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.

The December 5th, 2011 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including reactions to the Mathis trade, Angels pursuing closer Ryan Madson, make an offer to C.J. Wilson and much more...

The Story: Lyle Spencer tries his best to hold back the tears while describing the Angels trade of Jeff Mathis.

The Monkey Says: Even in Mathis' exit, Spencer was still trying to sell him as a quality player but nobody is buying.  In fact, it was one thing for him to bicker on Twitter with fans, but he actually mixed it up with ESPN's Keith Law as well.  By all means, head to Spencer's Twitter feed to see all the fun.  Hopefully he can finally put this all to rest now and won't just jump on some other struggling Angel to back unconditionally.

The Story: Grant Brisbee dares baseball fans to find a way to laud Toronto GM Alex Anthopolous for the Mathis-Mills trade.

The Monkey Says: Really he just is poking fun at that the fact that any trade AA makes is generally revered as a stroke of genius.  Hard to see how this could be seen as one.  Mathis does have some use as a back-up catcher, so he will get some utility out of him, but seeing how Brad Mills was actually considered one of the Jays' top 10 prospects as recently as before the 2010 season, it feels to me like he is giving up more than he had to, especially for a guy who was likely to be non-tendered otherwise.

Christmas just came early for Angel fans as news breaks that the Angels have traded Jeff Mathis, easily one of the most maligned players in franchise history, to Toronto for lefty pitcher Brad Mills.

After acquiring catcher Chris Iannetta earlier this week, the writing was on the wall that Mathis' reign of terror would be coming to an end, but to see that it is now official almost bring a tear of joy to my eye.  Not only did GM Jerry Dipoto get rid of Mathis, but he actually got something in return for him in the form of Brad Mills.  For that alone, Dipoto should receive a standing ovation.

Ironically, Dipoto did have to once again deal with the Blue Jays, the team that Reagins trade Mike Napoli to which ultimately exacerbated the Mathis problem can cost Tony his job.  Part of me can't help but wonder if Toronto's GM Alex Anthopolous kind of did the Angels a solid after he boned them over so royally the last time.

Overall, this is a win-win for the Halos.  Cutting Mathis loose saves them approximately $2 million that he would have earned via arbitration and saves Mike Scioscia from the temptation to use Mathis stellar glove (and it is stellar, which is why anyone was willing to give up assets for it) over Iannetta's hopefully potent bat.  This should make Iannetta the unquestioned full-time starter at backstop with Bobby Wilson and Hank Conger left to battle over the back-up gig. 

As for Mills, I believe he is out of options, so he will have to fight for a roster spot in spring training.  He is a soft-tossing lefty who has a very nice changeup, but questionable command.  Despite his lack of velocity, he has posted nice strikeout numbers in the minors working almost exclusively as a starting pitcher.  In three short stints in the majors, he has been mostly terrible thanks to his poor command and propensity for allowing homers.  He has been used mostly as a starter by the Jays and could get a shot at competing for the fifth starter spot for the Angels, but he would definitely be a dark horse.  More likely, Mills will be moved to the bullpen as a potential LOOGY.  Whatever the case, he will face stiff competition to make the team and could end up being designated for assignment before the season.  Even if that happens, this trade still looks great for the Angels, simply because Mathis is gone.  Mills and any potential contribution he might make is just gravy.

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Next up on in our the MWaH/LAAI Top 30 Angels Prospect countdown another injury plagued season continues to hold back Grichuk's development, but the potential is still there.  How long will the Angels really wait though?

Randal Grichuk
Position: OF  Level: Low and High-A
Bats: Right Throws: Right  Height: 6'1" Weight: 195 lbs.
Age: 20  Born: August 13, 1991

2011 Season Stats (AZL): 24 AB, .333 AVG, .357 OBP, .458 SLG, 1 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 4 SO, 0 SB, 0 CS, .364 BABIP

2011 Season Stats (Low-A): 122 AB, .230 AVG, .267 OBP, .402 SLG, 7 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 29 SO, 0 SB, 1 CS, .280 BABIP

2011 Season Stats (Majors): 53 AB, .283 AVG, .316 OBP, .491 SLG, 4 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 13 SO, 0 SB, 0 CS, .350 BABIP

Bat – B. Hits for average and very good power, fluid stroke, but raw, undisciplined.

Speed – B. Not super fast but capable of swiping 15+ a year, good range for corner OF.

Arm – A. Strong and accurate.

Performance - C. Has been hurt, but no one hit better than Grichuk to end 2010.

Projection – A. Corner OF capable of hitting for average, power with good speed & D.

Comp – Floor: AA flame out. Ceiling: Ryan Braun

Estimated MLB Arrival Date: 2014

Video: Grichuk dominates in the High School Showcase.

(*As always, the above scouting report is provided by Scotty Allen of LA Angels Insider)

So, C.J. Wilson wants $100 million from the Angels, eh?  What a preposterous notion, right?  Well, most Angel fans seem to think so and that if he really thinks he is worth, then good luck to him finding some other fools to pay him.  To others, they think that if that is what the market dictates, then give it to him.  So who's right?

Not that it is going to make a lick of differnce to Jerry Dipoto, but today I leave answering those questions to you, the fans.

Wait, are his DJing skills included in a new contract?  Because that could affect what the Angels offer.

The December 2nd, 2011 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including Rockies also wanted Izturis, Angels expected to make an offer to Aramis Ramirez soon, Halos want to talk extension with Iannetta and much more...

The Story: The Rockies discussed Maicer Izturis and John Hellweg as part of the Chris Iannetta trade negotiations.

The Monkey Says: I would've been pissed if the gave up Hellweg since he has "win the lottery" potential.  As for Izturis, I feel like they can get more for him.  In fact, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Angels and Rockies talk Izturis again with the Halos possibly targeting Huston Street.

The Story: The Angels met with free agent 3B Aramis Ramirez this week and are expected to make an offer to him soon.

The Monkey Says: Dipoto severely downplays his interest in Ramirez whenever he is asked, so it remains to be seen if their interest is as real as reported.  Part of me still think Ramirez's agent is overhyping the Angels' interest to drive up Ramirez's price, but this report seems pretty rock solid.  I'm not a big fan of such a deal, especially since it would knock the Angels out of the C.J. Wilson bidding.  Either way, it sounds like both players will sign during the upcoming Winter Meetings.

Now that we've had a night to sleep on the Angels big trade (and, yes, it is a big trade) for Chris Iannetta and had time to give it some actual deep thought rather than just some gut reaction, it is time to do some deeper analysis on what this trade really means to the Halos.

Is Iannetta really the new starting catcher for the Angels or is he just being brought in to take Mike Napoli's spot in Mike Scioscia's doghouse?