Angels Trade Rumors

Angels, Abreu agree to new contract
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November 5
Orange County Register
 
"On the first day eligible players can file for free agency, the Angels headed that off with one of their seven potential free agents by reaching agreement with outfielder Bobby Abreu on a two-year contract with a club option for 2012. Abreu, 35, signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Angels on the eve of spring training this year. He hit .293 with 96 runs scored, 103 RBI and 30 stolen bases. "I am very happy to sign this contract," Abreu said in the team's press release. "I really enjoyed my first season with the club. The Angels are a solid organization, with an outstanding team and great fans. With the talent we have, I look forward to the opportunity of post-season competition once ..."
Matthews wants out of LA
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October 28
Los Angeles Times
 
"Three key Angels headed for free agency -- Chone Figgins, Bobby Abreu and Vladimir Guerrero -- have publicly expressed a desire to return to Anaheim, and center fielder Torii Hunter, after talking to free-agent pitcher John Lackey, is convinced the right-hander wants to remain an Angel. Gary Matthews Jr.? Not so much. The disgruntled outfielder with two years and $23 million left on his contract wants no part of the Angels in 2010, and he reiterated his request to be traded -- or released -- while cleaning out his Angel Stadium locker Tuesday. "I don't expect to be back; it's time to move on," Matthews said. "I'm ready to play for an organization that wants me to play every day. This ..."
Angels facing roster dilemma
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October 27
Orange County Register
 columnist Mark Whicker
"Last year, Mark Teixeira, Frankie Rodriguez and Garret Anderson were in the Angels' graduating class of sixth-year seniors. They were the free agents who left and probably were taking the Angels' AL West title with them. The Angels went to spring training anyway, and went a step further in the playoffs than they did in 2008 and, probably, wound up a better team. It's not a half-empty, half-full thing. It's the hole-in-the-water theory. Eventually, it gets filled. This year the class is bigger and more substantial. The hole is deeper, too, and there's a water shortage. The possible free agents are John Lackey, Vladimir Guerrero, Chone Figgins, Bobby Abreu and Darren Oliver. Those are vital ..."
Mets not interested in Lackey or Bradley; Holliday tops their list
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October 26
SI.com
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"The Mets don't seem inclined to pursue top free-agent pitcher John Lackey, who will surely shoot for a $100 million-plus contract in light of A.J. Burnett's $82.5 million deal. They do want to add a solid starting pitcher (they may try a do-over on Randy Wolf), but their big-ticket target is most likely going to be a left fielder. Matt Holliday is believed to top their list, though Jason Bay will certainly suffice. Bobby Abreu is another top free-agent outfielder, while Carl Crawford could be available in trade. The Mets have no interest in taking on Milton Bradley's problems."
Is it time to say goodbye Vlad?
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October 26
Orange County Register
 columnist Mark Saxon
"Vladimir Guerrero arrived in Anaheim six years ago as an enigma, a player the Angels knew as much about by way of legend as by scouting report. That cloud of mystery followed him to the door. Guerrero may have watched the final inning of his Angels career from the bench Sunday, after he was lifted for pinch runner Reggie Willits in the eighth inning of the Angels' 5-2 loss to the New York Yankees in Game 6 of the ALCS. The game encapsulated all the brilliant and baffling aspects of Guerrero's Hall of Fame-worthy career. How can you get an RBI post-season hit off Mariano Rivera? Nobody does that, at least not in this millennium. How could anyone even make contact with that sixth-inning ..."
Scioscia: Lackey likely in a Game 7
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October 24
New York Post
 
"The chances for rain and thunder at game time tonight are 90 percent. Should Game 6 be postponed until Sunday night and the Angels then win it, the forecast for John Lackey starting game 7 Monday night on three days' rest is somewhere between 90 and 100 percent. Asked yesterday if Lackey would be used on three days' rest, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said he would. "If there is an opportunity to look at bringing a guy like John back, it's something we would certainly consider," Scioscia said. "We have talked about a lot of different scenarios. I think we're gong to let this thing unfold a little bit and see how the weekend goes." Unfolded were Scioscia's Angels in Game 5, rallying from a ..."
Angels' ace John Lackey should hear pitch from Mets
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October 9
New York Daily News
 
