Inside the Halo

The Los Angeles Times, the Orange County Register, and Major League Baseball all reported in the first sentence of articles published yesterday that the Angels avoided arbitration with Jarrod Washburn, the lone lefty in the rotation. Avoided. As in "to stay clear of, or shun". Dictionary.com lists avoid as a synonym for "escape". Look, I know that saying a team avoided arbitration is business-speak, but if there is anyone who "avoided" arbitration it's Washburn. He should've avoided it. Like grim death. Here's a guy who's won more than 11 games once. He's had 2 ERA seasons below 4.00 with 100+ IP. He's clearly still living on that 2002 championship season. Sure, it was a solid year, but it's the only time in his career his K/9 has topped 6 (6.07).

Okay, yes, I realize the starting pitching market got a little (okay, a lot) outta hand this offseason, but there's nothing in the numbers that says he should be making 6.5 million. Remember, that number is a compromise. He would've asked for more in arbitration. Can he justify more? No way. Matt Clement--same age, two more 12+ win seasons, astronomically higher K/9 rate--8 mil a year (average). Al Leiter--8 sub 4.00 ERAs, six 12+ win seasons--8 million. Jon Lieber--4 sub 4.00 ERAs, three 12+ wins--7 million. Eric Milton--four 12+ wins--8 million. Russ Ortiz--4 sub 4.00 ERAs, 6 12+ wins (even though he's extremely fortunate)--8.25 million. Brad Radke--4 sub 4.00 ERAs, six 12+ wins--9 million. I could go on but I won't.

The point is these salaries (all averages over their new deal) are approaching the neighborhood that JW would've been asking. He is not in the league of these pitchers, overrated as some of them may be. And, oh, yeah, here's one more thing--every single one of those pitchers had a higher K/9 ratio than Washburn did last season. Jarrod Washburn is not worth 6.5 million, even on a team approaching 100 million in the books. So, to sum this up, let me state once again what the other reports politely misstated--the Angels didn't avoid arbitration in this negotiation. Jarrod Washburn did.

Other Arbitrary Information

The Angels locked up Scot Shields for another year for 925K. I'm currently monitoring the police band for chatter, because that's an absolute steal. Shields is a top-notch reliever who is often overlooked with K-Rod and Donnelly roaming the pen. Adding Shields is a great way to solidify your pen as well. Jose Molina signed at around the going rate for backup catchers at 1 year and 725K. He's a great defender (and that's about it), which leaves little value in the fantasy game. The only Angel left facing arbitration is 3rd catcher Josh Paul, who only played in 46 games last season. If I'm Bill Stoneman, I walk into Paul's hearing offering $20 and a jar of really good pickles.

Jose, Can't You See?

There are some players who are well intentioned, or at least seem to be, but lack the personal and professional maturity to do their job and that shortcoming always tends to overshadow their talent and ability. I'm convinced that Jose Guillen has inducted himself as a charter member of that group. Guillen spoke out about the debacle that ended with him getting suspended for the last eight games of the regular season and the postseason. To a guy who always wants to be in the game (no matter what), forcing him to ride the pine in a division race and then in the postseason is a very good way to break his spirit. In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, JG said that the suspension came from an apparent tantrum he threw during the 9/25 game against the Elephant Men.

He claims Scioscia called him out in front of the team at his locker after the game in response to what Guillen calls simply tossing his helmet toward "where the batboy sits and it didn't even come close" to hitting Scioscia. Whether it did or not, the tirade wasn't, a giant event that called for drastic measure, it was the last straw in a big bushel of confrontations over PT that finally crossed Scioscia's patience threshold. Jose wants to play--and play hard--which is commendable, but when he makes comments like "if I'm producing and you sit me, we're going to have a little problem", it makes you realize that while you feel for a guy like Guillen, you really can see why he wouldn't be a good teammate. It's an very interesting piece. Check it out at sfgate.com.

