Los Angeles Angels News

Angels' Hunter keeps getting better
Comment
February 9
Orange County Register
 
"Without knowing much about the Angels' 2009 season other than the AL West Division Championship, you could simply look at the statistics to give yourself an idea of how the team played. You would know, for instance, that no one struck out and walked more than Chone Figgins. A slew of Angels hit better than .270."
Shields still recovering from surgery
Comment
February 9
ESPN.com
 
"One of the Angels' top relief pitchers won't be ready to work from a mound at the start of spring training. Scot Shields flew from his home in Michigan to meet with Angels trainers last month and has yet to be cleared to throw off the mound. Nearly eight months after undergoing surgery to repair the patella tendon in his left knee last June 16, Shields has been limited to playing catch. Angels pitchers and catchers report to spring training Feb. 17, with the first workout scheduled for the next day."
Wood's turn at third has finally arrived
Comment
February 7
MLB.com
 
"Patience is an essential virtue, in life and at home plate. Brandon Wood could do a lecture tour on the subject. Having paid his dues in full for seven years, growing and evolving through the process, the Angels' third baseman feels he's ready to join the club as a full-time, full-service member in good standing. "It's something I've waited a long time for, having a chance to come in and win a job," Wood said, the path to steady work having finally cleared with Chone Figgins taking his multiple talents to Seattle as a free agent. Manager Mike Scioscia has pulled Wood aside the past few years to let him know he was in the club's master plans. "Sosh said, `You're going to play in the big ..."
Key player losses put Angels' AL West rule under assault
Comment
February 4
USA Today
 
"The Los Angeles Angels know there are people who think they aren't the same team that got within two victories of the World Series last season. "People can talk all they want, but the bottom line is that we are the division champs," All-Star center fielder Torii Hunter says. "For anyone to win the (AL) West, they've got to go through us. "I know Seattle made some big moves. Oakland and Texas helped themselves. But we'll be OK. We're just going to play our game and see where we're at when everything settles." ORGANIZATIONAL REPORTS: Team-by-team index The Angels lost ace John Lackey, leadoff hitter Chone Figgins, designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero and valuable setup man Darren Oliver to ..."
Angels reach agreement with Saunders
Comment
January 30
Orange County Register
 
"The Angels avoided arbitration with another one of their eight eligible players, reaching agreement on a one-year contract with left-hander Joe Saunders. The two sides were just $250,000 apart in salary figures filed last week. Saunders requested $3.85 million while the Angels offered $3.6 million. They met in the middle Friday, agreeing to a 2010 salary of $3.7 million. Saunders, 28, was 16-7 with a 4.60 ERA in 31 starts in 2009 despite spending time on the DL with a sore shoulder. In his first two full seasons in the major leagues, Saunders has gone 33-14 and is 48-22 with a 4.22 ERA during his career."
Angels, Joe Saunders agree to one-year deal
Comment
January 30
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Angels and left-hander Joe Saunders avoided arbitration by agreeing to terms on a one-year, $3.7-million contract Friday. Saunders, 28, the winningest left-hander in the American League over the last two seasons with a 33-14 record, had asked for $3.85 million when he and the club exchanged arbitration figures last week. The Angels countered with a $3.6-million offer. Saunders' new deal also includes a $25,000 bonus for 180 innings pitched and another $25,000 if he reaches 200 innings. An All-Star in 2008, Saunders averaged 192 innings over the last two seasons. He made $475,000 last season. With the loss of right-hander John Lackey to free agency and the Boston Red Sox, Saunders and ..."
Rex Hudler is having a tough time
Comment
January 29
Los Angeles Times
 
