Improving the Offense?

[Schaddy]

The Angels have arguably the best pitching staff in baseball, with quality starters and versatile, dominant releivers. Their defense is good, and they've got top offensive threats in Vlad and Figgins. However, their offense might end up holding them back a bit as the season goes on. McPhearson and Kotchman will be good players some day, but when you think of them you don't really think of them as the type of guys who will lend lineup clout to a pennant contender, right?

So my question is, should the Angels consider making a major move to upgrade offensively? There were reports of them being interested in Mike Sweeney, among others, this offseason via trade, and with Moreno's willingness to spend cash and the team's great farm system, I see no reason why they can't pull a big deal.

Some of the potential deals that have come to my mind include something like: OF Juan Rivera and a pitching prospect (maybe Saunders, maybe not someone that good considering Soriano is about to be a F.A) in exchange for Alfonso Soriano. Soriano is still not happy in LF, he'd likely welcome a move to L.A, and Kennedy, while a good player and fan favorite, is not the type of guy who couldn't be replaced. Getting Soriano would also allow the team to wait a bit more for Howie Kendrick to improve on defense, or they could bring him up as a DH.

Another deal I could see happening is something along the lines of Saunders for Aubrey Huff from Tampa to fit in the DH spot, or maybe even a blockbuster for Miguel Tejada; LA is one of the few teams with the type of quality prospects that could pry Tejada from Baltimore.

Probably a lot of wishful thinking here, I'm sure, but what do you think, Angels fans? Do you want to see the team upgrade on offense? Who do you want them to get?

[CaliforniaCajun]

The Angels are experiencing a conflict now

The Angels have arguably the best pitching staff in baseball, with quality starters and versatile, dominant releivers. Their defense is good, and they've got top offensive threats in Vlad and Figgins. However, their offense might end up holding them back a bit as the season goes on. McPhearson and Kotchman will be good players some day, but when you think of them you don't really think of them as the type of guys who will lend lineup clout to a pennant contender, right?

So my question is, should the Angels consider making a major move to upgrade offensively? There were reports of them being interested in Mike Sweeney, among others, this offseason via trade, and with Moreno's willingness to spend cash and the team's great farm system, I see no reason why they can't pull a big deal.

Some of the potential deals that have come to my mind include something like: OF Juan Rivera and a pitching prospect (maybe Saunders, maybe not someone that good considering Soriano is about to be a F.A) in exchange for Alfonso Soriano. Soriano is still not happy in LF, he'd likely welcome a move to L.A, and Kennedy, while a good player and fan favorite, is not the type of guy who couldn't be replaced. Getting Soriano would also allow the team to wait a bit more for Howie Kendrick to improve on defense, or they could bring him up as a DH.

Another deal I could see happening is something along the lines of Saunders for Aubrey Huff from Tampa to fit in the DH spot, or maybe even a blockbuster for Miguel Tejada; LA is one of the few teams with the type of quality prospects that could pry Tejada from Baltimore.

Probably a lot of wishful thinking here, I'm sure, but what do you think, Angels fans? Do you want to see the team upgrade on offense? Who do you want them to get?

The Angels' stated goal is to be perrenial World Series contenders but can't fill their immediate needs without mortgaging their future. Boston wanted the four best prospects and wanted them to pick up all of Manny Ramirez's salary in order to get Manny. The Angels were willing to give up two if Boston was willing to pick up part of Manny's salary. They pursued Tejada and offered the Orioles even more than they offered the Red Sox for Manny. Last year the Angels were willing to give up Casey Kotchman to KC for Sweeney but the deal fell through because the Royals weren't willing to pick up some of his contract. They offered Konerko more than he was worth to fill up power needs without giving up a prospect. Teams trading with the Angels want prospects and not the players they would like to unload.

The Halos will be in great shape in the next year or so, but may struggle this season. Hopefully the likes of Salmon and Rivera will fill the void temporarily. They will likely replace Erstad, Kennedy. I hope Dallas McPherson can overcome his setbacks with injuries and become the power hitting third baseman that they thought they were getting when they let Troy Glaus go.

I'll be surprised if the Angels make a blockbuster deal and frankly hope they don't. They can't become perrenial contenders unless they develop their own superstars. If you can't handle Ozzie Guillen you have no business taking on Manny Ramirez.

[Bluesteve32]

I agree, John; besides, their own offensive woes may be solved within. I think the fans just need to be patient and because of the ptiching, the Angels will be in the race. Kotchman showed some pop at the end of last season and they still have a lot of team speed to help manufacture runs.