Angel Spending Spree an Opportunity for Tigers?
by FungoDave on Dec 8, 2011 1:56 PM EST
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PrintThe Halos have just sent their payroll through the roof by signing Pujols and Wilson. Simultaneously, they got pillaged in the Rule 5 draft losing 5 players. The Tigers platoon situation at 2B may be tolerable, but Inge/Kelly at 3B is ridiculous both offensively and defensively. The Angels have have one more 2B/3B then they need with Alberto Callaspo and Macier Izturis. Can (or should) the Tigers try to use the Halo's need to cut payroll to nab one of these guys?
The biggest current contracts the Angels have are: Vernon Wells: $24.6 million through 2014, Torii Hunter: $18.5 million through 2012. Izturis is set to make about $4 million in 2012 and will be a free agent in 2013. Callaspo made $2 million in 2011 and is in arbitration for 2012. Total Angels payroll looks like it will jump to about $175 million.
BTW, Rule 5 players that the Angels lost include LHP Robert Fish from the major league roster and minor leaguers 3B Ricky Alvarez, SS Michael Wing, LHP Barret Browning, OF Gabriel Jacobo.
Is there anyway we can take advantage of this to fill our glaring need at 3B?
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bless You Boys writing staff.
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Trumbo? Callaspo? Izturis?
Trumbo:
Before the signing, there was a rumor that Trumbo may move to 3B. Now, he’s blocked by both Pujols and Morales at 1B, so it’s a move or trade for the slugger. Since a move would displace Callaspo or Izturis, I’m guessing that Trumbo becomes a nice trade chip. He’ll probably be gone by Feb 1. I’m sure the defense wouldn’t be beautiful, but his bat at 3B would be a big upgrade. He’s not really what we need and LAA will probably find a better suitor. They may decide to DH him and trade Morales instead, but I think Trumbo is probably worth much more in trade.
Callaspo / Izturis:
One of the two probably needs to stay on and play 3B for the Halos, but the other probably becomes trade bait as well. Both would be an upgrade at 3B or 2B for us, either defensively, offensively, or both. Both players have issues. Izturis hasn’t been totally healthy, but has shown a pretty reliable glove and decent bat when he’s playing. He’s fairly fleet-footed, but not a blazer. I’m not sure he’s a better leadoff option than Jackson, but he’s better at both defense and offense than either of our current platoon mates at 3B.
Callaspo has been inconsistent in his production. Last year, his OBP was .366 and he’s had other years of .350+, but he was .291 in 2010. He’s not really a top of the order guy unless he can prove that he’s going to have that .350+ OBP. However, his offensive potential is far above what we currently have at 3B. I don’t know much about his defense, but I guess he’s capable. Neither would be a tremendous upgrade at either position, but would certainly make us a better team, so it doesn’t hurt to ask on them.
In looking at the Angels, they don’t have any glaring needs at the MLB level. I’m guessing that salary relief would be the primary thing Detroit could offer. A Delmon Young for Torri Hunter deal might be considered by Anaheim if they’re looking to save 10M for what could be similar offensive production in many categories. Hunter is a better player, thanks mostly to the glove and OBP. He would help the Tiger’s defensively and certainly help the lineup at #1, 2, or 3. With Boesch aboard, Hunter would probably make a very nice #2 hitter…I like our lineup much better with Jackson, Hunter, Boesch than I do with the current group.
The Angels are a very good team right now. They’d probably prefer something better than Burjos in CF, but he’s a decent player. The only real glaring spot I see is having Vernon Wells on the team, and I don’t want him. Other than trading Trumbo or Morales, I don’t see them feeling the need to make a move. If I were them, I’d be fine sitting on this current group and just watching them win games. It won’t be an easy division to win with Texas there, so the Angels will probably want to stay as deep as possible.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
To go along with your point that they are probably happy with theur roster/payroll, they may not feel a need to cut payroll due to their new TV deal.
by syper17 on Dec 8, 2011 3:15 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
They have Trout for CF if they want.
Although I’d be intrigued by a Delmon for Torii trade.