"Three weeks ago, Rex Hudler's mother, Annie Mueller Aroni, passed away at the age of 69 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. But emotions have no sense of time. It was his mother, he said, who negotiated his first major league contract -- with Gehrig's old team, the New York Yankees, no less. And now, 32 years later, Hudler is in danger of not being involved with a baseball team for the first time in his professional life. It has been a hard few months for the 49-year-old Hudler, the best bubbly baseball analyst around, if you like your analysts unabashedly bubbly. In November, after 11 seasons, he was let go from the job he loved: talking about the ..."
Angels' young pitchers, catchers already in Tempe
Comment
January 27
Orange County Register
 
"Spring training camps won't open for another three weeks. Most minor-leaguers won't report until some days after that. For 18 of the Angels' top pitching prospects and six of the organization's young catchers, though, class is already in session at the team's training complex in Tempe, Ariz. That group is in the second week of a 14-day development camp that runs through this weekend. The off-season program is being shepherded by Angels pitching coach Mike Butcher. Many major-league teams have winter workouts organized for their players. But most are casual gatherings aimed at shaking off the winter rust in preparation for spring training. The program the Angels' prospects are going through ..."
Maicer Izturis, Angels agree on $10-million, three-year deal
Comment
January 26
Los Angeles Times
 
"With one eye on the shaky market and another on his injury-filled track record, infielder Maicer Izturis forfeited a shot at a starting job in free agency in favor of a guaranteed $10 million from the Angels. "He's never had the security of a guaranteed contract, much less a multiyear guaranteed contract," agent Peter Greenberg said. "He's very happy." Izturis, 29, set career highs in virtually every offensive category last season, batting .300 with eight home runs and 13 stolen bases. He is expected to compete with Brandon Wood at third base but also back up Erick Aybar at shortstop and Howie Kendrick at second base. "They really like Maicer's versatility," Greenberg said. In avoiding ..."
Angels trade Gary Matthews Jr. to Mets
Comment
January 23
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Angels will pay their highest salary this year to Torii Hunter. They will pay their second-highest salary to a guy who could be on the bench for the New York Mets, and so the Angels might not be done spending money to assemble this year's team. Gary Matthews Jr. asked out of Anaheim after the season, but the Angels could not find a taker until the Mets suddenly needed an outfielder because of Carlos Beltran's knee surgery. The Mets acquired Matthews on Friday for middle reliever Brian Stokes, but not before the Angels agreed to pay all but $2 million of the $23.5 million remaining on Matthews' contract. The Angels talked up their pitching depth in two conference calls Friday -- one to ..."
Angels foot most of bill for Beltran substitute
Comment
January 23
New York Post
 
"Someone else's headache has a chance to be the Mets' aspirin. The Angels were so eager to dump Gary Matthews Jr., they agreed yesterday to pay the Mets $21.5 million to take him off their hands. It left the Mets with another option to play center field for at least the first month of the season while Carlos Beltran recovers from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. In return, the Angels received Brian Stokes, who emerged as a dependable reliever for the Mets last season. The 35-year-old Matthews hit .250 with four homers and 50 RBIs for the Angels in 2009. He has two years at $23.5 million remaining on the $50 million contract he signed before the 2007 season. With the money the Angels ..."
Mets get Angels outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. in trade as insurance for Carlos Beltran's knee surgery
Comment
January 22
New York Daily News
 
"In a move made to help fill the hole in center field caused by Carlos Beltran's knee surgery, the Mets have agreed on a trade that will acquire outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. from the Angels, according to a club source. The Mets weren't able to talk the Angels into taking Luis Castillo as part of the trade, so instead they are giving up right-handed reliever Brian Stokes. As part of the deal, the Angels will eat eat all but $4 million of the $24 million owed Matthews over the final two years of his contract. Matthews, 35, hit .250 with four home runs and 50 RBIs in a part-time role with the Angels last season. He has two years remaining on a five-year, $50 million contract he signed with the ..."
Mets trade for CF Gary Matthews Jr.
Comment
January 22
Bergen Record
 
