We’re not going to pretend we have inside access into which Angels rumors are true, which are ploys for leverage, and which are fantasies conjured up by random Twitter folks, but we can compile them in a single post. And so we have this here Hot Stove Rumors Tracker, which we’ll update as offseason speculation flies in from all corners of the Internet.
ACQUISITION TARGETS
Rumor Type: Confirmed Report
2/23 Update – Well so much for that. The deal was set and done, but then a medical issue came up with one of the prospects the Blue Jays were supposed to send to the Reds and now the trade appears to be dead. Sucks.
2/22 – After nearly a month of radio silence on the rumor front, it appears the Angels are close to acquiring left fielder Michael Saunders from the Blue Jays in part of a three-way deal that’ll send Jay Bruce from Cincinnati to Toronto. No idea who the Halos would send where, but Saunders shouldn’t command much. He’s a good player when healthy, but has appeared in only 87 games the last two years because of knee, oblique, and shoulder issues. Is he an upgrade over Daniel Nava? Probably. Is he enough to appease fans? Probably not.
Likelihood:
Rumor Type: Conflicting Reports
1/28 Update – Well, Colorado went and traded one of their left-handed outfielders, but it was neither Blackmon nor Carlos Gonzalez. Instead, they dealt Corey Dickerson, who was the cheapest and most easily retainable of the three for a freakin’ relief pitcher. No one understands what the Rockies are doing, least of all them.
Likelihood:
Rumor Type: Reporter Speculation
1/29 Update – See: above.
1/12 – It’s a near certainty that the Angels won’t be acquiring Carlos Gonzalez this winter, per Jeff Fletcher. While the money he’s owed over the next two years ($34 million) isn’t exorbitant, it’s far more than the Halos can expend and remain under luxury tax. So he’s a no go.
Likelihood:
Rumor Type: Confirmed Report
2/25 Update – The Angels reportedly offered Jackson a one-year deal for $5-6 million, but he and agent Scott Boras decided they’d rather wait for something better. Kind of glad he turned Eppler down. Don’t really see what he would’ve added beyond what Daniel Nava and Craig Gentry bring to the table.
1/22 – The Angels are one of at least three teams who have kicked the tires on Austin Jackson, per Buster Olney. Just when that kicking happened is left unanswered. No matter when it happened, it’s difficult to get inspired at the thought of the team adding yet another “bounceback candidate” for left field.
Likelihood:
Rumor Type: Reporter Speculation
1/12 Update – A deal between the Angels and Yankees “almost makes too much sense” given the teams’ respective needs and the long-standing relationship between Brian Cashman and new Halos GM Billy Eppler, per Alden Gonzalez. I agree it makes sense, but I don’t see any way it works without New York taking on all of C.J. Wilson’s contract. Could happen, but highly unlikely before Wilson throws off a mound next month.
Likelihood:
Rumor Type: 100% Confirmed
12/11 Update – With Yunel Escobar aboard, the need to bring back David Freese has diminished significantly. I suppose there’s a chance they’ll bring him back and shift Escobar to second, but I see that happening only if they can’t sign one of Alex Gordon, Justin Upton, or Yoenis Cespedes.
Likelihood:
![arizona+dimaondbacks[1]](http://monkeywithahalo.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/101/2015/01/arizona-dimaondbacks1.png)
Jake Lamb, Chris Owings, Brandon Drury
Rumor Type: Reporter Speculation
12/8 Update – The D’backs just sold the farm to acquire Shelby Miller, so any chance of Hector Santiago or C.J. Wilson going to Phoenix is now nil. Only way this is still alive is if Dave Stewart decides he really likes Cam Bedrosian.
12/7 – This is kind of a weird one. The LA Times’ Mike DiGiovanna wrote a whole article Tuesday on how the Angels could match up well for a trade with the D’Backs, but not so much as a peep has come out about this elsewhere. The speculation does make a certain amount of sense, but just no idea if it’s based in anything real. Jake Lamb would certainly be a nice pick-up for third base, but he wouldn’t come cheap.
Likelihood:
Rumor Type: Informed Speculation
12/7 – Alden Gonzalez never floats a name on Twitter without anything to back it up, so his mention of Asche Monday morning can’t be ignored. Kinda wish we could ignore it, though, because Asche just isn’t very good. He’s still young (25), so I suppose one could be talked into some upside, but he’s also got 1,000+ plate appearances of sub-replacement production with the Phillies the last three years that say otherwise.
