A Deal Not Likely for Halos

With just four weeks before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, most Angel fans are once again begging Owner Arte Moreno and General Manager Tony Reagins to pull the trigger and acquire a big-bat via trade.

The only thing different this time around is the names, as Colorado’s Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins, Pittsburgh’s Jason Bay, and Cincinnati’s Adam Dunn have all been rumored to be coming to Anaheim. While it would be nice to see anyone of these players in an Angels uniform this season, it’s quite likely that none will be done the red and white at least in 2008. According to the Los Angeles Times, Moreno doesn’t seem to optimistic in regards to a big trade.

Moreno said General Manager Tony Reagins had not approached him with any “significant” trade proposals, and both Reagins and Manager Mike Scioscia have said repeatedly that they think the team’s offensive inadequacies can be addressed in-house.

“I don’t like picking up guys for a half-season rental, especially if you have to give up young pitching,” Moreno said. “To me, it’s a lot easier to pick up a free agent and spend the money. You give up draft picks, but not [established young] players.”

Even if Moreno and company did want to make a deal for a power hitter, there are several obstacles that would prevent such a trade from happening.

Earlier this week Kelvim Escobar, a CY Young candidate a year ago, re-injured his right shoulder during his rehab start with the Quakes. If Escobar had returned around the All-Star break, as expected, the Angels would have had enough depth to absorb the loss of an Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders, Jered Weaver or Jose Arredondo, all young pitchers teams would ask for in a trade.

Escobar is expected to the miss most of the season, and even if he does return this year, it would be hard to really depend on him.

Gary Matthews Jr., who is in the second year of a five-year, $50-million contract, has proven to be quite frustrating for Angel fans, as he is batting a lowly .239 with seven homers and 33 RBIs. His high salary, no-trade clause, and poor performance this year makes him nearly impossible to trade.  

With a virtually untradable outfield/DH in Matthews, Torii Hunter, Garrett Anderson, and Vladimir Guerrero, it would be nearly impossible to find a suitable lineup spot for any big bat that would find its way to Anaheim. Because of the outfield situation and Escobar’s injury look for the Angels to try and fix their hitting problems in house with Reggie Willits, Juan Rivera, and Kendry Morales, all possible solutions.