How Desperate the Angels Were:
Going into the off season the Angels were looking to improve on a third place finish since they usually finish at the top of the division and make the playoffs. There were many rumors on the Angels looking to sign a 3B and impact Of. Those two players that they were specifically were coveting were all star and gold glove winners Adrian Beltre and Carl Crawford.
This off season has had many surprises that included head shaking trades and mind boggling signings by many teams. The biggest surprise was Cliff Lee the best pitcher on the market going back to the Phillies. The next surprise was the Rangers signing Adrian Beltre to play 3B for them when they already had one and one who has been moved to different positions twice before; which was a blow to the Angels.
The next blow to the Angles was that it was reported that they were close to a deal with Carl Crawford to play LF for them. Making current outfielders Bobby Abreu and Juan Rivera DH and making their outfield defensively better and clogged. But as you know already that the Red Sox swooped in and signed him from right under their nose.
Midway through last year’s season closer to the end, the Angels called up one of their outfield prospects name Peter Bourjos. He was coveted a Gold Glove caliber center fielder who had the potential to lead off someday and be a good average hitter as well.
With the domino effect of Beltre and Crawford the Angels felt for some reason that a lineup with Bourjos and Callaspo and Mathis some days at the end did not seem to make them think great offensively. Even though they had high praise for Bourjos and they decided to move a 9 time gold glove winner from CF to RF and a gold glove RF to LF/DH and made the statement that Bourjos was their CF.
So last week the Angels pressed to make a big splash because they missed out besides for overpaying setup man, Scott Downs. They decided since they have OF and catching depth, traded veteran OF Juan Rivera who would have DHed and played some outfield. Also, being traded alongside Rivera, was their starting catcher and best hitter on the team last season Mike Napoli who even played some games at first base and DH. The two were sent to the Blue Jays for CF Vernon Wells a three time gold glove winner and a very productive hitter being the Blue Jays franchise player twelve years.
Wells, who has a massive deal worth millions, is still going to be paid for two more years, he is also, at age 32, usually the age of which a player starts to declined gradually. With those two things in mind the Angels still made the trade. Which many people believe was a desperate move to make a splash and improve their team. Instead of trading for him they could have used that money to fix their bullpen who has only really two reliable and nameable players, incumbent closer Fernando Rodney and Scott Downs whom they did sign this off season. They also could have had a signed a DH who can play the field specifically at 3B, if they weren’t sure of Bourjos hitting wise, you move the outfielders back to their natural positions or have Napoli DH because of his defense or Rivera DH and have Reggie Willits fight him for the other outfield job also.
So in the end the Angels will be on the hook for over the hill outfielder instead of fixing their bullpen and even getting depth for that iffy rotation that has injury prone starters. Also that money will not be used to sign any current player on the team who is arbitration eligible coming up or a productive DH to compete with the other teams. After a week after a series of moves the Rangers an Angels rival acquired the Angels former catcher Mike Napoli to bolster their lineup and now can harass the Angels much more than if he was in Toronto. Great move I say, just kidding. This season will be tough enough for the Angels but we have to admit they were desperate to the fans they are trying to compete with the Rangers and A’s.