Joe Soriano
O.J. LewisHaren dealt to Angels
July 26th 2010 14:27
The Anaheim Angels knew they needed pitching, especially after the team leading their division acquired Cliff Lee. Danny Haren is under contract until 2012, and has a clause for 2013. The 29 year old is tied for the league lead in K's (141) and a change of scenery will improve his ERA.
You may be cautious of that 4.60 ERA, but that is from the large number of home runs that are given up in Chase Field. In contrast, the Angels play in a pitcher friendly stadium. His WHIP is affected by a bloated .350 BABIP. That will go down.
There are those that point out that Haren is a first half starter by far. For me, it doesn't matter at all. We have seen "first half" players go on second half tears, especially after a trade. That point is magnified when it is a trade to the other league.
The Diamondbacks really got short changed on this one. They only got one good piece out of the trade, lefty starter Joe Saunders. The team's best starting pitcher and the most coveted player on the trade market should have gotten a little bit more. The other pieces were subpar young reliever Rafael Rodriguez, a lower level prospect, and a player to be named. That player may end up being the second best player that Arizona will acquire. Rodriguez is considered a prospect.
I really think the Angels made an incredible deal. Even though they lost John Lackey in free agency, they have a better pitcher in Dan Haren. They will feel the loss of low ERA hurler Joe Saunders, but I think the offseason signing of Joel Pineiro made up for it as well.
Lou Piniella will retire after this season, and Bobby Valentine wants to manage the Cubs. That would be a great move as Valentine is very knowledgeable about the game. Quit the 100 years jokes, the job of managing the Chicago Cubs is a very prestigious one. They are still one of the top teams of all time and have had a history of great players on the team like recently inducted Hall of Famer Andre Dawson. Valentine will treat the job with the integrity it deserves. The GM of the team likes the idea of hiring Valentine.
Roy Oswalt might reject a possible trade to the Yankees because the pressure would be too immense. The word that pops in my mind is sissy. Wow, that's just pathetic. A guy that calls himself an established veteran is afraid to do his job? Come on.
Anyway, the Phillies are trying to deal Jayson Werth for prospects, or they will trade him for solid pitching. Either way, they want to trade Werth because his contract runs out; they need the pitching; and they want to clear room for Roy Oswalt. At the moment, Oswalt is the most coveted pitcher on the trade market.
The Texas Rangers are not sold on Chris Davis at all. They already miss Justin Smoak. They want either Ty Wigginton or Jorge Cantu. I would rather have Cantu, but Wigginton would be much easier to acquire. They will both be free agents at the end of this year. Wigginton also has the cheaper contract. Remember that the Rangers are pretty much bankrupt. Wigginton is able to play most infield positions, Cantu can play both of the corners.
The Anaheim Angels trading spree is not done yet. They are changing their minds about a so called first base by committee idea. They want a power bat like Derrek Lee or Garrett Jones. I would pick Lee, but Jones will be very easy to pry from Pittsburgh. Lee has a no trade clause.
The Yankees, Phillies, Red Sox, Braves, and Dodgers are interested in Marlins outfielder Cody Ross. He is a solid power guy. However, you should notice that all these teams have established outfields. Ross will be a guy that will be on the bench and share time with other hitters. He is insurance for injuries and a guy to use when starters have days off.
Buck Showalter was a pretty good manager, especially with the D'Backs. He is a frontrunner for the Orioles job, as Juan Samuel is doing awful. I would take Showalter's talents if I had a vacate spot.
You may be cautious of that 4.60 ERA, but that is from the large number of home runs that are given up in Chase Field. In contrast, the Angels play in a pitcher friendly stadium. His WHIP is affected by a bloated .350 BABIP. That will go down.
There are those that point out that Haren is a first half starter by far. For me, it doesn't matter at all. We have seen "first half" players go on second half tears, especially after a trade. That point is magnified when it is a trade to the other league.
The Diamondbacks really got short changed on this one. They only got one good piece out of the trade, lefty starter Joe Saunders. The team's best starting pitcher and the most coveted player on the trade market should have gotten a little bit more. The other pieces were subpar young reliever Rafael Rodriguez, a lower level prospect, and a player to be named. That player may end up being the second best player that Arizona will acquire. Rodriguez is considered a prospect.
I really think the Angels made an incredible deal. Even though they lost John Lackey in free agency, they have a better pitcher in Dan Haren. They will feel the loss of low ERA hurler Joe Saunders, but I think the offseason signing of Joel Pineiro made up for it as well.
Lou Piniella will retire after this season, and Bobby Valentine wants to manage the Cubs. That would be a great move as Valentine is very knowledgeable about the game. Quit the 100 years jokes, the job of managing the Chicago Cubs is a very prestigious one. They are still one of the top teams of all time and have had a history of great players on the team like recently inducted Hall of Famer Andre Dawson. Valentine will treat the job with the integrity it deserves. The GM of the team likes the idea of hiring Valentine.
Roy Oswalt might reject a possible trade to the Yankees because the pressure would be too immense. The word that pops in my mind is sissy. Wow, that's just pathetic. A guy that calls himself an established veteran is afraid to do his job? Come on.
Anyway, the Phillies are trying to deal Jayson Werth for prospects, or they will trade him for solid pitching. Either way, they want to trade Werth because his contract runs out; they need the pitching; and they want to clear room for Roy Oswalt. At the moment, Oswalt is the most coveted pitcher on the trade market.
The Texas Rangers are not sold on Chris Davis at all. They already miss Justin Smoak. They want either Ty Wigginton or Jorge Cantu. I would rather have Cantu, but Wigginton would be much easier to acquire. They will both be free agents at the end of this year. Wigginton also has the cheaper contract. Remember that the Rangers are pretty much bankrupt. Wigginton is able to play most infield positions, Cantu can play both of the corners.
The Anaheim Angels trading spree is not done yet. They are changing their minds about a so called first base by committee idea. They want a power bat like Derrek Lee or Garrett Jones. I would pick Lee, but Jones will be very easy to pry from Pittsburgh. Lee has a no trade clause.
The Yankees, Phillies, Red Sox, Braves, and Dodgers are interested in Marlins outfielder Cody Ross. He is a solid power guy. However, you should notice that all these teams have established outfields. Ross will be a guy that will be on the bench and share time with other hitters. He is insurance for injuries and a guy to use when starters have days off.
Buck Showalter was a pretty good manager, especially with the D'Backs. He is a frontrunner for the Orioles job, as Juan Samuel is doing awful. I would take Showalter's talents if I had a vacate spot.
Try To Make Me Go To New York and I Say No, No, No
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