Hot Stove: MLB Offseason Thread

[McCall]

So with the addition of Pujols to the Angels, what will the Halos do with Trumbo?

Or Kendrys Morales, for that matter. Both play 1B -- but you know Pujols will DH for 80% of his tenure in Los Angeles.

Many don't even know if Morales will play again.

[Still MIGHTY]

So with the addition of Pujols to the Angels, what will the Halos do with Trumbo?

Trumbo will probably eventually move to third base. They wanted to get him a bunch of time in the Fall League at 3B anticipating Morales' return at 3B anyway, but he hurt his foot and wasn't able to do it. He has played a little in the minors, as well as some right field.

Morales is a different animal, and it depends on his health. If he is fully ready to go, there's some thought that he could maybe play one of the corner outfield spots, but not 3rd. Trumbo is definitely more suited for 3rd than Kendrys would be. I think between Trumbo and Morales, Kendrys is the one that would be most likely traded I'd think.

Either way, one is going to get a good amount of time at DH.

Really, the Angels aren't done. They're done signing guys, but there are some moves that have to come down the pipe. I can definitely see Abreu being moved. I could see Morales being moved. I'd expect the Angels to be looking to move those guys for some more bullpen help or maybe even a natural thirdbaseman, but I think they're committed to keeping Trumbo around for 3rd.

[LMU]

Then again, Morales might just get non-tendered.

[FiddySicks]

As a Cubs fan, I shouldn't feel bad for the Cardinals, but I do. I should be happy Pujols is out of the National League (and especially the NL Central) but, really, I'm not.

He went for the money. He went to 3 World Series with St. Louis, winning two of them. The Angels offered him about 3 million dollars more per year (and one more year under contract) than the Cardinals did. So he threw all of those championships, all of that success, and all of those fans that adored him aside for more money. I mean, he's set for life already. He can have anything he wants. Everyone in his entire family will be rich for generations to come. But greed got the best of him and he went for the extra money.

That's what I feel is the most disappointing thing about all of this. It's not like he was turning down 250 million for minimum wage. Either way he was going to be making close to 230 million dollars! He seriously left that legacy behind to go to the Angels for like 20 million more when his contract was going to exceed 200 million anyway? I really respected the guy before this, but now I don't see him as any different from A Rod. Maybe it's the history major in me, but I can't believe he just up and ditched the huge historical legacy he could've had with the Cardinals. That is crushingly disappointing.

But I'm also disappointed in the Cardinals as well. They had years to make sure this didn't happen and they stuck their thumbs up their asses. The fact that an organization that's so known for making smart on field moves blundered this whole thing so badly is equally disappointing.

One of my favorite players in the game today just bailed on his team because of money for one of my least favorite teams. It's been awhile since I've felt this down because of a sports move.

[Funky Bunky]

So with the addition of Pujols to the Angels, what will the Halos do with Trumbo?

Trumbo will probably eventually move to third base. They wanted to get him a bunch of time in the Fall League at 3B anticipating Morales' return at 3B anyway, but he hurt his foot and wasn't able to do it. He has played a little in the minors, as well as some right field.

Morales is a different animal, and it depends on his health. If he is fully ready to go, there's some thought that he could maybe play one of the corner outfield spots, but not 3rd. Trumbo is definitely more suited for 3rd than Kendrys would be. I think between Trumbo and Morales, Kendrys is the one that would be most likely traded I'd think.

Either way, one is going to get a good amount of time at DH.

Really, the Angels aren't done. They're done signing guys, but there are some moves that have to come down the pipe. I can definitely see Abreu being moved. I could see Morales being moved. I'd expect the Angels to be looking to move those guys for some more bullpen help or maybe even a natural thirdbaseman, but I think they're committed to keeping Trumbo around for 3rd.

It would be ideal for Trumbo to play 3rd. If he can, that would solve so many problems. Morales could DH, Pujols can play 1st, and once Pujols can't play 1st anymore, one of Trumbo/Morales could take over for him.... It would make things much easier for now.

The lineup is going to be sweat this year.... and imagine if Wells is able to turn it around and maybe relive some of his Blue Jays days.... that would be amazing.

1 Aybar/Bourjos

2 Kendrick

3 Pujols

4 Hunter

5 Trumbo

6 Morales

7 Wells

8 Iannetta

9 Aybar/Bourjos

I think that lineup has potential to be one of the best lineups we have seen in the past decade, that's of course, if, guys like Wells can turn it around. Even if they can't though, that lineup is still very good.