"The Mets have made a trade with the Los Angeles Angels to acquire Gary Matthews Jr., with the Angels picking up nearly all of the $23.5 million remaining on the two years of his contract, a baseball official confirmed. The Mets are expected to pay $2 million of the deal, providing them with a veteran - if severely tarnished - center field option while Carlos Beltran rehabilitates from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. Mets officials have speculated that Angel Pagan would handle the starting duties in center while Beltran, who is expected to miss the first month of the season, is out. But Matthews Jr. would provide insurance for Pagan, as well as Jason Bay in left."
Mets trade for outfielder Gary Matthews Jr.
Comment
January 22
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The Mets traded for Angels outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. on Friday morning, a move that provides insurance as Carlos Beltran recovers from knee surgery. The Mets sent reliever Brian Stokes to the Angels, who according to SI.com (the first to the trade), picked up the bill for all but $2 million on the $23.5 million left on Matthew' contract over the next two years. The Angels felt saddled by Matthews' five-year, $50 million deal, considered widely to be a free agent flop. He's faltered after signing the deal and was named in the Mitchell Report. Matthews has since become a reserve outfielder, hitting .250 with four homers and 50 RBIs in 103 games last season."
Angels deal Gary Matthews Jr.
Comment
January 22
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Angels have reached an agreement with the Mets to send disgruntled outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. to New York for reliever Brian Stokes. The trade was announced this morning. The Angels signed Matthews to a five-year, $50-million free-agent contract before the 2007 season. But he batted just .252 that season, and the team signed Torii Hunter for five years and $90 million to replace him in center field that winter, relegating Matthews to a fourth outfielder spot for much of the next two seasons. Matthews had repeatedly asked the Angels to trade him during that time, but his sizable contract has made that difficult to do. However, the Mets, after learning this month that their center ..."
Reports: NY Mets trade for outfielder Gary Matthews Jr.
Comment
January 22
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The Mets traded for Angels outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. on Friday morning, according to multiple reports, a move that provides insurance as Carlos Beltran recovers from knee surgery. According to SI.com, who first reported the trade, the Mets sent reliever Brian Stokes to the Angels. Meanwhile, the Angels picked up the bill for all but $2 million on the $23 million left on Matthew' contract over the next two years. The Angels felt saddled by Matthews' five-year, $50 million deal, considered widely to be a free agent flop. He's faltered after signing the deal and was named in the Mitchell Report. Matthews has since become a reserve outfielder, hitting .250 with four homers and 50 RBIs in ..."
Mets get Gary Matthews Jr. in trade with Angels
Comment
January 22
New York Post
 
"The Mets are ready to fill the vacancy in center field created by Carlos Beltran's absence for at least the season's first month. The team announced today it has acquired Gary Matthews Jr. in a trade with the Angels for reliever Brian Stokes. Matthews hit .250 with four homers and 50 RBIs last season. The Angels agreed to send the Mets $21 million of his remaining $24 million salary as part of the trade, a person familiar with the details told The Associated Press."
Pineiro picks Angels over Mets
Comment
January 21
New York Post
 