Putting the "of" in GoOFus

The hearing to determine the future in the Angels name fiasco is tomorrow (1/21). The word is if the city loses in this phase of the game, their chances of winning a long drawn-out trial would be substantially diminished. My feeling is that it's really a shame that this couldn't be solved one way or another outside of the courtroom. I see the sides of both parties, but the bottom line is it's a potential distraction for a team that doesn't need one, and right now it looks like it can only get uglier from here. Los Angeles Angels, Anaheim Angels…whatever they end up being called, I just sincerely hope that one day soon we can all punch up the home page for the Halos and not see a preposition in the team name. For the Angels, Matt Allen--ESPN.

There's a pitching change over at Center Field. That means the outfielders are gathered together for the break in the action--and the topic probably isn't baseball. Check it out and see what a Romanian couple actually named their son and hear about the latest gadget that is supposed to help us get even lazier but really sounds like a colossal waste of research and development.

Vladimir Guerrero and I now have something in common. We both injured our thumbs playing for secondary teams. Vlad's was in the Dominican league, mine was in the Crestwood Baptist intramural basketball league. See? We're practically brothers. Except that Vlad was playing a better sport and his primary team was actually very concerned he hurt himself. My team at least knew I was displaying my prodigious basketball skills in another league. They, uh, just didn't really care. Anyway, Vlad will be ready for Spring Training and will cease playing for the Licey Tigers. Right now he can't grip a bat though. Angels GM Bill Stoneman said he and Vlad would have a "conversation" on the "wisdom" of playing winter ball when Vlad returned. Not patronizing at all, is it?

It really all comes down to a "broke vs. fix" mentality. Vlad, K-Rod, and Kelvim Escobar all had solid seasons, so the Angels don't want them playing. K-Rod was denied flat-out, Escobar had to be talked out of it, and Vlad…well, Vlad just didn't tell the Angels because he knew they would probably call FEMA. Bartolo Colon (he of the 1st half 6.38 ERA) was encouraged to maybe throw a few innings down south. Where are the concerns about the millions of dollars still riding on BC? See, he needs a fix, thinks the Angels. But does he? His final numbers aren't impressive, but his 2nd half looked like this--12-4, 3.63 ERA, OBA .232. I think he got his fix already. Alright, enough thumbing around. Let's take a look at some of these offseason moves the new LAAofA made.

Orlando Cabrera: 4yr/32M

We've gotta start here because this one has the most moolah attached. Most pundits aren't real keen on this deal and it's easy to see why. Cabrera's career high in AVG is .297 in '03, he doesn't really have any pop, so he can't be considered one of the "New Age" SSs ('04 SLG was .383, career is just north of .400 at .409), and don't give me defense, because while Eck was worst among regular MLB SS in range factor, Cabrera is still south of the middle of that pack. I see nothing in his portfolio that makes him worth this deal, especially now that he's 30 and his speed will start dropping off during this contract. Cabrera is an excellent slap doubles hitter though--41, 43, 47, and 38 in the last four years. Does he make the Halos better? I would say yes. $32 million better? No.

Steve Finley: 2yr/14M

The Angels are worried about Garret Anderson getting older, fighting arthritis, and having to play center field. They also dealt Jose Guillen, a menace in the batter's box and the clubhouse (more on that later). So what do they do counter these two problems? Sign Steve Finley! (Pardon me while I slacken my cheeks, violently shake my head, and moan). What? GA's 32. Finley's 40. You're worried about Anderson's CF defense (Range Factor: 2.46), so you sign a quadragenarian (Rng: 2.37)? Don't get me wrong, Finley can rake, but he won't be hitting 36 HR again. 15.7% of his flyballs left the yard last year. The MLB mean is 10%. Plus, he has played in the BOB in AZ for the better part of the last five years. Angel Stadium isn't so friendly. I like him, but he's not worth the bucks.

