First-half of the 2015 Major League Baseball season is in the books. That means it’s that time of year when debate will rage on about who made the All-Star teams and who should have made the All-Star teams. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2015: The Locker’s First-Half MLB All-Stars”
Sonny Gray looks to lead the A’s to a third consecutive AL West Crown (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images North America)
The last couple seasons when I’ve kicked off these previews the American League West seemed all but won. In 2012 they had the best staff, best lineup, and best front-office heading into that season. The Oakland A’s proved that incorrect on the last day of that season by thumping the Rangers 12-5. Last season the Angels looked like the favorites heading into the season when they brought Josh Hamilton over from the Rangers to form an impossible lineup trio of Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, and Hamilton. Well, the A’s spoiled those plans as well winning a second consecutive AL West crown.
Yet here I am in 2014 about to prove I haven’t learned my lesson.
Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: American League West Preview”
With quite a few teams fortunes tied to players coming off of injury I felt it important to highlight a few I felt were primed for the biggest bounce back seasons in 2014. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014 Preview: Five Players Poised To Bounce Back”
To say this is my favorite time would be an understatement.
I’m not talking about the approaching March Madness or the incessant NFL draft conversation (although I’ll be weighing in on that later this Spring), I’m talking about the most glorious words any snow-covered East coast dweller can hear: Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: 5 Early Spring Training Storylines To Keep An Eye On”
I know it has only been a week, but how exciting is it to have baseball back? So many things happened opening week it will be hard to put it in one list. Lets give it a try, eh? (the “eh” is for all my Blue Jay fans out there) Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2013: Happenings From Opening Week In The Bigs”
The American League West has a shot to have three teams within the division in the playoffs. How far any of them go is a matter of pitching and leadership. Continue reading “The Locker Major League Baseball Preview 2013: American League West”
Before this season I loved what the Angels had put together out in Anaheim. They had the best staff in that division, the second best player in baseball, and arguably one of the top three managers in baseball.
Then they stumbled out of the gate to 10-17. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2012: Los Angeles Angels May Prove To Be Best In The West After All”
As reported, Albert Pujols has agreed to a 10-year/$260 million dollar contract with the Angels on Thursday marking the end of his St. Louis Cardinals playing career. Pujols, who helped lead the Cardinals to an improbable World Series run in 2011, was granted a full no-trade clause in the contract.
During his time in St. Louis Pujols, 31, won three National League MVP awards and made nine All-Star appearances. He appeared in three World Series (2004, 2005, 2011) winning two of them and becomes the third contract in MLB history worth more than $200 million dollars (Alex Rodriguez twice).
Pujols leaves a St. Louis team still loaded with talent in a lineup that includes Lance Berkman, Matt Holiday and Yadier Molina. There are rumors that the Cardinals could turn their attention to Prince Fielder to fill the void at first base. While Fielder may be limited athletically at first, his production is right on par with Pujols plus he makes the Cardinals younger so it would make sense to sign him to possibly fill that void. While replacing the best player in the game isn’t easy the Cardinals have the pitching and veterans to weather this if Fielder were to become their primary target.
Meanwhile the Angels know what they’re getting.
Gold Glove caliber defense at first, coupled with a middle of the lineup threat the likes they haven’t seen since Reggie Jackson. While that is no knock on Troy Glaus, Pujols, who has averaged a line of 42/.330/119 since 2003 doesn’t appear quite ready to slow down and is a far superior hitter. This also puts him (if they chose to do so) between Kendry Morales, who will surely become the designated hitter unless they trade him, and Torii Hunter. It also helps that towards the back end of the contract Pujols can DH and be spared from fielding everyday in the American League. Assess that with the top of a lineup that will include Howie Kendrick, super prospect Mike Trout and Peter Bourjos and you have the makings of the ideal set up for Mike Scioscia.
The Angels also find themselves in the enviable position of having trade chips. The outfield (Vernon Wells, Bobby Abreu, Peter Bourjos, Mike Trout, Torii Hunter) is crowded, and there are no shortage of teams looking for outfield help in the speed and power department. One potential match could be the Braves who have the pitching (Jurrjens, Minor, etc.) to be able to offer the Angels an attractive package for an outfielder like Bourjos, who can play all three spots and could be seen as a replacement in the off chance Michael Bourn Doesn’t sign an extension.
As contracts go, spending $260 million dollars usually doesn’t sound like a win, but this puts the Angels in a prime position to take down the Rangers who staring the loss of another top-flight pitcher in C.J. Wilson right in the face. St. Louis, if they sign Fielder, will be okay. If not they have a void that won’t even be able to be minimized.
UPDATED: C.J. Wilson Agrees to five-year $77.5 Million
On a day when they signed the biggest offensive fish in the pond, they turned around and signed the pitching gem of the offseason. C.J. Wilson reached a five-year/$77.5 million dollar deal with the Angels. These deals make them the no doubt favorites in the West. Texas, for the second consecutive offseason, lost a prized left-hander to free agency but this one is more damaging because he left to a division rival.
Wilson, who went 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA last season, brings a third ace to a rotation that already includes Jered Weaver and Dan Haren. The top three in the rotation stack up with the best in either league.
Meanwhile Texas, who has made back-to-back world series appearances will have to rely on Neftali Feliz a smooth transition to starting. They may look harder at trade options considering they will need someone to shore up their rotation in case of a set back to any of their remaining starters. Texas has the farm system to make a move, but Nolan Ryan, the clubs president, is reluctant to deal unless he knows they will get immediately better. The Rangers have been rumored to also be in on the Fielder talks and if added would have a power hitting first basemen available to a club that needs it in return for pitching.