"The Mets can remove another free agent from their list of targets. Joel Pineiro last night accepted a two-year contract worth $16 million from the Angels, leaving Mets GM Omar Minaya with one less starting pitcher to consider. Besides the Angels, the Mets and Dodgers showed the most interest in the veteran righty. Pineiro's decision came a day after the Mets whiffed on catcher Bengie Molina, who took less guaranteed money to re-sign with the Giants. But while Molina was a player Minaya coveted, the Mets are not as bothered by Pineiro's decision to sign elsewhere. Some within the Mets' front office had reservations about Pineiro based on his overall track record. Though he went 15-12 with a ..."
Angels and Joel Pineiro agree on a contract
Comment
January 21
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Angels moved closer toward filling the vacant spot in their rotation Wednesday, agreeing in principle to a deal with free agent Joel Pineiro. But with the 31-year-old right-hander needing to pass a physical before any contract can be signed, both sides were being coy with the news. General Manager Tony Reagins did not return calls, leaving it to Angels Vice President Tim Mead to issue a statement saying the team continues "to look at options to improve our club." Pineiro's agent, Adam Katz, was equally vague. "I have no comment," he said. However, the New York Mets, who were also in the bidding for Pineiro, weren't so guarded, saying that Pineiro's representatives had informed them he ..."
Angels strike deals with four, including Jered Weaver
Comment
January 20
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Angels avoided arbitration with four players Tuesday, agreeing to one-year contracts with pitcher Jered Weaver, catcher Mike Napoli, infielder Howie Kendrick and outfielder Reggie Willits. Weaver got the richest deal of the group and will be paid $4.265 million this season with an opportunity to earn more through award bonuses. He was paid $465,000 last season when he was 16-8 with a 3.75 earned-run average, throwing four complete games, including two shutouts. Napoli, who played in a career-high 114 games last year, hitting 20 home runs and driving in a career-high 56 runs, agreed to a $3.6-million deal that could grow by an additional $100,000 if he starts 120 games. Kendrick will ..."
Angels strike deals with four, including Jered Weaver
Comment
January 20
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Angels avoided arbitration with four players Tuesday, agreeing to one-year contracts with pitcher Jered Weaver, catcher Mike Napoli, infielder Howie Kendrick and outfielder Reggie Willits. Weaver got the richest deal of the group and will be paid $4.265 million this season with an opportunity to earn more through award bonuses. He was paid $465,000 last season when he was 16-8 with a 3.75 earned-run average, throwing four complete games, including two shutouts. Napoli, who played in a career-high 114 games last year, hitting 20 home runs and driving in a career-high 56 runs, agreed to a $3.6-million deal that could grow by an additional $100,000 if he starts 120 games. Kendrick will ..."
Angels, Kendrick avoid arbitration
Comment
January 19
MLB.com
 
"The Angels avoided arbitration with second baseman Howard Kendrick by signing him to a one-year deal worth $1.75 million plus incentives, SI.com reported on Tuesday. The 26-year-old batted .291 with a career-high 10 home runs and 61 RBIs in 105 games last season while splitting time with Maicer Izturis. Kendrick certainly finished the season strong after being sent to the Minors on June 11 after batting just .236 through his first 58 games. But he played his way back, batting .346 in 20 games in the Minors. After his July 4 callup, he hit a blistering .351 in his next 54 games to lead the Major Leagues in batting over that time period."
Angels not interested in Sheets: He wants to much
Comment
January 16
MLB.com
 
"The Angels will not watch free agent Ben Sheets throw on Tuesday, Angels general manager Tony Reagins told the Los Angeles Times. Sheets, who missed all of 2009 after having surgery on his right elbow in February, will throw for teams on Tuesday at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, but the Angels aren't interested. The right-hander is reportedly looking for $8 million guaranteed on a one-year deal, which prices him out of Anaheim, according to the report. Sheets, who is 86-83 with a 3.72 ERA in 221 career starts over eight seasons with the Brewers, is regarded as one of the best pitchers in baseball when healthy, but he has had trouble staying on the field in recent years. Sheets ..."
Rory Markas is given a loving farewell
Comment
January 15
Los Angeles Times
 
"Johnny Rivers came to Angel Stadium. He sang two songs, "Blue Suede Blues" and "I'll See You in My Dreams." Did you know that Rory Markas was a good friend of Rivers? He was. Rivers sang for Markas on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. Rivers had met Markas many years ago, when Markas was still a Clippers broadcaster. They became such good friends that Rivers came to sing in Markas' honor. Did you know that Markas had a girlfriend, a tiny woman with a strong voice, who had to be encouraged to date Markas? Armie Anabo didn't want to at first. You know, those television-radio guys being so full of themselves. But Anabo accepted a date with Markas almost four years ago, and Thursday night she ..."
Guerrero undergoing physical in Texas
Comment
January 11
MLB.com
 