Troy Percival: Signed with DET, 2yr/12M

Percy was with the Halos for 10 years, racking up 316 saves and stood near the top of the closer class from most of it. The question, now that he's going, is this--will the Angels even miss him? His successor is better, younger, and more than ready to assume the role of big-league closer. My take would be that, sure, he could've helped this bullpen, but at a 12 million dollar price tag? No thanks. No way. He wouldn't even be the in top 3, no, top 5 in this bullpen. I see K-Rod, Donnelly, Shields, Yan, and even Gregg having more productive seasons than the Perce. His K/9 dropped below 6 for the first time ever in '04--it had never been below 8.76 before. Add a lucky batter hit rate of 25% and he's hanging by a thread. He made the most of it, but enjoy the sunset, Troy.

Troy Glaus: Signed with ARI, 4yr/45M

Also part of the Troy Exodus from Anaheim, er, LA, was Glaus, who ended up in the desert with the D-Backs. While I've haven't cared much for many of the Halo offseason moves, the good news is this--every one of Arizona's moves has potentially been worse than any of the Angels. Glaus, who may or may not ever play 3B again, gets 10+ mil a year? Sure, his hitting should be okay (especially at the BOB), but there's no DH in the NL. He's gotta field. And there's no denying he's a huge risk. For the Angels part, they do have an infinitely cheaper slugger ready to take TG's place. Dallas McPherson could probably hit LA from Anaheim even though the Angels don't technically play there. Defense? A cardboard likeness might be almost as effective. He'll need maturing, but he's a gem.

Jose Guillen: traded to WAS

There is no denying that the Halos are going to miss this bat. I realize that the lineup still features the power of Guerrero, Anderson, Finley, and now McPherson along with the pesky sticks of Figgins, Erstad, and Cabrera, but of those who played 60 or more games, he was 2nd on the team in SLG (behind MVP Guerrero), 2nd in OPS, and 2nd in HR. When Anderson's previous long-time power in question, that's a lot to let go. I'll tell you what, unlike the Yankees with Giambi, and Colorado with Neagle, the Angels actually did make a roster move specifically on character. I hope no one's fooling you that Giambi and Neagle were/are fighting contract voids because of on-field performance that just happened to coincide with a good excuse to excuse them off the field. Guillen put up a solid year--but he didn't mix with the management at Anaheim. Now he's gone. If nothing else, I respect the Halos for sticking with their principles, and that's what this is all about. Good luck, Jose, but I think this was a positive move.

Estaban Yan: 2yr/2.25M

This move drew a chorus of "Yans" from most fans (Get it?…ey…). Anyway…although this falls in line with this year's pitching market (i.e. being priced at least a little too high for the talent acquired), I like this a lot. Yan is probably the 4th man outta the 'pen right now, but he's got good skills. A 2.16 K/BB ratio and K/9 over 7 in '04 are numbers just about anyone would like to see in their pen and the Angels have that as a 4th guy. That's solid. Though probably not as good with runners on base and not a guy you'd wanna bring in to get one hitter out in a tight spot, Yan could easily be a guy that could come in and give the Halos two solid innings here, two solid innings there. With Shields, Donnelly, K-Rod, and Gregg around him, he fills out a very good bullpen quite nicely. Too bad he's not left-handed though, huh?

Paul Byrd: 1yr/4.5M

No one--well, okay, me and pitching coach Bud Black--is talking about the Halo rotation this offseason. The troubles of Colon were well-publicized and they're what remain in most minds as a snapshot of '04 of him. Escobar was solid, but quietly solid, and John Lackey had just a forgettable enough season for everyone to gloss over it. All anyone remembers of Jarrod Washburn right now is the slider he hung (like a freakin' Christmas stocking) to David Ortiz in the playoffs that quite possibly just landed this week. It's funny--a recent poll at the Angels official website asked what the Angels' biggest strength this year would be. Interestingly enough, Offense received 45% of the vote. Even more interesting was the last-place 4% the rotation received. I voted bullpen (23%), but we'll see.

