him.
Slyintine - July 1, 2010
On second thought
The Padres have a bunch of power arms in the bullpen, and Heath Bell has been solid, but giving up a lot of hits/walks. Maybe we can put up a package for Bell.
I’m just worried about picking up any pitcher from San Diego based on unweighted stats.
Slyintine - July 1, 2010
do you really think the pads would give up bell??
their currently sitting in first place. I agree that we should trade for pitching and leave third and first alone…but david dejesus??? c’mon!
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - July 1, 2010
W6G
halofan4life - July 1, 2010 via mobile
^ that ^
old skool
Rev Halofan - July 1, 2010
heck yeah!
stuck in Romania - July 1, 2010
because NOWWWG
No one wants what we`ve got. But that`s ok. I`m still optimistic.
Rally Manatee - July 2, 2010 via mobile
^ That too ^
halofolife - July 2, 2010
until we give up on them
then they seem to be the HOTTEST chick at the prom.
rmhalofan - July 2, 2010
Not necessarily.
Things just need to be juggled so their stuff plays up. B. Wood is starting to play with a sense of urgency because his job is now in jeopardy with the emergence of Frandsen. He said in a preseason interview that he was comfortable knowing he COULDN’T be sent back down. And Sosh said in another interview that that attitude could hurt Brandon. Well, we saw it happen. Wood got “hurt” and got sent back down, in that time Izzy and Frandsen showed Wood how you keep a job. Wood comes back and is finally swinging the bat with some fire.
We fans see the rotation as:
1. Weaver
2. Santana
3. Piniero
4a. Saunders
4b. Kaz
Someone posted here before that the way the rotation is set up is not just to take away consecutive lefty starters, but to throw out strikeout pitcher, then ground ball pitcher etc. and so forth. So line them up like this
1. Weaver (duh)
2. Piniero (Weave has shown a new ability to “K” guys like crazy, so groundball guy next)
3. Saunders (Hear me out. He’s been pitching against number two starters so far this year, problem is he is pitching like a spot starter 50% of the time. Let him face some less intimidating pitching, marginally less I know, and our bats can probably get him some more run support)
4. Santana (ground ball pitcher followed by a strikeout pitcher)
5. Kaz (Leave him here in the 5 spot. Let our shit face someone elses shit and let the chips fall where they may)
In the ‘pen, maybe we do need to start auditioning guys like Kohn and Thompson. Or start putting guys in roles where there stuff plays up. Rodney absolutely DOMINATED as the closer when Fuentes was on the DL. And like Tiger fans have said, he’s great as a closer, and extremely shaky as anything else. so:
CL. Rodney
SU. Fuentes
7th. Jepsen
Cleanup crew. Shields, Bell, yada yada yada.
This let’s Sosh chang speeds and eye levels instead of having Jepsen and Rodney go back to back. Or, you know, flip Jepsen and Fuentes (which is what I would rather do)
The pieces are in place to win with this team. Especially with how winnable this division is, after that is the crapshoot playoffs where it is anybody’s ball game. We have pieces to trade (Conger, Borjous, Trout, Richards), but I don’t think that Ninja NEEDS to move them, because of….well…..W6G.
halofan4life - July 2, 2010
Great ideas
I like not having Weaver-Santana back to back and not having Saundo-Kaz back to back. Spread out the good and spread out the suck. The one think I disagree with is your bullpen. Fuentes should focus on what he is good at, getting out lefties. Rodney as closer, Jepsen as 8th, and leave the 7th an open competition at the beginning. I like Bulger more than most and when he comes back see if he can do it, or if 2.0/Thompson/Kohn (if up) can win it.
sctrojan13 - July 3, 2010
I'm guessing Prince Fielder's linear weight is much higher than most players.
~MMP~ - July 1, 2010
Sorry man, have you been watching Heath Bell?
The numbers are not indicative of his performance. He’s been a heart attack in most of his appearances. I don’t think we need DeJesus this season, our OF defense isn’t great but it’s not the big problem. It’s holding leads.
Among the most uneducated assessments of the current state of the Angels are ones that declare we need a first basemen and a 3rd basemen and a middle of the order bat. Napoli hits like a first basemen and plays solid defense there. Frandsen is just flat out a hitter. The man hits the ball, it’s what he was born to do. It doesn’t matter where we put him or who he is facing he just doesn’t swing and miss. Couple him with Wood and Izzy and we don’t need anyone, we’re actually completely full on the infield. The greatest shame for me as a fan is that we can’t have Wood, Napoli, Aybar, Kendrick, Frandsen and Izzy all playing at the same time. I love them all.
Halowood - July 2, 2010
No more heart attacks!
If you`re right about Bell, and I have no reason to believe you`re wrong, we need to pass on him. Watching Rodney flounder through the 8th, knowing full well that we still have to endure Fuentes in the 9th is almost unbearable.
I also agree that 1st and 3rd are not our biggest areas of need, but I disagree on your love list. Wood has not won my heart yet.
Rally Manatee - July 2, 2010 via mobile
do not trade conger
i hope we trade NO ONE. and the idea that adam laroche is this great trade when he’s worse than naps is laughable.
Kernel - July 2, 2010
I can't see
the Padres trading Bell as long as they are in 1st place or are in the race.
