Fallout From Vernon Wells Going Down

"The Los Angeles Angels are stretched for outfielders after placing Vernon Wells on the 15-day disabled list with a strained groin suffered in Monday's loss to the White Sox (ESPN)."

This is kind of a big deal for the Angels, as Abreu doesn't really play the field that much anymore and is 37 years old. So, the Angels are going to need to bring in someone else. That person could be 19-year old Mike Trout, who was ranked as the top prospect coming into the 2011 season. It seems like the perfect idea, until Mike Scioscia shot the idea down. For now the Angels are going to go with a combo of Abreu, Amarista, and Trumbo. I am thinking this is because the last time they rushed one of their prospects up (Brandon Wood) it didn't go so well, as he is now on the Pirates. Kind of sucks, as it would've been real interesting to see Trout up in the big leagues.

Angels Offseason Makes Me Want To Puke

We haven't discussed this yet, but the Angels recently made a trade with the Blue Jays. Blue Jays sent Vernon Wells and his $86 million contract over the next 4 season for catcher Mike Napoli and outfielder Juan Rivera.

When I first read the trade I didn't think it was that bad. Angels get another guy who is good in the field and has decent pop in his bat, but I also thought that Blue Jays would be eating a good chunk of his contract. It turns out they aren't paying any of it.

So for the next 4 years the Angels are going to be paying top dollar for a 32 year old outfielder with declining skills. Sure, he hit 31 HRs with 88 RBI's last year, but that is sure to go down as he heads from a top 10 HR hitting ballpark to a bottom 10 HR hitting ballpark.

In an offseason when they missed out on Crawford, Beltre, and Soriano they instead spend a ton of money on a player that will never live up to the contract. And it's not like this is a roster that has a ton of talent. Abreu, Hunter, and Wells are all aging. Aybar and Hendrick have never lived up to the hype. Kazmir is looking more and more like he will never turn it around, and their bullpen is nothing to get excited about.

Sure Weaver, Santana, Morales, and Haren are all good players, but they aren't enough to get this team to the playoffs, and things are only going to get worse.

Red Sox 2 Blue Jays 1

Clay Buchholz deserves an award for what he did last night. Boston's bullpen has been so overworked they have had to cut guys just so they can bring in a fresh arm (Boston relievers came in having worked an AL-high 70 innings this season). Clay gave the bullpen a much needed break pitching 117 pitches over 8 strong innings, and to make it even better he was able to hold the Jays to just 1 run.

Buchholz allowed 1 run on 7 hits to win for the first time in 3 starts. He walked 2, struck out 4 and lowered his ERA to 2.19. Like I said in the preview, Clay has been by far our best starter this season.

The Jays struck first, as Vernon Wells continues to crush the ball with an RBI double in the 1st inning. Luckily for the Sox that would be the last time anyone from the Jays would cross the plate. Boston answered quickly with an RBI single by Hermida. Mike Lowell drove in the go-ahead run with a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the 8th inning, and Ramon Ramirez was able to give Papelbon the night off and rack up a save.

Listen, the Sox aren't scoring runs still, and there is no reason to get overconfident, but there is still a lot of hope for this team. You have to remember they are playing without 2 of their starting outfielders, and Dice-K is just making his way back. As long as their starters (Lackey, Lester, Beckett) begin to pitch better this team will be alright, though I still don't know how they are going to score many runs.

With the win Boston is still 5 1/2 games back for the Rays, but only 3 games back from the Yankees.

Vernon Wells To Have Wrist Surgery

"The buzz over the weekend had the Toronto Blue Jays trying to ship Vernon Wells and his huge contract to the Chicago Cubs for Milton Bradley in what would amount to an exchange of each other's problems. Cubs officials dismissed that trade talk, but there is more news on Wells. The Toronto Sun, which first reported the proposed Bradley deal, now says Wells will undergo surgery on his left wrist. Wells is expected to be ready for spring training, but any surgery is a red flag when it comes to pulling off a trade (ESPN)."

Wrist problems are never a good sign (ask Papi), but Wells has just never lived up to his contract anyways. I feel like he is just one of those guys that plays for the next contract then doesn't give a shit. The Jays would love to trade him, but who wants to deal with that contract? I don't see anyone trading for him. The Jays are far from being a good team and with Halladay on his way out maybe it is time to try to buyout Wells' contract...

The Latest On Halladay Trade Rumors

One of the top teams in the race for Halladay may be dropping out...

"The latest in the Roy Halladay chase: One report says the Phillies' front office is split on whether to pursue the righthander or stick with the current staff that this week added Pedro Martinez (ESPN)."

This is a fucking huge mistake by them. If they could somehow get Halladay without having to take on Wells contract then the Phillies have to do this. If they were to add Halladay to their rotation they would once again be the favorites to win the World Series. Their rotation has been horrible this year...

Yet, if the Jay insist on moving Wells with Halladay then there is really only one team that could eat that kind of contract and that is the Yankees. I said it before and I'll say it again I just don't see the Jays trading within their own division.

Another source is saying that the Angels could get in on this. They have some good young talent, and are in a position to try to go deep into the playoffs. A package of Brandon Wood (who they don't like to play anyways) and one of their pitching prospects (Walden or O'Sullivan) could be enough to get Halladay. That is of course the Jays don't include Wells.

Gammons is reporting that there is a 50-50 chance of Halladay getting delt before the trade deadline. We'll let you know more as we hear it...

Vernon Wells Out To Weeks

"Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells expects to miss two weeks after an MRI showed he re-injured the left hamstring that kept him on the disabled list for a month late last season (ESPN)."

Toronto really needs guys like Rios and Wells to come through for them this season. Wells has been a solid player for them, but they are looking for a lot more after giving him a big contract a couple years ago. Rios is basically the same. He hasn't been bad, just hasn't been the player that a lot of scouts thought he could be. Hamstrings can really be a pain, and this could linger for a long time. The best thing Toronto can do is give him a lot of time off, and make sure if heals fully, because if they rush him back he could miss another month of a season like he was last year.