Jerry Dipoto just can't be stopped.  On the same morning he signs Albert Pujols, he also adds C.J. Wilson.  The latter being added for a much more reasonable five years and $75 million (or $77.5 million, depending on who you believer). 

By comparison to Pujols, that looks like he is practically free.  More importantly, that contract is smaller when compared to Jered Weaver, so it seems that Dipoto got Wilson for a pretty decent price and didn't have to blow up the team's pay structure in the process or hurt any feelings.  I think it is safe to say that he can take the rest of the week off now.

Adding Wilson would have been enough for most Angels fans as it now gives them arguable they best rotation in the American League and possibly the majors.  Not only is Wilson very talented, but he also gives the rotation a much-needed southpaw to balance things out some.  Wilson will be derided for his lackluster post-season efforts and his "hipster" attitude (I guess I need to stop making fun of him now, huh?), but he has been one of the top pitchers in the American League the last two seasons and his arm has relatively low mileage on it since he worked as a reliever prior to that.

To some Wilson is a luxury, but that opinion clearly overlooks the Angels stark lack of starting pitching depth.  They needed to bring in a new starting pitcher to fill one of their two rotation holes.  Leaving both spots to Jerome Williams, Garrett Richards and Brad Mills was just too risky for a team hoping to win a World Series, which I think we can all safely say they are now trying to do.  Wilson does also provide them some security down the road as both Dan Haren and Ervin Santana can be free agents after this season if the team doesn't exercise their club options.

I am utterly shocked that Arte Moreno has enough money to bring in both Wilson and Pujols, but it seems he found some loose change between the coin cushions and with it, he just won the Winter Meetings.  Now we all have to hope that it translates to winning some games and soom championships.

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Oh.  My.  God.  It actually happened.  The Angels have signed Albert Pujols and finally delivered on that long-promised big splash move.  Heck, this isn't a big splash, it is a freaking tsunami.  I'm not sure if I am even going to be able to write about this rationally.

This signing is epic in so, so many ways for the Halos.  Ten years and at least $250 million is obviously ridiculous.  Unless Pujols delivers multiple World Series titles, I don't see anyway the team doesn't end up hating that contract by the time it expires.  Of course, there is also the distinct chance that Pujols actually can help the Angels win multiple World Series titles, which is exactly why I think the deal is worth the risk.

But it is what this means both on and off the field that has me backing this deal whole heartedly.  With Pujols, arguably the best player of his generation, pilfered by the Angels, nobody can ever again accuse the Halos of always finishing second in free agency bidding (I'm talking to you, Jon Heyman).  As long as Jerry Dipoto is calling the shots, the Angels have a space reserved at the big boy table for any personnel move.  Nothing is too big for them now.  Nobody can doubt their resolve.  It is an entirely new era of Angels baseball.

An era where they aren't afraid to spend to get to a World Series.

An era where they might well overtake the Dodgers as the top team in Los Angeles.

An era where the Angels develop a national following.

It might also end up being an era where this one financial misstep ruins the team for more than a decade.  That remains the big question mark here.

How long can Pujols earn the money?  He turns 32 soon, so his prime is closing and closing fast.  There is zero percent chance he is still worth the money by the time the contract is done.  But can he earn eight years of it?  Six years?  Three years?  Nobody knows.  And that is only partly because nobody knows for sure what is real age is.  Almost all the evidence points to him being honest about his age, but if we find out years from now that he is two or three years older and the rumors were true, then this contract is even more ridiculous than we thought.

Oh, and there are other small matters to decide too.  Will the Angels still pursue C.J. Wilson?  What happens to Trumbo?  What happens to Morales?  I'll try and answer all that in a more calm manner later today.  For now, I'm going to enjoy this because, frankly, I still cant even believe this is happening.

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The December 8th, 2011 Winter Meetings edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including Angels still in Pujols bidding, still waiting on Wilson, Dipoto plays coy on everything and much more...

The Story: The Angels are still said to be bidding strongly on Albert Pujols.

