This past Friday, Nick wrote a post with the simple premise – if you can cut one person from each team in the National League, who would it be? And people got angry. Very, very angry. They called us names. They said that it was “the most pointless story I’ve ever read” and “one of the dumbest things I’ve ever read” and other “I’ve ever read” type comments. But they also said that “David Eckstein makes pitchers work so hard to get him out, that alone has value”. So we stopped paying attention after that.

Naturally, we’re back for more with the same premise applied to the American League. And if any of you brings up “leadership” as a reason Player X ought to stay, I swear to god, I will go back to my room in my mother’s basement, create an Everquest character that looks like you and destroy it.

Texas Rangers – Vicente Padilla: Starting off with an easy one here. From the moment the Rangers re-signed Padilla to a 3 year deal worth $33.75MM deal prior to the ‘07 season, it really was only a matter of time until this would end badly. In addition to posting poor numbers overall in Arlington, he’s had a poor reputation behind the scenes for years. The process for cutting him may have already started as the club put him on waivers this past week.

The Angels of The Angels  – Gary Matthews, Jr: Every time Matthews puts on a uniform, the Angels’ chances of winning seem to decrease. Another poor signing from the ‘06-’07 off season, Little Sarge has since posted a line of .248/.319/.386, which would be awful for a catcher, let alone for an OFer with a $50MM contract. If that weren’t bad enough, Matthews is also a sub-par defensive player, which should really make you wonder why the Angels haven’t cut the cord yet.

Seattle Mariners – Yuniesky Betancourt: When you have a starting shortstop who can’t hit, you tout his defense. When you have a shortstop who can’t hit or field, you have a big problem. Not only has Betancourt posted a .302 OBP in his career with little to no pop, he has also had a negative UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating) over that span. At 27 years old, we’ve already got a very good idea as to what kind of arc his career will take, and that arc is pretty damned flat.

Oakland A’s – Eric Chavez: It’s always sad when promising careers get derailed by injuries. But it’s worse when it drags on. Chavez has been off the field more than actually on it since 2007 and even when healthy enough to play, his performance has been on the decline since 2005. Having admitted that one more back injury would end his career, it’d be a great story if he were to show that he’s not done yet. Chavez is determined to do so, but one has to wonder if that’s actually in his best interest long term. I’m obviously not in a position to tell a player – especially one that’s only 31 years old – to walk away forever. But as a human being, I would hate to see his condition worsen and I fear that a return to the field will cause just that.

Detroit Tigers – Magglio Ordonez: If you consider this one to be heartless, I can’t really blame you since this is entirely driven by money. Magglio’s contract states that if he makes 213 more trips to the plate this year, his 2010 option worth $18MM becomes guaranteed (there’s a similar option for 2011). At this point in his career, Ordonez is not an $18MM player, nor is he all that close to that. His power is nowhere to be seen as he’s been unable to hit the ball into the air (56% of his batted balls have been grounders). I’m sure that the Players Association lawyers would have a field day with this cut though. Luckily enough, I don’t have to deal with such things (why can’t GMs cut players for financial reasons? I don’t get it).

Minnesota Twins – Alexi Casilla: While neither should be given a bat, both Carlos Gomez and Nick Punto at least have value as defensive replacements. And it’s probably too early to give up on a talent like Delmon Young, who really needs to learn how take ball four. But Casilla? The man has logged over 800 ABs in AAA and AA, during which time he has shown that neither his bat nor his glove is good enough to compensate for the other. His biggest asset as a minor league player was his ability to take a walk (which wasn’t exactly eye-popping to begin with). But thus far in his MLB career, Casilla has only gotten on base 30% of the time while slugging .318. Unless you’re saving dozens of runs with the glove, it’s impossible to swallow that. Sure, he’s still cheap. But there are better options out there for the same cost.

