The November 18th, 2011 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including C.J. Wilson is coming for a visit to the Angels, Hiroki Kuroda is the fallback option, Callaspo is cleared in a paternity test and much more...

The Story: C.J. Wilson is going to make a visit to the Angels on Monday.

The Monkey Says: OK, I give in, this clearly isn't solely a smokescreen (but if it is, it is a very elaborate one). My guess now is that the Angels do very much want him and will wine and dine him and then try and make him a reasonable offer in hopes that he'll be enamored with the idea of playing so close to home and accept it before getting any offers from anyone else.  If it doesn't work, then they can at least show the fan base that they went all out to try and get him.  It's a win-win.

The Story: The Angels are interested in free agent pitcher Hiroki Kuroda.

The Monkey Says: Say hello to Plan B!  Frankly, this has seemed inevitable for a months now.  Kuroda would be a great signing because he has little leverage in that he has made it obvious that he will play in Southern California or head back to Japan and he would only get a one or two year contract anyway, so he is pretty low risk.  In fact, you could make an argument that he's a much better move than signing Wilson.

Our next prospect in the MWaH/LAAI Top 30 Angels Prospects Countdown is yet another intriguing pitcher who had his season wiped by injury.  Had he been healthy Fabio Martinez could have been the best pitching prospect in the Angel farm system, but what do we make of him now after a season of shoulder problems?

Fabio Martinez Mesa
Position: Pitcher  Level: Low-A
Bats: Right Throws: Right  Height: 6'3" Weight: 190 lbs.
Age: 22  Born: October 29, 1989

2011 Season Stats: 0-, 2.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2 H, 0 HR, 1 BB, 2 K, 2.77 FIP, .286 BABIP, 4.00 GO/AO

Fastball – A. Sits around 95 with lots of late sink and he hides well. Very difficult to hit.

Breaking Ball – B. One of the best sliders in the minors, but can’t command it.

Change up – C. It’s a work in progress.

Performance – C. Was great in Cedar Rapids last year, but missed most of 2011 with shoulder problems.

Projection – A. If he can stay healthy and command off speed pitches, either an ace or elite closer.

Comp – Floor: Jose Arredondo.  Ceiling: Ervin Santana

Video - Martinez mowing them down in Cedar Rapids

Estimated MLB Arrival Date: As a starter, 2015.  As a reliever, mid 2013.

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

The November 17th, 2011 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including Santana could be traded if the Angels sign Wilson, Hollander promoted to director of baseball operations, Halos unhappy with Astros joining the AL West and much more...

The Story: The Angels might look to trade Ervin Santana if they sign C.J. Wilson.

The Monkey Says: Or Dan Haren.  Or nobody because this rumor comes from Joel Sherman of the NY Post.  The same Joel Sherman that said the Mets would trade David Wright for Peter Bourjos and two elite pitching prospects.  He is likely just recklessly speculating like he always does with this supposed rumor.  That being said, it does kind of make sense to move Ervin for some offensive help, though it still leaves the Angels with a hole in their rotation that they would have to address, so I'm not quite sure it make as much sense as Sherman seems to think.

The Story: Justin Hollander has been promoted to director of baseball operations.

The Monkey Says: Hollander survived the front office purge and got a promotion too.  Hard to complain about that.  Hollander is the resident "stat guy" so it is nice to see him given more power than he had in the previous regime.  However, since he was the stat guy in the previous regime, there is always a chance that maybe he was partly responsible for some of the missteps that Reagins made... but I really hope not.

With the next prospect in Angels Top 30 Prospects Countdown, we finally get a look at what happens when a Dominican Summer League phenom makes good stateside as Ariel Pena begins to come into his own.

Ariel Pena
Position: Starting Pitcher  Level: High-A
Bats: Right Throws: Right  Height: 6'3" Weight: 186 lbs.
Age: 22  Born: May 20, 1989

2011 Season Stats: 10-6, 151.2 IP, 4.45 ERA, 154 H, 10 HR, 81 BB, 180 K, 3.42 FIP, .358 BABIP, 1.24 GO/AO

Fastball – A-. Sits at 95+ with movement, usually topping out around 98.