"You, on the other hand, make Eeyore look like Rainbow Brite." -johnmoz
"I think of you more as the blue book style essay of sports journalism."-Kurt Mensching
Contributor, Bless You Boys
The Angels seem content to ruin their top prospect
and have Trout sit on the bench at the ML level instead of playing every day (either at AA or in the majors). Apparently, the defense Bourjos provides (while quite good) trumps all other factors.
Based on WAR alone, Delmon for Torii looks like a steal for the Tigers.
why yes, I'm slightly drunk at the moment
by Mark in Chicago on Dec 8, 2011 3:36 PM EST up reply actions
We'd take on some salary
"You, on the other hand, make Eeyore look like Rainbow Brite." -johnmoz
"I think of you more as the blue book style essay of sports journalism."-Kurt Mensching
Contributor, Bless You Boys
how is torii a steal for the tigers?
He’s 36, has been declining, and is owed a whopping $18M. His WAR last year was 2.2 down from 3.0. I’m not a huge fan of Delmon but its pretty feasible that Hunter and Young could have fairly similar types of years next year only one costs over $10M more.
Delmon will cost about 10M less than Hunter
Hunter gets on base a lot more and plays a lot better defense. He’s probably also a more reliable bet for his counting numbers, although it’s very possible that Young could put up better numbers on offense.
It’s not a steal…it would cost 10M more for the extra OBP, reliability, and solid defense. Maybe that’s worth it, maybe not.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
Ya i don't doubt hunter would be better
but it’s hard to say he’s a steal at 18 Mill at this point career wise. I mean i know he’s only owed that for one year, but that would cancel out any payroll flexibility at the deadline or for the rest of the offseason really. And for what cost? I would say Hunter is about $8mill overpaid with that contract (albeit that is pure speculation on my part).
in his MVP candidate season
Delmon posted a career-best WAR of 1.8. In his worst season in the last 10 years, Torii Hunter posted a WAR of 2.5 and had 7 seasons of 3.0 WAR or better.
why yes, I'm slightly drunk at the moment
by Mark in Chicago on Dec 8, 2011 5:38 PM EST up reply actions
I'd be glad to take Trout off their hands :)
how about a package consisting of…
The entire Erie and Connecticut rosters, Turner, the rights to the Motown Records catalogs, a new Ford Escape, a lifetime supply of Hot ’N Readys and a signed copy of Rock ’N Roll Jesus?
Chicks dig me, because I rarely wear underwear and when I do it's usually something unusual
Delmon for Torii? Nooo thanks
if we simply want to cut payroll, this may be a feasible move, but in all other aspects (besides defense – but who isn’t better defensively than Delmon – and RR doesn’t count) this wouldn’t make any sense whatsoever. Unless we’re getting some valuable younger prospects, we’d be selling a 26 year old with uber potential and already a handful of years of ML experience for a guy 10 years his senior, who’s seen a steady decline in all slash numbers over the last few seasons.
Chicks dig me, because I rarely wear underwear and when I do it's usually something unusual
Delmon Young does not have uber potential
"You, on the other hand, make Eeyore look like Rainbow Brite." -johnmoz
"I think of you more as the blue book style essay of sports journalism."-Kurt Mensching
Contributor, Bless You Boys
not uber but....
Young does have good potential, still young and getting into his prime. I think people are too low on his potential. Lets not forget about the 121 RBI season…..that doesnt happen by accident. His plate discipline and defense are negatives but the kid can rake at times!
by tigerstripes_4life on Dec 8, 2011 6:03 PM EST up reply actions
correction...
112 RBI and 21 HR season. Still not bad but can he do it again? If he can hit the way he did down the stretch, than I think its possible and his defense will be an after thought. On that note, if we can find a good trade for him than I’m all for it…..just not sure about it being for Hunter?
by tigerstripes_4life on Dec 8, 2011 6:37 PM EST up reply actions
Both are FA after 2012
Age isn’t a relevant factor for this argument. The only consideration should be what you think each player can do in 2012. Can Hunter’s extra OBP, defense, and reliability make up the difference in salary?
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
on defense alone
I’m going with yes.
why yes, I'm slightly drunk at the moment
by Mark in Chicago on Dec 8, 2011 5:39 PM EST up reply actions
or if we want to pay an extra $12 mill or so for the difference between delmon and hunter
for this season alone. that’s relevant.