Chicago White Sox – Jimmy Gobble: Gobble has pitched in parts of seven major league seasons thus far in his career and his ERA in those years reads thusly: 4.61, 5.35, 5.70, 5.14, 3.02, 8.81, and 7.00 (so far in ‘09). Them’s ain’t pretty. Presumably, he keeps finding work because he’s a lefty. Problem is, lefties have a line of .266/.323/.460 against him so he’s not even useful against them. So I ask you, why does this man have a job? And for the record, I could have also picked anyone who has logged an inning in CF this year for the South Siders. But I’d be damned if I could pick one.

Kansas City Royals – Jose Guillen: I really could’ve put every Royal who’s 26 years old or over (not named Gil) into a hat for this one. Sidney Ponson? Absolutely. David DeJesus? If the man did not bat lefty, he may not have a job in baseball (kids, learn how to bat from the left side). And while I’m no Mike Jacobs fan (and Kila Ka’aihue is clearly more than ready to replace him as DH), he could at least serve as a cheap power bat off the bench.  Guillen, however, is by far the highest-paid hitter on the team and puts up numbers that simply aren’t good enough to let you ignore the headaches he causes within the clubhouse. And while he’ll continue to be among the top RBI guys on the Royals (which says more about the Royals lineup than it does Guilen) due primarily to his spot in the batting order, his glove gives up as many runs as his bat creates. If I were a Royals player, I’d probably resent the fact that the highest paid guy doesn’t offer much in terms of production nor seems to give a rat’s ass.

Cleveland Indians – Jeremy Sowers: In Single-A, Sowers struck out an impressive 9.5 batters per 9 innings pitched. In AA, that number dropped to a still-respectable 7.7. In AAA, down to a slightly worrisome 5.8. Notice a trend here? Then it really should come as no surprise that in the Majors, Sowers is striking out merely 4.1/9IP in the 300+ innings he’s logged. When you miss so few bats, batted balls tend to find the outfield grass more often (or worse). He had success in his rookie year winning 7 out of his 14 starts to go along with a 3.57 ERA. But his peripherals were poor (3.6 K/9IP, .259 BABiP), and therefore no one should be surprised to learn that his career ERA has been trending down ever since. Sowers just doesn’t seem to have the stuff to consistently get guys out at the big league level. And Cleveland would be better off giving someone else – anyone else – a start in his place.

Boston Red Sox – Julio Lugo: Take it away, Sarah Green!

New York Yankees – Angel Berroa: If you’re a SS, one good season buys you a career of job security as a utility infielder. Back in 2003, Berroa popped 17 dingers and has been living off that accomplishment ever since. Problem is, the man seems to have no idea how to play 3rd base, where the Yankees have been using him as a backup. Lord knows that you’re not keeping the guy around for his offense (career weighted-OBP of .297). So if he can’t do the job you’re asking him to do, why are you keeping him around at all?

Toronto Blue Jays – Kevin Millar: I initially had Vernon Wells here, but  after posting great numbers upon his return from a hamstring injury last August, he deserves a chance to prove once again that he’s not done (though moving him to LF IMMEDIATELY is a good idea). So I decided to go with a less controversial pick in Millar, a guy who looks to be about done at the age of 37. Sure, he may be entertaining in the clubhouse, but so’s the equipment manager (see enough jockstraps and I’m sure you develop a sense of humor). Millar’s defense is not nearly good enough to justify using him as a defensive replacement, nor is his bat useful enough as a pinch hitter. I’m sure it’s not easy to cut guys you like as human beings. But the point of the game is to win and Millar doesn’t help you accomplish that goal.

Tampa Bay Rays – Troy Percival: With a fastball that barely hits 90-91 mphs these days, Percival’s days as a reliable reliever are gone. In his younger years, his teams could live with him walking roughly 4 batters per nine innings because he struck out so many more. Nowadays, that’s getting harder and harder as his body begins to break down (Now go back and reread this paragraph replacing Percival’s name with Jason Isringhausen’s. Still makes perfect sense).

