Trading partner: Angels

[LouisEly]

The Angels on paper seem to be a good trading partner. While they aren't necessarily in need of Fielder, they have other needs where the Brewers have surplus:

 

1) They have a huge hole at 3B.

 

2) They might have a hole in RF as Abreu should probably be moved to DH at this point. Matsui had a better year at the plate, but Abreu is under contract for next year and if he gets 550 PAs in 2011 will vest for 2012. I don't know that they will bring back Matsui with that commitment to Abreu and since both are 36.

 

3) Their bullpen was weak and it is unlikely that Shields will be back given his age and what he has done the last two years.

 

4) They already have over $50M committed to starting pitching next year not including whatever raise Weaver will get in arby, likely at least another $6M or more.

 

Possible trades:

 

1) McGehee plus Villanueva or Coffey plus a prospect(s) for Ervin Santana? Angels get cheap 3B under control for a few years plus bullpen help for Santana who has two years/$20M plus a team option/$13M or $1M buyout for 2013. If the Angels want so shed payroll Milwaukee may be one of the best bets.

 

2) One or two of Villanueva/Coffey/Hawkins for Piniero? Angels get bullpen help, shed some payroll. Piniero is not the #2/#3 that MKE needs, but if they can't get a true #2/#3 they might be better with Piniero for one year and see if the market is better in 2012.

 

3) Hart to the Angels for Santana? Hart is under control, but wouldn't save the Angels any $$. Allows Gamel to move to RF.

 

4) One or two of Villanueva/Coffey/Hawkins for Kazmir plus cash. As long as the net for the Brewers isn't more than $5M, Kasmir might be worth a gamble for the last guaranteed year on his deal. Only $2.5M to buy him out of 2012.

 

Depending on what the Angels offer, I could easily sell high on Kintzler or McClendon. Axford and Braddock are untouchable.

[nate82]

Except the Angels are not looking to shed payroll but to add payroll. They are looking to go all out and sign Carl Crawford at whatever the cost may be. Trading Santana doesn't make sense unless it is for Fielder for the Angels. No the Brewers should not trade for Piniero either that is the complete opposite of where they should be going for a trade. As for Kazmir he is done and he is not effective at all he has a FIP of 5.83! That is with a majority of his starts in a pitchers ball parks. There is no way that the Brewers should trade for Kazmir unless the Angels are paying for 80-100% of Kazmir's contract.

 

The Angels match up nicely with the Brewers but none of your trades make sense for either the Angels or for the Brewers.

[dadofandrew]

I think you're trying too hard. Prince for Santana makes perfect sense, especially if the Angels sign a FA SP. They have Weaver and Haren, and Ervin is costly. If they'd sign a SP and Crawford, while dealing for Prince, they would be favored to win the West.