I think Torii has a No Trade Clause
He seemed real happy Today about getting Pujols, so I doubt he’d want to move.
not this year
I don’t think they are going to make a move this year. . .but next year will be a different story. They are going to go for broke with the team they built today and then shed the next couple years and try to copy the Cardinals method which was strong pitching, Albert, some protection, and role players. . .it seemed to work for them
TEA Baseball Experience
$10 million in payroll relief is a big deal to anyone...tv contract or not
Young for Hunter provides this. We demand Izturis for taking on the additional salary and give them Worth as a token replacement. Then go hard for Cespedes. Start Cespedes in the minors to give him some time to adjust. He replaces Hunter in 2013 and we are greatly improved in 2012 and beyond.
It depends on what the Angels think about Hunter
But that sounds reasonable.
"You, on the other hand, make Eeyore look like Rainbow Brite." -johnmoz
"I think of you more as the blue book style essay of sports journalism."-Kurt Mensching
Contributor, Bless You Boys
Cespedes
Does anyone doubt that the Marlins are going to throw the bank at that guy?
Can you imagine how many tickets they would sell in south florida by getting the #1 cuban player in generations? Its all about season tickets right now for the fish…gotta fill up that stadium, figure out if anyone is good later on.
Eh, we'll see
The Marlins already have a solid young outfield. While getting Cespedes would be nice for them, he has to prove himself before people flock to the ballpark. Cespedes is a big name on this site, but do you think the average family knows who he is? He’s not a household name like Albert Pujols yet. Arguing that signing him = ticket salezzzz isn’t quite accurate just yet.
by Rob Rogacki on Dec 9, 2011 9:14 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Flawed Argument
They don’t need to sign Cespedes to sell tickets. They signed Reyes, Buehrle, and Bell. They have a new ballpark. They’ll be pretty much sold out for the next two years, regardless. New parks just about always sell out during during the first year or two, even if players aren’t signed.
However, as Mark In Chicago pointed out on another thread, he would most likely generate revenue through licensing products (jerseys…etc.) If the Cubans rallied behind him, the financial benefit would be there, not at the gates.
And yes, I think they’ll throw a lot of cash at him, but perhaps not as much as you might think after spending big at the meetings.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
he is a big name in Cuba
Cubans know this guy
Large community in Miami, kind of like a local boy makes good story
Loria wants to win, but he knows he has to fill the park. Getting the best Cuban ballplayer in a generation to come to the largest Cuban community, outside of Cuba, seems like the thing to do…just under 900k Cubans in Miami…that’s a lot of ropa vieja at the ballpark
by davewilliamt on Dec 9, 2011 10:46 AM EST up reply actions
I agree that Cubans will probably go to see him
I also agree that Miami has a large Cuban-American population. No link needed.
What I’m saying is that attendance won’t be an issue either way.
Attendance with Cespedes for 2012-2013: About 7M (near sell-out capacity)
Attendance without Cespedes: About 7M (near sell-out capacity)
They’re going to put butts in the seats with or without Cespedes.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
on top of that
My understanding of merchandising is that merchandise goes into a central fund divided among all the teams equally. I believe the team store may be exempt from that.
by Kurt Mensching on Dec 9, 2011 11:39 AM EST up reply actions
Gotcha for years 1/2
However, see Milwaukee for attendance drop offs after a new park opens
I bet Minny may not get 100% re-ups this year as well
just saying that having this guy in the fold long term really creates long term fans and helps give the team a bit of an identity.
I think you almost have to look at the Miami Marlins as a new franchise. They played in the worst stadium in baseball for their entire existence ( maybe tampa bay is worse). They have a chance to really make a mark on MIA, they have to go all in to make sure they do it!
by davewilliamt on Dec 9, 2011 12:12 PM EST up reply actions
I wish...
"You, on the other hand, make Eeyore look like Rainbow Brite." -johnmoz
"I think of you more as the blue book style essay of sports journalism."-Kurt Mensching
Contributor, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on Dec 9, 2011 11:29 AM EST up reply actions
The Fish Princess...
probably a big reason Pujols avoided South Beach.
by manic in Detroit on Dec 9, 2011 8:42 PM EST reply actions
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