Angels Trade Kendrys Morales for Jason Vargas

 

Angels have been very busy this off season they have just added another arm to the rotation. The Angels acquired LHP Jason Vargas from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for infielder Kendrys Morales.

 

Vargas, 29, finished the 2012 season with a 14-11 record with a 3.85 ERA (217.1 IP - 93 ER) and 141 strikeouts. The left-hander led the Mariner staff in wins and quality starts (22) while setting career highs in wins, starts, innings pitched and strikeouts. The Southern California native finished amongst the American League leaders in starts (T4th), quality starts (4th), innings pitched (6th), WHIP (1.178, 10th) and complete games (2, T10th). (Angels)

 

I am very happy to see this trade it is not a huge trade but it is one that will help the Angels make it to the playoffs. Vargas is a fly ball pitcher which I have seen for years pitch with Seattle, he is very dependable and he is very consistent. He will benefit very much from a change of scenery just like Doug Fister did after leaving Seattle for Detroit.

 

I am also glad to see that the Angels did not trade Peter or Mark because they are young and still under team control for some years to come. Also I really like Morales but he is a Scott Boras client and Morales has also pointed out that he wants to play the field again. However, that is not happening when you have Albert playing first so after the season ends he will leave the Angels as a free agent with the Angels not offering him a new contract.

 

So overall I feel like the Angels helped themselves not only for this season but for the future seasons by not trading their future. This probably means that either Joe Blanton or Garret Richards will be in the pen.

Angels Will Introduce Ryan Madson, Tommy Hanson Joe Blanton and Sean Burnett

 

Angels will be holding a press conference tomorrow Wed Dec 11, to introduce the new set of Halo pitchers Ryan Madson, Tommy Hanson Joe Blanton and Sean Burnett. The press conference will be televised by Fox Sport West starting at 11:30am PST

Angels are Busy During the Winter Meetings

 

Once again this off season the Angels add some depth to the rotation and bullpen. Angels sign Sean Burnett to a two years $8 million with a option for a 3rd year for $4.5 million with a $500,000 buyout.

 

Burnett is 30 years old Lefty that posted a 2.76 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP in 176 1/3 innings while pitching for the Nationals from 2010-12, averaging 7.8 strikeouts and 2.7 walks per nine innings. Burnett throws sidearm, uses a heavy sinker to get a lot of ground balls -- 53.3 percent for his career -- and can also get right-handed hitters out. He had bone spurs removed from his pitching elbow in the off season, but is expected to be fully healthy for Spring Training. (MLB)

 

 

The Angels did not stop with Sean Burnett because they also sign Joe Blanton to a two-year, $15 million contract with a option for a 3rd year.

 

 

Blanton is 31 years old Right Handed that went 10-13 with a 4.71 ERA in 31 games  with 30 starts for the Phillies and Dodgers in 2012. Blanton has been a inning eater but he does give up the long ball with 29 Hrs last year. (MLB)

 

I really like the Sean signing because he will help out Downs especially because Downs is getting older and he needs to be healthy. Also this will give Angels better weapons in the close games with two strong lefty that could match up very well.

 

However, I am not sure about the Joe signing because for the money I don't think he is that big of a upgrade from Jerome Williams, however, don't rule out maybe Joe was sign for a back up starter and maybe a log relieve man because he has always had a very good arm. This will allow the angels to sign one more pitcher like  Brandon McCarthy or Edwin Jackson. Personally I would want Brandon McCarthy.