[JayJaxon]

[JTernup]

Too bad you have the worst catcher in MLB. On a related note I'm glad these SoCal teams have taken my two least favorite Rockies off our hands, street and iannetta.

Pujols did his legacy and it's sad. I always viewed him as a Musial type who would one day be known as one of those players whose time in his city meant more than the money he made there. I always believed pujols to be a bit of a savior of the steroid era, with his statue next to stan's some day, and a cardinal for life. Although this isn't fair to pujols ive never been more disappointed in a player moving teams (who wasn't on my teams) and I hope he never gets treated how lebron was but I won't ever look at him the same way.

End of my romanticizing of sports rant!

[infrared41]

Too bad you have the worst catcher in MLB. On a related note I'm glad these SoCal teams have taken my two least favorite Rockies off our hands, street and iannetta.

Pujols did his legacy and it's sad. I always viewed him as a Musial type who would one day be known as one of those players whose time in his city meant more than the money he made there. I always believed pujols to be a bit of a savior of the steroid era, with his statue next to stan's some day, and a cardinal for life. Although this isn't fair to pujols ive never been more disappointed in a player moving teams (who wasn't on my teams) and I hope he never gets treated how lebron was but I won't ever look at him the same way.

End of my romanticizing of sports rant!

First off, no he didn't. Only the most ridiculous and unrealistic Cardinals fans are going to go Cleveland on this. Albert Pujols gave the Cards 11 seasons and two World Series championships. I'd say the guy earned the right to leave if he wanted to. If Cardinals fans are as classy and intelligent as they're portrayed, they should already understand that. It's more than a little "pollyannish" to think that, in today's sports climate, a player is going to put king and country ahead of over a quarter of a billion dollars.

Second, the Cardinals either...

a.) blew this whole thing from the get go by not offering Pujols the kind of deal he was looking for.

b.) wisely decided against tying up over a quarter of a billion dollars over ten years on a 31 year old because they know that, of those ten years, at best, five of them will produce the type of numbers expected of Albert Pujols.

If it's a and they blew it then Cards fans need to direct their disappointment towards the team and not the player.

If it's b then Cardinals fans should be thrilled. Because in ten years the front office won't be crying poverty while the team is winning 74 games a season and they can't spend any money because they're dropping 27 million a year on a guy that's hitting .260.

[RedSox44]

Well this is...unexpected. The Angels overpaid vastly for him, I think. Cardinals fans, are you guys hurting right now, or are you confident in Berkman at first?

[JTernup]

Too bad you have the worst catcher in MLB. On a related note I'm glad these SoCal teams have taken my two least favorite Rockies off our hands, street and iannetta.

Pujols did his legacy and it's sad. I always viewed him as a Musial type who would one day be known as one of those players whose time in his city meant more than the money he made there. I always believed pujols to be a bit of a savior of the steroid era, with his statue next to stan's some day, and a cardinal for life. Although this isn't fair to pujols ive never been more disappointed in a player moving teams (who wasn't on my teams) and I hope he never gets treated how lebron was but I won't ever look at him the same way.

End of my romanticizing of sports rant!

First off, no he didn't. Only the most ridiculous and unrealistic Cardinals fans are going to go Cleveland on this. Albert Pujols gave the Cards 11 seasons and two World Series championships. I'd say the guy earned the right to leave if he wanted to. If Cardinals fans are as classy and intelligent as they're portrayed, they should already understand that. It's more than a little "pollyannish" to think that, in today's sports climate, a player is going to put king and country ahead of over a quarter of a billion dollars.

Second, the Cardinals either...

a.) blew this whole thing from the get go by not offering Pujols the kind of deal he was looking for.

b.) wisely decided against tying up over a quarter of a billion dollars over ten years on a 31 year old because they know that, of those ten years, at best, five of them will produce the type of numbers expected of Albert Pujols.

If it's a and they blew it then Cards fans need to direct their disappointment towards the team and not the player.

If it's b then Cardinals fans should be thrilled. Because in ten years the front office won't be crying poverty while the team is winning 74 games a season and they can't spend any money because they're dropping 27 million a year on a guy that's hitting .260.