"Vladimir Guerrero is in Texas today to have his physical. If all goes as expected, the Rangers are planning to officially announce his signing at a news conference later this afternoon. The Rangers reached an agreement with Guerrero on a one-year contract with a mutual option over the weekend. He will be their primary designated hitter but the deal is pending the physical. The Rangers also agreed to a one-year deal with free agent shortstop Khalil Greene to be their utility infielder. That deal is also pending a physical, which is expected to take place later this week. Guerrero, who turns 35 in February, played in 100 games for the Angels in 2009 and hit .295 with 15 home runs and 50 RBIs ..."
Vladimir Guerrero signs 1-year deal with Texas Rangers
Comment
January 10
Dallas Morning News
 
"Five years ago, coming off their best season in five years and with limited money available to improve their club, the Rangers invested $5 million in a right-handed hitting outfielder-DH for the middle of the lineup. On Saturday, in an identical situation, they did it again with one significant difference: Vladimir Guerrero is not Richard Hidalgo. According to two baseball sources, the Rangers agreed to a one-year deal Saturday with Guerrero worth $5 million guaranteed. Performance bonuses could drive the value of the deal higher. The deal also includes an option for 2011. Rangers GM Jon Daniels did not respond to requests for confirmation. About Guerrero, let's be clear: He's not the same ..."
Replacing Rory Markas won't be easy
Comment
January 7
Orange County Register
 
"First off, it will be impossible to replace broadcaster Rory Markas, a wonderful man and a fine broadcaster, in the minds of countless Angels fans. His radio call of the Angels clinching the 2002 World Series will live forever in their memories. And there is probably no good time to discuss who should physically replace Markas, who died Tuesday at 54, in the TV booth. He was scheduled for fulltime TV work, with analyst Mark Gubicza, in a retooled Angels broadcast team that was supposed to be more streamlined than the recent arrangement. Terry Smith and Jose Mota were expected to concentrate on Angels radio; it's possible, even likely, they will somehow be involved on the TV side as well. ..."
Report: $21 million from Angels may land Chapman
Comment
January 7
Orange County Register
 
"Aroldis Chapman, a high-ceiling Cuban left-hander who has been pursued by literally half the league this offseason, is expected to make a decision within a few days. The Sun-Sentinal cites an unnamed "industry source" who says "he expected Chapman ultimately to sign with either the Angels or Blue Jays for around $21 million." Chapman, 22, was clocked at 100 mph in the World Baseball Classic and early this offseason some (briefly) thought he could get $50 million — three times as much as the most recent greatest-prospect-of-all-time (of All Time!) Stephen Strasburg. Baseball America's Jim Callis wasn't as high on him, saying he'd be a top 25 prospect but not top 5."
Jays or Halos for Aroldis
Comment
January 7
Toronto Sun
 
"Ardolis Chapman a member of the Blue Jays? The 21-year-old left-hander is headed to either the Los Angeles Angels or the Jays within the next "three of four days" according to the Sun Sentinel.com of Fort Lauderdale. Chapman defected when the Cuban national team was in Holland in July. The report estimates a $21-million US signing bonus already is on the table for him. The Marlins had made a $13-million offer."
Rangers' pursuit of a power bat could lead to Vlad Guerrero
Comment
January 7
Yahoo! Sports
 
"According to a report on the Rangers' website, the team is interested in free agent OF/DH Vladimir Guerrero and is talking to his representatives. The holdup could be Guerrero's asking price, as the Rangers don't have much money to spend. However, given the lack of interest in Guerrero from other teams, the Rangers might have some bargaining power."
Angels was Markas' dream job
Comment
January 6
L.A. Daily News
 
"For as long as he could remember, Rory Markas dreamed about broadcasting Angels games. Sitting in the driveway of his home in Chatsworth in the 1960s, listening to Dick Enberg and Don Drysdale call the Angels' games on the radio in far-off Anaheim, Markas said he and his dad would sit in folding chairs and keep score. As he played shortstop for the Chatsworth High baseball team in the early '70s, then attended Los Angeles Valley College and graduated from Cal State Northridge, he had sportscasting as a goal. Two months ago, Angels management informed Markas he had been chosen to be the season-long TV voice. He had been doing play-by-play on both TV and radio for the team since 2002, when ..."
Angels face a tough call after Markas' death
Comment
January 6
Los Angeles Times
 
