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Los Angeles Angels Get Mark Teixeira from Atlanta Braves

Oakland_tiny by Blez on

You know, I'm kind of celebrating this move as I think Kotchman is better than people think.  Jayson Stark confirms it on ESPN as well.

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG
2008 - Mark Teixeira 102 377 63 106 25 0 20 77 65 69 0 0 .281 .389 .507


VS.

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG
2008 - Casey Kotchman 99 368 46 106 24 0 11 52 18 23 2 1 .288 .328 .443

Tex is better right now, but I think Kotchman is just coming into his own.

 

 

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I'm not

Kotchman is solid but he’s no Teixeira. Marek is a great relief prospect, but the Angels are set with KRod (who I imagine they’ll extend).

Only way I’m happy about this deal as an A’s fan is if the Angels really only use Teixeira as a 2 month rental, but I don’t see that happening. Arte will be willing to offer him an extension, IMO.

"Do you know that the guy really doesn't like baseball all that much?" - J.P. Riccardi

by black beane on Jul 29, 2008 3:08 PM PDT   0 recs

They could have spent the same money in the offseason to bring him in then ...

unless they extend him in-season, Kotchman + Marek was the price for two months of Teixeira.

Teixeira is likely to be the very worst kind of free agent—already having likely reached his peak, but young enough that he can get a very long (5+ years) deal …

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Jul 29, 2008 3:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Plus, his numbers inflated by his home ballpark

see also Matt Holliday, whenever he hits the market.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jul 29, 2008 4:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow.

Boars is said to be asking for an 8-year deal in the $20 million range for Teix too. We’ll see if the Angels can pony up. If not, great deal!

by Eggman on Jul 29, 2008 3:08 PM PDT   0 recs

I just doubt that Boras

would let any client of his re-sign before he can hit the open market. That’s just not Boras’ MO.

by Blez on Jul 29, 2008 3:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

when that client is headed to a team that has no qualms about ponying up

I don’t think it matters as much.

"Do you know that the guy really doesn't like baseball all that much?" - J.P. Riccardi

by black beane on Jul 29, 2008 3:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I just don't see Boras

not letting his client hit the open market. I don’t care how big the team’s wallet is. It just isn’t his style. He loves teams bidding against each other.

by Blez on Jul 29, 2008 3:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I understand.

On the flip side though, I don’t see the Angels making a trade like this unless they have every intention of extending Teixeira.

"Do you know that the guy really doesn't like baseball all that much?" - J.P. Riccardi

by black beane on Jul 29, 2008 3:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah

and I’m not saying they won’t keep him, but I just can’t see Boras doing it before he hits free agency and the cha-ching sounds echo in their heads.

by Blez on Jul 29, 2008 3:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

true true

"Do you know that the guy really doesn't like baseball all that much?" - J.P. Riccardi

by black beane on Jul 29, 2008 3:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Boars is a pig

Worse than being dead is being hot. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jul 29, 2008 3:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I wonder if he has a Smithers

Stomp,em, stomp the piss out of em.Then pound the budweiser after the game. Joe Schultz Seattle Piolts Mgr 1969

by billyball1981 on Jul 29, 2008 6:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

great

:(

"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."

by SwampyD on Jul 29, 2008 3:09 PM PDT   0 recs

He'll end up in Baltimore...Angelos is high on him

so the Angels 1b of the future is Kendry Morales

"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane

by athleticsBB4life on Jul 29, 2008 3:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

Angelos had no reason to deal away any prospects for him right now. He will wait until the end of the year then throw the $$ at Tex. and bring him to his hometown.

the Angels are then without Tex and Krotchman.

by HRH on Jul 29, 2008 3:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If that's how it goes, then cool.

Morales is the third best of the trio.

"All managers are losers, they are the most expendable pieces of furniture on the face of the Earth."- Ted Williams

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 29, 2008 3:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Vland and Garrett.

They are both potentially FA’s this offseason. WIth an owner actually dedicated to winning they shouldn’t have a problem resigning him. Even if it is for they typical Boras ransom. I kinda envy the Angels right now.

