Angels Could Be Getting Stronger Quick

"The Angels are targeting May 1 as a return for John Lackey, as well as right-hander Ervin Santana, who is on the DL because of a sprained elbow ligament, according to the L.A. Times. Lackey threw off a mound Monday, while Santana expects to do it by this weekend. "So far, so good," Santana told the paper. "We'll see what happens when I go off a mound." Kelvim Escobar will start for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday night, with a target of 55 to 60 pitches, according to the paper (Sportsline)."

I have said over and over again I am not very high on the Angels this year, but their pitching staff could become very strong very quickly over the next month. Escobar was not supposed to be back till June, but now it looks like he might be up before the month is over. Add that with the fact the Angels should be getting Lackey and Santana back around the same time, and you have done a lot of upgrading without having to trade anyone. The reason I was not high on this team this year had nothing to do with their pitching though, it had to do with their hitting. The only way I can see them being really good is if guys like Kendrick step up, and veterans like Vlad, and Hunter stay healthy.

Ervin Santana To Start Year On DL

"Angels All-Star right-hander Ervin Santana will open the season on the disabled list with an elbow injury. An MRI scan traced discomfort in his pitching elbow to a sprained medial collateral ligament, the team said (ESPN)."

Bad news for the Angels, as Santana is coming off a very big year (16-7 with a 3.49 ERA). This is the kind of injury that could become very serious quickly. To be honest Santana always scares me, and that's why I avoid him in fantasy leagues. For the Angels sake I hope that he can come back and be healthy, but I really this this is going to be the first in a long list of injuries this year for Santana.

Santana Gets Extension

Right-hander Ervin Santana and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a four-year contract worth about $30 million on Saturday, a day after their scheduled arbitration hearing was postponed.

Santana's deal includes a $13 million club option for 2013 with a $1 million buyout. If the option is exercised, the agreement would be worth $42 million over five seasons.

Ervin had a career year last year, and he is only 26. Last year he went 16-7 with a 3.49 ERA for the AL West champion Angels last year, striking out a career-high 214 in 219 innings with only 47 walks. Which is great, however, I don't buy it. I see him like a Fausto Carmona type of player. I believe he will continue to have down years, and then incredible years to give you a glimmer of hope. Fantasy wise, I would stay away from him.