I've said all along...the man wants to be close to his Baltimore roots.

KCK,
you've probably already seen this, but just in case you didn't:

Offseason Outlook: Los Angeles Angels

By Tim Dierkes

Next up in our Offseason Outlook series, the Angels. Here's how their 25-man roster might look using only internal candidates:

C - Mike Napoli - $425K
C - Jeff Mathis - $415K
1B - Kendry Morales - $600K
2B - Howie Kendrick - $433K
SS - Erick Aybar - $415K
3B - Brandon Wood - $400K
IF - Maicer Izturis - $1.2MM+
IF/OF - Robb Quinlan - $1.05MM+
LF - Chone Figgins - $4.75MM+
CF - Torii Hunter - $17.5MM
RF - Gary Matthews Jr. - $10MM
OF - Reggie Willits - $433K
DH/OF - Vladimir Guerrero - $15MM (club option)
SP - John Lackey - $9MM (club option)
SP - Ervin Santana - $420K+
SP - Jered Weaver - $435K
SP - Joe Saunders - $425K
SP - Dustin Moseley - $420K
RP - Scot Shields - $5MM
RP - Jose Arredondo - $400K
RP - Justin Speier - $4.75MM
RP - Jason Bulger - $400K
RP - Kevin Jepsen - $400K
RP - Darren O'Day - $400K
RP -

Other commitments: Garret Anderson - $3MM, Kelvim Escobar - $9.5MM (ready by All-Star break?)

That's about $87MM committed, plus arbitration raises to Izturis, Quinlan, Figgins, and Santana. So that'll put them in the low $90MM range. The Angels were at $124MM this year. Owner Arte Moreno wants to keep payroll there, but could make exceptions for the right players. We'll say they have at least $30MM to spend, maybe more.
Three star players/free agents should be under consideration: Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez, and C.C. Sabathia. Teixeira makes the most sense, especially since Morales' '08 minor league line translates to a .740 OPS in the bigs. Given their .330 team OBP, the Angels could really use Tex's .400.
Losing both K-Rod and Darren Oliver would hurt the pen; the Angels will probably bring in some kind of veteran help. With Escobar slated to miss a good chunk of '09, one more starter is also needed. It'd be tough to cram Tex and Sabathia into the budget, but the free agent market offers plenty of other starters.
I know the Angels have their own run-scoring style, but it's hard to argue against getting on base more often. With that in mind I'd make Tex top priority. With the DH spot semi-open, I'd also consider Milton Bradley. Brian Giles, Adam Dunn, Magglio Ordonez, Jason Giambi, Prince Fielder, Bobby Abreu, and Pat Burrell are other big names who get on base. (Manny Ramirez fits as well, though it'd have to be him instead of Teixeira rather than both).
$30-40MM is a lot of spending money, though $20MM+ ('09 salary) could go toward Teixeira or Sabathia. I might take my chances with the fifth starter job and bring in Teixeira and another high-OBP player.

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"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" - Vince Lombardi

I'd also consider Milton Bradley. Brian Giles, Adam Dunn, Magglio Ordonez, Jason Giambi, Prince Fielder, Bobby Abreu, and Pat Burrell


Milton Bradley Lord above, NO!!!!
Brian Giles Only if cheap
Adam Dunn (see above)
Magglio Ordonez That'd be a good one!
Jason Giambi Hmmmmm.....not sure
Prince Fielder The jury is stiil out on him for me. I don't really KNOW who this kid is. He is inconsistent.
Bobby Abreu Only if cheap
Pat Burrell I would have said no until the post season. Now I'll say maybe

Whoever ends up with Adam Dunn better be in the AL, where he can DH, because you certainly don't want that boy out in the field trying to catch something other than a cold!!!,,,

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GO REDS!!!

From 101 losses to only 94!

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"I made up my mind, but I made it up both ways." Casey Stengel

Thank God, you have that much sense. Milton is a clubhouse nightmare. Trust me!

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“Context and memory play powerful roles in all the truly great meals in one's life.” -- Anthony Bourdain

If you're inferring that I was calling them a contender, guess again.

Instant credibility meaning they get the big fish in the free agent pool.

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"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" - Vince Lombardi

Latest Red Sox Rumors

By Cork Gaines [November 6 at 1:12pm CST]

A few notes on the Red Sox...

From Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe

• Scott Boras met with Theo Epstein about Jason Varitek. Boras is still seeking a deal similar to the one signed by Jorge Posada (four years/$52.4MM).
• Epstein continues to look at other catchers including Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Taylor Teagarden. Cafardo also notes that the Red Sox could go after a veteran through the trade market like Bengie Molina.
• Other teams have expressed interest in both Coco Crisp and Julio Lugo, but noted that Lugo would not be part of a deal to the White Sox. Cafardo says the Tigers could be a good match for Lugo if the Red Sox take Nate Robertson or Dontrelle Willis noting they could even eat some of Lugo's remaining contract.
• The Red Sox are likely out of the market for CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett.

Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald adds to the Lugo and Crisp rumors.

One executive at the general managers meetings talked to the Sox recently estimated that “five or six” teams have shown a willingness to discuss a deal for Crisp...The line being formed to bid for shortstop Julio Lugo, on the other hand, is not nearly as long - though it isn’t nonexistent.

McAdam lists several teams that could be interested in Crisp, including the White Sox, A's, Braves and Padres. However, McAdam notes that the Cubs are not interested. He also lists some clubs that could have a need for a player like Lugo, including the Cardinals, Twins, Indians, Tigers, O's and Giants. McAdam sees the White Sox as the best fit, but notes that they will seek more than Lugo in return for Javier Vazquez or Nick Swisher.

That sounds good, but you need to sign a guy who can help you improve in the win-loss standings.

Example- In 2004, Baltimore signed Miguel Tejada- while he had a MONSTER year, the team still stunk. Teams need to sign guys who will improve wins and losses, not put butts in the seats!

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"I made up my mind, but I made it up both ways." Casey Stengel

I'm confused, so you're saying that the Nationals would be better off without Teixeira than they would be with him???!!!

The above question goes for on the field performance and PR (as in, yes Nats fans, we are FINALLY trying to put a winning product on the field).

Now remember, BEFORE you answer that:

I'M NOT SAYING THE NATIONALS WOULD BE A PENNANT CONTENDER WITH TEX!!

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"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" - Vince Lombardi