"In sports, in broadcasting, in politics, there is no getting around it. When someone leaves a team or a booth or an office, we must speculate. Who comes next? Who will be the next center fielder? The next anchor? The next senator? The next voice of the Angels? Rory Markas, a man of subtle humor, pleasing tone and acknowledged professionalism, died suddenly and unexpectedly Monday night. He had suffered a brain aneurysm in November 2008, recovered, broadcast an entire Angels season in 2009, was well into this USC basketball season and was getting ready to be the full-time, regular television play-by-play man for the Angels in 2010. In November, the Angels and FS West ended their ..."
Rory Markas dies at 54; Angels announcer called World Series win
Comment
January 6
Los Angeles Times
 
"Rory Markas, the popular and personable broadcaster known best for his memorable call of the final out of the Angels' 2002 World Series victory over the San Francisco Giants, died Monday night at his home in Palmdale. As of Tuesday afternoon, the cause of death had not been determined. He was 54. Markas, who spent eight years with the Angels and was recently promoted to the team's lead television play-by-play job, also served as the play-by-play voice for the USC men's basketball team and as a news reporter for KTTV Channel 11 in Los Angeles, covering fires and other natural disasters. Markas, who survived a near-fatal blood clot in his brain in November 2008, was also the lead radio ..."
Angels, USC broadcaster Rory Markas dies at 54
Comment
January 6
L.A. Daily News
 
"From as long as he could remember, Rory Markas dreamed about broadcasting games for the Angels. Sitting in the driveway of his home in Chatsworth in the 1960 s, listening to Dick Enberg and Don Drysdale call the Angels' games on the radio in far-off Anaheim, Markas said he and his dad would sit in folding chairs and keep score. As he played shortstop for the Chatsworth High baseball team in the early 1970 s, then attended Los Angeles Valley College and graduated from Cal State Northridge, sportscasting continued as a goal. Two months ago, Angels management informed Markas he had been chosen to be the season-long TV voice. He had been doing play-by-play on both TV and radio for the team ..."
The best team realistic money can buy, all for $80 million
Comment
January 2
USA Today
 columnist Paul White
"This team building is getting expensive.We've managed to assemble a formidable roster for Team 2009, USA TODAY Sports Weekly's annual exercise of creating a 25-man roster of the best players in their actual roles. But sticking to a realistic and responsible payroll was more difficult than it has been in several years. This is not an All-Star team, but a selection by USA TODAY baseball editors and reporters of a realistic roster, including 2009's best No. 1 starting pitcher, No. 2 starter, No. 3 starter, etc.; a bullpen with each role covered; a starting lineup; and a complete bench. Then, we pick a manger, hitting coach and pitching coach. To keep our choices as realistic as possible, we ..."
Cuban prospect draws Angels' interest
Comment
January 2
ESPN.com
 
"The Angels appear to be lining up an offer for Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman and they could have an inside edge when it comes to signing the hard-throwing left-hander. Chapman has become a close friend of Angels first baseman Kendry Morales, a fellow Cuban refugee who recently helped convince him to switch agents. Chapman and Morales have spent time together in Miami and have worked out together recently. "Selfishly, we're a nice fit. It's hard to come over here, and Kendry gives him some idea of the pitfalls of the adjustment," Angels scouting director Eddie Bane said. "It's a fit, but who knows? It depends on the price." The Boston Red Sox and Florida Marlins both reportedly offered ..."
Angels to sign reliever Fernando Rodney
Comment
December 25
Los Angeles Times
 
