Reports from many media sources confirm that Mike Napoli has been claimed on waivers. American League teams would have the first chance to claim a player waived by an American League team so the logical conclusion is that a contending Ameircan League team has claimed him.
Napoli was not in the lineup for Sunday's game in Anaheim against Baltimore, a sign that the Angels are taking every precaution to not have their slugging catcher get injured prior to a trade.
The White Sox have the worst record of any team still in the AL hunt. However, a team out of contention might look kindly on two more years of arbitration-ruled club control for Napoli. Could the Detroit Tigers have made a claim and will offer Miguel Cabrera in a trade to the Angels for Napoli? Cabrera's hefty salary and tipsy reputation would have had an easier chance at clearing waivers than many sluggers. Players claimed on waivers can only be traded to the claiming team. All players involved in a trade that are on a major league club's 40-man roster.
All trades must be finalized by 10:30 AM Tuesday morning.
0 recs | 101 comments
The Miguel Cabrera thing is a joke, right?
No way the Tigers would make that offer.
~MMP~ - August 29, 2010
Trading for Cabrera would really boost this lineup, but it's not in Detroit's plans
They have minimal payroll dedicated, which means they have lots of money to spend this offseason. This puts them in prime contention to supplement Cabrera and Austin Jackson with the likes of Adam Dunn, Carl Crawford and Cliff Lee and still operate within their payroll limits.
A guy could dream though right? A package for M-Cab would probably be Napoli, Trumbo, Bell, Chatwood and Trout.
Halowood - August 29, 2010
I would trade Napoli + Bell for Cabrera anytime, but it is gonna happen? no way jose.
Christoffer James V Ferreira - August 29, 2010
Who voted for Ryan Budde?
Was it Ryan Budde?
ryanfea - August 29, 2010
Nope, Ryan Budde's mom.
~MMP~ - August 29, 2010
Wouldn't Cabrera have to pass through waivers too which would never happen. If they really wanted him gone they would have shopped him prior to July 31.
And the fact he still has 3 years at least on his contract and he is top 5 in most offensive categories. I doubt it;
Angelsrthebest101 - August 29, 2010
Ya, I doubt he's traded now. Today is probably just an off day that happens to coincide with the talk about him being claimed.
~MMP~ - August 29, 2010
sunday is never an off-day
but yeah … that is just wild speculation on my part to mention Cabrera … it is an example, though, of a non-contending team going “all-in” for the future… somewhat akin to what Reagins did in acquiring Dan Haren…
Rev Halofan - August 29, 2010
Sunday is always an off day for the more religious catchers, like Pudge Rodriguez
Napoli could be very spiritual (trying to keep a straight face)….
Halowood - August 29, 2010
Boning chicks is a religion?
Epic Dean - August 29, 2010
I could go for that religion
red floyd - August 30, 2010
I think Charlie Sheen,
Is a devoted follower of this religion. Tiger Woods is an ordained minister!
halofolife - August 30, 2010
Well Cabrera could pass through waivers
Because his contract is so large, most teams couldn’t take it.
ryanfea - August 29, 2010
This is the worst season ever.
44FAN - August 29, 2010
=1
It’s just so damn pathetic! That’s what makes it so much worse.
Monkeyspanked - August 29, 2010
You were clearly born
after 1995.
ttsec - August 29, 2010
For some reason, I don't ever remember the $$$ or expectations being quite the same...
…pre 1996.
Is this like the Yankees mentioning the 347817254 WS victories when they don’t win a season?
RedFog - August 29, 2010
Or 1986. Or 1982.
mattwelch - August 29, 2010
Yeah Matt but I think most people are pissed because...
…the expectations are clearly different.
We can’t have it both ways.
In 86 and 82, the Angels committment via $$$ relative to other teams was not the same as in the Arte era, nor were fans expectations the same.
Of course we all wanted to win and wanted the team to do well (especially once they made the playoff in 86), but it’s different now.
If the Angels go back to being the type of team and have the same expectations they had in the mid 80’s, fine. Also, about 1/3 of the fans will show up to games, etc. etc.
I’m not saying I agree with the sentiment of Monkeybrains, I’m just saying fans have a genuine reason to be disappointed and want to see some changes (even if risky).
RedFog - August 29, 2010
Also meant to say that many people are supporting the team now with their $$$
But if this product is just as heartless next season, I’ll stay at home and root for them, but I won’t spend a cent until I see a product on the field that is enjoyable to watch.
It’s not just about a winning team, but give me an exciting game WIN or LOSE.
Right now, I’m getting squat out of watching the team play.
