Haren to Angels

[Frayed Knot]

Second pitcher rumored to go to the Bronx who apparently isn't.
I guess this is part a last ditch attempt to catch the Rangers but Haren, unlike Texas prize Cliff Lee, is also signed beyond this year.


The Angels have acquired RHP Dan Haren from the Diamondbacks for Joe Saunders, Patrick Corbin, Rafael Rodriguez and a player to be named later.
According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the player to be named later will be from a list of top prospects, and Buster Olney from ESPN says the Angels will take on all of Haren�s remaining contract.

[smg58]

The last part of that statement appears to be the key for Arizona, as it doesn't look like the D-Backs got much along the line of good young talent.

[Zvon]

Everyone in the running improving themselves.
Everyone but us.

[smg58]

Come on, only two significant trades have been made so far. And our pitching isn't what's killing us.

[Guest The Second Spitter]

smg58 wrote: The last part of that statement appears to be the key for Arizona, as it doesn't look like the D-Backs got much along the line of good young talent.

Can somebody give a Mets equivalency for the talent LA gave up?

[Guest The Second Spitter]

smg58 wrote: Come on, only two significant trades have been made so far. And our pitching isn't what's killing us.

In the unlikely event the Mets reach the play-offs, who are your #2 and #3 starters?

[smg58]

Making the playoffs from here means Pelfrey has righted his ship, and Dickey continues to pitch as he has. It also means that our offense has improved.

[Guest The Second Spitter]

smg58 wrote: Making the playoffs from here means Pelfrey has righted his ship, and Dickey continues to pitch as he has. It also means that our offense has improved.

So IOW, you're saying there are potential problems with the starting rotation in its current state. The Giants, D'backs and Dodgers aren't exactly offensive juggernauts and just because the starting pitching was relatively unscathed on this West Coast trip, doesn't mean it's not without problems.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Experience tells me folks cry out for more pitching all year every year.

The Mets are fifth in the league in ERA and 13th in OPS+. I'd rather have George Brett than Ken Brett.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

The last part of that statement appears to be the key for Arizona, as it doesn't look like the D-Backs got much along the line of good young talent. Can somebody give a Mets equivalency for the talent LA gave up?

It ain't great. The consensus among a bunch of folk-- Keith Law, Fangraphs sorts, the ESPN heads-- is that this is a kindasorta salary dump, and that the quantity of pitchers/taking on of Haren's whole salary were more important than the quality of the pieces in this.

Rodriguez: 25 y/o fastball/slider righty, closer for AAA Salt Lake; decent numbers there, but only 30 K in 50+ IP (weirdly contact-heavy for a late-inning reliever). His ML numbers from last year? Don't ask.
Rough Met equivalent: Somewhere between Bobby Parnell and Fernando Nieve.

Corbin: 21 y/o lefty, with three plus pitches... but underwhelming numbers last year, slightly better this year. Profiles as mid-to-back-of-rotation starter, if he holds up... but still in A-ball.
Rough Met equivalent: Kyle Allen as a lefty... or Robert Carson.

Rumored PTBNL* Tyler Skaggs: Same as Corbin-- lanky lefty with potential but needing polish-- only slightly more promising (3-4 okay-to-great pitches), younger... and also in A-ball.
Rough Met equivalent: Juan Urbina.

*The one guy everyone seems to want-- and the only guy in their system I'd read up on previously-- is Mike Trout, a 19-y/o five-tool OF with nice patience... who ain't coming, it seems.

Edited July 25, 2010 by Guest

[batmagadanleadoff]

...

[Zvon]

smg58 wrote: Come on, only two significant trades have been made so far. And our pitching isn't what's killing us.

I'm only really concerned with the improvements within our division.

During the AS break the Braves go out and get Alex Gonzalez.
All he does is walk in and he's leading the team with 17 homers.
That's quite an upgrade at short.

Oswalt may be a Phil before I hit send on this post.

It's not specifically that we aren't getting a pitcher, it's that we are not improving the team in any way.
If there is a move made, it has to be something we need to improve the team.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I've got good news, though. Oswalt didn't become a Phl before you hit send.

[Guest Vince Coleman Firecracker]

Zvon wrote: During the AS break the Braves go out and get Alex Gonzalez. All he does is walk in and he's leading the team with 17 homers. That's quite an upgrade at short.

?

The Braves traded away a 27 year old shortstop with a career .369 OBP, .776 OPS and .343 wOBA for a 33 year old shortstop with a career .295 OBP, .698 OPS and .299 wOBA. This is an "upgrade"? Alex Gonzalez sucks, and the Braves gave away a valuable piece to get him. I hope all the Braves' trades from now on are this kind of upgrade.

[HahnSolo]

Vince Coleman Firecracker wrote: ? The Braves traded away a 27 year old shortstop with a career .369 OBP, .776 OPS and .343 wOBA for a 33 year old shortstop with a career .295 OBP, .698 OPS and .299 wOBA. This is an "upgrade"? Alex Gonzalez sucks, and the Braves gave away a valuable piece to get him. I hope all the Braves' trades from now on are this kind of upgrade.

But he's a winning player!!!

[Zvon]

Edgy DC wrote: I've got good news, though. Oswalt didn't become a Phl before you hit send.

Reports now say that Oswalt is not interested in going to the Phils!
Woot!

[ashie62]

I don't think Oswalt can handle life outside the state of Texas.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

He's from outside the state of Texas.

I think he'd prefer not to go where he'd prefer not to go. I know plenty of likable people who absolutely hate-- in idea and in practice-- living in a northeastern city (never mind New York). I mean, they're wrong... but they're still entitled to their opinion.

[Benjamin Grimm]

It may not be the northeast. Maybe he doesn't like Citizens Bank Park.

[Frayed Knot]

Haren had to leave his first game as an Angel last night after taking a Kevin Youkilis liner off his pitching arm in the 5th inning.
Nothing broken apparently.