"Angels General Manager Tony Reagins did a little last-minute Christmas shopping Thursday. And while he didn't get exactly what he wanted to put under the tree, he's pretty happy with what he did get -- hard-throwing reliever Fernando Rodney, who set a franchise record by converting 37 of 38 save opportunities for the Detroit Tigers last season. Rodney, a 32-year-old free agent, agreed in principle to a two-year, $11-million contract to provide depth at the back of an already-deep bullpen that will return major league saves leader Brian Fuentes. It wasn't, however, the perfect gift. That's because Rodney's 4.40 earned-run average last season was the highest among American League relievers ..."
The Fabulous Forum
Comment
December 25
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Angels have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with hard-throwing reliever Fernando Rodney, a free agent who spent the last seven seasons with the Detroit Tigers. The 32-year-old went 2-5 with 37 saves in 38 chances for the Tigers last season in 73 games, striking out 61 in 75-2/3 innings. Terms of the deal were not officially released but it is believed Rodney will get $11 million over the two seasons. That pushes the Angels 2010 payroll to more than $110 million, close to last season's figure of $113 million."
Angels find economic playing field has changed
Comment
December 24
Los Angeles Times
 
"The e-mails have poured in, their theme personified by Craig Dunkin of Los Angeles, who wrote: "I know I'm not the only panicky Angels fan who has written to you . . . but what the heck are they doing?" Jim Bishop asked, "Is there some sort of cap on Angels spending? Or is [General Manager] Tony Reagins simply swinging and missing?" And when news broke last week that the Angels' top two pitching targets, John Lackey and Roy Halladay, would be heading to Boston and Philadelphia, respectively, Joshua Bonwell wondered, "Did Bill Stoneman bust through the walls like the Kool-Aid man, stage a coup and reassume control of the GM position?" These are troubling times for Angels fans used to seeing ..."
Angels, Rodney agree to deal
Comment
December 24
Detroit News
 
"Unusual guy, Fernando Rodney. But he wasn't the world's worst closer. He would sing in the clubhouse and make bird sounds. He wore such a lethal-looking tooth around his neck last spring that the Tigers worried he might accidentally stab himself with it. Eventually he got the hint and stopped wearing it while in uniform. But he still wasn't the world's worst closer. He had several voices -- his own deep baritone, but also one that sounded like a frog, which he used often. And he once saved three bags of hair to give to his own mother after teammate Freddy Dolsi gave him a haircut in Baltimore. As we said, unusual guy, Fernando Rodney. Fun to be around, a true character -- and, one last ..."
Source: Angels, Rodney agree to deal
Comment
December 23
ESPN.com
 
"Former Detroit Tigers closer Fernando Rodney and the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a two-year, $11 million deal pending a physical, a source told ESPNdeportes.com's Enrique Rojas. The physical examination is scheduled to take place later Wednesday. The 32-year-old Rodney saved 37 games in 38 opportunities for the Tigers last season. The Angels would be acquiring him primarily as a set-up man for closer Brian Fuentes. But the Angels are expected to give him some opportunities to close, as well. Fuentes succeeded Francisco Rodriguez as the Angels' closer last season and led the league in saves, with 48. But he also had six blown saves and appeared to shake the confidence of manager Mike ..."
Tigers' Fernando Rodney in serious talks with Angels
Comment
December 23
Detroit News
 
"Free-agent relief pitcher Fernando Rodney, who has been with the Tigers for seven seasons, is in "serious discussions" with the Los Angeles Angels, ESPN.com is reporting. ESPN.com attributes the information to a source familiar with the negotiations. Rodney, 32, would serve as a setup man to Angels closer Brian Fuentes. He is a Type B free agent, meaning the Tigers would be entitled to a supplementary draft pick as compensation should Rodney sign elsewhere."
Angels lose Darren Oliver but pursue Fernando Rodney
Comment
December 23
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Angels lost another key player to an American League West rival when reliever Darren Oliver, who went 15-3 with a 3.09 earned-run average over the last three seasons in Anaheim, signed a one-year, $3-million contract with the Texas Rangers. But the Angels do appear poised to replace Oliver's production. According to ESPN.com, the Angels are in "serious" negotiations with former Detroit closer Fernando Rodney, who saved 37 of 38 games for the Tigers last season but had a 4.40 ERA, the highest among AL relievers with 20 or more saves. Oliver's deal with the Rangers includes a vesting option that will guarantee the 39-year-old left-hander $3.5 million in 2011 if he makes 59 appearances in ..."
Four teams left in Bay bidding?
Comment
December 23
Foxsports.com
 