Likelihood:
Rumor Type: Informed Speculation
12/6 – Plouffe’s name popped up in trade rumors the moment the Twins won the bid for Korean first baseman Byung-Ho Park. Since Minnesota agreed to a three-year deal with Park, those rumors have only gotten louder. The Twinkies now have seven players—Plouffe, Park, Joe Mauer, Miguel Sano, Oswaldo Arcia, Kennys Vargas, and Max Kepler—for four positions—DH, 1B, 3B, and RF—meaning someone’s gotta go. Mauer is an institution and Sano, Arcia, Vargas, and Kepler all possess the coveted combo of being cheap and young, so Plouffe seems to have the short straw. GM Terry Ryan says the team plans to keep Plouffe, but I’m calling bullsh*t.
Likelihood:
Rumor Type: Vague Report
The Angels “seem to be” one of three targets—along with the Orioles and Mariners—to whom the Red Sox are talking about shopping Hanley Ramirez. Considering that Pedro Alvarez and Chris Carter couldn’t manage get tendered contracts after 20+ HR seasons, I have a hard time believing Boston will find anyone willing to take on a player of a similar ilk who’s not only injury prone but also making nearly three times as much money annually. Unless the Red Sox eat a bunch of money, there’s no way the Angels go after Han-Ram.
Likelihood:
TRADE PIECES
Rumor Type: Confirmed Report
1/23 Update – A few teams have checked in on C.J. Wilson as a buy-low type, per Jon Heyman, but the Angels have yet to get an offer they like yet. Don’t expect anything to come of this until Spring Training. If Wilson is healthy come March, teams should be willing to take on more of his $20 million salary for 2016.
Likelihood:
Rumor Type: Confirmed Report
1/12 Update – A big reason the Angels settled Santiago’s salary for 2016 so early was to remove a big variable in trade discussions. There’s no guarantee locking in his salary will improve his market, but $5 million for a young-ish league average starter has to look good when guys like J.A. Happ are getting $12 million on the open market.
Likelihood:
Traded to: Washington Nationals
12/10 Update – The Angels dealt Gott and minor-league RHP Michael Brady to the Nats in return for two years of Yunel Escobar. A very good deal for the Halos.
Likelihood:
OFF THE MARKET
Signed By: Los Angeles Dodgers
1/29 Update – Kendrick somehow ended up getting one year and $17.5 million fewer than Daniel Murphy in free agency. I don’t get it. Qualifying offers are the worst, man. Excited for them to be at least highly amended next winter.
Signed By: New York Mets
1/23 Update – Was Yoenis Cespedes the answer to all the Angels’ ills? No. Was he a better option than anything else they could do in left field either this year or next? Without a doubt. Huge missed opportunity.
Signed by: Detroit Tigers
1/18 Update – Sensing that his team’s competitive window might be closing soon, Mike Ilitch gave the luxury tax the finger and doled out big money for Justin Upton. If only he could convince Arte Moreno to do the same.
Signed By: Colorado Rockies
1/12 Update – Parra signed a three-year, $27.5 million deal with the Rockies. They didn’t need another OF, but adding Parra gives them an excuse to trade Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon, and/or Corey Dickerson for young pitching.
Signed by: Kansas City Royals
1/6 Update – Gordon is heading back to KC on a four-year, $72 million deal. If he wasn’t coming to Anaheim, I’m glad he’s staying with the Royals. Like it when guys stick around with a single team for their entire career.
Signed by: Chicago Cubs
12/11 Update – *SIGH* Heyward signed an eight-year, $184 million deal with the Cubs that includes separate opt-outs after 2018 and 2019. And he’ll likely play CF for them. Hard to compete with that when your owner doesn’t want to spend any $$.
Signed by: New York Mets
12/11 Update Cabrera inked a two-year deal with the Mets, extending New York’s prolonged streak of not having a legit shortstop through at least the 2017 season. He is an improvement over Wilmer Flores offensively, but on defense…
Acquired by: New York Mets
12/9 Update – The Mets got him, too. Three years of Jon Niese straight up is tough to beat. With Walker and Cabrera now up the middle and Lucas Duda, New York’s infield defense should be pretty atrocious. So, same as last year.
Acquired by: Chicago White Sox
12/9 Update – Lawrie is joining the White Sox in exchange for two minor-league pitchers. The Angels could have easily afforded him at that price, so you wonder if maybe his aggro reputation or low OBP turned them away.
Signed by: Chicago Cubs
12/8 Update – Zobrist gets the starting second base job he was looking for, sending Starlin Castro packing for the Bronx. No idea what happens to Javier Baez’s playing time now, but he’ll probably still manage to slug .450 with 20+ home runs.
Signed by: Los Angeles Dodgers
12/6 Update – He gone. The Dodgers are bringing him back on a one-year deal.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
