Kuzul

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim must have been frustrated with the way that this season turned out. However, it is shaping up to be another busy winter in the City of Angels.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports is reporting that the Angels are looking at potential trades for both Dan Haren and Ervin Santana.

On one hand, it definitely makes sense to try to trade these two athletes. In 2012, Haren only managed to go 12-13 with a 4.33 ERA while Santana was a touch below that at 9-13 with a 5.16 ERA. If the Angels want to try to climb back on top of the division next season, they will obviously need more production out of their starting rotation than these two men demonstrated last year.

However, could that production come out of Haren and Santana themselves? Haren has been a reliable starting pitcher throughout his entire career and has won at least 10 games the past nine seasons. Last season was arguably the worst of his career, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he is automatically done.

Similarly, Santana is still in his prime and he is only two years removed from a 17 win season. In fact, even though he finished 11-12 in 2011, he posted a career-best 3.38 ERA during that campaign. Yes, 2012 was definitely a bump in the road, but I don’t think that he has totally gone off that path yet.

As you can probably tell, I am not entirely sold on trading either of these athletes simply because of their history of success. Many players have suffered from bad seasons, and many players have also rebounded from bad seasons. Obviously, the Angels need to decide if they are willing to take the risk associated with keeping a player who might not bounce back, but given such long track records of success, these two men do not necessarily seem like unreasonable risks.

Nevertheless, since it appears that the Angels are willing to trade either of these two men at the right price, they need to make sure that they at least get a fair return. These two men have a lot to offer any team in baseball if they are able to return to form, so they should command at least a decent return.

Whether you think I know everything or nothing about Major League Baseball, you should follow me on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook and keep in touch. I love hearing what you all have to say!

 
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The Arizona Diamondbacks once acquired Dan Haren from an AL West team based in California, and it worked out well for them. They have a chance to do it again and they should.

Haren was an All-Star with postseason experience when the Diamondbacks traded a package of minor leaguers to the Oakland Athletics for him. They surrendered Brett Anderson and Carlos Gonzalez in the deal.

He did not miss a beat when he arrived in the desert. He continued to make the All-Star team and was a Cy Young contender.

As the Diamondbacks fell out of contention in 2010, he was traded, along with his contract extension, to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Joe Saunders was the main player in the deal. But the Diamondbacks also acquired young pitcher Patrick Corbin and another starting prospect Tyler Skaggs, who has become one of the best arms in Arizona’s system.

The Diamondbacks are going into 2013 with a very young and talented rotation. Trevor Cahill, Ian Kennedy and Wade Miley make up a solid under-30 core. Corbin, Skaggs and Trevor Bauer could develop into terrific starters soon.

But the Diamondbacks could use a veteran pitcher in the rotation to help ease in the young pitchers and give the squad the depth needed to compete with the World Series champion San Francisco Giants.

With Haren available, he could fit the bill perfectly. The Angels are all but certain to buy out Haren’s $15.5 million option to make him a free agent.

While he is no longer a Cy Young contender and 2012 was his first full season in the majors where he failed to pitch 200 innings, he still has tremendous value.

He would be as good of a No. 3 or 4 starter as there would be in the National League. Plus, his place in the rotation would allow the Diamondbacks the luxury of not rushing Bauer or Skaggs.

With the trade for Heath Bell and picking up J.J. Putz, the Diamondbacks are hoping their bullpen will be a deep one. Bringing in Haren would make rotation one of the best in baseball.

With pitching depth the key to championships this decade, a reunion between Haren and Arizona makes more and more sense.

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It’s been a struggle for Los Angeles Angels ace Dan Haren this year. His fastball velocity is down, and his ERA is up. He just hasn’t looked like himself all season.

It doesn’t help that the Angels have had a hard time scoring runs with Haren on the mound this season. In fact, they’ve been shut out in each of his last three starts, and they’ve scored three runs or fewer for him in seven of his eight starts.

It’s May 15th, and the Angels are in last place in the AL West with a record of 15-21. They’re eight games behind the Texas Rangers.

Common sense says the Angels aren’t going to be this bad all season, but what if they are?

If the Angels keep struggling, they’re going to have some decisions to make at the deadline, and Haren is a guy who could emerge as a trade candidate. He’s a tried and true top-of-the-rotation starter, and the Angels will have incentive to take what they can get for him. If they deal him, they’ll avoid having to make a decision on his $15.5 million club option for the 2013 season.

So let’s say the Angels are out of it by July 31, and that they decide to take offers for Haren. What then?

Here are seven teams that could come calling.