The Monkey Says: First, the disclaimer that these links are compiled late at night and posted in the morning, so news might have changed while I slept.  Anyways, here goes.  The Angels interest in Pujols seemed nebulous on Tuesday, but given that they are still linked to him on Wednesday night, it is pretty safe to say their interest is legitimate.  Some have speculated that the Halos are just trying to pressure C.J. Wilson into a decision while others still say Pujols' agent is using the Angels to drive up the price on the Cardinals.  This process just seems to be dragging out forever and I can only assume that the longer Pujols doesn't sign, the more likely it is the Cards aren't giving him what he wants and he will actually jump ship.  My gut tells me he ends up back in St. Louis, but who knows at this point.

The Story: C.J. Wilson is expected to decide between the Angels, Marlins and maybe Rangers soon.

The Monkey Says: The Rangers have all but withdrawn from the bidding, but I wouldn't rule them out just yet.  Also, the Marlins signed Mark Buehrle already so one would think they aren't really in on Wilson, but rumors persist that they are.  In fact, rumors are they are willing to go six years on Wilson.  The export rumor reporters have been taking turns alternately naming the Angels and Marlins as the favorites to land Wilson, so it is looking like a 50/50 shot for the Halos.

Glory Hallelujah!  The Angels finally made a signing!!!

Is it Pujols?  Ummm, no.

OK, so it must be Wilson, right?  Not quite.

Then who is it?

...

...

It's LaTroy Hawkins.  Yeah, I know.  Alden Gonzalez has all the "juicy" details

Alden_Gonzalez Alden Gonzalez Baseball source confirms it's a one-year, $3M deal for LaTroy Hawkins. Still pending a physical. #angels

So there you have it.  Two straight days of Winter Meetings cockteasing and all we have to show for it now is an ancient middle reliever.  That's most definitely not a big splash.  It barely even registers as a ripple.

OK, enough jokes.  Here is what the Angels are getting in Hawkins:

• He's been in the bigs since 1995, which means he must have lots of great wisdom thus making him an ideal mentor for Jordan Walden.
• He has limited experience as a closer and his strikeout rate isn't what it used to be, so he isn't a threat to Walden.  Basically, he's Jordan cool new older brother.
  
• He broke in with the Twins and is good friends with Torii Hunter, so he must be a good dude. 
  
• If you remove the 2010 season, Hawkins has been a pretty reliable reliever for a number of years.  Then again, we can't just ignore a season, so there is a chance that he could suck in 2012.
• As I mentioned, he doesn't miss many bats anymore, but he also doesn't issue a lot of walks but does get a decent amount of grounders.  At best, that makes him like a right-handed version of Scott Downs.  At worst, it makes him a $3 million mop-up man.

So, yay.  The Angels have more bullpen depth.  Given the small investment in Hawkins, I'd say there is still a chance they add more depth if the right bargain comes along, but now they also could just stand pat with what they have and hope that Hawkins defies Father Time for another season, that Walden improves and that Mike Scioscia becomes cognizant of the existence of Rich Thompson.

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Next up on in our the MWaH/LAAI Top 30 Angels Prospect countdown is the possible third baseman of the future for the Angels, Luis Jimenez, that is assuming his free-swinging ways don't hold him back.

Luis Jimenez
Position: 3B  Level: Double-A
Bats: Rightt Throws: Right  Height: 6'1" Weight: 205 lbs.
Age: 23 Born: January 18, 1988

2011 Season Stats (AA): 490 AB, .290 AVG, .335 OBP, .486 SLG, 40 2B, 1 3B, 18 HR, 94 RBI, 72 SO, 15 SB, 6 CS, .303 BABIP

2011 Season Stats (DWL): 117 AB, .222 AVG, .260 OBP, .402 SLG, 4 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 21 SO, 3 SB, 1 CS

Bat – B+. Hits for average & power, but is still undisciplined. Rarely walks, but no K’s either.

Speed – B. Above average for 3B, has stolen over 20 in minors.

Arm – A-. Very strong arm, very quick release, not inaccurate but could be better.

Performance - A. AA all-star, Futures Game participant. Very good numbers in AA.

Projection – B. Doesn’t look like an all-star but has the upside of being a solid starting 3B.

Comp – Floor: Jorge Cantu. Ceiling: Adrian Beltre

Estimated MLB Arrival Date: Any time in 2012.

Video: Jimenez takes some practice cuts in preparation for the Future’s Game.

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

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.