RedFog - August 29, 2010
“In 86 and 82, the Angels committment via $$$ relative to other teams was not the same as in the Arte era, nor were fans expectations the same.”
You must be a young-en.
Gene Autry was widely criticized for trying to buy a championship. Even local newspapers would tlak about him opening up his saddlebags. free Agents would always use the Angels as bait.
Barca - August 29, 2010
Huh?
Autry emptied his wallet on free agents, there were huge expectations. and attendance exceeded 2002 levels in every year from 1982-1991.
And aside from all that, I’m talking about the specific disappointment in the playoffs both of those years, which taste a good deal different than this year’s debacle.
mattwelch - August 29, 2010
I have no clue what's going on with this move...
Is it a pending trade? Really? I wonder what’ we’d be getting back in this deal.
Are we going to just pull Napoli back off the wire and not let him go?
It’s going to be interesting to see. We need POP. So letting a guy with POP go….we better be getting something decent in return!
goodvibe61 - August 29, 2010
i really like naps
But for Cabrera ill tell him to kick rocks anyday. Cabrera would be the big bat that we’ve been craving and needing. Not to hate on Morales but imagine having both of them next year? Our line up would have deadly potential with both of them.
(!ts_a_C.A._thing) - August 29, 2010 via mobile
If Napoli leaves could Victor Martinez be a option at catcher for the Halos?
310Angel - August 29, 2010
I much rather have Napoli than Martinez, so I hope not
~MMP~ - August 29, 2010
Considering the difference in cost between the two
~MMP~ - August 29, 2010
Scoicia would just play Mathis over Martinez anyway.
stuck in Romania - August 29, 2010
Hard to read into this
Link
ReggieBullits - August 29, 2010
Maybe Soth has decided to quit, "turning the page on this one," and is throwing the whole book out
to start completely over.
44FAN - August 29, 2010
Today's lineup looks primed for a whole lotta nothing....
Halowood - August 29, 2010
Just like every lineup in the past few weeks
~MMP~ - August 29, 2010
Damn
If the trade goes through, I guess 2011’s starting catcher is Jeff Mathis and his mendoza hitting.
phoenix15 - August 29, 2010
Or Hank Conger
~MMP~ - August 29, 2010
I’m sorry
but according to Sosh, Mathis>any catcher that’s every played the game
phoenix15 - August 29, 2010
except for
Mike Scioscia
ttsec - August 29, 2010
Maybe we can get Mendoza and hope he hits at the Mathis line?
Barca - August 29, 2010
Personally I think trading Naps would be stupid
even if the Angels were trading him because they want Conger to catch next year, Naps still has a ton of value in having Abreu sit vs lefties and Napoli could DH. Even in the best case scenario this is stupid.
In the worst case scenario it’s because the Soth is convinced that Mathis is still his guy behind the dish going forward. If that’s the case, a big f u Soth. He’s had how long now to prove that he absolutely brings nothing to the table. The guy is an automatic out.
MH252525 - August 29, 2010
Angels better get a very good hitter for Mike Napoli or we are going
backwards. The problem has been a lack of hitters for a while now.
If we add another pitcher in this deal then, we can kiss 2011 off as
well! The reason we do not do well in the post season is we lack
offense these past how many years now? Only exception was 2002
when Angels had Glaus, Salmon, Erstad, Spiezio to name a few.
JimmyBlue - August 29, 2010
Everyone claiming Naps is the team's "only power threat"
Has already forgotten about Kendry. Yeah, Naps is the only power threat for the remainder of 2010, but that’s meaningless at this point.
That said, 2 power threats is better than 1.
ReggieBullits - August 29, 2010
so
you want Kendry the only guy hitting with power? We might as well be the Ms and rely on 1 guy for our entire offensive support. We’re not going to win the WS or the AL West with 1 guy hitting 30 HRs and the rest with 10.
phoenix15 - August 29, 2010
Guess you didn't read all the way through my post.
ReggieBullits - August 29, 2010
my bad
but with Sosh with his love for Mathis, next year when Kendry takes 1st, Mathis is our new starting catcher at least 5 times a week.
phoenix15 - August 29, 2010
Optmistically, Napoli or Conger.
Realistically, Mathis.
Chzburger Jones - August 29, 2010
Not to be dramatic
I voted Mathis, but if Mathis is seriously the starting catcher next year I don’t think I can be a fervent Angel fan, I’ll need to take a break. It’s so clear to I think everyone that Mathis is not a major league capable player, if he starts again I’m switching leagues and rooting for good ol Bud Black.