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The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have been deemed by most to be the big winners of the 2012 offseason free agent market. They beefed up their lineup and their pitching staff in an attempt to reclaim the AL West from the back-to-back World Series entrants, the Texas Rangers. These offseason acquisitions and a few other factors have suddenly put the Angels, a team with no 20-game winners in 2011, as the lead candidates to have two 20-game winners in 2012.

The Candidates

The Angels starting pitching rotation boasts an absolutely formidable front four—Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, C.J. Wilson and Ervin Santana. It’s saying something about the strength of the rotation when Santana, who put up a 3.38 ERA and struck out 178 in 2011, is the weakest link.

Winning 20 games may prove to be no problem for Weaver, Haren or Wilson. Although none of them have ever hit the 20-win mark, the 2011 season was certainly a predecessor to it. Haren went 16-10; Wilson put up a 16-7 record; and Jered Weaver, perhaps the best pitcher in the AL in 2011 not named Justin Verlander, was 18-8. With all three coming off seasons just shy of 20 wins, it’s hard to believe the forces under Mike Scioscia will not come up with 20 victories under their belts.

Albert Pujols

What more can be said about three-time MVP and arguably the best hitter in the game, Albert Pujols? The Angels acquired the crown jewel of the 2011 free agent bonanza when they signed Pujols to a 10-year, $254 million deal. As the No. 3 hitter, Pujols breathes some much needed life into the previously average Angels lineup. This bodes extremely well for the pitching staff.

With Kendrys Morales sidelined for 2011, rookie Mark Trumbo took over the reins at first base for the Angels last season. While Trumbo had a sensational rookie season (losing out to Jeremy Hellickson for the AL Rookie of the Year award), there is no denying that he is no Albert Pujols.  In his inaugural year, Trumbo’s Wins Above Replacement was a respectable 2.1. Over his 11 Major League seasons, Pujols has averaged a little over 8 WAR. Those six extra wins could be the bridge to 20 wins for guys like Haren or Weaver, who fell just short of it last year.

Kendrys Morales

With the return of Kendrys Morales and the addition of Pujols, the Angels found themselves with two highly capable hitters who they did not have in 2011 to sit in the heart of the lineup. Teams can rarely add both a No. 3 and No. 4 hitter to the lineup in the same offseason. Adding that kind of quality to a lineup that already ranked sixth in 2011 in runs scored can mean some huge run support for the team’s hurlers.

In 2011, three of Haren’s losses were by a margin of a single run, and he had five no-decisions that resulted in a team loss where he gave up one earned run or fewer. Weaver’s 2011 record hadtwo losses by a single run and three no-decisions that resulted in a team loss by one run as well. The extra support to make up those few runs could easily push either of them to their 20th win.

The AL West

The road to the AL West pennant is not going to be a simple one for the Angels. Despite snatching free agent C.J. Wilson from division rival Texas, the Rangers squad is not looking any less intense than the team who has taken the journey to the World Series two years in a row. A tough Texas lineup awaits the Angels’ starters every time they square off against the Rangers.

The rest of the division, however, presents far less of a challenge. Thirty-eight of the Angels games in 2012 will come against the Oakland Athletics and the Seattle Mariners—two teams ranked on the bottoms rungs of any power ranking list that you might come across. Having a slightly easier schedule may only enhance the chance for the team to come up with their two 20-game victors.

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Here are five ways to recover the numbers lost from Jacoby Ellsbury‘s six- to eight-week absence from the Red Sox lineup (dislocated shoulder)…without necessarily gutting your fantasy roster.

(That may be a lie.)  

Option No. 1: Grab Cody Ross off waivers

OK, so this isn’t the most exciting way to start a column, but with Carl Crawford (hand) still nursing his way back into the lineup, Ross will undoubtedly be granted full-time at-bats for the foreseeable future.

For the 2008-09 seasons with the Marlins, he combined for 46 homers, 163 RBI and 132 runs. Given his age (31) and the cozy dimensions of Fenway Park, Ross has a chance to replicate the numbers of years past—at least on a per-game basis.

Since the Red Sox are already thin with starting pitching and the bullpen, I doubt club execs will make a substantial trade for an outfielder in Ellsbury’s stead. The team’s best minor-league option may be Bryce Brentz…but even that seems like a short-term step down from Ross and his 22-homer potential.

Option No. 2: Target Jason Bay, Mike Carp, Will Venable, Brandon Belt or Jon Jay in free-agent waivers

All five outfielders certainly have their warts—Bay and Belt are slumping, Carp’s been hurting and Venable and Jay are routinely overlooked in fantasy circles—but hey, that’s why they’re free agents in most leagues.

Astros center fielder Jordan Schafer would have been the best available Ellsbury clone earlier in the week, but you’ll never go unwanted in fantasyland after collecting five steals in a 48-hour period. He’s gone.