"He has had a big-game reputation since he won Game 7 of the 2002 World Series as a 24-year-old rookie, yet John Lackey hadn't won a postseason start since that magical night. And last October he had raised eyebrows in his own clubhouse by complaining about a lack of offense after losing to the Red Sox. Suffice to say he has restored his reputation. On a night when the Angels needed someone to simply refuse to lose to the Red Sox and send a message that the past is the past, Lackey proved his worth in more ways than one. In one way, by throwing 7-1/3 shutout innings, he may well have set exactly the tone the Angels need to finally play their way past the Red Sox in the postseason. In ..."
Cuban defector attracts interest
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September 27
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Angels plan to take a look at Aroldis Chapman, the Cuban defector with the 100-mph fastball . . . if he is willing to face a hitter. Chapman was granted free agency Friday. The Angels will join the stampede to scout the 22-year-old left-hander, with the New York Yankees, New York Mets and Boston Red Sox among the clubs expected to rush in as well. "I'm sure we'll be interested," Angels scouting director Eddie Bane said. "I think everybody will be interested." Bane said he has heard that Chapman might throw for scouts in a bullpen session or two, then invite offers. "That's not going to get it done," Bane said. "Nobody's going to invest that kind of money in a guy off a bullpen, and ..."
Pitcher Chapman awaits MLB's ruling
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September 22
ESPN.com
 
"Aroldis Chapman, the Cuban defector considered to be one of the top pitching prospects in the world, petitioned Major League Baseball for free-agency status recently and is likely only weeks from becoming a free agent, according to his agent. Early Monday, Chapman's representatives announced that the left-hander has established residency in Andorra, a tiny country of about 84,000 that borders Spain and France. By establishing residency outside the United States, the 21-year-old Chapman avoids being subject to baseball's amateur draft. MLB must study his residency and legal paperwork before declaring him a free agent. "We chose Andorra because of its tranquility, its tax benefits for ..."
Fuentes, Jepsen could share ninth inning
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September 15
MLB.com
 
"Brian Fuentes' two-out save on Sunday might be more of a common occurrence for the Halos down the stretch, as manager Mike Scioscia didn't dismiss the possibility of using reliever Kevin Jepsen in certain situations to open the ninth inning. "Both guys have been an important part of the back end of the bullpen," Scioscia said prior to the Angels' makeup game at Yankee Stadium on Monday night. "But if there are some matches that could be advantageous [to use Jepsen], we will try to take advantage of [them]." It's no secret that Fuentes has struggled at times in the closer's role, as the four-time All-Star entered Monday with a 5.40 ERA in seven outings over five innings in September. In his ..."
Chicago White Sox setting table for off-season moves
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September 11
Chicago Tribune
 
"Addressing the White Sox's priorities for 2010 will be more complex than simply signing Angels free agents Chone Figgins and Bobby Abreu to fill their leadoff and left-handed run-producing concerns. General manager Ken Williams is placing his immediate thrust in this season's final 21 games toward seeing if the Sox can make a late push toward the American League Central title and aligning the team quickly for what could be an unpredictable off-season. "First, I have to let this play out and see how we finish, what that means in terms of next year's projections. Once marketing and sales gives us all the information, [Sox Chairman] Jerry Reinsdorf will give me a budget number," Williams ..."
Chone Figgins is a wanted man
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September 10
Los Angeles Times
 
"Speculation has already begun in Chicago and New York. The White Sox need a versatile defender who can lead off, the Cubs need more speed and on-base ability at the top of the order, the Yankees want a leadoff man to push Derek Jeter to the second spot. And Chone Figgins, the Angels' third baseman and leadoff batter extraordinaire, is at the top of each team's winter shopping list. "It's always good to be wanted," said Figgins, who will become a free agent after the season. "But when you find a home, you want to stay here. I love what this organization is all about -- winning, playing hard. I love being here." The Angels hold exclusive negotiating rights to Figgins for 15 days after the ..."
Angels' Chone Figgins may be on Cubs' radar
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September 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs spent the winter of 2007-08 unsuccessfully trying to acquire leadoff man Brian Roberts from the Orioles. Now they may spend the 2009-10 off-season trying to sign free-agent leadoff man Chone Figgins from the Angels. Asked if Kosuke Fukudome would be his leadoff man in 2010, Lou Piniella replied: "It's a possibility. I would think that we'd probably try to add more speed, but we'll see. That's just a conjecture, nothing more, nothing less. But if not, certainly Fukudome would be a candidate." Figgins, a switch-hitter who can play second, third or any outfield spot, is hitting .303 with a .399 on-base percentage and 39 stolen bases in 55 attempts. Fukudome is hitting .300 in 100 ..."
Angels' Saunders to start Wednesday
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August 25
L.A. Daily News
 
