It was nice while it lasted, Angels fans.
With the stunning acquisition of Cliff Lee by the Texas Rangers from AL West rival Seattle, it is time for the Angels to cut their losses and let the fire sale begin.
Not only should this be the nail in the coffin for the Angels, but maybe for the rest of baseball as well. Texas just assured themselves not only a trip to the playoffs, but a real chance to take it all.
Angels fans, don’t feel bad.
Three years in a row was a good run, but now the Angels have a chance to heal, re-tool and try to come up with a plan for next season.
The following players need to be sold to the highest bidder in the next three weeks: Brian Fuentes, Fernando Rodney, Scott Kazmir, Mike Napoli, Brandon Wood (if someone would be willing to give us a fungo bat for him), Bobby Abreu, Hideki Matsui, and Torii Hunter.
Get on it Tony Reagins, and make sure to get a third base prospect that can actually play this time.
Those eight players account for roughly $60.1 million in payroll. None of them have a future in helping the Angels win a championship due to age, performance or injury.
The Angels should trade them all. Get at least one draft pick in each deal and completely reload the organization with talent for another decade.
The Angels should then turn around and sign $60 million in young free agents with which they can build new chemistry around their nucleus.
Congratulations to Texas on that amazing acquisition.
Angels fans can take comfort in the idea that Nolan Ryan may finally get his ring.
An entire nation, with the exception of one certain city, can take even further comfort in knowing that he didn’t go to the New York Yankees—as was reported eminent by Buster Olney of ESPN earlier in the day.
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