SB Nation User Blog: Jay Cal

If Matt Cain is off the table, what about Johnathon Sanchez

Jay Cal — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:30:39 -0000

If Matt Cain is off the table, what about Johnathon Sanchez

Sanchez is being discussed as a possible trading piece to land Dan Uggla from the Marlins. If the Giants are willing to deal Sanchez perhaps the Halos can package a deal of Rivera, Napoli, and Sandoval for Sanchez. This will address the Halos 5th man in the rotation who is young, under team control until 2012. His WHIP has improved every year and last year was at 1.45 and his career batting average allowed is .246. Last year he only gave up 19 home runs.

What do you think?

Blue Jays sign John Buck

Jay Cal — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:24:20 -0000

Blue Jays sign John Buck

With Toronto signing a starting catcher, I think we can figure Napoli will be out of the deal.

MLB's best and worst farm systems

Jay Cal — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:01:07 -0000

MLB's best and worst farm systems

Finally the Rangers have something to be proud of. The Major's best farm. That should concern the Angels today, but until they add money to the business, the Rangers are still a non-factor.

Aroldis Chapman has signed with Kendry Morales' agent Randy Hendricks. Does this make signing...

Jay Cal — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:24:53 -0000

Aroldis Chapman has signed with Kendry Morales' agent Randy Hendricks.

Does this make signing Chapman anymore of a reality for the Angels?

from MLB Trade Rumors

Read My Lips, No New Free-Agents!!!

Jay Cal — Sat, 10 May 2008 16:48:14 -0000

The void that will be created with the departures of John Lackey, Chone Figgins, Darren Oliver, and Vladimir Guerrero will be felt long after they sign new contracts with their new teams. Lackey is a true number one Ace, Figgins is a true lead off hitter and has great defensive skills, Oliver isn't only a lefty specialist, and Vladimir was the face of the franchise. But like Tony Reagins said on The Drive yesterday, you have to take the emotion out of the business decisions.

We Will Win, With What We Got or Lightning Strikes Twice.

Last year the Halosphere was bent because Mark Teixeira took his U-Haul to New York for a big payday. Some of the Fan Faithful believed in the unproven Kendry Morales. And that investment paid in dividends. Could Brandon Wood produce similarly to Morales? Wood has nothing left to prove in minors. Given an opportunity of having regular at bats and every day play, perhaps he could put together a good season. And if his defense isn't as great as we were once led to believe or his offense never gets started, he can always be platooned with super-utility player Maicer Izturis.

What about Sean O'Sullivan, given a chance to shine could he become the John Lackey of 2002? And with a rotation of Weaver, Santana, Saunders, Kazmir, couldn't the Angels survive with a pitcher like O'Sullivan or Matt Palmer, Trevor Bell, Dustin Moseley or maybe even Anthony Ortega? Those 5 guys gave us 22 wins last year.

With Vladimir Guerrero gone, our Designated Hitter position becomes a platoon position. It allows Bobby Abreu to take a day or two off, from the field. Giving playing time to Gary Matthews Jr. or Reggie Willits. And when days Abreu is in the outfield, Napoli could share time at DH keeping his bat in the line up, which when hot is a nice bat to have.

But why scrimp in save in 2010?

According to MLBTradeRumors, 2011 will see nearly 30 pitchers who will be available to file for Free Agency. Some of the names available in 2011 will be Josh Beckett, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Ted Lilly. Let alone All-Star catcher Joe Mauer and Albert Pujols.

What better way to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's existence than to break the bank for a Lee or Halladay and a Mauer or a Pujols.

The Angels can Win With What We Got.

MLB Trade Rumors is talking Elias Rankings

Jay Cal — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:38:59 -0000

MLB Trade Rumors is talking Elias Rankings

The 2009 Elias Rankings have been released, and Ed Price of AOL FanHouse has a full list of the Type-A and B free agents.

* Chone Figgins qualifies as a Type-A, not a Type-B as projected.
* Melvin Mora qualifies as a Type-A, not a Type-B as projected.
* Vladimir Guerrero qualifies as a Type-B, not a Type-A as projected.
* Gregg Zaun from no compensation to Type-B.
* Jerry Hairston Jr. from Type-B to no compensation.
* Hideki Matsui from Type-B to no compensation.
* Aubrey Huff from Type-B to no compensation.

Does this change how we deal with both Figgins and Vlad?

2010 Top 50 Free Agents or so says MLBTraderumors

Jay Cal — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:52:42 -0000

2010 Top 50 Free Agents or so says MLBTraderumors

1. Matt Holliday - Mets. The Mets could grab headlines by signing Holliday to a six or seven-year deal for more than $100MM.

2. John Lackey - Yankees. Last winter's strategy of signing the best two starters and the best hitter available contributed to the Yankees' World Series title. With rotation question marks after C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, it makes sense that the Yanks will pursue the best available starter in Lackey.

3. Jason Bay - Red Sox. It's been rumored the Red Sox are willing to offer four years and $60MM to Bay. That seems to be a fair opening bid, given his defensive struggles.

4. Chone Figgins - Angels. The Angels have internal options at third base, but he'd be hard to let go after a career-high .395 OBP and excellent defense at the hot corner.

5. Randy Wolf - Mets. The Mets regrettably chose Oliver Perez over Wolf a year ago. As the best available starter aside from Lackey, Wolf is primed to get a three-year deal worth more than $30MM.

Other notes says Vladimir To the White Sox

Chone Figgins on The Jim Rome Show @ 11:00 Hour

Jay Cal — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:03:35 -0000

Chone Figgins on The Jim Rome Show @ 11:00 Hour

Figgins building some KARMA for the play offs. Believe in the power of KARMA and the Rally Monkey

Go Get 'Em Figgins.

Do we go 3 man or 4 man rotation in the Playoffs?

Jay Cal — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:37:57 -0000

Do we go 3 man or 4 man rotation in the Playoffs?

With Saunders regaining form, Weaver turning it around, Kazmir pitching well, and Lackey looking great, is it better to use the old 3 man rotation? And who starts and who goes to the bullpen. Or do we use a 4 man and add just one more name into the bullpen.

Playoff Rotation Discussion

MLBTR Looking For Writers

Jay Cal — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:53:10 -0000

MLBTR Looking For Writers

For any of you who can put away your Halo Bias, maybe you'd be interested in writing for MLB Trade Rumors. I think it's a great site. But I have no inside information, nor can I hide my Angels love.

But for those who can and do, maybe they should check it out.

Thanks to by Downing Rules for ~~busting my balls er~~ editing my post.