News Roundup: Angels Trade for Jon Garland

by Charlie Wilmoth on Nov 19, 2007 2:43 PM EST in News

-P- The Angels have traded shortstop Orlando Cabrera to the White Sox for starter Jon Garland. My first reaction was that this was a steal for the Angels, but after looking into it further, I'm not sure. This deal presumably opens a spot for Brandon Wood to start at shorstop, which is great for Los Angeles, but Garland is owed $12 million in 2008. While he reliably eats innings, his strikeout rate shrunk to 4.23 batters per nine last year. His ERA was also 4.23, and one wonders if he'll be able to keep that up next year, particularly without Orlando Cabrera behind him, and especially if the Angels trade for Miguel Cabrera. Still, 200 innings are 200 innings. The Sox, meanwhile, get an upgrade over Juan Uribe in a very thin shortstop market. This is a pretty good trade for both sides, I think.

-P- Mike Lowell will sign a three-year, $37.5 million deal to stay with the Red Sox. This seems like a lot to pay a merely good player in his mid-30s.

-P- The A's have traded utility infielder Marco Scutaro to the Jays for minor league starting pitchers Kristian Bell and Graham Godfrey. This is mostly just a case of the Athletics getting rid of a player they don't really need anymore. Neither Bell nor Godfrey are all that interesting, but as minor league starters, they at least have a chance of succeeding in the bullpen. The Jays now have approximately eight trillion utility infielders on their roster, so who knows what they're doing.

-P- Tom Glavine is returning to the Braves for one year and $8 million. It's probably worth it for Atlanta in PR value alone, and Glavine had been reasonably effective until 2007, but with the 89 strikeouts and 64 walks he posted last year, I wouldn't expect him to contribute all that much.

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Barring further trades, particularly for Cabrera, my guess is that Eric Aybar will get first shot at SS, with Wood given a chance too. Wood could be the 3B, with Figgins in the mix there and just about everywhere else.

Lowell's money may be a bit of a discount from what he could have gotten elsewhere, particularly if Cabrera stays put. He certainly was better than merely good last year in Fenway--.879 with a stellar glove. The contract takes him through age 36. Who can blame the Sox for trying to keep the core of their team together for another shot or two (and Lowell was going to get at least 3 years no matter where he signed), particularly with virtual unlimited resources at hand.

by rogero on Nov 19, 2007 2:59 PM EST reply actions

Wilson

My first thought was that the Angels might have an interest in SS Jack Wilson. Then I saw that they laready have some SS options -- Erick Aybar, Maicer Izturis, maybe Brandon Wood -- so odds are long that anything gets done. Still, the Angels have some commodities that would fit well with the Pirates, including 3B Dallas McPherson and deposed SP Ervin Santana.

McPherson: http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/M/dallas-mcpherson.shtml
Santana: http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/S/Ervin-Santana.shtml

by Alleghenys on Nov 19, 2007 6:13 PM EST reply actions

MacPherson and Santana

It's hard to believe, but MacPherson is already 27... it seemed he'd hit a wall even before last year, and who knows how much he has left after whatever the injury was. (I forget.) Santana, I'd definitely want to take a chance on that guy.

My sense, though, is that the Angels are dealing from strength here. I'm also sure they won't want to make any kind of move until they figure out what's going on with Miguel Cabrera anyway.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Nov 19, 2007 6:37 PM EST up reply actions

MacPherson had a back "problem"

I had thought the injury had ended his career.

by steve_z on Nov 19, 2007 9:10 PM EST up reply actions

so in other words...

he'll fit in very well then?

by Al Pedrique RBI Allstar on Nov 20, 2007 1:57 AM EST up reply actions

Back this year

McPherson had surgery on a bulging disk last January, which ended his 2007 season. He almost returned at the end of the season and is apparently on track to play in 2008. In 2004, he hit 43 home runs in 562 ABs between AA, AAA and the majors. He has also been a plus OBP hitter. Obviously, his back problems and age are cause for concern, but this is the type of player the small-market Pirates should consider acquiring while his value is down. And despite the occasionally positive reports on Neil Walker, we could really use a 3B.

by Alleghenys on Nov 20, 2007 10:16 AM EST up reply actions

With the pitching the Angels have

you have to think they would be willing to part with Santana. If there is no trade for Cabrera and Figgins projects at third they may have a use for a certain Pirate left fielder. Bay could return Santana and a prospect or two if the Angels have a need for him.

by The New Guy on Nov 20, 2007 11:06 AM EST up reply actions

McPherson

You need to step pretty hard on McPherson's minor-league numbers, due to his positive hitting environments and big K-rate (203 K in 521 AAA ABs). He's got some value, but I don't know that he'll ever hit much better than .250/.300/.450 because he has such serious issues with contact.

by Vlad on Nov 20, 2007 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

you missed one

Perhaps the most important bit of news lately...the Cards signed Dewon Brazelton and Wayback Wasdin away from the Pirates. Whew.

by thepiratesship on Nov 20, 2007 10:00 AM EST reply actions

this is rich...

from the St Louis Post-Dispatch:

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/3DF5FCFDADE27FB086257399001C4715 ?OpenDocument

"... Wasdin will bring major-league experience to the Memphis Redbirds rotation."

The article did not comment on the quality of that major-league experience... however, his 5.95 ERA with the Bucs last year certainly looked good next to the 6.37 ERA he posted at AAA, and his postseason record (18.90 ERA)....

by gonfalon on Nov 20, 2007 12:48 PM EST up reply actions

I have this all figured out.

"The Jays now have approximately eight trillion utility infielders on their roster, so who knows what they're doing."

What they're doing is stockpiling "talent" to make those big trades for Jack Wilson and Jason Bay. Eight trillion utility infielders sounds right up the Bucs' alley.

by psk984 on Nov 20, 2007 12:16 PM EST reply actions