Dontbatvlad4th - August 29, 2010
now here is a true Angel fan
do a study with your male friends. If they have ever changed favorite teams then they are much more likely to trade you in when things are not going well
Blaze453 - August 29, 2010
Looking towards the future
It’s pretty clear the Angels have punted on 2010 and are now rebuilding for 2011 and beyond. You have to ask if Napoli is going to be a part of the next great Angels team. He’s making $3.6M this year and has two years of arbitration left. He’s in line for a nice raise after this season, so he could make around $6M next year. And he’s 28, around the time when a lot of hitter reach their peak.
If I’m the Angels, I’ll certainly hear offers for Napoli knowing there isn’t any rush to trade him. If the team that claimed him offers a nice package of players, then you go ahead and pull the trigger.
mj86 - August 29, 2010
Not another year of Mathis
If mathis could hit even .250 for the season we could live with him as the startinfg catcher, but every year he hits about .200 and it seems his defense is falling off as he gets older. Him as the back up I would be fine with, but not your everyday guy. I would rather take Wilson then Mathis, but it doesn’t appear that is gonna happen. Maybe he is good with the pitchers, but so could a lot of back ups in baseball. Napoli is not as good defensively as Mathis, but he has power which from the catcher posistion is rare. You work through the defensive liabilities because he’s a threat offensively. Keep Napoli and play first, and as the back up catcher for 2010, trade Mathis for a $1, and give Wilson the starter job at Catcher for the rest of the year, and see if the pitching staff likes what he brings to the team. It’s worth a shot since this year is not our year.
downrightdrums - August 29, 2010
….greatt……. if we lose napoli, we are going to need to go into complete rebuild mode. Napoli is the only angel hitter worth a damn. We should trade tori hunter too while we’re at it. I feel bad he came here and has to be apart of this sinking ship.
Is kendry recovering at least?! He is our only hope for our offense, too bad he has zero protection in our lineup now.
robi s - August 29, 2010
FUCK
mjhsieh - August 29, 2010
For those of freaking out....
and I know it’s a bit frustrating to watch this. But a reminder.
Napoli is not, nor will ever be a regular catcher on the Angels. He is a DH and nothing more in Scioscia’s eyes. Scioscia is not going anywhere, therefore Napoli is.
So I’ll repeat this again: We aren’t trading our catcher today. We are trading a DH/1B who is getting bumped to DH at best next season if he stays with this club.
Nashdiesel - August 29, 2010
MLBTR and Boston Globe reporting the Red Sox put in a claim
Not sure if it says they won the claim or not, commenters on MLBTR are claiming they did. If this is the case, I really doubt the Angels deal Napo Smash to Boston. Their prospects are over rated and few and far between. Money doesn’t seem like the underlying issue here.
Then again, who knows, maybe the chowds offer up Casey Kelly and then some.
Halowood - August 29, 2010
Great point
That and Napoli sucks behind the plate. The worst defensive catcher I have ever seen (Been an Angel fan since 1975). I would take a bag of balls for Naps…He is not worth 5-6 million and he will kill our payroll next year.
THE VOICE - August 29, 2010
I didn't realize bags of balls hit home runs at a historic rate for their position
mattwelch - August 29, 2010
Rec'd for truth
Chzburger Jones - August 29, 2010
+1
This guy doesnt know what hes spewing out ofhis mouth
Halos2011champs - August 29, 2010 via mobile
Matt while I love Nap's bat...
Just because he has a “C” next to his name doesn’t mean he’s a catcher. At least according to Scioscia.
We need to stop talking about Napoli in terms of “as a catcher” or “for a catcher”. He’s not a catcher on our team. He’s a 1b/DH. His numbers for those positions? Not bad but not amazing either.
Nashdiesel - August 29, 2010
Are you mental?
He’s only playing first because Kendry went down. He was catching plenty before that.
dmhead - August 30, 2010
No he wasn't...
Scioscia had Mathis in there almost fulltime before Mathis got hurt. Only then did he play Napoli.
And now when Mathis get’s the night off? We see anyone but Napoli behind the plate, even when someone like Rivera is playing first base.
Scioscia won’t play him at catcher because Scioscia doesn’t think he’s a good catcher. He’s not a catcher at this point. Not for the Angels.
Nashdiesel - August 30, 2010
No worse
than Jeff Mathis, who’s simply awful at both offense AND defense.
jjackflash - August 29, 2010
I voted Mathis
Is there a clubhouse issue with Napoli? On a team with little to no power and not much of it coming in the future, it doesn’t make sense for the manager to find excuses to bench or get rid of that player.
