In case you haven't heard, the Angels are in contract negotiations with Albert Pujols aka the Greatest Player in the Game.
Or they aren't. It sort of depends on who you ask. And, as of Tuesday night, even the standard top reporters in the rumor mill can't seem to figure it out.
Is it for real? Is it a bluff? Is it just bad reporting?
To be honest, I kind of don't care because it has given me a chance to dream, if only for one night.
A guy can dream, can't he?
The December 7th, 2011 Winter Meetings edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including Angels might have made a big offer to Albert Pujols, Scioscia would rather add good pitching than good hitting, Morales rehabbing but the Angels aren't counting on him and much more...
The Story: The Angels might be the mystery third team who has made a 10-year offer to Albert Pujols.
The Monkey Says: This is HUUUUUUUUUUGE news. It also might be total BS because the Angels probably don't have that kind of money. At this point, it is really just free agency porn for Angel fans. In fact, by the time this posts, the Angels might have totally debunked the rumor. All I know is the idea of Pujols playing for the Angels, even if it is for insane money, is giving me a John Holmes-esque baseball boner.
The Story: Mike Scioscia can't get enough good pitching.
The Monkey Says: This sounds to me like Sosh just towing the party line. By the way, it also make sense. Let's set aside the Pujols stuff for a minute. If the Angels really are going to limit their spending, then they should be sure to get the most bang for their buck. Right now, the value in this market is in starting pitching, not hitting. If they Angels can't overhaul their lineup, they might as well double-down on their pitching strength and focus on winning a lot of 3-2 games instead of 9-7.
Next up on in our the MWaH/LAAI Top 30 Angels Prospect countdown we take a look at one of the rising stars of the farm system in 2011, second baseman Taylor Lindsey.
Taylor Lindsey
Position: 2B Level: Rookie
Bats: Left Throws: Right Height: 6'0" Weight: 195 lbs.
Age: 20 Born: December 2, 1991
2011 Season Stats : 290 AB, .362 AVG, .394 OBP, .593 SLG, 28 2B, 6 3B, 9 HR, 46 RBI, 46 SO, 10 SB, 4 CS, .407 BABIP
Bat – B. Tearing apart Orem, but that isn’t saying much. Still, a very good bat for 2B.
Speed – C+. He’s faster than the average player, but for it’s not a part of his game.
Arm – B. It’s strong enough for SS, though his range isn’t, but it’s a great arm for a 2B.
Performance - A. He’s been the best hitter on his team at each level of Rookie Ball.
Projection – B. An offensive minded 2B with good defense.
Comp – Floor: Sean Rodriguez. Ceiling: Ian Kinsler
Estimated MLB Arrival Date: Late 2014
Video: Lindsey base hit while playing for Orem.
(*As always, the above scouting report is provided by Scotty Allen of LA Angels Insider)
What is going on with Aramis Ramirez? First the Angels say they don't want him, then they are rumored to be on the verge of making him an offer, then they admit they have interest, but only in a cursory sense. Should the Angels even pursue him? If so, for how much? And for how many years should said offer be?
Not that it is going to make a lick of difference to Jerry Dipoto, but today I leave answering those questions to you, the fans.
Depending on who you ask Ramirez could be the best or the worst signing the Angels could make this off-season.
The December 6th, 2011 Winter Meetings edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including Angels still pushing for C.J. Wilson, getting stiff competition for Aramis Ramirez, backing off pursuit of relief pitchers and entertaining several trade scenarios and much more...
The Monkey Says: The Halos clearly still have Wilson as their top priority, but action is heating up with him as one team, supposedly the Nationals, have offered Wilson a six-year deal. The Nats are denying it, but everyone thinks some team that isn't the Rangers has gone to six years, which will probably be a deal-killer for the Angels. It seems like Wilson's market is peaking now, so one would expect him to make a decision pretty soon.
The Story: The Phillies are the latest team believed to be making a strong push for Aramis Ramirez.
The Monkey Says: With a rich team like Philly involved, Aramis' price is probably going to get out of reach for the Angels, which is probably for the best. Still, Dipoto is starting to talk about landing a potent bat now and Ramirez is the most logical free agent fit, so don't rule them out on Ramirez just yet.
Next up on in our the MWaH/LAAI Top 30 Angels Prospect countdown a guy who could some day be a franchise third baseman, but still has a loooong way to go. That man is Kaleb Cowart.
Kaleb Cowart
Position: 3B Level: Rookie
Bats: Both Throws: Right Height: 6'3" Weight: 190 lbs.
Age: 19 Born: June 2, 1992
2011 Season Stats : 283 AB, .283 AVG, .345 OBP, .420 SLG, 12 2B, 3 3B, 7 HR, 40 RBI, 81 SO, 11 SB, 4 CS, .363 BABIP
Bat – B+. Can hit for average and power, still raw.
Speed – B. Above average for a 3B, leads Orem in SB. 15+ potential.
Arm – A+. Among the best arms for a 3B I’ve seen. Was highly touted pitcher in high school.
Performance - B. Feast or famine in rookie ball, needs to gain consistency.
Projection – A. Could end up being perennial all-star 3B. No weaknesses.
Comp – Floor: AA flameout and switches back to pitching. Ceiling: David Wright.
Estimated MLB Arrival Date: 2015
Video: Cowart rips a run scoring double in Pioneer League play.
(*As always, the above scouting report is provided by Scotty Allen of LA Angels Insider)
At the last Winter Meetings, the Angel franchise took a major hit. They botched the Carl Crawford negotiations in humiliating manner, exposing their front office as being inept. That embarrassment ultimately set them up to make the payroll-crippling Vernon Wells trade. So excuse me if I enter this year this year's Winter Meetings with a fair amount of trepidation, new front office be damned.
Fear must not hold us back though. We are armed with a new GM that appears to know what he is doing and, well, these meetings are going to happen whether we want them to or not. Dipoto has already shown us what he can do via trade, now he is entering these next few days with the full intention of checking a few more items off of his shopping list. Will the Halos continue to make smaller more savvy moves? Or will they look to make a (wait for it) big splash?
Time to read the tea leaves and see if we can't figure out what the Angels have up their sleeves.
No, the cuddly armadillo mascot does not make me feel any better.