Maybe that's why, not unlike the signing of Yan, that Byrd's signing was virtually omitted by the press. Admittedly, he's a relatively soft-tossing 34-year-old, but I promise you here and now that he won't do nearly the damage that Aaron Sele or Ramon Ortiz did last year. If Jarrod Washburn doesn’t get it together, Byrd won't even end up the #5 guy. It's a decent signing--no commitment, reliable, even if not wholly impressive, skills--I think he'll do okay. Like too many in the Angel rotation, he's a flyball pitcher only he doesn't have the velocity to mow opposing batters down. When his control is there, he certainly won't hurt you. Here's hoping for a pinpoint year from Mr. Byrd.

Ramon Ortiz: traded to CIN

Check this out:

As starter: 5.47 ERA, 2.09 K/BB, 5.47 K/9, .309 OBA
As reliever: 2.76 ERA, 2.27 K/BB, 6.25 K/9, .231 OBA

So, naturally he winds up at Cincinnati--in the rotation. If only Ramon could develop a little more endurance, he could be productive as a starter. Like Pedro's magic pitch #100, Ramon starts to hit a wall at about #46--SLG jumps almost .100 at that point (using 2002-2004 statistics). There's potential there especially for a pitcher who's only 31 with a few years left before the big decline, but he won't be doing it Anaheim and I'm not sure that under different circumstances, the Angels wouldn't have been better off with him than Jarrod Washburn.

The Rest

Juan Rivera comes over from Washington nee Montreal, and I really like his potential. This is a guy who has solid hitting skills and could probably hit .290 with full-time play. He makes great contact and the only real mark against him is his just average power. He's just 26 and still developing and the Angels might be getting him at just the right time.

Maicer Izturis is the other half of the Guillen deal, and he looks like a decently solid player as well. He's only 24 and has an incredible glove but his downside is that his bat has just a little more power than mine. Even with an outstanding contact rate, that's not good.

Alfredo Amezaga has gone to Coors, where even the thinnest air won't be able to liven up his bat. He's still an Angel in spirit--or at least in the guise of Izturis.

David Eckstein signed with St. Louis. Many Angel fans were sad to see him go, but as you hear so often, this is a business, and the Angels now have a better shortstop. He's not worth the pay increase they'll be devoting to the position, but alas…good luck to Eck, by the way. I'll say this, St. Louis fans will love him.

Andres Galarraga signed with the Mets--where he'll never touch the field once the blue and orange sign Carlos Delgado (and maybe even if they don't).

The Human Butter Churn, Ben Weber, signed with the Reds. If he pitches anywhere remotely near the way he did last year, he'll be out of a job by June.

Shane Halter went non-tendered this offseason. Uh…whatever.

In a starting pitching hungry market, Aaron Sele is still a free agent. Any questions?

Okay, time for me to ice or heat my thumb--or something.

Hey there. Just want to encourage all of you to head over to Center Field, where I've just posted the first new material of what I hope to be a very productive (and interactive) year. The comment section is there for you to get your practice in as well. CF8 is a place where we can all get a good dialogue going.

Shaggin' Flies #2 offers plenty of opportunities for you to tell me just how wrong I am. If that's not enough, you can go back and laugh at the "pilot" column from last July where I picked the San Diego Padres to storm ahead and win the NL West. What a wanker (although I did call the Braves in the East and Phil Nevin ended up just 4 HR shy of 30).

Anyway, you're more than welcome over in Center Field. Grab your glove. Take a look.

Most people this time of year have devised new and improved ways to lose weight, increase their muscle mass, and decrease their waistline. I am facing the task of getting my pens, pencils, and wits sharpened for yet another season of baseball here and ESPN and ITH (insidethehalo.blogspot.com). I’m looking forward to April 4 just as I know you are (otherwise I would hope you could find better ways to spend your time than by reading a baseball column). So, now that my inbox is almost empty for a change, excuse me while I [snap], [crackle], and [pop] my knuckles and try and get back down to my fighting weight, get all my ducks in a row, and get back up on the horse. One thing is for sure--my truckloads of clichés are definitely alive and kickin'.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