"With three days left before Christmas -- and the unofficial intermission of the Hot Stove season -- Jason Bay still doesn't know where he will play in 2010. But an official of one interested club believes that four teams remain involved in the bidding: the Mets, Mariners, Giants and Angels. And while the Yankees are signaling that they're not in on Bay -- or Matt Holliday, or Johnny Damon -- they have been known to shift course rapidly at this time of year."
Source: Angels, Rodney negotiating
Comment
December 22
ESPN.com
 
"The Los Angeles Angels are in serious discussions with free-agent right-handed reliever Fernando Rodney, a source familiar with the negotiations told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark on Tuesday. Rodney, 32, posted 37 saves in his first full season as the Tigers' closer in 2009, recording a career-high 75 2/3 innings."
Oliver, Rangers agree to one-year deal
Comment
December 21
MLB.com
 
"The Rangers have reached a tentative agreement with left-handed reliever Darren Oliver on a one-year deal for 2010 plus a vesting option for 2011, according to industry sources. The team has not confirmed the signing. The deal is pending a physical, which is scheduled for Tuesday. Oliver will receive $3.5 million in 2010. Oliver was 5-1 with a 2.71 ERA in 63 games for the Angels in 2009 and is 15-3 with a 3.10 ERA in 178 games over the past three years."
Source: Oliver nears deal with Rangers
Comment
December 21
ESPN.com
 
"Free agent reliever Darren Oliver is in serious discussions toward a contract with the Texas Rangers, a baseball source told ESPN.com Sunday. It's believed an agreement could be in place early this week. This will mark the third tour of Texas for Oliver, who began his big league career with the Rangers in 1993 and made a second tour of Arlington in 2000 and 2001. Oliver, a left-hander, has a career record of 106-83 in 16 seasons with Texas, St. Louis, Boston, Colorado, Florida, Houston, the Mets and the Angels."
Matsui is here, but fans' thoughts are elsewhere
Comment
December 17
Orange County Register
 
"If the Angels had been discussing Roy Halladay with Toronto when those talks opened up to a third bidder, why was it Seattle? Why couldn't the Angels have sneaked Cliff Lee and his gnat's-eyebrow fastball and his $8 million salary into Orange County? And if the Angels' refusal to give up Erick Aybar was the reason their Halladay talks went nowhere, how come nine bodies went flying to four cities Wednesday and no shortstops landed in Toronto? We ask ourselves these questions. Might as well. Nobody answered them at Angel Stadium. "This day is about Hideki Matsui," General Manager Tony Reagins said. Yeah, but we were thinking about other days. Like May 7, 8 and 9, and May 29, 30 and 31, and ..."
Angels, Matsui agree to one-year deal
Comment
December 17
Orange County Register
 
"The Angels don't know if momentum carries through the winter and into the spring, but Hideki Matsui has some. "His last couple of games were pretty good," Manager Mike Scioscia said. Matsui arrived here Wednesday to sign a one-year, $6.5 million deal with the Angels. He is the reigning World Series Most Valuable Player, with a .615 average, three home runs and eight RBIs in the Yankees' six-game victory over Philadelphia. "He's a professional hitter," Scioscia said. "That means he's a guy who knows when to pull the ball, when to go the other way, and he can put the bat on the ball. He'll help our young player a lot and he'll add to the middle of our lineup." Matsui, in essence, replaces ..."