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 Story: The Angels plan to meet with C.J. Wilson again, but also threw water on the idea of going more than five years and $85 million for him.

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.

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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