Angels Sign Rodney

The Los Angeles Angels signed Fernando Rodney to a two year, $11 million deal.

The Phillies were another team interested in him. Rodney had a 4.40 ERA with a 1.47 WHIP last season. No thanks. The Phils have enough bullpen issues -- they don't need more walks. Plus, the Phillies front office is saying that they're "in red" as far as money goes. If they were to get him, they'd have a lot of explaining to do; some of that money could have went to Cliff Lee, who everybody would rather have.

Phillies apparently did sign a mystery reliever though, perhaps Danyz Baez. The Phillies were also linked to Mike MacDougal. Either way, it sounds like the Phillies are getting somebody on the cheap side.

In other reliever news, the Nationals are close to signing Matt Capps to a one year deal. Capps was non-tendered by the Pirates after having a rough 2009 when he had a 5.80 ERA. Capps was solid in previous seasons; in 2007 he had a 2.28 ERA. Capps has 67 career saves.

More Winter Meeting Tidbits

Texas was popular today, but here is what else happened during day three of the Winter Meetings.

The Phillies signed Ross Gload to a two-year deal. The first baseman and outfielder will likely spend most of the season off the bench. Gload also received offers from the Marlins and Braves.

The Phillies have been equally aggressive on Fernando Rodney as they have been on Brandon Lyon. However, it's unknown if the Phillies would pay Rodney "closer-type money.”

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Bobby Crosby. Crosby never lived up to his expectations. After winning Rookie of the Year and receiving a five-year $12.75 extension from the Oakland A's, Crosby fell off the radar. This deal will be worth approximately $1.5 million.

The Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Angels are interested in Hideki Matsui. The White Sox may be closing in on a deal with J.J Putz.

Ben Sheets is seeking a contract around $12 million. Talk about ridiculous. The guy's a great pitcher when healthy, but he didn't even throw a pitch in 2009. I'll be completely shocked if he gets anything close.

The Red Sox have interest in Adrian Beltre. They would trade Mike Lowell first. The Giants, however, do not have interest in Beltre.

More MLB News, in bullet point form:

• The Kansas City Royals offer Jason Kendall a two-year deal.


• The Colorado Rockies are closer to a two-year deal with Yorvit Torrealba.


• The New York Yankees re-signed Andy Pettitte. One year, $11.75 million.


• Multiple teams are eyeing Joel Pinero, Nick Johnson, Derek Lowe.


• The Milwaukee Brewers signed LaTroy Hawkins.


• The New York Mets and Washington Nationals are going after Jason Marquis.
• The Mariners sign Corey Patterson.


• The Tampa Bay Rays are front runners for Rafeal Soriano.


• The Padres are discussing trades for Kevin Kouzmanoff.

Breaking News: Some Halladay rumors are coming out.

The Phillies are "joining the fray" for Halladay, as well as the Red Sox and Yankees. But the Angels are pulling trigger. They made the following offer, according to Jon Heyman of SI:

Joe Saunders, Erick Aybar and Peter Bourjos for Halladay. If the Blue Jays accept, the only question is if Halladay would wave his trade clause. Halladay previously said he would acccept a trade to the Angels.

Update (9:41 PM): Not long ago, the Phillies headlines read "Phillies in the mix for Halladay." Now, the Phillies.com homepage reads: "Phillies not likely to land Halladay."

Do You Want to Face LAA or NYY?

Also featured on Phillies Nation.

Most of the country is assuming that it will be a Phillies-Yankees World Series, even though the latter isn't there yet. The New York Yankees had a 3-1 series lead against the Los Angeles Angels, but lost to send the series back to New York. The 2004 American League Championship Series is still fresh in every body's minds; the Boston Red Sox beat the Yankees despite trailing the series 3-0. A similar comeback is possible for the Angels, but right now their backs are against the wall.

That leads to the question: who do you want the Phillies to play in the World Series? The players don't have a preference. The Angels and Yankees are each elite teams; they are playing in the ALCS for a reason. When compared head to head, the Phillies, Angels, and Yankees are closer than you think.

The mentality of facing the Yankees is to play the better team. The Yankees had the best record in baseball during the regular season (103-59). To be the best, you have to beat the best. A Phillies-Angels series may appear to be "easier" on paper, but the Angels put together a 97-65 record under Mike Scioscia.

If the Phillies were to play the Yankees, slug-fests would be expected. The Yankees scored the most runs (915) and hit the most home runs (244) in baseball. The Phillies weren't far behind, ranking first in the National League in runs scored (820) and home runs (224). In the "bandboxes" these two teams play in, high scoring games would be expected.

The Angels' offense shouldn't be taken lightly. They don't hit many home runs (173), but they play small ball effectively. The Angels crossed the plate 883 times this year. They're also a running threat, stealing 148 bases (2nd in MLB).

The Phillies had the best team ERA out of the the three (4.16). The Yankees' team ERA (4.26) was tied for third in the American League. Despite having John Lackey and acquiring Scott Kazmir, the Angels are toward the bottom of the pack in team ERA (4.45). Both the Phillies and Yankees allowed 1.25 walks and hits per innings pitched, while the Angels allowed 1.41. The Yankees (7.82 K/9) are more of a strikeout club than the other two.