"Manager Mike Scioscia made it official Monday that left-hander Joe Saunders will return to the rotation Wednesday afternoon against the Detroit Tigers. Saunders has been on the disabled list since Aug. 8 with left shoulder stiffness. He said he had been feeling shoulder stiffness since spring training, but it didn't start affecting his numbers until May. Saunders started the season 5-1 with a 2.66 ERA over his first seven starts, but was 4-5 with a 6.36 ERA over his past 15. He finally gave into the discomfort in an Aug. 7 start against the Texas Rangers when he gave up five runs in just 1 2/3 innings. Saunders will jump into the rotation spot most recently occupied by Sean O'Sullivan, who ..."
Joe Saunders take a big step toward returning to Angels' rotation
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August 22
Los Angeles Times
 
"Joe Saunders took a significant step in his return from shoulder tightness, throwing 55 maximum-effort pitches during a three-inning simulated game in the Rogers Centre bullpen Friday. If the Angels left-hander feels as good after a similar workout Sunday or Monday, he will rejoin the rotation later in the week. "This is the best I've felt since last year," said Saunders, who has benefited from an Aug. 8 cortisone shot and some rest. "I long-tossed farther than I ever have for four out of five days, and my arm has responded great. There's no tightness, no soreness, knock on wood. I'm ready to get back out there." Saunders was an All-Star in 2008, when he was 17-7 with a 3.41 earned-run ..."
Hunter could be ready to go this weekend
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August 11
Orange County Register
 
"According to reports, the Dodgers' Manny Ramirez spent five days on a rehab assignment and never paid for the postgame meal for his minor league teammates. The Angels' Torii Hunter has different plans. "Every night," he said. "I've been in A-ball. I know what it's like. We're going to definitely have some good food down there." Hunter's three games playing for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga are scheduled to begin tonight. He then will board a plane for Baltimore on Friday and likely be activated either Saturday or Sunday. Hunter went through a tiring workout at Angel Stadium on Monday in which he tested himself in all phases of the game. He said his injured groin muscle is at "90 percent" and ..."
Is a trade about to go down?
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July 31
Orange County Register
 
"Something is afoot in Minneapolis. The Angels brought along two players from Triple-A Salt Lake when they only have one roster spot. Coming up are utility man Sean Rodriguez and catcher Bobby Wilson. Adding to the suspicion that a trade is imminent: Juan Rivera figures to get most of the designated-hitter at-bats on the artificial turf at the Metrodome, so why do the Angels need a third catcher?"
Angels, Marlins interested in Bell
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July 31
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Heath Bell called it the kiss of death. "We just signed a one-year lease on a home in San Diego," the closer said Thursday in the Padres' clubhouse. "Before signing the lease, I didn't give a second thought to the possibility of being traded. But as soon as I signed the lease, I'm thinking, 'Oh, no.' " Bell hasn't been traded yet. But his name moved to the front of the potential trades Padres General Manager Kevin Towers is considering as Friday's 1 p.m. trade deadline approaches. Late Thursday night, both the Los Angeles Angels and Florida Marlins were still talking to the Padres regarding Bell, who has successfully converted 25 of 26 save opportunities this season. But Bell said he ..."
Angels don't look to be in Halladay chase
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July 30
Foxsports.com
 