Baltimore Orioles – Mark Hendrickson: Centuries from now, when historians discover that there used to be a sport called “baseball” (and that there used to be something called “land”, but that’s another topic), I’d like to think that they’ll stumble across Hendrickson’s career numbers and immediately think “Holy %(*@ing mother of God! How the ^!#* did this guy keep finding teams willing to pay him &*($-loads of money?” With Scott Elarton still unsigned, Hendrickson has the highest career ERA (5.10) of any active pitcher who has logged over 800 innings or made 125+ starts. And the NBA community is forever left wondering how good this career 41.6% shooter could have been… (Here’s a hint. Not very.)

Ya got any problems with these, punk? Well, do ya? That’s what the comments section is for. Just remember. I can annihilate you in Everquest.

The Angels are in first place in the AL West and have a fine record of 52-34, third best in the majors behind the Rays and the Cubs, but they are going to be hard pressed to maintain that pace if they don’t start getting more offense.

Although they Angels are 6th in the major leagues in ERA, they are way down at 23rd in runs scored. And the biggest reason is their underperforming, overcrowded outfield/DH situation.

When the Angels tried to cram Torii Hunter into what was already an overcrowded situation, we knew that some guys would get left out, and predictably the Angels have gone with a rotation of highly-paid established veterans Hunter, Vlad Guerrero, Gary Matthews Jr., and Garrett Anderson.

Guerrero has shown some signs of emerging from an unusual early season slump, but Matthews and Anderson have been handed starting roles and 300 at-bats each, and have posted OPS figures of .678 and .697, respectively. Matthews’ OBP is only .319, and Anderson’s is even worse, at only .297. And these numbers are being put up in crucial corner outfielder/DH at-bats, where a team really needs to get a sizeable proportion of its offense.

In some sense it is understandable why the Angels keep running these two out there. Anderson has been a franchise centerpiece for more than a decade, and Matthews was awarded a huge 5-year $50 million contract two years back.

But it is time for the Angels to face reality and cut their losses by sending these guys to the bench. Anderson has been in steep decline at the plate for many years now, and is no longer even adequate on defense, while Matthews has never been more than a fourth outfielder at best, except for that one fluky, hGh-fueled free-agent walk year with the Rangers.

Meanwhile, Reggie Willits posted a .391 OBP last season, and Juan Rivera batted .310 and OPS’d .887 in his last full season in 2006. While it is uncertain whether either player would match those numbers if given an everyday starting job, both would almost certainly best what Matthews and Anderson are currently providing.

The Angels organization has been a model of stability and has not fired any of its front-office personnel in 9 years. But while that sort of patience and stability in the front office is an asset, major league ball players need to be evaluated more objectively.

If the Angels really want to get back to the World Series, the need to stop basing their lineup on sentimentality.

- What They Need Index -

The revelation that Gary Matthews, Jr. has purchased HGH has inspired a lot of reactions.

His dad is remaining loyal (as dads do).

His new team is pissed ($55 million down the drain?).

His old team is relieved (that he’s somebody else’s problem).

Me? I can’t believe I never suspected him.

We’re talking about a 32 year-old guy with eight seasons and seven teams under his belt who couldn’t hit a lick until two years ago. How could I not have suspected he was on steroids? This guy was Brady Anderson, the sequel.

Upon further review, I think a big reason I never suspected Matthews had to do with his reputation as a “character” guy. Matthews, after all, is a baseball lifer, the son of legendary National League slugger Garry “Sarge” Matthews. How could a guy who has been a part of the game all his life do something that would risk his place in it?

What a silly question. As SI writer Jon Heyman points out, it’s the juniors who are using steroids the most:

Matthews and Jerry Hairston, another player reported by SI.com to have been linked to alleged HGH sales on the Internet, both are former Orioles. Baltimore’s Rafael Palmeiro, of course, famously tested positive for steroids in 2005. One reason that the Orioles didn’t pursue Bonds, in fact, was to avoid another potential scandal. It’s also interesting to note that like Bonds, both Matthews and Hairston are sons of major leaguers.

