Hot Stove Daily: Los Angeles Angels
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Editor's note: Yahoo! Sports will examine the offseason plans of every MLB team before the Dec. 3-6 winter meetings. Our series continues with the Los Angeles Angels.
2007 record: 94-68
Finish: First place American League West; swept by the Boston Red Sox in AL division series
2007 opening-day payroll: $109 million.
Free agents: Bartolo Colon SP; Hector Carrasco RP
WISH LIST
The Angels' PR staff is among the most helpful in baseball, so perhaps the trade of shortstop Orlando Cabrera on Monday was designed to avoid confusion in the press box after third baseman Miguel Cabrera is acquired from the Florida Marlins.
Or maybe first-year general manager Tony Reagins boxed himself into a corner by shipping the productive Orlando Cabrera to the Chicago White Sox for reliable right-handed starter Jon Garland. Now he needs Miguel Cabrera, or an equivalent bat. The Angels could package one of two young pitchers – Ervin Santana or Joe Saunders – with budding standout hitter Howie Kendrick, a top prospect and perhaps even a catcher for Cabrera, who isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2009 season.
Manager Mike Scioscia said Monday that he expects the offense to improve simply on the basis of injured players getting healthy. And, to be sure, the Angels had their share of injuries, with 13 players spending time on the disabled list. But expecting Garret Anderson, Vladimir Guerrero and Juan Rivera, among others, to remain in the lineup all season could be wishful thinking. Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada, an object of their desire for years, might be an option if Miguel Cabrera is traded elsewhere.
REALITY CHECK
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Francisco Rodriguez has given the Angels an electrifying and consistent closer since their World Series championship season of 2002. For many years he also was inexpensive. That will change because he is eligible for free agency after the 2008 season, forcing a decision on whether to sign him long term or let him go.
The Angels are a very good team – but that's not enough in the AL, not with the Red Sox, New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians striving to improve following banner seasons. Constant improvement through conscientious player development and significant spending will be necessary, or the Angels will continue to be the best in the West and fourth-best in the league.
NEXT: Los Angeles Dodgers