I feel that this whole thing with Napoli vs. Scioscia has to be more than just subpar defense behind the plate. It’s not like Mathis plays like Bob Boone behind the plate to make up for his no power, no patience, no average, high strikeout rate. Even at 1B, it’s not like a 32 year old on the decline Juan Rivera should be taking AB’s away from a 28 year old power bat.
I am hoping this is a clubhouse issue with Napoli. If it isn’t, I can’t help but be at least a little concerned about the Angels ability to evaluate their MLB player personnel moving forward.
stolenbases - August 29, 2010
After watching today's dismal performance I have prepared a statement....
TRADE THE ENTIRE EFFING TEAM.
- Bobby, you’re doing nothing at the top of the order, please take up the 7 spot or just leave.
- Aybar, nothing. What happened to the BA? What happened to the defense?
- Callaspo, you are neither hurting or helping, we need a 3B to help.
- Howie, stupid effing fail!!! Batting champ my ass.
- Mathis, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
- Rivera, nothing in the first half, snoring the 2nd half, benched by Sept. traded by Jan.
- Torii Hunter, you can’t do it on your own, still where’s the power?
- Peter Bourjos, you’re cool.
Halowood - August 29, 2010
This is what loosing games does to go, go crazy.
Christoffer James V Ferreira - August 29, 2010
It's not like anyone else would do a better job at leadoff than Abreu.
Aybar was asked to leadoff at the beginning of the season and asked to be more patient at the plate. It took him out of his element and comfort zone. I think he might be one of those guys who proves to be better off being a hacker.
Callaspo is helping simply by not being Brandon Wood.
There is nothing wrong with Hunter’s power. He has 18 HRs and will probably finish with 21-23 homers, which is typical for him.
Chzburger Jones - August 29, 2010
HAHAHAHA
Peter bourjos- youre cool.
+200 my friend
Halos2011champs - August 29, 2010 via mobile
He can field his ass of...
but has shown me very little with a bat in his hands to have me even remotely excited about his potential impact on offense.
He deserves to play based on his glove, but we need .250 with walks and doubles from him. Not a lot, but .330+OBP with a bunch of “leg” doubles would make me happier than what we are getting.
jimmuscomp - August 30, 2010
Right
but let’s let the kid get his feet wet before making sweeping generalizations about what kind of hitter he will become. I don’t think he’s the next coming, either, but the truth is we really don’t know what he will be until he gets a solid 600-700 PA’s against major league pitching under his belt. If he shows he really can’t play everyday, he becomes a nice improvement over Willits on the bench the next 5-6 years.
dmhead - August 30, 2010
Totally agree...
I’m just saying that all the love he is getting is a bit premature too.
I am all for giving him and even Wood another shot next year. Callaspo isn’t so awesome that we shouldn’t let B-Wood play for 1/2 a season again next year.
<looks at Wood’s 2010 stats again>
Then again, maybe not. God he was awful this year….
jimmuscomp - August 31, 2010
Soth claims that Naps wiggles behind the plate whereas Mathis and Wilson
provide a better stationary target
tanana40 - August 29, 2010
That explains why they are so stationary in the batters box.
Angelsrthebest101 - August 29, 2010
Wait till the offseason
Might as well wait till the off-season when there will be more teams to deal with and probably better players to get. I’d rather keep Napoli as insurance until we know for sure Morales has proven he has recovered from his injured knee, then move Napoli to DH full-time.
310Angel - August 29, 2010
The Red Sox want to get rid of Ellsbury?
Then, I’ll take him in exchange for Naps. Some people at the Boston blog brought up the idea and it makes sense.
SenorChuckles - August 29, 2010
Hell Yeah....I'd do Napoli for Ellsbury in a freakin heart beat.
Halowood - August 29, 2010
Then what happens to Bourjos?
Brody - August 29, 2010
he or Ellsbury can move to LF.
SenorChuckles - August 29, 2010
Nothing, Bourjos stays in CF, Ellsbury goes to LF, Hunter in RF and Abreu to DH
Halowood - August 29, 2010
exactly, no need to throw ridiculous amounts of green towards Crawford.
SenorChuckles - August 29, 2010
So our lineup would include...
Ellsbury at LF, Bourjos at CF, Callaspo at 3B, Aybar at SS, Kendrick at 2B, Mathis or Wilson at Ca, and Abreu at DH. I think we will have one hell of a time scoring runs.
Brody - August 29, 2010
you're right, Napoli has carried this team with his monstrous 21 HRs and 60 RBIs
SenorChuckles - August 29, 2010
His 21 HRs lead the team
I’m not saying that’s a great thing, but taking those HRs away does not help.