"In the end, the Angels were not serious players for Indians left-hander Cliff Lee, according to a major-league source. They do not appear to be serious players for Roy Halladay, either. The Angels, according to FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi, rejected a Blue Jays' proposal that would have required them to part with three major leaguers — left-hander Joe Saunders, shortstop Erick Aybar and infielder Brandon Wood. The talks since have failed to gain traction, with one source saying that the Angels simply do not match up well with the Jays. "If those are the levels, we're not going to do an 11th-hour entry," one Angels source said, referring to the Blue Jays' initial asking price. "We're not ..."
Obstacles aplenty in any potential Halladay deals
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July 30
CBSSports.com
 
"The Philadelphia Phillies now off the table after acquiring Cliff Lee from Cleveland, Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi says his "gut" tells him that ace Roy Halladay will remain with the Blue Jays through Friday's deadline. Trade deadline translation: Less than 48 hours until Friday's non-waivers trade deadline, Ricciardi's gut is telling him that it doesn't like what the Angels, Red Sox, Dodgers, Rangers and Yankees are offering. "My gut tells me [that he won't be traded]," Ricciardi told colleague Danny Knobler shortly after learning Wednesday that the Phillies had re-directed away from Halladay and latched onto Lee. "We haven't been moved enough to move the player." No doubt, ..."
Lackey makes pitch for Halladay
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July 30
Orange County Register
 
"S o you want the Angels to add an ace? Guess what? That Angels' ace wants the Angels to add an ace, too. "Roy Halladay?" John Lackey said. "I'm all for it. To me, he's the best pitcher in the league. Besides, a little healthy competition is good for a rotation." There's the Angels' best pitcher making his best pitch. If Lackey had stated these feelings on Twitter, this would be breaking news, right up there with reporter Dwyane Wade reporting that basketball player Dwyane Wade wants Lamar Odom as a teammate. There is, however, one big difference between you and Lackey. You're guaranteed to be here next year. An impending free agent, Lackey could spend the summer of 2010 anywhere from ..."
O'Sullivan could be arm Angels are looking for
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July 30
L.A. Daily News
 
"Cliff Lee is headed to Philadelphia, Roy Halladay might not go anywhere and Sean O'Sullivan just worked himself into the mix again. When it comes to the future of the Angels' rotation, the latest twist is that a rookie in the team's own system could provide the shot in the arm the pitchers need so desperately. Cleveland's Lee and Toronto's Halladay were a pair of standout veterans high on the Angels' wish list, but as expected, the asking price for each was unworkable. The Angels reportedly didn't have the young pitching the Indians desired in return for Lee, and in the case of Halladay, that option would have required too many pieces from the big-league roster to make it happen. ..."
Trade Roundup: Clubs shift focus to Lee
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July 29
MLB.com
 
"Talk is never cheap this time of the year, especially when the conversations involve trading away several top prospects to land one big prize.But how much is too much? What's fair? General managers across the league are likely pondering similar questions and weighing different scenarios as the clock ticks toward Friday's 4 p.m. ET non-waiver Trade Deadline.Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay remains the biggest star available on the market but it appears that he is staying Toronto. Tuesday marked the flexible deadline that Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi set for potentially dealing Halladay, but he said club was not close to reaching a decision on the pitcher."It doesn't matter if it's ..."
Angels remain in trade talks, but no deal yet
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July 29
Los Angeles Times
 
"As night fell in the west Tuesday, Roy Halladay remained a Toronto Blue Jay, Cliff Lee remained a Cleveland Indian, and Tony Reagins remained a general manager in pursuit of both, even though the Angels' chances of acquiring either ace seem remote. "I've had extensive conversations with several teams," Reagins said Tuesday of his search for a front-of-the-rotation starter. "If there was a match, we'd have a deal done. Right now, there hasn't been a fit." According to reports, the Blue Jays asked the Angels for shortstop Erick Aybar, a big league starter -- Jered Weaver or Joe Saunders -- infield prospect Brandon Wood and a top prospect such as double-A pitcher Trevor Reckling or outfielder ..."
Lee prefers to stay in Cleveland, but OK with trade
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July 28
Foxsports.com
 