Look, unless you’re playing in a 12-team league full of absentee borderline moronic owners, it’s going to be a tough road without Ellsbury. We’re talking about a top-six outfielder (although no one should expect 32 homers again) and top-15 overall asset. It’s nearly impossible to flourish in his absence.

But in short bursts, Bay (four-category factor), Carp (25-75 guy in the minors), Venable (20-steal potential), Jay (poor man’s Martin Prado) and Belt (future NL batting champion) can bring a level of fantasy respect to anyone’s team.
 

Option No. 3: Grab Chone Figgins off waivers, or trade for Mark Trumbo

Before Opening Day, Figgins was only 3B-eligible and one of baseball’s more anemic corner-infield options. But with a seemingly permanent spot in the outfield (left or center field) after just nine games, Figgins (.270, 4 RBI, 1 SB) should garner full outfield eligibility sometime in the next 10 days, making him attractive to owners who crave modest three-category success and dual-position versatility.

Regarding the 1B-eligible Trumbo, he should have full 3B eligibility sometime around April 25. Depending on how the Angels handle the Mike Trout and Vernon Wells situations, Trumbo (29 HRs in 2011) could see up to 30 games in the outfield this season.

For owners of Ellsbury (105 RBI, 119 runs, 32 steals last year) and Emilio Bonifacio (2B-3B-OF eligibility), a sneaky Trumbo acquisition would subsequently bump Bonifacio to the outfield spot in Ellsubry’s place.

As a secondary move, I highly endorse the act of grabbing Trout (baseball’s No. 1 prospect) off waivers ASAP, in anticipation of a May call-up that will be permanent (and enriching).

Bottom line: Replacing Ellsbury’s eight-week production doesn’t necessarily demand the plug-and-play addition of an outfielder. It can also come from a simple redistribution of current assets, prompted by a modest trade.

And for those with grander thoughts… 

Option No. 4: Trade your Round 1 superstar

During spring training, Ellsbury had an Average Draft Position value of 15, meaning the majority of his owners also grabbed Joey Votto, Robinson Cano, Justin Verlander, Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez or Prince Fielder with their low Round 1 selection.

The quickest way to overhaul the composition of your roster involves a simple six-word email/message-board dictum to the rest of the league: “(Superstar’s name) is on the block!” This should draw immediate responses, in the general form of four trade proposals:

• 1-for-1 value: Jon Lester, Dan Haren, Nelson Cruz, Hunter Pence or Starlin Castro
• 1-for-2 value: Melky Cabrera and Bud Norris
• 3-for-2: (Round 1 star)/Yovani Gallardo/Jordan Schafer for Ian Kennedy/Matt Holliday
• 2-for-3: (Round 1 star)/Matt Moore for Jason Heyward/Jason Kipnis/Max Scherzer 

Option No. 5: Put Ellsbury on the trade block

The final solution requires certain fantasy owners to perform an honest assessment of their rosters and prospects for the entire season.

1. Can my team endure/absorb the two-month loss of Ellsbury?
2. What are the chances I’ll be in ninth, 10th, 11th or 12th place overall on June 10?
3. What other areas (outfield aside) are in need of significant help?
4. What categories or positions could not sustain a key injury?

If the above answers are roundly negative, it may be time to make the early executive decision of selling Ellsbury to the highest bidder, as a means of fortifying the outfield and one other area of concern.

After all, if your club was barely a pennant contender before Ellsbury’s right shoulder had a fluke encounter with Rays shortstop Reid Brignac, then perhaps it’s time to cut your April losses…and hope for a profitable return in May and June.

This is where it pays not to get too attached to original draftees. Very few teams can win a roto championship without disrupting the core, via trade, at some point; and whether these hard decisions occur in mid-April or late July, change is inevitable.

Jay Clemons can be reached on Twitter, day or night, at @ATL_JayClemons.

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Saturday night, the American League West separation between the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels was just two games. Mike Scioscia’s club now controls its destiny and postseason potential.

Here are the five realistic reasons that the Angels will surpass the record of the Rangers to make the 2011 Playoffs.

The battle for the American League West Pennant will not be easily decided. The Rangers are stacked offensively and filled pitching gaps that make them a formidable team. Begin this slideshow to find out why the Angels are up to the Texas-sized challenge.

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Every year in baseball, surprising or not, we’re witnesses to unorthodox outbreaks during the first few weeks of America’s pastime.

Quick hitting, hot pitching and all-around great play make-up these specific breakout performances from some of the least expected players.

In 2011, amidst slow and unexpected starts from top-notch players like Albert Pujols, Dan Uggla, Hanley Ramirez, Chris Carpenter and Phil Hughes, other positional hitters and pitchers have stepped their game up and earned the recognition.