That's right. It's official. How long it sticks could be determined by a long and sticky court battle--one of which I want no part. I will, however, happily offer my take …I like it--as a business decision. I hear the outrage of Angels fans in Anaheim and understand that quite well also. But here's a take from someone who has no affiliation with LA or the OC. Bottom line--it very well could be good long-term business decision. Is it silly? Any official title for a team that includes the word "of" qualifies as silly, yes. But LA baseball is the Dodgers, even if they originally came from Brooklyn. So, the time for the Angels to perform is now in 2005. Because if they slip into mediocrity, I'm afraid that Arte Moreno may have just made the Angels into the new Mets, White Sox, and Clippers. No Angels fan wants to be a step-kid.

I'll be honest, when I first read the press release, I really, really liked the idea. But having digested many (way too many) opinions on the matter since, I'm starting to see all the other ramifications of this. The Angels actually play in Anaheim. That city, although they wrote a very flawed lease, put a lot into having that "Anaheim" in front of their beloved Angels. Some fans became Angels fans because they weren't identified with LA. But there is a bit of posturing by the city too, as far as I'm concerned. I realize they're under lease to have their name with the Angels, but Anaheim mayor Curt Pringle said just last month that an NFL team in Anaheim would be benefit because the city is "certainly firmly in the center of the LA market." Host and parasite?

Look, Anaheim, in terms of MLB city population, ranks only above Tampa, Florida (and that's only if you don't include St. Petersburg, which put TB ahead by over 200,000). Yes, Anaheim is smaller than Cincinnati. And Arlington, Texas. And Pittsburgh. And Kansas City. And Minneapolis (even without St. Paul). In terms of population, Anaheim should be a small market team by that measure, right? 2004's 101 million dollar clearly shows otherwise. The Angels are obviously benefiting from the LA market, named that way or not. The other side should say that if they're already benefiting from LA money, which is Moreno's publicly-stated number one reason for the name change, then what's all the hubbub, Bub? Isn't this an "ain't-broke-don't-fix" situation?

Whether you like it or not, it's a reality. Don’t look for Arte and the gang to beat their fans, who already feel a little upset over the head with the LA moniker. It won't be on the unis, gear, and the Angels haven't submitted any logo or color change. Good thing too, because a poll taken at ESPN.com this very day showed over 100,000 voters preferring Anaheim at 47%, to California at 43% and Los Angeles at 8%. I'll say this and let it drop--there was a Los Angeles Angels (of the PCL) in LA before they were forced to move when the Dodgers of the National League showed up in 1958. Later, when the MLB LA Angels (now an expansion team) began their 2nd year of play, guess where they called home? Well, the Angels called it Chavez Ravine, but it's real name was--and is--Dodger Stadium.

Offseason Shuffle

The great Jerry Seinfeld has noted that all sports fans are really doing is rooting for laundry and that never seems more true than during the Hot Stove League, when free agents are being dealt like the Topps and Upper Deck cards that bear their names and visages. My first in-depth task in the New Year will be to take a look at each of these moves for the Angels, from the big to the small, and forecast what it means for the Halos on the field and on your fantasy roster. I won't be able to cover all those here, but rest assured you'll be able to read the breakdown in full format at Inside the Halo. Look for that here and there in the next week.

ITH Offices Open for Business

Sure, we only have a staff of one, but we're ready to serve. The e-mail is insidethehalo@insightbb.com if you want to take part. I've recently uncovered some older e-mails that I apparently haven't answered yet, and if yours is one of that bunch, rest assured your response will be out to you shortly (albeit long after I'm sure you wanted it). With those final few e-mails answered, we've renew our New Year's Resolution for 2004 in 2005: answer each and every single one of your Halo queries (okay, each and every one of the least combative, non-profanity-laced ones anyway.) I look forward to an exciting '05 with all of you that will hopefully end with the biggest mouthfuls ever inscribed on the World Series trophy: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim--2005 World Champions. For the Angels, Matt Allen--ESPN.