Izturis Available?

Is Maicer Izturis “available?”  

It’s not exactly clear who among the Angels’ infielders might be shopped, but Izturis makes sense.  With his unfortunate injury history, however, it’s hard to imagine the Angels getting much in return, especially relative to the value that he adds (when healthy) to the team.

Morales Insurance

Kendry Morales is about to get an extended opportunity to prove himself as a Major League first baseman.  The job, as they say, is his to lose.

Should he struggle, however, the Angels, contrary to popular belief, do have a suitable replacement in Howie Kendrick.  

Fans tend to forget that Kendrick spent significant time as a fill-in first baseman in 2006, playing 44 games at first during his rookie year. 

He played a capable (some would say sensational) defensive first base during that time, too, despite having never before played there.

While not ideal, Howie is a reasonable alternative should Morales prove unable to step up (with Maicer Izturis taking over at second).

Spring Preview

Lyle Spencer’s spring preview at the Angels site is missing one key component, despite Lyle having previously written about the acquisition. 

Regardless, his “three questions” are pertinent, especially in regard to the Angels’ infield staying healthy.

Izturis Signs

The Angels have avoided arbitration with Maicer Izturis.  [Update – One-year, $1.6 million.]  They’re getting good at this.  Only Ervin Santana remains.

Caribbean League Roundup

We’re not the only ones enjoying Caribbean League baseball.  Tim Heaney offers a nice round-up, noting the excellent season by Kendry Morales and the dismal showing by Brandon Wood.

Omitted from the list is Maicer Izturis, who enjoyed a solid season in the Venezuelan League.

Charlie Hustle?

Lyle Spencer attributes the Angels’ infield injuries, in part, to hustle.

Oliver Twist

Darren Oliver has avoided arbitration by signing a one-year deal worth $3,665,000.  As we mentioned yesterday, we expect Maicer Izturis and Robb Quinlan to follow suit shortly, with Ervin Santana and Mike Napoli likely headed for arbitration hearings in February.  

Oliver had a solid 2008, which was nice, really, because it made up for his inconsistent 2007 (that first half was brutal). 

Of course, our favorite thing about Darren Oliver is that he’s a second generation Angel.  Amazingly, though he isn’t the first (father Jerry).

Payday

Five Angels filed for arbitration yesterday. 

Ervin Santana, Mike Napoli, Maicer Izturis, Robb Quinlan, and Darren Oliver have filed.  The players and the club could reach deals at any time, thus eliminating the need for actual hearings, but if they can’t work out acceptable contracts, an independent arbitrator will determine 2009 salaries for those players unable to reach agreement. 

It will be very interesting to see what happens with Ervin Santana and Mike Napoli. 

Santana, coming off a career season, and still only 26 years old, is likely seeking a big payday.  The Angels, however, are almost certainly wanting to see whether the 2009 Santana most resembles the nearly dominant Ervin of 2008 or the flighty and emotional 2007 version. 

Napoli is a rising star, and a rare commodity (high-power, high OBP catcher), for whom eventual free agency could result in a giant contract.  The Angels, though, are likely curious to see how his surgically repaired shoulder responds to the rigors of everyday catching before committing to a significant contract.

Among the five Angels that have filed, Napoli and Santana are probably most apt to end up before an arbitrator.  As we saw with Francisco Rodriguez, though, these early-career arbitration experiences, the contentious negotiations that often result during the hearings, can sometimes inspire ill-will  from young players toward the club. 

Here’s to the Angels and these two young studs finding some common ground in their first years of arbitration eligibility, the result being monster 2009 seasons.

Hamstrung

Brandon Wood has been a highly touted “prospect” for what seems an eternity. 

Lyle Spencer’s most recent article pointedly illustrates the grey area in which “Woody” now resides; he’s been around too long to be considered a genuine prospect anymore, but he’s also yet to earn a  job at the Big League level. 

With Erick Aybar penciled in as the starting shortstop, Chone Figgins entrenched at third, and Maicer Izturis capable of spelling either of them as a highly capable defender and offensive contributor, Wood’s role in the infield still seems vague.  At this point, the only thing Wood seems to have going for him is the proclivity of Angel infielders for strained hamstrings.    

Another season at AAA would do very little for Wood, while sitting on the bench in Anaheim, waiting for a teammate to be injured,  might stunt his development altogether.  Having refused to trade Wood when most teams coveted him, the Angels must now find playing time for him. 

Something has to give, as they say, because the Angels’ infield is full and Wood seems to deserve a chance (his recent Dominican Winter League showing notwithstanding).   

Whatever the club chooses to do, it’s become quite clear that there are too many infielders and not enough brickdust (or, ahem, starting pitchers).

Winter Ball

As the Domincan Winter League continues its round robin playoff tournament, it’s very interesting to examine how various Angels have performed during the DWL regular season and playoffs.

At the top of the class is Kendry Morales, who is currently among the leaders in most Dominican League offensive playoff statistics (first in home runs and second in OPS), after posting a monstrous line of .404/.450/.778 during the regular season.  Saturday night (1/10), Kendry’s Gigantes will take on Aguilas in the series semi-final, fighting for the right to play the winner of the other semi-final,  Toros vs. Licey (the team for which Vlad normally plays).

Sean Rodriguez is a Gigantes teammate of Kendry’s and has had a very mediocre season.

Playing for Aguilas, and opposing Morales and Rodriguez in the semi-final game will be former Angel Luis Polonia, who, as usual, has had a strong DWL season.

In the other semi-final game, Toros vs. Licey, Erick Aybar will be the lone Angel representative.   Aybar has had a strong DWL season but, unfortunately, also saw his winter season marred by an ugly incident (we’ll call it a botched homicide squeeze).    

Angel fans can root for a final of Licey vs. Gigantes. [Update – We’re still trying to track down the Saturday night box scores.  Also, most of the information we’re working with “es en Espanol,” in which we’re not exactly fluent.  Please correct any errors we may have made in the comments section….thanks.]

At the bottom of the heap is a group of Angels who competed for the last place Estrellas de Oriente.  Brandon Wood, Bobby Wilson, and Reggie Willits all were terrible, sent home early by the team and likely leaving Estrellas fans to wonder why the trio even showed up in the first place. 

In other Angel-related Carribean League baseball, Maicer Izturis played wonderfully for Bravos de Margarita, posting a line of .340/.397/.396 during the regular season.