"Cliff Lee will not be upset if he is traded. While the Indians left-hander wants to spend the rest of his career in Cleveland, he recognizes that his time with the team is running short. Lee, after learning in spring training that the Indians would not sign him to a contract extension, told the team that he plans to become a free agent when his current deal expires after the 2010 season, according to his agent, Darek Braunecker. A trade appears inevitable, perhaps even by Friday's non-waiver deadline. Lee, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, would prefer such a move to happen sooner rather than later, Braunecker said. The Phillies, Dodgers, Angels, Rays and Rangers are ..."
Indians' Lee now a trade target for Angels
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July 28
L.A. Daily News
 
"A new day and a new trade rumor for the Angels, this time with a player sitting in the opposite dugout. While no progress has been made toward acquiring the Toronto Blue Jays' Roy Halladay, the team's reported next target is Cleveland Indians ace Cliff Lee. The Indians started a three-game series with the Angels at Angel Stadium on Monday, but Lee is not scheduled to pitch. The left-hander last took the mound Sunday and continued his revival from a slow start to the season. Lee pitched seven solid innings at Seattle, winning his third consecutive start. After starting the season 1-5, Lee entered play Monday with the seventh best ERA in the American League at 3.14. He is first in innings ..."
Angels in hot pursuit of Cleveland pitcher Cliff Lee
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July 28
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Angels' hopes of acquiring Toronto ace Roy Halladay are fading, but the team remains in active pursuit of Cliff Lee, the Cleveland ace and 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner, as well as several late-inning relievers. Like Halladay, Lee, who is 7-9 with a 3.14 earned-run average in 22 starts, is signed through 2010 -- there is a team option on him for a reasonable $8 million next season -- but the Angels and Indians don't appear to be a good match for a trade. With Friday's non-waiver trade deadline approaching, Cleveland General Manager Mark Shapiro recently told reporters that "any deal we make, we're looking for pitching, pitching and more pitching." With starters Ervin ..."
A's asking a lot for Wuertz; Duchscherer a target?
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July 27
Foxsports.com
 
"A's righty Justin Duchscherer, who has yet to pitch in the majors this season while coming off elbow surgery, recorded six outs on 18 pitches Sunday in a Class A rehabilitation assignment that was well-attended by scouts. Duchscherer, 31, threw 22 more pitches in the bullpen, bringing his total to 40. He is scheduled to throw 60 in his next rehab appearance on Friday, which will take place after the 4 p.m. non-waiver deadline. While Duchscherer is frequently injured, he will be highly motivated to pitch in the final two months as he prepares to enter the free-agent market. He has been an All-Star as both a starter and reliever, and has a 3.14 career ERA. Any team that acquires Duchscherer ..."
Kazmir: from great trade to tough sell
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July 27
SI.com
 (scroll down)
"Reports surfaced about the Angels' supposed interest in Scott Kazmir. But so far, no one with the Angels have copped to this. The Rays probably would love the idea of trading Kazmir and the $22 million remaining on his contract to free up some cash and make a real play for catcher Victor Martinez, or perhaps even Lee or Halladay. But Kazmir has seen his velocity dip from 96 mph to about 91 mph as questions arise about his work ethic. He's a very pleasant kid, and the Mets have rued the day they traded him, but his contract does not look particularly pretty at the moment."
Angels ponder costly decision
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July 27
L.A. Daily News
 
"It's that time of the year around baseball, when a $2 carton of eggs becomes $5. Having been a buyer at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline most of the decade, the Angels know how steep the prices can get to add talent. This year it might be more costly than ever. It hasn't been just the phone calls made by general manager Tony Reagins that have alerted the Angels to rising prices for making a trade. The Angels have seen deals develop around the league that have looked particularly one-sided. The Angels insist they are willing to spend a premium price - to a point, of course. "If you're going to overpay for pitching, how much do you want to overpay for a guy?" manager Mike Scioscia said. ..."
Angels are seeking the right kind of trade
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July 27
Los Angeles Times
 
