Pujols to the Angels

[Spin]

Holy shit, Albert is coming to the AL.

This will shake things up in the AL W. Hell in the AL.

When I think about it, it makes more sense for an AL team to ante up for 10 years than an NL team. If he gets too old to play the field, there's the DH.

The first domino fell, the rest should go now. Between that and the NBA free agency starting Friday, it's an interesting time.

[aclayman]

Not 100% what his current contract situation is, but with Pujols now in Anaheim and Trumbo in the way, as well, the forgotten first baseman over there is Morales. Risky move coming off missing a year and a half? Of course. But this seems like the kind of potentially low budget risk the Tribe might benefit greatly from, considering Morales was turning into a top tier slugger before jumping on home plate and snapping his leg like a twig.

[WiscTribeFan]

They signed CJ Wison as well.

[Adverb Harry]

I was wondering the same thing. At the very least, they ought to kick the tires.

[trsteve1]

He has 2 years of arbitration remaining, made just under $3M in '11.
So certainly, from a financial standpoint, he'd be the type the Tribe would look at landing.

28 years old, so in his prime, coming off an injury season, you do have to worry that he may be in body breakdown mode a la Pronk, but.. it's that kind of risk the the Indians have to take, because it's the best they can likely do.

the question is what they would have to give up for a guy who hit 34 hr and drove in 108 just 2 years ago at 26? Do we have the talent to get someone like that, no matter how expendable they have become to their organization?

[WiscTribeFan]

Sure, can share time on the DL with Pronk and Grady...

[Kingpin74]

Not 100% what his current contract situation is, but with Pujols now in Anaheim and Trumbo in the way, as well, the forgotten first baseman over there is Morales. Risky move coming off missing a year and a half? Of course. But this seems like the kind of potentially low budget risk the Tribe might benefit greatly from, considering Morales was turning into a top tier slugger before jumping on home plate and snapping his leg like a twig.

I'd rather make an offer for Trumbo. Their closer stinks, would something like Perez and Phelps be enough to get it done?

[skatingtripods]

Full-knowing he'll destroy Cleveland pitching, I will be happy to see the best right handed hitter in the game today. I'll never forget seeing him blast two off Tomo Ohka during interleague a couple years ago. Effortless moon shots.

[aclayman]

Extra bonuses: Both Morales and Trumbo have played a little outfield. Morales is a switch hitter, Trumbo's a righty.

Obviously every other team that needs a 1B is thinking about these same guys, too. And Anaheim is loaded everywhere. Not sure they'd bite on C. Perez, although Walden was anything but automatic last year.

[Dnthateonthepronk]

I would go after Morales in a heartbeat. Luke warm on Trumbo, the way the angels handled him the last few years raises some flags for me. Definitely wouldn't give up both phelps and perez I would offer Phelps.


I just don't see any reason for the Angels to give Morales up though. Slide him in at DH to protect Pujols. I would imagine Trumbo is the one that is getting moved.

[Adverb Harry]

Via Twitter, according to Dknobler (whoever that is):

"Angels are telling teams: 'We're not trading anyone.' They say Trumbo can DH, play 3B."

Well, shit. That was a nice thought for about 45 minutes. Still, I guess you can't totally rule it out...nothing is absolute.

[Dnthateonthepronk]

"He can play 3rd". Hell I could play third, but I can't play it well. I think its posturing with Trumbo, trying to get more than what he's worth.

[bookelly]

That's a huge move for the Angels, but 10 years is a long time.

[BruceK]

After a year and a half of leg problems, I wouldn't consider Morales even a part-time outfielder anymore.

[bookelly]

Per Castro - Trumbo and/or Morales on the block now.

Lord please - go get Trumbo.

[British_Pharaoh]

AL West has turned into a beast of a division with Texas and now the additions by LA

Angels have Pujols but now they also have an even more killer rotation that rivals the one in Phily with Weaver, Haren, Santana and now Wilson.

[bookelly]

I think this all but assures that home field for the World Series will be the AL team.

[Cleveland Matt]

Damn I guess the Indians offer of a one year deal of 3 million was not accepted by Puljos.

How are all these teams throwing money around and our piece of shit owner is still sitting on his wallet.

Spend some fucking money already Dolan or sell the team.

Why does he not understand that this city is dying for a winning team. The fans showed it in the 90's they will sell out the place.

[GodHatesClevelandSport]

Per Castro - Trumbo and/or Morales on the block now.

Lord please - go get Trumbo.

Trumbo = Matt LaPorta with more playing time.

[skatingtripods]

Damn I guess the Indians offer of a one year deal of 3 million was not accepted by Puljos.

How are all these teams throwing money around and our piece of shit owner is still sitting on his wallet.

Spend some fucking money already Dolan or sell the team.

Why does he not understand that this city is dying for a winning team. The fans showed it in the 90's they will sell out the place.

Who is Puljos?

[swerb]

Sucks for the A's and the Mariners. Especially after the Rangers land either Yu Darvish or Prince Fielder, who would be scary in that park.

Got Mike Trout on the come ... him or Bourjos, Kendrick, Aybar at the top of that lineup with Pujols, Truombo, Vernon Wells, Torri Hunter hitting 3-6. Weaver, Haren, CJ Wilson, Ervin Santana.

