When the Angels traded Orlando Cabrera, I pitched a huge fit. And I mean HUGE. I wanted absolutely nothing to do with the trade for pitching, and the possibility of making a bigger move for a big bat. Especially a big bat named Miguel Cabrera. Or one by any other name.
And when the Angels acquired Torii Hunter on free agency, I didn't so much pitch a fit, but remained completely speechless, baffled, confused, etc etc. I did not understand the need for another outfielder, especially another center. We'd just signed Matthews Jr. the previous year to a large extended contract in that position, and to add Hunter for a larger extended contract in that position just seemed like a massively huge redundancy.
... In fact, I still feel that way. It really is a huge redundancy. The only thing that makes up for it has been Hunter's productivity with the bat so far in Spring Training. I know I sound bitter about the whole thing, and I'll give you really what it originates from, but in actuality, I really like Hunter, a lot. He seems to be incredibly enthusiastic about the team, about winning, and about doing his job. I won't be surprised if he wins another Gold Glove while here in California. I won't be surprised if he hits 25+ home runs, and bats over .300+ this season. I'm sure they'll get their proverbial "money's worth," having signed him. A lot of people think he's being overpaid. If you want to know how I feel (and you must if you're reading this, and if you don't, well then stop now) I think the general population of baseball players, nay - scratch that- SPORTS professionals, are overpaid in general. Therefore, by average and in the context of the general payroll for all of those being paid in the Major League, I really think Hunter will probably earn what he makes. Not only as a player, but as a community figure. I think he's a well-rounded, good-natured, generally optimistic individual which is not only good for the look of the organization, but for the surrounding community.
That being said, here are the reasons behind my personal bitterness, and none of this has anything to do with Torii Hunter at all, but more about the general moves being made here:
1. The Big Bat Issue: This has always been my thing. I know I'm being overly dramatic about the whole issue, and after last post-season, it's probably more evident that we need some power to rival the kind of game being played by teams like Boston. However, I am most definitely an advocate of the old-style traditional game, the running game, the small-ball game of which the Angels have been the most notable advocates as of late. I was opposed to Cabrera for much the same reason, as well as anyone they keep saying that the Angels need in order to be successful. My stance is that no one player is necessary for any team to win. Perfect proof of this? A-Rod. Need I say more? Yeah, I didn't think so. Anyway, I digress. My fear is that the players who have been the stable backbones of this team, whether or not they qualify as home run hitters, will get walked all over and traded eventually to fit the AL style of big bat baseball. I know I'm way over-analyzing the current moves, but this is my fear for the future, not today, and all it takes is one move to get the "ball rolling." No pun intended... ha!
2. My love of Reggie Willits: I love this guy. I've been saying it all year. He exemplifies the kind of baseball I love to watch. He earns his paycheck and then some. Not to say Hunter doesn't, because I will be first to tell you that of any trade or signing for a "big bat" I think he's the most worth it. In fact, I think he'll fill that big bat role they tried to fill with Miguel Cabrera just as well, with the defensive dependability as an added bonus. But, because of the contract with Matthews, and the avoidance of arbitration with Rivera, and the faces of the club in Guerrero and Anderson, that really leaves one of 2007's best rookies up in the air. I expect we won't see much of him this season unless one of the other four gets hurt or needs a break. The next problem is that many teams out there are looking for prospective talent very much like Willits. His name has come up in trades several times this past Winter, and probably will continue to be brought up until the deadline during the season. I fear that they'll let him go for a better offer because there is really no place to put him on the field, despite his proven talent and his crowd reaction - I'll still be chanting his name. My only hope is that IF he IS traded, it will be to an AL team that we'll actually get to see sometimes. But I doubt it.
3. Trust: Im not sure how I feel yet about Tony Reagins. That first move really shook me for a while, and I still don't know about it all. I really think we lost a team leader in Cabrera. Do I think Hunter will fill that role? Yes. But that deal wasn't even a thought before this first trade was made. Do I think John Garland will do his job? Yes. In fact, now that Colon is a possible starter for Boston with the back spasms of Beckett keeping him out, and with Santana's inconsistency still a major liability (his Spring Training outings still have yet to redeem him - in fact they probably add more fuel to the fire, so to speak), another pitcher probably isn't a bad idea. Only that still doesn't leave a place for Saunders, who's done more than enough proving of himself over the course of Colon's "out-of-shapeness" and Santana's inability to get his head in the game. But that STILL doesn't make up for it all in my mind. Had we not acquired Hunter, that first trade would've been a major flop as a step for getting a big bat. And in reality, it was a flop. We lost Cabrera, just like we've lost Soriano and Tejada in the past. Hunter was a last minute scramble play. Which is another reason why I don't trust it. There was very little talk about it, and it was a position that was not needed. So I will continue to be very weary about any moves being made about the team for quite a while from now.
There are others, I'm sure, but for now those are the big issues I have with the outfield problem. I like that the team continues to have depth. If people get hurt, they know they have capable players. I just hope they can stay in shape and in the game enough to keep the stability.
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