Brody - August 29, 2010
i think we should call up Trumbo to DH
devilson - August 29, 2010
Trumbo is not going to pan out
hauldog - August 30, 2010
And you know this how?
~MMP~ - August 30, 2010
21 HR, 60 RBI
In 370 AB. Give him 550, and that’s 30 homers and 90 RBI. We need more like that, not less.
RallyMonkey5 - August 29, 2010
Ellsbury??
Jacoby isn’t enough above replace value to help a team win a championship.
Napoli is!
Barca - August 29, 2010
Ellsbury brings more to a club than Napoli.
Dude can steal bases, get on base, and brings a fantastic glove.
SenorChuckles - August 29, 2010
Isn’t
Ellisbury like injured every other month?
phoenix15 - August 29, 2010
He's been dealing with fractured ribs this year, so he has been on and off the DL
But he doesn’t really have a history of extended DL time, he played 145 games in 2008 and 153 games in 2009
~MMP~ - August 29, 2010
Getting Ellsbury would be like getting Carl Crawford lite at 1/8 the cost
I would be completely 100% in favor of Napoli for Ellsbury. Does that fix this lineup completely? No, but Morales coming back and Ellsbury on the base paths certainly helps. After we made that move, I’d be doing everything in my power to trade Kendrick for a power hitting 3B and move Callaspo to 2B.
Halowood - August 29, 2010
Ellsbury has had an awful injury-plagued season
Is he worth the risk?
Slyintine - August 29, 2010
In a word, YES.
Ellsbury has pop, not quite like Crawford but he has some. Ellsbury has speed, just like Crawford. He’d probably hit for the same average and OBP and provide the same defense. Except Ellsbury is younger and cheaper. For whatever reason, he’s got the “frail” tag in Boston and the fans have grown sick of him.
I doubt Boston goes for it, but Napoli for Ellsbury would be the deal of the year for both teams. The Red Sox desperately need catching, and they’d have one who would hit 35 bombs a year in Fenway. The Angels desperately need a speedy leadoff hitter with pop that scores runs and costs under 10 million dollars.
Simply win-win for both teams. It can’t get done right now because Ellsbury can’t be traded (DL), but as soon as the offseason comes, if I’m Tony and Boston is up to it, I pull the trigger immediately.
Halowood - August 30, 2010
~$.5MM vs. ~$12MM===> ~1/24th the cost, as far as that's concerned.
I’m curious who the power-hitting 3Bman might be that would make the difference?
I don’t think Adrian Beltre is the answer, primarily but not exclusively, because of Boras.
Zimmerman’s locked up tight. Young is too old. Longoria’s a wet dream.
Who do you see?
wumbug - August 30, 2010
Angels
Putting Napoli on the market is ok-just checking out what he would bring-sure he can hit but no defense-simple as that-Now Mathis or Conger Ca-Morales1b Howie 2b Aybar ss
3b (Trade or buy for Batista ) LF ( Crawford) CF Tori or Peter Rf Tori or Jaun or Bobby
Also DH Tori-Jaun-Bobby—-that would be a fine lineup—-2 big adds and Morales back
Just see what Napoli brings or trade him next year—But get those 2 guys no matter what!
spc7 - August 29, 2010
Cabrera
Detroit has been signing his praises since he went to rehab. I do not think they have any character concerns.
Financially the Tigers do not need to dump his contract either. Their owner is flush with cash
hauldog - August 29, 2010
Didn't quite understand this sentence
Xeifrank - August 29, 2010
Can we please just trade Juan Rivera already?
Brody - August 30, 2010
This may sound very stupid but...
Can Napoli play 3rd base. Does anyone know how difficult this transition would be? Brandon Inge has done it and he seems like a perennial god glove contender at the position.
angelsownredsux - August 30, 2010
I've asked this on here before
and immediately was shot down. I’m sure Inge is probably a unique circumstance. With Callaspo in the fold, I gave up on that fantasy.
dmhead - August 30, 2010
I think...
If Napoli somehow learned to play third base at the quality of Brandon Inge, it would allow us to move Callaspo or Kendrick and it would significantly increase Napoli’s at bats. His threat in the lineup would be present everyday, he would provide much needed protection to Kendry Morales, and he would finally have the oppurtunity to hit thirty or more home runs and drive in ninety or more runs every year.
angelsownredsux - August 30, 2010
I doubt he would nearly as good as Inge, Inge seems a lot more athletic, but it could be an interesting thing to try during spring training
Even if Napoli can’t play well enough to play there everyday, it could be a way to get him a few extra ABs giving Callaspo or whoever days off
~MMP~ - August 30, 2010
correction
gold glove
angelsownredsux - August 30, 2010
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