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Inbox: Are Halos in pursuit of leadoff man?
Pretty cool read I thought.
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Inbox: Are Halos in pursuit of leadoff man?
Pretty cool read I thought.
Reports: Vernon Wells traded to Angels - The Globe and Mail
The Toronto Blue Jays are close to trading all-star centre-fielder Vernon Wells to the Los Angeles Angels for catcher Mike Napoli, according to a report on FoxSports.com.
The blockbuster deal was still pending physicals, the report said citing unidentifed sources.
Wells still has four years remaining on the $126-million (all currency U.S.), seven-year contract and it's unclear if any money was changing hands in the deal.
His potential departure would remove one of the franchise's cornerstones and open space for a new leadership structure to emerge in the clubhouse.
Napoli is headed for salary arbitration, seeking a salary of $6.1 million, while the Angels countered at $5.3 million.
His potential addition would give the Blue Jays a veteran presence behind the plate as they try to integrate rookie J.P. Arencibia on to the big-league club.
Napoli could also play some first base and DH.
Originally Posted by Fisticuffs82
*Update:
Twitter / Ken Rosenthal: Sources: Wells and cash to #Angels,...
Sources: Wells and cash to #Angels, Napoli and Rivera to #BlueJays. #MLB
You didn't like Naps? I actually preferred him over Mathis... Mr. .195 batting average.
Looking at the stats though:
Vernon Wells
2010 - .273 BA. 31 HR. 88 RBI
2009 - .260 BA. 15 HR. 66 RBI
2008 - .300 BA. 20 HR. 78 RBI
Juan Rivera
2010 - .252 BA. 15 HR. 52 RBI
2009 - .287 BA. 25 HR. 88 RBI
2008 - .246 BA. 12 HR. 45 RBI
Mike Napoli
2010 - .238 BA. 26 HR. 68 RBI
2009 - .272 BA. 20 HR. 56 RBI
2008 - .273 BA. 20 HR. 49 RBI
-----------------------------------
Obviously if you combine the numbers of Naps and Rivera, we got hosed. But going forward... I think Vernon Wells could be the guy we expected GMJ to be which never happened.
I also have high hopes for Hank Cogner too, so hopefully this means more playing time for him backing up Mathis.
Juan Rivera is pretty much a liability in the outfield anyway so Vernon Wells should be better there along with Torii Hunter and Peter Bourjos. Where is Abreu going to play? DH?
While it is an improvement for 2011 and it does clear up some positions for us, I gotta say it doesn't inspire confidence in Reagins. He clearly got outplayed in this deal. Wells' contract is so bad that I have a hard time believing a better GM couldn't have wrestled some $$ or prospects coming back or unloading more bad salary on them. The TO GM had to be more desperate to move this contract than Reagins was to obtain it. The scary part is that Wells is already 32 and will be 36 in the last year of the contract, his splits the last few years against LHP is pretty bad (Rangers have a good lefty staff), he is going from a hitter' park to a pitchers park (1.058 vs .854) so he isn't likely to meet the stats in the best of his recent years (2008/2010) particularly the HR totals.
That being said, it is an improvement over what was given up that will add power, improved outfield D, provide some protection for the MOTO lineup, cleans up the DH logjam and allow Conger to come up at some point and start getting some (a little) MLB experience. I can see the angels resting him against lefties and letting Abreu get a few starts in left, which would allow Trumbo some starts at DH. An improvement, but i hesitate to call it a good trade.
Mike Napoli on the move again, this time to Texas - Los Angeles Times
January 25, 2011 | 2:12 pm
Did Mike Napoli even go through customs in Canada?
The catcher, who was traded with outfielder Juan Rivera from the Angels to the Blue Jays for outfielder Vernon Wells last Friday, spent all of four days on Toronto's roster.
Napoli reportedly was traded from the Blue Jays to the Texas Rangers for reliever Frank Francisco and cash considerations on Tuesday. Now, the Angels will be seeing a lot more of Napoli, who is expected to get at-bats for the Rangers as a catcher, first baseman and designated hitter.
Napoli, 29, hit .238 with 26 homers and 68 runs batted in in 140 games with the Angels last season, including a .305 average against left-handed pitching, the best mark on the team.
The right-handed Francisco went 6-4 with a 3.76 earned-run average and two saves in 56 appearances for the Rangers in 2010. He opened the season as the closer but moved to a setup role after Texas moved rookie Neftali Feliz into the closing job.
Francisco missed the final five weeks of the season and the entire playoffs because of a strained rib-cage muscle.
--Mike DiGiovanna
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