Oh, and this just in: David Bell has been busted for using HGH, too! That’s right, David “son of Buddy” Bell.

I don’t know why these sons of former players are so quick to use steroids. Or why they’re so easily caught. I just pray that Ken Griffey, Jr.’s name doesn’t turn up on any illegal pharmacy lists. That would be a dark day indeed.

This is part of a series of posts in which we call out all 30 teams for their wily offseason moves and tragic offseason blunders. 

Angels GM Bill Stoneman has one of those really apt names Sarah was talking about in one of her comments. Much like a stone, he never says anything, never shows any emotion, and never does much of anything either.  Stoneman is legendary in LA for never trading anyone for anything, so any time you hear a trade rumor involving the Angels, you can usually just discount it entirely and proceed with your merry little life.

Not surprisingly, then, most Angels “offseason reports” range from “short” to “miniscule” in length.  But Stoneman has been known to sign a free agent from time to time, and like the return of a rarely seen comet, this was one of those years.

Stoneman made waves this November when he awarded a 5-year, $50 million contract to erstwhile Rangers centerfielder Gary Matthews, Jr., in the most roundly criticised deal given to any player this offseason who wasn’t named Gil Meche.  Among numerous ominous portents for Matthews’ future performance, only once in 8 seasons (with 6 different teams) has he hit more than 17 home runs, collected more than 59 RBI, or even accumulated more than 475 at-bats.

Any guesses which year all those things happened? (Hint: it rhymes with, um, ”blue cow sand and sticks”).

I also feel compelled to point out that Matthews’ .313 average last year was 50 points higher than his career mark.  So either the guy mysteriously figured it all out at the age of 32, and suddenly transformed overnight from journeyman into superstar, or the Angles are going to be paying $50 million for one of the biggest flukes in recent memory.

Other than the Matthews signing, Stoneman only made three real moves all offseason.  He signed noted pitching ace Darren Oliver and bullpen Titan Justin Speier, and mysteriously gave a one-year deal to the vastly overrated Shea Hillenbrand to play first base despite having a huge logjam of first-base types in the organization, including Casey Kotchman, Robb Quinlan, Kendry Morales, and Dallas McPherson.

For now, the logjam will be somewhat lessened while Juan Rivera recovers from a horribly broken leg, Garret Anderson plays leftfield, and Hillenbrand DH’s, but once Rivera returns Hillenbrand will be taking at-bats away from burgeoning slugger Robb Quinlan, and that is not a good thing.

In a classic non-move, it looks like Stoneman will not resign free-agent fan favorite Darin Erstad, despite Erstad’s inability to find a job anywhere else.  You get the feeling that Stoneman would actually want to sign Erstad to somekind of deal as a backup outfielder, except that that would require him to actually do things like speak words or rise from a supine position.

The Angels used to be one of the most hyper, overreactive organizations in baseball (remember Jim Edmonds for Kent Bottonfield, anyone?) until the 2002 offseason when Stoneman tried doing absolutely nothing and the Angels wound up winning it all. Stoneman has tried to do as little as possible ever since, but sometimes owner Arte Moreno finally gets fed up and demands that Stoneman sign a big free agent, as happened with Vladimir Guerrero (whose contract was largely negotiated by Moreno), and happened again this year with Matthews after Moreno promised the fans the Angels would sign an “impact player” this year.

Nevertheless, the Angels remain in contention year after year thanks to a farm system that continues to produce reliable, if not necessarily spectacular major leaguers.  With the emergence of Juan Rivera in the outfield and Howie Kendrick at second, the departures of Erstad and Adam Kennedy will not be missed much (and both were highly overrated in any case), and the Angels still have one of the more solid pitching rotations in the game, led by mulleted magician Jared Weaver, so the Halos are a good bet to challenge the A’s for the division crown despite a typically stone-like offseason from Stoneman.