If we are looking for help in the bullpen, we probably need to look somewhere else.
billhune - July 2, 2010
Adam LaRoche and The Mystery of the 2nd Half Surge
Here are LaRoche’s OPS 1st Half/2nd Half year-by-year splits:
2004
1st Half: .680
2nd Half: .943
2005
1st Half: .810
2nd Half: .732
2006
1st Half: .805
2nd Half: 1.042
2007
1st Half: .763
2nd Half:.854
2008
1st Half: .764
2nd Half: .975
2009
1st Half: .784
2nd Half: .915
2010
1st Half: .799
Career Splits
1st Half: .252/.328/.449/.777
2nd Half: .300/.363/.546/.909
WHY has LaRoche been so good in the 2nd half? That’s the question. If it’s not a fluke or luck, LaRoche would be a nice addition.
Last year the Red Sox acquired LaRoche for two minor leaguers of no value (Hunter Strickland and Argenis Diaz). The Angels probably could do the same and not have to give up any of their top prospects. LaRoche also would not be a financial burden; if acquired today he would only be owed $3 million.
Why acquire LaRoche? Depth. The Angels roster right now is precariously thin at first base. He’s a strong bat to have against RHP and of course, it’s hard to ignore a career 2nd half OPS of .909. If the Angels can give up as little as the Red Sox did last year, I hope they can make the deal.
Remember; acquiring LaRoche doesn’t mean dumping Napoli. LaRoche represents good insurance if Napoli or Matsui gets hurt.
LaRoche Stats
Fan Since 1981 - July 2, 2010
LaRoche
If it means trading two non-prospects, dumping Quinlan, and having him as depth or a pinch hitter I’m for it. Or if Napoli would go back behind the plate.
I am worried about the idea of Napoli sitting on the bench while LaRoche plays first and Mathis catches. I’d prefer not to offer Sosh that temptation.
RallyMonkey5 - July 2, 2010
Jorge Cantu
He’s not that great defensively but neither is frandsen. Hitting wise he’s an upgrade over frandsen, and has the career numbers to back him up..
Check out this year’s stats;
Year Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG
2010 Marlins 76 295 34 79 21 0 10 50 22 58 0 0 .268 .320 .441
Angels Angel - July 2, 2010
Relief Pitching
I think we’re fine with Napoli at first and Frandsen has been pretty good with the bat but his glove kind of concerns me, so hopefully Izturis returns soon. I only rade Conger for a Cliff Lee. The biggest need to me is relief pitching. With the relief pitchers we have now I don’t see the Angels doing well in the playoffs if the make it. How about looking at maybe Will Ohman, Scott Downs. Would love to some how get Joakim Soria and dump Fuentes but that probably won’t happen.
310Angel - July 2, 2010
I'm almost positive I'm in the minority
But why not attempt to move Mathis. Now before you get the pitch forks ready, we all know how good of a job Mathis is behind the plate and calling a game. Texas just traded for Molina to get better behind the plate and frankly, I think I’d rather have Mathis behind the dish than Molina.
Mathis hasn’t gotten back into the swing of things just yet, but probably will by the time the trade deadline approaches. Wilson has been doing a pretty steady job behind the plate. And with Conger’s continued development, the Halos are going to run out of space for some catchers.
In the mean time— Napoli can still occasionally get behind the plate in case of an emergency, with Wood able to fill in for him.
Of course, this only makes sense if it improves the team.
Jay Cal - July 2, 2010
Sounds okay
I like Lee a lot from the standpoint that I’d think he’d be a good fit in the clubhouse. As for the other guys, eh…
Joey Kaufman - July 2, 2010
No one here likes Dunn?
Power and OBP. Two qualities we need. He’s consistent—that does mean 175 K’s unfortunately. But he’s a bargain for what he produces.
I’d bench Matsui or play him in left until his knees burn out. He won’t be with us next year anyway. Keep Napoli in the lineup with Dunn.
Mathis and a decent prospect for Dunn? Handshake.
tolbs1010 - July 2, 2010
They have a superior "defensive" catcher in Rodriguez
On top of that, HE CAN ACTUALLY HIT! So……no. On top of that they would want Naps instead so he can pick up some of the power where Dunn was at.
halofan4life - July 3, 2010
We don't need
Dunn and Napoli, one of them is great in a lineup, 2 gives you a problem.
sctrojan13 - July 3, 2010
My thoughts even if not as educated as others
I remember when every once in a while on ESPN,when they took a break from talking about the Yankees,i would hear about how the Angels farm system had some of the best talent , when someone went there was another to take their place. Its been a few years since they’ve been talked about in that regard,after a good draft this year, i think they’d be better served sticking with what they got,Napoli is doing fine at first, Frandsen seems to come through more often than not. Aybar is getting back to where he was,and Kendrick expects to come through when he’s up. On the other end Abreu is batting 260 with 8hr,Matsui right behind at 259 and 10,both slumping, you’re number 3 hitter and your dh with about 90 rbis between. J. Rivera is less than that. When Vlade finally agreed to offseason surgery after needing it for 2 years i never understood why they couldn’t of at least paid him a minimal contract, he was ok in the playoffs even though hurting,hopefully he doesn’t go in the hall as a Ranger. The starting pitching gives what you could expect with their history,every time through the rotation a chance at three or four wins. Personally i hope for Texas pitching to get hard the second and third time around for their rookies and the Angels overtake.If not go all in on Carl Crawford next year and not get outbid,or we’ll end up with Nick Swisher if we go by the last two free agent signings. I don’t know of another who would help the lineup from top to bottom,and the doubles in the alley between him and Tori wouldn’t exist.
pjayzz - July 3, 2010
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