Match with the Angels

Perfect Cell · November 22nd, 2007, 11:14 AM

Now that the Angels foolishly spent 18m per for Torii Hunter.

Anyone think we could trade for Juan Rivera or Reggie Willitis?

I especially like Juan Rivera. injured in 07 but had an 800ops in 06. Can play CF. makes around 3m per year.

BravesRule22 · November 22nd, 2007, 11:21 AM

I would take Rivera in a heartbeat

I cant imagine they would ask for too much

Snowman · November 22nd, 2007, 11:30 AM

It seems to me that Mathews Jr. is the odd man out. Of course, with his contract they'll probably play him and sit Willits and Rivera.

jpx7 · November 22nd, 2007, 12:34 PM

Angels are really going to regret this – maybe next year, but definitely in a few years. I wouldn't be surprised is Hunter has a lower OPS+ than Andruw next season, or over the course of this deal: his career OPS+ is 104, and he's topped 110 only thrice (2002: 124 , 2006: 112, 2007: 122). On the other hand, with his 88 OPS+ last season, Andruw still has career numbers leading to a 113 OPS+ and was barely under 115 for the five years prior to 2007 (127, 117, 122, 136, 126).

Andruw is a better defender, and a much better hitter, and is younger — yet Hunter just received $18 million a year. This is going to have a pretty stupid effect on subsequent free-agent negotiations/signings, as well – for instance, it is hard to imagine Teixeira signing for just $18 million if a mediocre hitter like Hunter is being paid that much.

jpx7 · November 22nd, 2007, 02:05 PM

I also think the Angels are lining up players to deal for Miguel Cabrera, so I wouldn't be surprised to see Willits go to Miami – he is the only OF amongst the Angels' surplus that fits the profile of the Marlin's demand (young, cheap). Coupled with the rotational surplus they created by acquiring Garland, I think both of these moves make a little more sense.

However, considering Garrett Anderson should be relegated to a DH role for the most part, they may not trade another OF besides Willits; if they do, it would probably be Rivera, whose center-fielding skills might be too dubious for Wren. All in all, if they are lining up players for a Cabrera trade, I'm not sure that the Braves are a very good trading-match for the Angels.

Of course, the acquisition of Cabrera could put Chone Figgins on the market.

Snowman · November 22nd, 2007, 02:30 PM

From what I've read the plan is for Anderson to be in left, with Mathews Jr. acting as a part-time DH and spelling Anderson and Vladdy at the corner spots. Damned expensive part-timer.

November 22nd, 2007, 11:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
Perfect Cell Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 215	Match with the Angels Now that the Angels foolishly spent 18m per for Torii Hunter. Anyone think we could trade for Juan Rivera or Reggie Willitis? I especially like Juan Rivera. injured in 07 but had an 800ops in 06. Can play CF. makes around 3m per year.

November 22nd, 2007, 11:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
BravesRule22 Basketball Community Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,089	I would take Rivera in a heartbeat I cant imagine they would ask for too much __________________ Braves, Knicks, Bucs, Louisville

November 22nd, 2007, 11:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
Snowman Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Topsail Beach, NC Posts: 1,335	It seems to me that Mathews Jr. is the odd man out. Of course, with his contract they'll probably play him and sit Willits and Rivera. __________________ That corpse you planted last year in your garden, Has it begun to sprout? Will it bloom this year? Or has the sudden frost disturbed its bed? If it wasn't for my horse, I wouldn't have spent that year in college.

November 22nd, 2007, 02:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
jpx7 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 568	I also think the Angels are lining up players to deal for Miguel Cabrera, so I wouldn't be surprised to see Willits go to Miami – he is the only OF amongst the Angels' surplus that fits the profile of the Marlin's demand (young, cheap). Coupled with the rotational surplus they created by acquiring Garland, I think both of these moves make a little more sense. However, considering Garrett Anderson should be relegated to a DH role for the most part, they may not trade another OF besides Willits; if they do, it would probably be Rivera, whose center-fielding skills might be too dubious for Wren. All in all, if they are lining up players for a Cabrera trade, I'm not sure that the Braves are a very good trading-match for the Angels. Of course, the acquisition of Cabrera could put Chone Figgins on the market. Last edited by jpx7; November 22nd, 2007 at 02:08 PM.

November 22nd, 2007, 02:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
Snowman Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Topsail Beach, NC Posts: 1,335	From what I've read the plan is for Anderson to be in left, with Mathews Jr. acting as a part-time DH and spelling Anderson and Vladdy at the corner spots. Damned expensive part-timer. __________________ That corpse you planted last year in your garden, Has it begun to sprout? Will it bloom this year? Or has the sudden frost disturbed its bed? If it wasn't for my horse, I wouldn't have spent that year in college.

November 22nd, 2007, 12:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
jpx7 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 568	Angels are really going to regret this – maybe next year, but definitely in a few years. I wouldn't be surprised is Hunter has a lower OPS+ than Andruw next season, or over the course of this deal: his career OPS+ is 104, and he's topped 110 only thrice (2002: 124 , 2006: 112, 2007: 122). On the other hand, with his 88 OPS+ last season, Andruw still has career numbers leading to a 113 OPS+ and was barely under 115 for the five years prior to 2007 (127, 117, 122, 136, 126). Andruw is a better defender, and a much better hitter, and is younger — yet Hunter just received $18 million a year. This is going to have a pretty stupid effect on subsequent free-agent negotiations/signings, as well – for instance, it is hard to imagine Teixeira signing for just $18 million if a mediocre hitter like Hunter is being paid that much.