[WiscTribeFan]

Sucks for the A's and the Mariners. Especially after the Rangers land either Yu Darvish or Prince Fielder, who would be scary in that park.

Got Mike Trout on the come ... him or Bourjos, Kendrick, Aybar at the top of that lineup with Pujols, Truombo, Vernon Wells, Torri Hunter hitting 3-6. Weaver, Haren, CJ Wilson, Ervin Santana.

Baseball is still a funny game. Who'd have thought the Cardinals would have won the World Series last year?

They've got a better shot with these two, but it by no means signifies they'll be hoisting the trophy any time soon. It's why I love this game so much.

[TonyIPI]

I'd rather make an offer for Trumbo. Their closer stinks, would something like Perez and Phelps be enough to get it done?

Jordan Walden is a better closer than Chris Perez. They would not have much interest, if at all, in acquiring Perez. Perez is not as valuable as a lot of people think. No one is knocking down the Indians' door for him.

[Commodore Perry]

Tough time to be a yankees fan. These massive local TV contracts are top loading the number of teams that can now abuse money.

[metalhead9x9]

Sucks for the A's and the Mariners. Especially after the Rangers land either Yu Darvish or Prince Fielder, who would be scary in that park.

Got Mike Trout on the come ... him or Bourjos, Kendrick, Aybar at the top of that lineup with Pujols, Truombo, Vernon Wells, Torri Hunter hitting 3-6. Weaver, Haren, CJ Wilson, Ervin Santana.

Smells like a dream team.

[scrambler]

I think the Angels will regret this. Last year was by astronomical margins Pujols' worst year ever. OF course his worst year is still phenomenal by any measure, Here's a progression of Pujols BA the last 4 years...

.357
.327
.312
.299

Here's a progression of his OBP last 4 years...

.462
.443
.414
.366

Seems to me the guy is declining. He's 32 years old. 10 years is ludicrous. That said, I undertand why they did it...you hope in his first 5 years you get to a World Series or two. Those progressions would scare me however.

[rebelwithoutaclue]

Per Castro - Trumbo and/or Morales on the block now.

Lord please - go get Trumbo.

Trumbo = Matt LaPorta with more playing time.

I don't know if Trumbo is that bad, but this is pretty accurate.

Even with 29 homers last year, he had a .291 OBP and couldn't even slug .500. Five times as many K's as BB's. Pass.

As for Morales, I'd definitely kick the tires. Just the type of low-risk (depending on the trade cost), high-reward guy that the Indians usually go after.... and then trade as soon as they prove they're healthy again.

[aclayman]

Not sure why Paulie C. dismisses Morales so swiftly while opening his arms to (left handed) Dan Murphy and his ACL injury. It's one thing if the Angels just aren't dealing him, which looks quite possible. But comparing Morales' situation to Nick Johnson's seems a bit of a stretch. Johnson hadn't been of any use to anybody since 2006. Morales has yet to show what he can do post-surgery, and the word is he is supposed to be ready for spring training. Obviously, adding another recovery case to Sizemore/Hafner is far from ideal, but isn't the whole Jimenez-window strategy to hope lightning strikes before 2014?

[paulcousineau]

Not sure why Paulie C. dismisses Morales so swiftly while opening his arms to (left handed) Dan Murphy and his ACL injury. It's one thing if the Angels just aren't dealing him, which looks quite possible. But comparing Morales' situation to Nick Johnson's seems a bit of a stretch. Johnson hadn't been of any use to anybody since 2006. Morales has yet to show what he can do post-surgery, and the word is he is supposed to be ready for spring training. Obviously, adding another recovery case to Sizemore/Hafner is far from ideal, but isn't the whole Jimenez-window strategy to hope lightning strikes before 2014?

Morales hasn't played since mid-2010, despite reports that he would be ready to go last year. Johnson played 133 games in 2009 (posting a .833 OPS), so the timeframe isn't all that different.

Plus if the Angels tender Morales, he'll get close to $4M in arbitration AND the Indians would have to give up something of value to get him. While Murphy is (also) far from ideal, I'd prefer to get a guy that could perhaps be on the upswing instead of taking another chance that a player is about to re-capture past success.

[aclayman]

Murphy was definitely raking before the injury, but keep in mind he also missed all of 2010 with a ligament tear even before the one last year. If the Mets want a halfway decent piece in return, I'm not sure we wouldn't be better off seeing what Jason Donald can do in that corner infield / outfield role. I might be in the minority, but I feel like Donald can be a solid every day player, given the ABs. Not an all-star, maybe, but also not worlds beneath Dan Murphy by any means.

This pro-Donald stance, of course, only exists in a world where undeniably better options don't exist.

[paulcousineau]

Murphy was definitely raking before the injury, but keep in mind he also missed all of 2010 with a ligament tear even before the one last year. If the Mets want a halfway decent piece in return, I'm not sure we wouldn't be better off seeing what Jason Donald can do in that corner infield / outfield role. I might be in the minority, but I feel like Donald can be a solid every day player, given the ABs. Not an all-star, maybe, but also not worlds beneath Dan Murphy by any means.

This pro-Donald stance, of course, only exists in a world where undeniably better options don't exist.

Right there with you Donald (and I think he's going to get a lot of AB this year moving around the IF), though I guess I threw Murphy's numbers up there more to point out that what Murphy did compare pretty favorably to Willingham and Cuddyer...whose potential 3-year deals give pause.