"How much is too much? That's a question Angels management could grapple with in the final days before the non-waiver trading deadline as it attempts to add a pitcher. "If you want pitching, you're going to overpay for it," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "It's such a rare commodity." Just because Angels owner Arte Moreno said there are "no financial constraints" in his team's pursuit of pitching help doesn't mean the club won't balk at the asking price. Toronto ace Roy Halladay, for instance, could cost the Angels much more than the $20.5 million he's owed for the rest of this season and all of next season. According to a FOXSports.com report:-Angels-intensify-bid-in-Halladay-chase, Blue Jays ..."
Angels may be out of Halladay sweepstakes
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July 26
Yahoo! Sports
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"As of Saturday night, the Angels were of the mind to remove themselves from the Roy Halladaytalks, believing they were never going to come close to the Blue Jays' asking price of Joe Saunders, Erick Aybar, Brandon Wood and a prospect such as outfielder Peter Bourjos."
The Relief Market
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July 26
Yahoo! Sports
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"The Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins are among the clubs who need a lot of help in their bullpens. The asking price has been so high that Bell might as well be unavailable, but just how many wins is Bell going to be asked to protect over the next couple seasons? It's a question general manager Kevin Towers will weigh against whatever arises over the next six days. As one baseball personnel man said Saturday, "There are about eight good arms available out there and 20 teams looking." As the deadline nears, they'll be climbing over one other for the likes of the Baltimore Orioles' George Sherrill, Oakland Athletics' Michael Wuertz, Toronto Blue ..."
Angels offered Weaver for Halladay
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July 26
Bergen Record
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"Angels: They've got the Jays' attention, having offered Jered Weaver, among others, to pry away Halladay. The Angels are on a roll now, having won nine of their last 10, propelling them to a 4½-game lead over the Rangers. They're thinking like the Phillies: Halladay would be the final piece to a World Series berth. More significantly, owner Arte Moreno told the L.A. Times, "We have no financial constraints.""
Angels still pursuing an ace, even Roy Halladay
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July 24
Los Angeles Times
 
"Angels owner Arte Moreno said the club remains interested in acquiring an ace starter and has not heard anything that would preclude the pursuit of the likes of Toronto's Roy Halladay and Cleveland's Cliff Lee. "We're keeping all our options open," Moreno said. "If we can see a fair deal for someone we believe can help our team, we're going to compete there. We don't have any financial constraints." Halladay would make $20.5 million over the last two months of this season and all of next season, after which his contract expires. Lee also would be a free agent after next season and would make $10.9 million until then. However, a trade for a veteran reliever appears more likely. The Angels ..."
Angels focusing on acquiring pitching
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July 23
Foxsports.com
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"The Angels, after inquiring on Halladay and Diamondbacks right-hander Dan Haren, are focused almost entirely on adding bullpen help. Orioles closer George Sherrill and Indians right-hander Rafael Betancourt are among the Angels' options. Another Orioles reliever who could be in play, though not necessarily for the Angels: Left-hander Mark Hendrickson, who has a 2.53 ERA and .633 opponents' OPS in 21 relief appearances. The Rockies, badly in need of bullpen help, are among the teams talking with the Orioles about right-hander Danys Baez."
Rockies, Dodgers and Angels looking for relief
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July 21
SI.com
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"The red-hot Rockies, now leading the NL Wild Card race, are looking for relief. They called about Betancourt (one of many Indians up for grabs) and also have talked about Chad Qualls, George Sherrill, Danys Baez and Takashi Saito. •Sherrill would be a "real overpay," one GM said, and you can't blame Baltimore for that in this barren relief market. Both the Angels and Dodgers make sense for him. •Some believe the Diamondbacks will hold onto Qualls now that Tony Pena is gone."
Phillies won't give up Drabek for Halladay
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July 21
SI.com
 
"The latest word from a source familiar with Philadelphia's thinking is that the front-running Phillies have decided they will not include top pitching prospect Kyle Drabek in a four-player package for superstar pitcher Roy Halladay, perhaps raising the chances that Halladay will be dealt elsewhere or maybe even stay with the Jays. The Phillies are believed to have told Toronto of their Drabek decision, but if they haven't yet they will inform the Jays very soon. Philadelphia has a bevy of respectable prospects, but opinions around baseball vary as to how decent the deal might be for Toronto without the inclusion of Drabek. The two teams have been discussing prospects, including outfielder ..."
How inclined are O's to trade closer Sherrill?
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July 20
Foxsports.com
 
