Colon to sign with Red Sox

After the Boston Red Sox announced the contract extension of manager Terry Francona, the Sox made another, even surprising, annoucement.

The Boston Red Sox announced that they have signed former AL Cy Young Award winner, and former Angel, Bartolo Colon to a minor league contract.

A minor league contract is minimal risk to the Red Sox. If he shows he's healthy and ready to go, then he adds to an already strong pitching rotation. If not, they release him towards the end of spring training and they move on.

Angels win arbitration case with Rodriguez

Angels' closer Francisco Rodriguez got his name on the list of players defeated in arbitration this year. KRod was seeking $12.5M, while the Angels offered and won at $10M.

The only player to win his arbitration case, to no surprise, was Phillies' 1st baseman Ryan Howard.

KRod wants long term deal from Angels

Angels' closer Francisco Rodriguez has made it clear that he wants a long term extension from the team or opt for free agency after the 2008 season.

Both sides are headed for an arbitration hearing this coming Thursday (2/21), Rodriguez is asking for $12.5M/year, the Angels countered with $10M/year.

When asked about the situation, Rodriguez stated, “If they would have wanted me here, they would have done something a long time ago. “There is still a long time before the season starts. We still have a month and a half. By then, when the season starts, I’ll have my decision made.”

Looking Forward to 2008: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

This may be one of the strongest teams, not only in the American League West, but the entire American League.

After finishing 94-68 in 2007 and winning the AL West, you wouldn't think this team needed to make much of a change to be just as strong next season. Apparently, the front office thought otherwise, coming out of nowhere to sign free agent outfielder, and former Twin, Torii Hunter to a 5-year $90M deal back in November.

Hunter gives the Angels the cherry on top of an already stacked outfield with Vlad Guerrero, Gary Mathews Jr, Juan Rivera and Reggie Willits. It gives manager Mike Scoscia a combination of options that he could start on any given day and still have a scary offensive lineup, it will also allow him to move Chone Figgins back to the infield to possibly be the Angels' opening day 3rd baseman.

Arrivals:
RHP Jon Garland
CF Torii Hunter

Departures:
SS Orlando Cabrera
3B Dallas McPherson

On the pitching side, the Angels made a move that made a lot of their fans scratch their heads, sending SS Orlando Cabrera to the Chicago White Sox for right-hander Jon Garland. Garland had struggled in the White Sox rotation the last 2 seasons, but with a change of scenery, and being behind guys like Jared Weaver and John Lackey, it could give him a boost in confidence.

The one issue the Angels are still dealing with is the arbitration hearing with closer Francisco Rodriguez. Neither side is blinking, could this mean an end to an era? Talking to Angels' beat writer Lyle Spencer a few months ago, he mentioned that the Angels would be reluctant to give KRod $12M/year but that Rodriguez could be using the extension of Yankees' closer Mariano Rivera as a bargaining point.

Prediction Time:

The Angels, on paper, look strong enough to make a run at another World Series appearance, I think they should win the AL West fairly easily, especially with the A's in a rebuilding stage and the Rangers also starting a new era.

Angels - 99-63

Kotchman, Izturis agree to 1-year deal with Angels

The Angels have avoided arbitration with 2 more of their players, signing infielders Casey Kotchman and Maicer Izturis on Friday.

Kotchman signed a 1-year $1.45M deal which included an additional $50,000 in performance bonuses.

Izturis signed a 1-year $1.2M contract, he also received a possible $150,000 in performance bonuses.

Inge to stay in Detroit?

According to Lynn Henning of the Detroit News, 3rd baseman Brandon Inge could remain in Detroit for the 2008 season, even though he's been displaced by newly acquired Miguel Cabrera.

Even though Inge has asked to be traded, Tigers' GM Dave Dombrowki has said that he'll wait for the appropriate trade to move him.