IMHO, it did hurt his legacy. Let's use Todd Helton as an example, when you hear his name you will always think of the Rockies and all the great years he put in with them. To me that is special. Willie mays as a met, Tony gonzalez as a falcon, Jordan as a wizard and Jerry rice as a raider/seahawk. Don't you wish or at least accept that other people do wish they had stayed with the giants, chiefs, bulls and 49ers. Most people would rather act like those years with those teams never even happened. I don't think many people will be mad at pujols or feel as if his whole career was tarnished but it would've been cool to seem him as a cardinal forever.

[infrared41]

IMHO, it did hurt his legacy. Let's use Todd Helton as an example, when you hear his name you will always think of the Rockies and all the great years he put in with them. To me that is special. Willie mays as a met, Tony gonzalez as a falcon, Jordan as a wizard and Jerry rice as a raider/seahawk. Don't you wish or at least accept that other people do wish they had stayed with the giants, chiefs, bulls and 49ers. Most people would rather act like those years with those teams never even happened. I don't think many people will be mad at pujols or feel as if his whole career was tarnished but it would've been cool to seem him as a cardinal forever.

Believe me, as someone who grew up in the 70's, I'd much prefer to see all the greats stay with their original teams. Keep in mind that I was 13-14 years old when baseball free agency began. As a young kid who loved baseball more than just about anything, it was very difficult for me to suddenly get used to things like Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter, and Kenny Holtzman leaving those incredible A's teams or seeing Pete Rose suit up for the Phillies and so on. Your point isn't lost on me, I just think it's a little unfair to put the lion's share of the blame on Pujols for this.

[RedSox44]

So glad the Red Sox didn't break bank for Wilson.

[JTernup]

Ok, I agree. The only reason I put a lot of the blame on pujols is because it's hard for me, the middle class, to see him leave over $2M a year. Especially when he is already going to be making >$200M on top of the rest of his career earnings. I relent though, as I'm sure you can relate with me on this stand unless your Bill Gates in hiding. The Cards did screw up too, does anyone think pujols would've accepted 8 years/ $26-27M a year?

[zpqmaowl]

? Wow.

I was not ready to hear this news this morning.

God dammit McCourt just ing give up already.

[McCall]

Flipped on FS Midwest and the Blues and Anaheim are playing. How appropriate.

[DaytonBlue]

Well this is...unexpected. The Angels overpaid vastly for him, I think. Cardinals fans, are you guys hurting right now, or are you confident in Berkman at first?

I'm not too upset over this because this is going to make our 2017-2021 seasons much better by not having 20 million tied up in a 35+ year-old player. We can fill several needs with the savings. His new contract might not be as much of a hinderance on the Angels, but it would have been an albatross for us in a few years.

And to respond to the posts about STL being less than desirable, please take a look at these two point-counterpoints.

St. Louis doesn't suck

Yeah It Does

[charger77]

I get hating seeing your favorite player leave your favorite team. I nearly vomited when Mike Modano joined the Red Wings... but really, who here wouldn't switch companies for significantly more money?

[Shumway]

Just got back from work, but I suppose I'll chime in here. Obviously, I love the fact that Albert Pujols is coming to Anaheim. As a baseball fan, I honestly wanted him to stay in St. Louis, but I guess if he's gonna go somewhere, it might as well be my favorite team. I'm not a fan of a 10-year deal...at all. However, with the DH, there's a better chance he can stay productive. At least, that's my hope, obviously. The Angels have a TON of first base depth right now, so I'm intrigued with who's going to be moved, whether it be to a new team or position. My hope is that the Trumbomb makes his way to the hot corner. Beyond him, I'm still not sold that Morales is coming back at 100%, or even at all. Beyond that, CJ Cron is one of the top prospects in the system, also a first baseman. They could move him to third, but another top prospect is already there in Kaleb Cowart. Obviously, something has to give here. Now, on to CJ Wilson. With him, the rotation just might be the best in baseball. He's coming from a hitter's park to a pitcher's park with a very respectable ERA. Again, I'm not thrilled with the contract, but if that's the going rate, I guess it makes sense. Part of me thinks that this may hurt the team in the long run, but short-term, this team looks like Pujols coming to Anaheim was a huge surprise...even though I'd heard they were talking, I never expected to wake up to this news. I expected to be "ok" with signing C.J. Wilson. I love you, Jerry DiPoto.

[JayJaxon]

Chipper Jones never left for bigger money.

[TBGKon]

Then again, Morales might just get non-tendered.

If this happens, I can see the Rays trying to grab him on a minor league deal and give him a chance. It's a strategy that's worked before, might work again.