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"danobats" <not-my-email DeleteThis @nospam.com> wrote in message
news:80155fabb7122fdd839815fe6bd0caa1@localhost.talkaboutbaseball.com...
> The angels have already announced that they will be losing 20 million $ on
> the payroll from Appier and Sele.
>
> what do you think is more important
> Glaus
> Beltre/Beltran
> Starting pitcher
>
> *or just getting rid of guillen
>
> danobats
>

Top priority remains a starting pitcher or two, but I'm not all that excited
at what the free-agent market has to offer, especially considering the
inevitably inflated price tags. We have the pieces to offer in trade for
maybe one solid veteran and one young, talented and relatively inexpensive
arm (preferably with some MLB experience already -- someone like a Wilfredo
Ledezma with Detroit), and that would seem to be the way to go.

Beltran has really opened my eyes with his late-season and playoff
performance. I know Bill Stoneman thinks very highly of him as well, and
has for some time. Unfortunately, I think NYY will be able to outbid
everyone else, but I'd still love to see the Angels make a serious push for
him.

Is Glaus willing to sign a short-term deal (one or two years) to stay in
Anaheim? Or is he willing to consider a switch to first base? I think the
Angels have the right to ask each of these questions, and if the answer to
both is "No," then it may be time to part ways. From the look and sound of
things, the front office and coaching staff are sold on D-Mac as their third
baseman of the future, maybe even the immediate present, which (if correct)
means Glaus' long-term future as an Angel could only be at 1B. Of course,
D-Mac could be traded next month for a starting pitcher (or he could move to
1B) and the Angels could wind up signing Adrian Beltre for all I know, and I
wouldn't necessarily complain;-)

If neither Glaus nor Beltre wind up here, then I hope the Angels redouble
their effort to land Beltran. I'd love to see a starting OF consisting of
Vlad, Beltran, and Quinlan/DaVanon next year with Garret Anderson becoming
the full-time DH -- in my opinion GA should no longer play defense more than
20-30 games a season from now on.

One last point: I remain less than thrilled at the lack of power/run
production we can realistically expect from Erstad and/or Kotchman in the 1B
slot. Assuming the Angels don't get Beltran, I would advocate moving Erstad
back to CF, signing Richie Sexson to play 1B and packaging Kotchman in a
deal for a quality starting pitcher. The simple fact is, even if we get our
starting rotation ironed out, we're going to need more pop in our lineup to
compete with the Bronx Bombers and the Bosox in the postseason.

Rick
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danobats wrote:
> The angels have already announced that they will be losing 20 million $ on
> the payroll from Appier and Sele.
>
> what do you think is more important
> Glaus
> Beltre/Beltran
> Starting pitcher
>
> *or just getting rid of guillen

Re-sign Troy Glaus. Trade [or dispose of] Jose Guillen (unless a serious
compromise can be reached with Guillen on a conditional 'One more
problem and you're adios' type deal).

Then appraise your fielding and hitters.

Pick your best 9 players. Look at the weakest positions. Attack the
worst three positions in free agency. However in doing so go for a guy
who will more than capably be a solid lead-off hitter (when that job
fell to Chone Figgins in the playoffs he simply wasn't experienced or
simply good enough (your call, people) to fill that role as well as what
was required.

Pitching is more important, though. Trade who you have to (aside from
top 6 players and top two/three prospects) to acquire two good pitchers.
Acquire a good set-up man - this will mean taking your pick of
Percival and K-Rod, but I assume we all understand that K-Rod is the
future of this teams closing pitchers.

Fill remainding roster slots with good cheap talent who will be good for
team chemistry (like the Yankees did with John Olerud; I don't mean sign
Olerud, just thats the sort of talent you want to get- hardworking type
who will provide good chemistry for this team). I think the Angels do a
good job of this already (Figgins for example). Just to fill the edges.

There is no reason why this team cannot add 4 or 5 pieces next season
and keep at a respectable pay-roll.

As far as going for Beltre or Beltran- if either of those who fit an
area in the starting 9 players without compromising someone's regular
spot in the 9 because of positional overload then by all means go for
them. I believe a guy like Richie Sexson may be more appropriate.

Theres a handful of very good FA pitchers, some of whom may even leave
their teams for a decent wage - not inappropriate for their talent
level. You may even find Pedro Martinez leaving the Red Sox if they get
thrashed again. He would be a very good #2 for this team- just so long
as you don't put too much pressure on him.

A.C.
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danobats wrote:

>what do you think is more important
>Glaus
>
>
very important.

>Beltre/Beltran
>
not that important.

>Starting pitcher
>
very very important!

so if I'm only allowed to choose one, it would be a starting pitcher.
but no GM worth his salt would begin to think this way...even if he's
under budget constraints. so Glaus + SP would be the highest concern.
if you can't figure out a way to keep Glaus then at least make a crafty
trade for someone equally as impressive (and that doesn't mean like 5
lame minor league prospects just because you're looking to trim payroll).

>*or just getting rid of guillen
>
yes, trade him for something of value...which everyone seems to be
saying is pretty high. we should be able to get at least another
utility guy or mid-relief "project" in return. at least.

bri

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