One team that could still be looking for a 3rd baseman are the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels seem content to have Chone Figgins start at the hot corner, but he's not exactly known as the best defensive 3rd baseman. The one thing that could hold up trading Inge, the Tigers signed an extension with him prior to the 2007 season, so he's still owed $19.1M through 2010.

LA Times, Angels Q&A

For those of you baseball fans who have watched some of the worst years and best years your team has seen, you know there are always fans that are never happy with what the front office has done.

Well, if this is you, Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times posted his Angels Q&A yesterday. The first fan comment on there is worth the read for the very last sentence....

Angels, White Sox talking Konerko

1.5.08 9:46pm PST

Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune has an article out, saying White Sox GM Kenny Williams has not had any conversations with Angels' GM Tony Reagins since the Winter Meetings.

I had a hard time believing this rumor from the start, I didn't think there was any way the Angels would part with both Kendrick and Santana for Konerko, there was no chance of that.

1.5.08 3:21pm PST

Tom Singer of MLB.com has an article out on the Angels/White Sox trade talk as well.

1.5.08 9:19am PST

A rumor I heard yesterday, confirmed today, that the Angels are talking to the White Sox about a deal for 1st baseman Paul Konerko.

The players that could be heading to Chicago are Howie Kendrick and Ervin Santana but the White Sox are looking for a package that includes Chone Figgins.

Astros sign Darin Erstad

12.27.07 8:46pm PST

Brian McTaggart of the Houston Chronicle gave me his 2 cents on the Astros signing Darin Erstad.

Baseball-Rumors: I like the signing of Darin Erstad, he gives you another veteran on the ballclub and one that brings Gold Gloves in both the outfield and infield. Will he be a full time outfielder or will he also get playing time at 1st?

Brian McTaggart: Well, he'll be a backup and play both. The OF is set with Lee in left, Bourn in center and Pence in right. Loretta, Blum, Ausmus and Erstad give the Astros a pretty good bench.

12.27.07 6:40pm PST

The Houston Astros inked yet another veteran to their ballclub, signing free agent outfielder Darin Erstad to a 1-year deal plus incentives.

With Erstad only being 33, I think he's definetely got something left in the tank. He also brings 2 Gold Gloves in both the outfield (2000, 2002) and infield (2004) as a 1st baseman.

Cubs could use Angels' Figgins as Plan B

If the Chicago Cubs lose out on the bidding for Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, they could turn to Angels outfielder Chone Figgins, should the Angels make him available.

Miguel Cabrera Rumors

12.4.07 7:32am PST

Have the White Sox jumped into the race for Marlins' 3rd baseman Miguel Cabrera? According to Dave Van Dyck, though the White Sox don't have the strongest package (Josh Fields), mananger Ozzie Guillen is good friends with the young hitter and the Sox have already made calls to Florida inquiring about what it would take to land him.

If they do have enough to land him, they still have to find a team willing to take current 3rd baseman Joe Crede.

12.3.07 8:57am PST

According to ESPN's Peter Gammons, the Marlins are no longer pushing for both Nick Adenhart and Ervin Santana, they will take 1 of those 2. Knowing that information, it seems like the Angels and Marlins can make this deal happen.

12.2.07 2:36pm PST

Jon Heyman of SI.com, breaks down the trade talks between the Angels and Marlins for Marlins' 3rd baseman Miguel Cabrera.The deal the Angels have on the table at this time is 2nd baseman Howie Kendrick, catcher Jeff Mathis, 1 of either top pitching prospect Nick Adenhart or Ervin Santana and another mid-level pitching prospect.

The Angels thought this was a package that the Marlins would not be able to refuse, but Marlins' club owner Jeffrey Loria and club president David Samson insisted that the Angels part with both Adenhart and Santana, prompting the Angels to break off talks.

If the two sides were to begin negotiations again, Angels owner Artie Moreno has already said the Marlins would have to approach them.

Angels-Marlins Trade Talks Update

12.3.07 8:57am PST
According to ESPN's Peter Gammons, the Marlins are no longer pushing for both Nick Adenhart and Ervin Santana, they will take 1 of those 2. Knowing that information, it seems like the Angels and Marlins can make this deal happen.

