Arte Prepares to Open His Wallet

Thats right, 7 Years, $126 Million... for Jayson Werth. I love Jayson Werth... especially his beard, but damn... thats a ton of money, Washington. If they are going over-pay people this badly, the president better put together a bail-out package together for Nats. I think it speaks volumes to Nationals fans that this team wants to win now. They lost the strikeout machine (and on-base machine) Adam Dunn to free agency, but they still have youth in guys like Strasburg and Harper, and Vets like Ryan Zimmerman. Not to mention they are interested in Tampa's Carlos Pena.

But what does this mean for the Angels and Carl Crawford? 8 Years, $180 Million is what is being thrown around rumor sites and the like. Something the Angels could afford, but would they have anything left over for a guy like Adrian Beltre or Rafael Soriano? That is really up to Arte Moreno and how much he wants to dig into that wallet of his. Then it comes down to if Moreno and GM Tony Reagins really want to go out and buy half a team, or if they are just going to target one key guy, and put him into the situation the team is currently in.

If Moreno goes nuts, signs Crawford, Beltre, Soriano, and a couple other role players, does that make the Angels a new evil empire? Would we be as hated around the country as Boston and New York? It would be an interesting thing to consider for the Angels front office.

Something else to consider: Guys like Napoli, Mathis, Aybar and others still have arbitration to go through... which means even less money in Arte's pocket.

---------

Lets go over some other non-Angels Hot Stove goodies:

-Adrian Gonzalez will be swapping coasts and Leagues. The Padres and Red Sox agreed to trade the All-Star First Basemen, and the Red Sox will also give Gonzo a fat new, 7-year Contract, to keep him in Bean Town for the foreseeable future.

-The Diamondbacks have traded slugging Third Basemen Mark Reynolds to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for two minor-league relievers. Expect both his home run and strikeout numbers to increase in the AL East and Camden Yards.

-White Sox resigned Catcher AJ Pierzynski to a two year, $8 Million deal... even though he still sucks.

-Both the Red Sox and Yankees have expressed interest in Twins Reliever Brian Fuentes. I don't normally speak in "Internet Speak" around here, but there is only one word to convey my thoughts on this rumor: LOL!
---------

Dallas Cowboys Legend Don Meredeth passed away today at the age of 72. I am too young to have been able to see him play, but I saw a few years of his Monday Night Football announcing career, and Hank Hill was always quite fond of him. Anyone Hank Hill thinks so fondly of is ok in my book.

---------

Also passing over the weekend was Chicago Cubs legend Ron Santo. He was 70, and always seemed like one year away from making the Hall of Fame. Hopefully the voters rectify this for 2011.

Angels Finally Make Some Noise.

The Angels and Left-Handed Vet Hisanori Takahashi (most recently of the Mets) are close to inking a multiyear deal with the Japanese southpaw. Takahashi was 10-6 last year with the Mets, including an ERA of 3.61 and 8 saves (after former Angels Francisco Rodriguez hurt himself beating up his step-dad). In his time as a reliever, his ERA was considerably lower. He seems to finally be a solid replacement for Darren Oliver, whom the Angels missed dearly as he helped lead the Rangers to the World Series.

The Angels have also contacted agent Scott Boras regarding Free Agent Closer Rafael Soriano (of the Rays). It seems that in addition to going after big-time outfield bats in Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth, the Angels are very serious about solidifying their shaky bullpen. As any Angel fan can tell you, the two things that needed the most help last season were the Pen and outfield offense (even All-Star Torii Hunter had a down year in many categories).

-----

The second really big off-season acquisition was made today when the Chicago White Sox signed slugger Adam Dunn to a four-year deal worth $56 Million. Dunn, who has played his entire career to date in the National League, will probably see most of his time at DH, but if the Sox fail to resign All-Star Paul Konerko, Dunn could also be asked to fill in at first base.

Its a big deal for the White Sox offense, but the team still has a ways to go before they can compete (on paper at least) with the Tigers and Twins for the Central Division crown.