LA ANGELS FANS WORRIED ABOUT HUNTER
SHOULD BE CONCERNED WITH PITCHING
photo from sportsnet.ca courtesy of the AP
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim fans are far too concerned
with trying to resign Torii Hunter. Wake up people. While I am a huge fan of
the guy and losing him will be disheartening to the Angels, Anaheim has more
important things to worry about this offseason.
While I don’t agree with not resigning Hunter, fans have to realize the
Angels now have a Grand Canyon sized hole in their pitching staff with the loss
of Ervin Santana, Dan Haren and its inevitable Zack Greinke will sign with
someone else, probably the Texas Rangers,
Thanks Arte let another star player leave to a rival.
What are the Angels going to do to replace the 3 quality starters they are letting go? This would be my concern Angels
fans considering pitching was the main reason the Angels missed out on the
playoffs for a 3rd consecutive season. The idea of trying to find quality
arms to replace over 550 innings lost with those 3 gone is a daunting task and
I am not sure that Jerry Dipoto or any GM can find 3 quality arms in 1 offseason.
While I understand Torii is a very likable player and I am
right there with you with not wanting to lose him especially to a contender like the Rangers,
Tigers or Red Sox we have to understand he shouldn’t be the first priority this
offseason get over it. It’s pretty clear management
wants to use Peter Bourjos next season, is that a mistake? Probably but it
seems to have been predetermined. Let me
clear that up, its not a mistake because Peter is a horrible player but I have
to question why wasn’t Bourjos traded last season for a pitcher? Teams
were and still remain interested in the guy. How about the Atlanta Braves this
offseason who have an excess of starting
pitchers and appear to be losing Michael Bourne and would be looking for a Center
Fielder to replace him. Jair Jurrgens looks to be on the trading block. There are many options and more than a few teams looking for a CF.
Lets get back to last season. The Angels outfield was already maxed out with quality bats, Mike Trout, Torii Hunter, Mark Trumbo and Vernon Wells. Why did
they keep Peter Bourjos when you have 4 outfielders already? Can someone explain why he wasn’t used as a centerpiece in a package deal to go out and
get an arm last season let alone this offseason especially now when the Angels seem to be desperate for starting pitching? I’m still scratching my head
over this. I got to say Peter Bourjos did look good
riding the pine though didn't he? He was a valuable asset chewing seeds on the
bench next to Maicer - he definitely helped the Angels riding the bench more than
a pitcher would. If Dipoto didn't move Peter last season it’s pretty clear they knew all along that they wanted to use him
this season. The Angels management never
really wanted to make it a priority to sign Hunter. Whether you agree or not that seems to be the
case as reports have come out that Bourjos will now split time in Center Field and Left Field as Trout will move to Left Field some games. Another questionable move but that can be dealt with when it actually happens.
What are the Angels options. Well the first priority would be to resign
Zack Greinke and pay him what he wants anything to keep him in the rotation. If Greinke goes to Texas it is going to be a double whammy for the
Angels not only will they lose an ace, their number one rival will become even
stronger and put the Angels further behind the 8 ball. If Greinke isn’t willing to
resign with Anaheim then then there are other options? There certainly is pitching available albeit not as good of options but still serviceable arms are out there. I would look to Anibal Sanchez and try signing him to a long term deal and double it up with making a run at the very solid and underrated Hiroki Kuroda to a one year deal as a stop gap until next offseason. Kyle Lohse should also be looked at as he has been racking up quality innings the last couple seasons for the Cardinals and has postseason experience.
There needs to be a sense of urgency to nail down at least 2 starting pitchers to fill that massive 550 plus innings lost this offseason. What will happen? No one knows. One thing is for certain if the Angels don't get help on the mound don't look for them to be a serious World Series threat next season. Arte Moreno seems to get a pass from the Angels faithful read this to see what I think of Moreno's shaky ownership http://diamondclubdirt.blogspot.com/2012/10/arte-party-killer.html Why Moreno gets a pass and other sports owners take heat from the media like New York Knicks owner James Dolan is beyond me. Many say it's the GM's job but the bottom line is the owner is the one signing the checks and has final say in all transactions.