"The Orioles' acquisition of Padres right-hander Cla Meredith on Sunday is not necessarily a precursor to a trade of left-handed closer George Sherrill. The team already is deep in right-handed relievers, and Meredith, whose ERA since June 2 is 6.06, does not exactly qualify as late-inning "insurance." While a trade of Sherrill looks inevitable — "They will move him; they know he's the best available closer out there," one rival executive says — it is not yet imminent. One general manager interested in Sherrill says the Orioles are "playing the 'don't-have-to-move-him-so-make-us' card" — a characterization the O's do not dispute. "If it's something meaningful coming back, something we don't ..."
Sherrill hunt
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July 19
Los Angeles Times
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"The Angels have expressed interest in Baltimore closer George Sherrill, and the Orioles had a scout at Saturday's game, but the teams do not appear close to a deal. The Orioles so far are asking for two top prospects for Sherrill. The Angels would like Sherrill to pitch the eighth inning for them, but not at the price of, say, Brandon Wood and Trevor Reckling. Sherrill, 32, has converted 20 saves in 23 opportunities, with a 2.35 earned-run average. He would earn $915,000 for the final two months this season and would not be eligible for free agency until after the 2011 season. The Orioles have told teams that Sherrill, reliever Danys Baez and infielders Aubrey Huff and Melvin Mora are ..."
Angels hot to trot for Halladay
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July 14
Toronto Sun
 
"The second installment of summer book odds on the running of the first Roy Halladay sweepstakes leading to the July 31 trade deadline: ANGELS 5-2 Infielder Brandon Wood, a pitching prospect like Trevor Reckling or Jordan Walden. Will Halladay go to the coast? Former GM Bill Stoneman was not known for deadline deals but GM Tony Reagins, added Mark Teixeira at the deadline last year. YANKEES 3-1 Yankees may be a third-place team, according to one scout who saw them in Anahiem. Yankees are looking at Ian Snell (Pirates). They need a starter. Yanks could move Phil Hughes, plus prospects. CARDINALS 9-2 Secret weapon: Chris Carpenter can sell his pal Halladay on playing in St. Louis. ..."
Scioscia targets pitching after break
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July 13
Orange County Register
 
"Angels manager Mike Scioscia knows exactly what he'd like to see change when his team returns from the All-Star break. "There are some guys we need to get into their games," he said, specifically pointing to "the pitching side." "If it doesn't (happen)," he added, "we're going to have to keep pounding the ball which would put a lot of pressure on the offensive side." While agreeing that the pitchers need to improve in the second half, Angels starter John Lackey couldn't help but note the irony in Scioscia's statement. The inverse relationship has been a summer staple in Anaheim the past few years with the pitchers carrying the load and the Angels perennially searching for more offense. ..."
Angels' Torii Hunter, Vladimir Guerrero could be out for a month
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July 11
Los Angeles Times
 
"The injuries that sent Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero to the 15-day disabled list Friday could sideline the two outfielders for a month, leaving a huge void in the middle of the lineup. "We're looking at possibly three to four weeks for both players," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "The injuries are significant. They're not little 10-day things. It's going to take a little more time." Hunter's injury -- an adductor strain on his right side -- cost the center fielder a spot on the American League All-Star team. He was replaced for Tuesday's game in St. Louis by Texas' Nelson Cruz, who had the next-highest number of outfield votes from players, coaches and managers. "I really wanted to go ..."
Angels could be major player if Blue Jays hold Halladay sweepstakes
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July 8
L.A. Daily News
 
"If the Angels can add Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Roy Halladay by the end of the month, they will become the big cheese of the trade deadline for the second consecutive year. The Angels were the big mover of last year's July 31 non-waiver trade deadline when they acquired Mark Teixeira from the Atlanta Braves. Now the Blue Jays have announced that their ace Halladay is available for the right offer. Halladay won't come cheap. Guys like Brandon Wood, Erick Aybar and Howie Kendrick would likely come up in trade discussions, not to mention top minor-league pitchers like Trevor Reckling and Jordan Walden. General manager Tony Reagins is prevented by major-league tampering rules from talking ..."
Toronto's Roy Halladay has Angels' attention
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July 8
Los Angeles Times
 
