We have a choice to make on: Garrett Anderson, Francisco Rodriguez, and Mark Teixiera. Garrett Anderson: I respect everything he has done for this organization, but it's time to let go of him. We've got some young talent in Reggie Willits that we can throw out in LF, or we can re-sign Juan Rivera (I believe he is also a FA) and put him in left field. Anderson is getting up there in age, and although he didn't have a horrible year, he still had a bad first half of the season. When Rivera gets regular AB's, he is a power threat with a good outfield arm. Willits is a rabbit. He can get on base and run the base baths with the best of them on the Angels, and his glove work is good. He doesn't hit for any power, though, which isn't a concern if we can bring back Tex. Francisco Rodriguez: He just set the record for most saves in a season, and we should let him go. He wants a 5 year contract worth at least $75 million. That's too much for a closer. We've got Scot Shields who can move from the SU to the CL. We've got Jose Arredondo who is clearly going to be our future closer. We don't need K-Rod. He wasn't the best closer in the game this year, his K's were down, he's wild, and always gives the fans a heart attack. The only reason his saves were so high this year was because the Angels put him in a lot of 1 run and 2 run situations. Let him walk. Mark Teixiera: Bring him back at any expense. He provided solid protection for Vladdy. Guerrero hit around .350 after the acquisition of Tex. Tex can hit for power from both sides of the plate and has a magnificent fielding glove. A 3-4-5 of Tex, Vlad, and Hunter is one of the most respectable in the league. Vladdy would've been over 30 HR's and 100 RBI this year had we made a move for Tex in the off-season last year. He is going to want to get paid and he is interested in going home to Baltimore. We can't let that happen! The problem? The devil is his agent. Scott Boras is going to do everything he can to get high spenders interested in Tex, which they will be. We can not let him get away. We have spent years trying to acquire adequate protection for Vladdy and sufficient pop in our lineup, we have that with Tex. Do not let him walk. Moreno isn't afraid of spending money, he needs to open up the wallet and keep Tex. There you have it. I think only one of these three players will be back and we must make that Teixiera. Moreno has already came out and stated that he doesn't want to drastically raise the pay roll. Let K-Rod and Anderson walk, thank them for everything they have done, and get Tex back here, ASAP. Look at this lineup with Tex in there: 1: Chone Figgins (3B) 2: Reggie Willits (RF) 3: Mark Teixiera (1B) 4: Vladimir Guerrero (DH) 5: Torii Hunter (CF) 6: Howie Kendrick (2B) 7: Juan Rivera (LF) 8: Mike Napoli (C) 9: Eric Aybar (SS) That is perfect balance. There is power all the way from the 3 to the 8 spot, with Tex, Vladdy, Hunter, Rivera, and Napoli all being 20+ HR guys. In 1, 2, and 9 you've got blazing speed. If everyone stays healthy, you've got a solid lineup that can again have the best record in baseball. Now, it's about winning in the post-season!
I live next to Garrett...do you want me to tell him how you feel? lol But if he gets angry...I'll blame you.
Go ahead tell Garrett. I think most Angel fans will feel the same way. We love him, but it is time for him to move on. Juan Rivera has much more to offer, now.
