The trash talk begins - can't wait for the season to start!

If accurate - this is a really cool move to ensure a sure first-ballot Hall of Fame player becomes a long-term member of the Angels franchise beyond his playing days.....

Arte, I love you man.

From ESPN...

As expected, with the Angels getting some money off the books after the 2012 season, C.J. Wilson's 5-year, $77.5 million deal is backloaded to help the payroll. A look at the numbers:

Also, Wilson has a full no-trade the first two years of the deal and then has 8 teams he can list as no-trades in each of the last three years.

From ESPN. Interesting opinions and observations by the author....

He's now a free agent. He's running out of chances.....

...reading LSB after the Rangers grasp failure from the jaws of victory. Despite a very good regular season and American League Championship, the 2011 season for the Rangers will likely be defined by the words: "One strike away. Twice".

You stay classy, Texas !

From mlbtraderumors.com.... The name that surprises me is David Wright. I find it surprising that no one, especially the Angels, put in a claim on him.

Just when you think you've heard it all.....

I realize this comes from the dreaded four-letter word network, but there are factual elements in Stark's assessment of the FO:

Los Angeles Angels

It's tough not to feel sorry for these players. The Angels have busted their tails to hang within two games of a more talented team (in Texas) that just went out and dealt for the two best relief pitchers who got traded. Meanwhile, the Angels' own bosses let this deadline pass without adding a bat, a middle reliever or a Mickey Mouse T-shirt.

So in a way, their trade-free deadline dance has a chance to be every bit as deflating to this roster as the failure to sign Carl Crawford last winter.

"You know, sometimes," said an official of one team, "if your team plays well like they have and you don't do something at the deadline, it can almost have an effect the other way, where you lose guys who have been playing their rear ends off trying to stay in it. I don't know if that's going to happen with this team. But it could.""

From ESPN's Jonah Keri:

Texas Rangers trade Tanner Scheppers and Michael Kirkman to the New York Mets for Carlos Beltran

New York Yankees trade Eduardo Nunez to the Seattle Mariners for Erik Bedard

Cleveland Indians trade Nick Weglarz to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Hiroki Kuroda and $2 million

Detroit Tigers trade Wade Gaynor and Bruce Rondon to the Chicago Cubs for Aramis Ramirez, Kerry Wood and $4 million

Los Angeles Angels trade Fabio Martinez Mesa and Trevor Reckling to the San Diego Padres for Heath Bell

"This is a team with the cognitive dissonance to believe that four years and $81 million for Vernon Wells is a good idea, and that Jeff Mathis' pitcher-like offense is adequate given his defensive skills. Even in those two cases, the Angels could easily use internal options like Mike Trout and Hank Conger to address the problem. That leaves the bullpen as the most likely area to upgrade. Like most American League contenders, the Angels are set at the closer position, with rookie Jordan Walden doing an excellent job. But the pen gets thin after veteran lefty Scott Downs and strikeout-reaper Rich Thompson. Bell could be the final piece to a sneakily scary Angels team, especially if they make the playoffs: Good luck scoring runs against Jered Weaver and Dan Haren in the first seven innings, or Bell and Walden in the last two … assuming Bell's performance and declining peripherals hold up away from Petco Park, that is."

"Martinez Mesa cooks with gas and led the Midwest League in strikeouts last year, but he also struggles mightily with command and is on the mend from a shoulder injury. Getting a potential Carlos Marmol plus a moderate-upside starter for two months of Heath Bell seems a favorable return, even if Bell ends up qualifying for Type A free agent status at year's end."

"I don't have any regrets," General Manager Tony Reagins said of the deal that sent infielder Sean Rodriguez and top pitching prospect Alex Torres to Tampa Bay for Kazmir on Aug. 28, 2009.

"At the time of the deal, we were in position to go to the postseason, and Kaz pitched pretty well for us down the stretch. Obviously, things went in a different direction after that. But you make decisions in this business and live with the consequences."

It is time for accountability in the Angel's front office. Arte Moreno, where are you?

Everyone has an opinion - take it for what it's worth.....

The Angels draft did not generate much "buzz", but here's a few extracts from ESPN and BA that were found:

• The Angels selected Arizona catcher Jett Bandy in round 31, which is really only notable because the club used Mike Napoli at catcher, DH and first base for five years before trading the veteran last off-season. When I asked a scout to describe Bandy in three words and then toss a big-league player comp on him, the reply was: "Slow. Strong. Slow & Mike Napoli lite."

• Los Angeles Angels: Took a longtime favorite of mine (K. Law), Nick Maronde (2), who was relieving at Florida but could still return to starting. Austin Wood (6) turned down $425,000 from Tampa Bay last year and will be lucky to get half that this year after losing velocity and still showing no average second pitch. Andrew Ray (5) was nowhere on a few draft boards checked.

Yes, it's from Jim Bowden. I still found it an interesting read. Boras always creates leverage for his client, which is likely part of the reason why Arte's and TR's style of "take it or leave it" negotiation will never work with him. Boras is never afraid to walk-away.

There will be no "home town" discount for WTY. He will go to the highest bidder.

It's all in the genetics.

He's back......

Rest in Peace

Thanks to Scott Downs for spreading the stomach virus around the clubhouse....

Interesting reading - take a look at the spreadsheet embedded in the MTR link. The comparisons reflect material differences of opinion regarding the Angels farm system

Tampa Bay wasn't alone in bypassing the "pudgy kid from Missouri" for 12 rounds in the 1999 draft.... It's striking that there were 401 players selected before Albert Pujols.

Despite what Arte and Reagins have stated, Crawford states the Angels did offer him a contract.....

When the Lamborghini's start to arrive in Florida and Arizona....

If he does decide to hang up the cleats, he's had a helluva career. In my opinion he played the game hard on every pitch, and when I think great outfield catches, he's a highlight reel. I'll miss him.

Clearly Kevin Kouzmanoff is not the long term answer for the A's. The 42 SBs and the .340 OBP is the draw.