"Toronto General Manager J.P. Ricciardi has made public what the Angels have known for weeks, that the Blue Jays are fielding trade offers for Roy Halladay, a right-hander who is among the best pitchers in the game. "Tony has talked to a lot of clubs, and he's talked to Toronto," Manager Mike Scioscia said Tuesday, referring to Angels General Manager Tony Reagins. "Obviously, [Halladay] is a name that piques the interest of everyone in baseball." Especially the Angels, who in June were reportedly rebuffed in their efforts to engage Arizona in trade talks for Dan Haren. The Angels are looking for late-inning relief help, and among the pitchers they have targeted are Toronto's Scott Downs and ..."
Might Rangers be in Lackey's future?
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July 2
Orange County Register
 
"John Lackey said he has never met his boyhood hero. But he might get that chance this winter. With Lackey headed toward free agency, he could find the Texas Rangers- and their club president, Nolan Ryan - knocking on his door as one of his suitors. In that situation, would Lackey have the guts to tell the pitching icon, "No?" "I'm not sure who does," Lackey said with a laugh. "It'd be cool, no doubt (to meet Ryan under those circumstances). But I'm not even thinking that far ahead." Lackey said that "the Rangers were my team growing up" about 150 miles west of Dallas in Abilene, Texas. But he there are "a lot of factors" that will come into play beyond the chance to pitch close to home. ..."
Fuentes: Angels can win with what they've got
Comment
July 1
Orange County Register
 
"The Angels' shopping list in the weeks before the trade deadline couldn't be more obvious if they posted it on Craigslist. Relief pitching tops that list. But Angels closer Brian Fuentes doesn't see the need as being that urgent. "I feel we can win with what we have," Fuentes said. "But I know that's the front office's job. They're always looking for ways to improve the club. I'm sure they'd like to add (Tim) Lincecum, (Jake) Peavy) and (CC) Sabathia too if they could. But we have some good starting pitchers already. "I understand you're always looking to improve your club in any area that you can. But I'm real comfortable with what we have here." The Angels do have an improved bullpen ..."
Ten ball clubs that can add payroll
Comment
June 22
SI.com
 
"Baseball is doing better than most businesses. But you know something's amiss when even the Yankees are claiming they can't add salary or expand their payroll. Ultimately, the $200 million team just might find a few mil in the seat cushions. But for now anyway, they're saying they are tapped out. The same may be true for the Cubs, yet another storied big-market club that may not spend this summer. The Cubs' situation could be compromised by the glacial pace of the team's sale. At present, their player dealings appear to be in the same sort of limbo as the sale, meaning their big in-season acquisition may be limited to recovering star Aramis Ramirez. The Rangers also are believed to have ..."
Angels aren't interested in Pedro Martinez
Comment
June 22
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Angels have "no interest" in pitcher Pedro Martinez, General Manager Tony Reagins said Sunday. Reagins said the Angels chose not to pursue Martinez for baseball reasons and not financial ones. The Angels scouted Martinez at his workout last week in the Dominican Republic. The Dodgers did not scout the workout, and Manager Joe Torre said that the team has not discussed Martinez since spring training. Reagins did not elaborate on his comments, but a baseball source familiar with reports from the workout said Martinez's fastball was clocked most often in the 85-mph range. The source, who declined to be identified because he was not authorized to publicly discuss scouting reports, said ..."
Could Matt Holliday end up with the Angels?
Comment
June 21
Los Angeles Times
 
"Orange County: Nice for Holliday? Matt Holliday grew up in Oklahoma and has a home in Colorado. So where did he rent a home last winter? Laguna Beach. Loved it. So did his wife. So maybe, just maybe, the Hollidays could move to Orange County for good next year. If Jason Bay stays with the Boston Red Sox, Holliday would be the best outfielder available in free agency, the one acquisition that would allow the Angels to bid farewell to Vladimir Guerrero without too much of a fuss. "I obviously enjoy Southern California," Holliday said. "They're a winning franchise. It's a great place to live. "Every guy would be interested in playing for an organization like that." Beyond that, who knows? ..."
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