Realizing that we’ve only seen a short sample of the 2011 baseball season, expectations should be in-check. 

However, due to the blazing starts that some of these players have accumulated, it’s hard not to pay tribute and point out the not so obvious.

With that said, here are the positional players who have out performed the “elite” through the first two weeks of baseball and earned the title, “I can do anything better than you.”

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Pitching wins championships.

It’s not overly complicated: if you have a great starting rotation, you’re going to win some ball games. Just ask the San Francisco Giants, or a Philadelphia Phillies fan if you’ve got the time.

Every offseason teams try to bring in talented arms. Sometimes those arms are found through free agency, while other times it comes from a hot prospect or even taking a chance on an aging veteran.

For many teams, their seasons hinge on the performance of their starting rotation.

That said, let’s take a look at who will be the best starting pitchers in the AL on their respective teams in 2011.

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In Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, an old fisherman goes 84 days without catching any fish. On the 85th day, he ventures further than he’s ever gone and snags the big one, an 18 foot marlin. Trying to bring his catch in, sharks begin to pick at the Marlin and by the time the old man returns to the village, only the skeleton of the fish remains.

In many way, the Los Angeles Angels are like the old man. Two years ago, they tried to re-sign first baseman Mark Teixeira, only to be outbid by the New York Yankees. This offseason, they eyed Tampa Bay Rays speedster Carl Crawford, only to once again be outbid, this time by the Boston Red Sox.

To make up for not landing their “marlin”, they have instead countered by landing smaller fish in the sea, which have included the likes of outfielders Bobby Abreu, Torii Hunter and Vernon Wells, and pitchers Dan Haren, Joel Pineiro and Scott Kazmir.

For all intent purposes however, the Angels already may have the biggest fish in the sea in Mike Trout, MLB.com’s No. 1 rated prospect in baseball. Trout is considered to be a five tool baseball player and has even drawn comparisons to Mickey Mantle himself.  

Although the Angels lost out on Crawford, they traded for Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells, who last season hit 31 home runs with 88 RBI. Wells was acquired in exchange for catcher Mike Napoli and outfielder Juan Rivera.

When healthy, the Angels have more than enough firepower at both the plate and mound to overthrow the Texas Rangers and hold off the upstart Oakland Athletics.

The Rangers lost their best pitcher Cliff Lee to Philadelphia, and outside of C.J. Wilson, the Rangers pitching staff isn’t really impressive, at least on paper. The Athletics, on the other hand, may have the best pitching staff in the American League West, but they lack offense.

Of the entire AL West, the Angels offer the best balance at both the mound and plate. Jered Weaver lead the league last season in strikeouts, Ervin Santana lead the team in wins with 17 and Dan Haren dropped his ERA by almost two full points when he left Arizona, from 4.60 to 2.87.

Kendry Morales, who broke his leg after a walk-off grand slam back in May, is expected to return to the lineup this season. Morales and his offensive outburst from 2009, which included 34 HRs, 108 RBI and a .306 batting average, were missed in last season’s downfall that saw the Angels finish in third place.

In the end, what may determine the AL West will not be who landed the biggest fish in the offseason, but rather, who stays healthy and is consistent throughout the season. If all the parts and pieces that the Angels have put together over the last couple of seasons can stay healthy and play consistent baseball, the Angels may do what they’ve done three times in the last five seasons, win the AL West.

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He has a career 3.66 ERA and a sparkling 1.19 WHIP to go with it.

Not yet 31 years old and a top 10 pitcher in both leagues at one point or another, Dan Haren has already proven his mettle. A typical year for Haren is a 5-plus WAR and 2011 should be no different, even with a fluky 2010 thrown into the mix. 

Haren had a 4.60 ERA in the launching pad that is the D-Backs yard, he allowed 23 jacks in less than 150 NL innings (before his trade and subsequent sub-3 ERA with LAA).

So, coming off a down year (for him), which was almost entirely due to an upped HR/AB ratio, Haren goes to a bigger yard and gets to face Seattle and the A’s  instead of the Rockies, so his ERA should drop below four once again.

His walk rate was stellar to begin with, the only difference between Haren last year and any other was the 285 BAA opposing hitters netted when facing the shaggy Irishman.

Everyone seems to think the Rangers will repeat, given their highly talented offense and defense. Heck, a lot of people pick the Oaks to win the division, even with an average, at best, offense.

If there is one team that can rival Oakland’s pitching, its the Angels. With Ervin Santana, Jared “Dreams” Weaver and Joel Pineiro, they already have as good a top three as anyone outside of Boston. But when you throw in Haren, a certifiable stud, you have the potential to shut down AL West offenses.

If the Angels have a downfall, it won’t be the starting pitching. Bullpen is another story, however.

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