It may be thought that the Phillies have the weakest bullpen of the three, but their bullpen ERA is equivalent to the Yankees' 3.91. The Angels rank much lower (4.49). With Mariano Rivera as a closer, the back end of the Yankees bullpen is automatic. The Phillies and Angels have had trouble in the ninth. Brad Lidge's story is well known, but he has been great in the postseason. Brian Fuentes led the majors in saves, but he also blew seven and allows too many base runners. He blew a save earlier in the ALCS, and came close to doing it again on Thursday.

The Phillies took two out of the three against the Yankees in May. If not for a blown save, the Phillies would have swept them. Each game was close, with the difference coming in the late innings. The Phillies last played the Angels during interleague play in 2008. The Angels swept them at Citizens Bank Park.

Game six of the ALCS will be played tonight. A New York win would end it, but a loss will send it to game seven. No matter who the Phillies play, the World Series will not be easy. Exciting? You got that right!

Angels Acquire Kazmir

The Los Angeles Angels acquired Scott Kazmir from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for two prospects, Alexander Torres and Matthew Sweeney, and a player to be named later.

In 111 innings, the 25 year old had a 5.96 ERA and 1.54 WHIP this season.

In my opinion, the deal is a great move for the Angels, but strange one for the Rays. Kazmir does not have great numbers this year, but he is still young and has a lot of potential. In his career he is 55-44 with a 3.92 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and averages 9.4 strikeouts per nine. In addition, he has World Series experience.

Most of his struggles can be related to injury, but when healthy he is a terrific pitcher. He could have been a key peace for the Rays in years to come. If anything, it takes out the $20 million he is owed for the next two seasons.

Angels Pitcher Killed in Hit and Run

The Los Angeles Angels may have a real angel looking down on them. Starting pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed last night in a hit in run.

Cops report that some one driving a mini van ran a red light causing Adenhart's Mitsubishi to crash into a pole. Three people were killed in the crash, including another member in the Angels organization.

The person driving the mini van fled the scene, but was later caught and charged with a hit and run. The driver of the mini van was reportedly drunk, and has a history of DUIs, and his license may have been suspended.

The 22 year old, Adenhart pitched 6 scoreless innings striking out five batters last night, hours before the crash.

It's a shame what happened to Adenhart. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and teammates. RIP.

Free Agents Find Homes

Former Phillie Bobby Abreu and the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a one year deal. The deal is reportedly worth $5 million, including incentives.

Abreu, who turns 35 in March, earned $16 million with the Yankees last season where he batted .296 with 20 HR and 100 RBI. He also scored 100 runs and stole 22 bases.

The Nationals signed Adam Dunn to a 2 year deal. Terms were not disclosed. Dunn, 28, hit at least 40 HR for five years in a row.

Dunn has a career .247 AVG, striking out 1,256 times in his career, but he also has a career .900 OPS.

The Texas Rangers signed Andruw Jones to a minor league deal. The deal is worth $500,000, but includes bonuses.

Jones, 31, batted .222 in 2007 and in 75 games in 2008, .158. He has 371 career home runs in 13 Major League seasons.

Not only is he trying to revive his career, Jones will be competing for a spot in the outfield with David Murphy, Nelson Cruz, Frank Catalanotto and Marlon Byrd.

Angels Sign Fuentes; Other Updates

The Los Angeles Angels agreed to a 2 year, $17.5 million deal with reliever Brian Fuentes. In 67 games, the lefty had an ERA of 2.73.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Chicago Cubs traded infielder Mark DeRosa to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for 3 Minor Leaguers. The Cubs also acquired infielder Aaron Miles. DeRosa batted .285 with the Cubs in 2008.

The Cubs could also deal Jason Marquis in exchange for reliever Luis Vizcaino. The Cubs could also be close to getting Milton Bradley.

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed right hander Claudio Vargas to a one year deal. Manny Ramirez agent has contacted the Dodgers

The New York Mets have extended their offer to 3 years with Derek Lowe worth a total of $36 million. In his career, Lowe has a career ERA of 3.75.

Teixeira Traded to Angels

Mark Teixeira won't be hurting the Phillies any time soon. Instead, he is headed back to the American League. His new team is the division rival of his former team, the Texas Rangers.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Los Angeles Angels of Anahiem and the Atlanta Braves worked out a deal. Mark Teixeira will be headed to the Angels in exchange for first baseman Casey Kotchman, and Minor League pitcher Stephen Marek.

With Mark Teixeira no longer hitting those "knock-out blows" against the Phillies, the Phils will now have to deal with Kotchman. In the Angels visit to Citizens Bank Park in June, Kotchman was 3-11 including a homerun off Cole Hamels, which was the difference in the game.

Teixeira is batting .283 with 20 homeruns and 78 RBI. He has a .390 OBP, .512 SLG, giving him a .902 OPS. Not only does he put up the offense, but he gives Gold Glove defense. Tex has only committed 2 errors this season.

Kotchman is batting .287 with 12 homeruns and 54 RBIs. He has a .327 OBP, .448 SLG, with a .774 OPS. Like Teixeira, Kotchman has only committed 2 errors.

There's no question that Teixiera is the better player in the deal. That is why the Angels threw in 25 year old Marek. In AA Arkansas, he is 2-6 with a 3.66 ERA in 34 relief appearance.

The Angels benefited big time from this trade. They needed another bat in their lineup. They have the pitching, and now they have another bat to go with Vladimir Guerrero. The Angels already have the best record in baseball, and have a comfortable 11.5 game lead in the AL West. In my opinion, this move makes them an easy pick for a World Series favorite. On the other hand, it shows that the Braves are sellers at this trade deadline.