12.2.07 2:36pm PST
Jon Heyman of SI.com, breaks down the trade talks between the Angels and Marlins for Marlins' 3rd baseman Miguel Cabrera.The deal the Angels have on the table at this time is 2nd baseman Howie Kendrick, catcher Jeff Mathis, 1 of either top pitching prospect Nick Adenhart or Ervin Santana and another mid-level pitching prospect.

The Angels thought this was a package that the Marlins would not be able to refuse, but Marlins' club owner Jeffrey Loria and club president David Samson insisted that the Angels part with both Adenhart and Santana, prompting the Angels to break off talks.

the two sides were to begin negotiations again, Angels owner Artie Moreno has already said the Marlins would have to approach them.

Giants, Angels interested in Miguel Tejada

Do any of us remember, in 2003, when Orioles' GM Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan walked up to the podium after just signing then free agent Miguel Tejada? How did that work out for them?

Going into the Winter Meetings this week, the Orioles look to find a trading partner for Tejada and they may find a suiter with the Giants or Angels. The Orioles may wait to see how the negotiations go with the Angels and Marlins regarding Miguel Tejada before approaching the Angels about their interest in the shortstop.

The Giants interest, on the other hand, is curious to me because they already signed Omar Vizquel to an extension, unless they plan on moving Tejada to 3rd.

Diamondbacks could be a big player during Winter Meetings

This time of year, there's always a lot of hype going into the MLB Winter Meetings, this year taking place in Nashville, TN. You hear the usual suspects in the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels, etc, but one name may come up that might surprise you... the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Though the DBacks have been very quiet in the weeks leading up to the annual meetings, they will be looking for the one thing that a lot of other teams will also be searching for...starting pitching. Arizona is especially vulnerable with aging veteran Randy Johnson coming off back surgery, as well as losing Livan Hernandez to free agency. The team currently has a 3-year offer out to Japanese right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, but so do a few other teams. Other names they have been linked to are right-hander Matt Clement and, before he signed with the Padres, left-hander Randy Wolf.

One thing that gives the Diamondbacks negotiating power is, they have young players that may entice other teams. Though, they will have their list of untouchable players such as Chris Young, Justin Upton, Stephen Drew and Mark Reynolds. Players they might be talked into parting with included Carlos Quentin or Double-A outfielder Carlos Gonzalez.

Angels-Marlins Trade talks for Cabrera

Jon Heyman of SI.com, breaks down the trade talks between the Angels and Marlins for Marlins' 3rd baseman Miguel Cabrera.

The deal the Angels have on the table at this time is 2nd baseman Howie Kendrick, catcher Jeff Mathis, 1 of either top pitching prospect Nick Adenhart or Ervin Santana and another mid-level pitching prospect.

The Angels thought this was a package that the Marlins would not be able to refuse, but Marlins' club owner Jeffrey Loria and club president David Samson insisted that the Angels part with both Adenhart and Santana, prompting the Angels to break off talks.

If the two sides were to begin negotiations again, Angels owner Artie Moreno has already said the Marlins would have to approach them.

Padres still talking to the Cardinals about Edmonds?

Previously mentioned in the San Diego Union Tribune, the Padres have interest in acquiring Cardinals CF'er Jim Edmonds. According to Jim Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Edmonds has a full no-trade clause but would waive it for a Southern California team only.

Knowing that, you have to look at the Dodgers and Angels, but neither team has any interest or have talked to the Cardinals about Edmonds, which leaves the San Diego Padres, who have confirmed having talks regarding the center fielder.

The question I have about this possible trade is, who would be heading to St. Louis in the deal? From the article posted, the Cardinals are looking for pitching, but I can't imagine the Padres would give up any of their top pitching prospects to acquire an aging outfielder that's past his prime.

Both teams are expected to check into registration late this afternoon in Nashville, so we'll see if these talks progress over the next 3-4 days.