Breaking Ball – A.  Hard, fall of the table slider.  Similar to Ervin Santana’s.

Change up – C. Nothing remarkable about it.  Needs to control it.

Performance – B. Strike out king, but too many BB.

Projection – B+.  Looks like an ace or a closer. I have more faith than most he remains SP.

Comp – Floor: Jose Arredondo.  Ceiling: Ervin Santana.

Video - Pena in Instructional League (Videos in alphabetical order, by last name)

Estimated MLB Arrival Date: As a starter, 2015.  As a reliever, 2013.

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

If you've been paying even a tiny bit of attention to the free agency rumors this week, then you have seen that the LA Angels and C.J. Wilson have been fawning over each other like two star-crossed lovers.  First the Angels were "serious" about their interest in Wilson.  Then Wilson said he was "serious" about the Angels.  Then Jerry DiPoto met with Wilson's agent in public.  Then the Halos passed C.J. Wilson a note in study hall asking if he liked them or "like liked" them and he totally said "like liked."  OMG!  These two are a free agency match made in heaven, right?  As it turns out, it is a lot more complicated than it appears.

When it comes to MLB free agency, things are never simple, but this courtship is exceptionally complex.

The Angels have been open in the media about their interest in Wilson.  C.J. Wilson has let it be known right back at them that he is very receptive to the idea of signing with the Angels.  One of the big reasons for this is that Wilson is originally from Orange County.  So he must have a special place in his heart for the Angels, right?

The November 16th, 2011 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including Weaver finishes second in AL Cy Young voting, former manager Lachemann rejoins the Angels in a front office capacity, DiPoto now chasing second-tier relievers and meeting with C.J. Wilson's agent and much more...

The Story: Jered Weaver finished second to Justin Verlander in the AL Cy Young Award voting.

The Monkey Says: Verlander's win was a slam dunk, so this isn't a shock, though I am mildly surprised Weaver finished in second as there was some momentum late in the season for CC Sabathia, who oddly finished fourth.

The Story: Former Angel manager Marcel Lachemann rejoins the Angels as special assistant to the general manager.

The Monkey Says: A very nice move to bring in Lachemann, a lifetime baseball man and possibly a guy who can come in and be the kind of guy who will challenge DiPoto's opinions, which I think is a good thing.  The reason I think this might be the case is because Lachemann only became available after he quit a similar position with the Rockies over a difference in opinion on how the Rockies should develop their pitchers.  Marcel disagreed with what Colorado was doing and decided he should leave, so he clearly can be stubborn when he thinks he's right.  Also in this post is official news of Larry Corrigan and Tim Schmidt being hired in scouting capacities.  I guess the Angels really weren't kidding about shifting the front office focus more towards scouting.

Our next prospect in the MWaH/LAAI Top 30 Angels Prospects Countdown was a player people had big hopes for, but injury ended his season before it ever began.  What do we make of Cam Bedrosian now that he has had to undergo Tommy John surgery?

Cam Bedrosian
Position: Pitcher  Level: Injured
Bats: Right Throws: Right  Height: 6'0" Weight: 204 lbs.
Age: 21  Born: October 2, 1991

2011 Season Stats: Did Not Play, Injured

Fastball – B+. Before Tommy John surgery he sat at 93+ with command but little movement.

Breaking Ball – A-. He throws a hard sharp slider low in the zone. Definitely “plus” offering.

Change up – C+. Reports indicate it showed considerable promise.

Performance – N/A. Surgery kept him out all season.

Projection – B. If change up develops could be #3 starter. Otherwise closer type reliever.

Comp – Floor: Typical set up man.  Ceiling: Steve Bedrosian (elite closer).

Video - Cam Bedrosian strikes out Bryce Harper at Aflac High School All-American Game

Estimated MLB Arrival Date: As a starter, 2015.  As a reliever, 2014.

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