Offseason Grade: F

Acquisitions: Gary Matthews Jr., Shea Hillenbrand, Darren Oliver, Justin Speier

Losses: Darin Erstad, Adam Kennedy, J.C. Romero, Brendan Donnelly, Kevin Gregg

Projected Lineup, Rotation, and Closer

3B Chone Figgins – .267/.336/.376, 52 SB

SS Orlando Cabrerra – .282/.335/.404 27 SB

RF Vladimir Guerrero – .329/.382/.552, 33 HR

DH Garret Anderson – .280/.323/.433, 17 HR

LF Juan Rivera – .310/.362/.525, 23 HR

CF Gary Matthews Jr. – .313/.371/.495 19 HR

1B Shea Hillenbrand – .277/.313/.451, 21 HR

C Mike Napoli – .228/.360/.455, 16 HR

2B Howie Kendrick – .285/.314/.416, 4 HR

RHP Jared Weaver – 11-2, 2.56

RHP John Lackey – 13-11, 3.56

RHP Kelvim Escobar – 11-14, 3.61

RHP Ervin Santana – 16-8, 4.28

LHP Joe Saunders – 7-3, 4.71

CL Frankie Rodriguez – 47 SV, 1.73

- Hot Offseason Action Index -

Gary Matthews signed with the Angels today. He got $10 million a year over five years. That’s right, the Angels paid a 31-year old centerfielder $50 million. A guy who, until this year, hit .250 over his career.

Matthews is a fine player. He was an all-star this year. Seems like a real good guy. Comes from a baseball family. And maybe he really has turned a corner as a hitter. But $50 million?

“Guys learn at different times in their careers,” Angels GM Bill Stoneman said. “Gary’s coming into his own.”

Okaaaaaaaaay. Sure he is. Just like Adrien Beltre came into his own a few years ago. When are GMs ever going to learn that it’s a bad idea to hand out monster contracts to guys who put together one solid year after 10 years of mediocrity?

Even if Matthews can put together a couple more .300 seasons, $10 million per is a real stretch. I mean, really, $50 million? That’s a ton of money.

Plenty of players have parlayed fluke years into monster contracts. Many of those players, we’ve come to find out, did so with the benefit of some designer drugs. But Matthews may be the first that I can remember to score a big deal on the strength of one spectacular play. You know the one I’m talking about.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kzp6ny0rtAA[/video]

You know what? On second thought, if I were a GM, I think I might shell out $50 million to Matthews on the off chance that he might make a catch like that again, this time for my team. Wow. Wowie, wow, wow, wow.

In other hot stove news, the Carlos Lee sweepstakes seems to be heating up. And, really, your guess is as good as mine as to who will end up with Lee. Everybody seems to think it’ll come down to three teams, but nobody seems to be able to agree which three teams. I’ve heard the Orioles, Astros, and Phillies are all serious contenders. But the Giants and Rangers have also been mentioned as possibilities, and you’ve got to think the Giants are more of a player after losing Moises Alou and then losing out on Matthews. An AL team would almost certainly be a better fit for Lee, who is growing fatter by the day. At the rate he’s going, he’ll be forced into DH duty buy July. If he signs with an NL team, he’ll eventually be too fat to play anything but first base. You’d think that would prevent the Phillies from signing him, since they already have a pretty good fat firstbaseman. But then again, Pat Gillick seems desperate to sign a slugger.

From the “don’t hold your breath” department, rumors persist that the Red Sox will try to convince Roger Clemens to become their closer, and that the Angels will trade for Andruw Jones. First of all, Clemens isn’t a closer. Second he likes to spend off days with his family, and closers need to be available everyday. So it just isn’t going to happen. As for Andruw, he’s got a no trade clause and doesn’t seem interested in going anywhere until after this season, when he will become a free agent and should command money similar to what Alfonso Soriano just got.