What about Barry?
"Barry who?" Forst said, and I felt like I was in the middle of a knock-knock joke.

by KMoAsFan on Jul 29, 2008 3:13 PM PDT   0 recs

Vlad has an option

(Actually, so does Anderson, but there’s no way they keep Anderson.)

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jul 29, 2008 3:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Thats why I said potentially.

I’m not sure of the particulars, but doesn’t the team have the ability to decline that option? According to Cot’s it’s a $15mil option with a $3mil buyout. Either way, dropping Garrett clears up another $14mil.

What about Barry?
"Barry who?" Forst said, and I felt like I was in the middle of a knock-knock joke.

by KMoAsFan on Jul 29, 2008 3:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Would you be unhappy if they declined the option

and let Vlad go?

Not that it matters, ‘cause they won’t.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jul 29, 2008 3:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Why would I be unhappy?

It would be great if they let Vlad go. Let him go take ManRam’s place in Boston for all I care. I was just pointing out the possibility that he may not be on the Angels next year. You never know what may cause a team to decline that option. Even when he’s playing good it seems like the guy is always in pain out there. Whether it’s his back, knee, or arm, something is always nagging him. I don’t think the Angels would really need to decline that option to sign Tex long term anyhow, but it would facilitate it nonetheless.

What about Barry?
"Barry who?" Forst said, and I felt like I was in the middle of a knock-knock joke.

by KMoAsFan on Jul 29, 2008 3:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Far from being unhappy, I'd ask Vlad

“How much do you want to be the A’s DH for the next 4 years?”

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jul 29, 2008 4:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

"And will you accept unused tickets as barter?"

They want to steal the land papers which is why they have tried to break in. But they had to give up after being bitten by Chhotu.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jul 29, 2008 4:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I was thinking of asking him if he would take AN love

in lieu of actually paper folding money.

Can Magic Sprinkles Now!!! @('.')@

by Leopold Bloom on Jul 29, 2008 6:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

you mean FIAT MONEY?!?!

Worse than being dead is being hot. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jul 30, 2008 9:36 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd take Vlad or Man-Ram as a DH-LF/RF in Vlad's case

I think this move truly signifies that the Angels are going for the whole enchilada right now!

They’re looking at potential aging/declining free agents in their own right but also seeing what the A’s are doing with the youth movement/stockpiling of prospects. My guess is the Angels brass is looking at the A’s mo and saying to themselves:

“Shit, pretty soon the A’s could be dominating this division and we’re gonna be screwed if we don’t go for it now!”

I would not put money on K-Rod or Tex as fa’s to be signed in the off-season by the way…..that’s a whole lot of potatoes to doll out.

Look at all the money they have tied up in payroll already?............

by mrod on Jul 29, 2008 6:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

well

they still have plenty of youth behind vlad and ga… they still have adenhart and brandon wood

Cust is the new Jaha.

by johnjahafanclub on Jul 29, 2008 7:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

re

Kotchman has regressed since last season. I’m not sure I’d say he’s coming into his own

by blee1134 on Jul 29, 2008 3:14 PM PDT   0 recs

Regression is a loaded word

other than walks, he’s really not lost a lot on his stats, and he’s way too young in his major league career (this his second full season) to judge him at all. Considering his minor league peripherals and his plate discipline and his recent hot hitting, it’s not a stretch to think he’s coming into his own at all.

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Jul 29, 2008 9:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

just beat you to it with a fanshot Blez

you’d think all we do here is check the baseball blogs and rumor sites…

by OaklandSi on Jul 29, 2008 3:14 PM PDT   0 recs

I thought only people who lived in a cave

didn’t spend all their time doing that.

[I kid, I kid.]

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jul 29, 2008 3:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

First reaction:

Wish the Braves were able to extract Wood and/or Adenhart in this deal. Kotch is underrated, but is not in Teixera’s class and this Marek guy is alright. Angels still keep their best prospects and will probably keep Tex beyond this season.

Not a good day for A’s fans.

by Taj Adib on Jul 29, 2008 3:17 PM PDT   0 recs

I think Wood and Adenhart may be the two overrated ones

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jul 29, 2008 4:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hm

What the crap happened to Kotchman’s walk rate? Last year he was average, even a little above average. This year it’s utterly horrible.

Huh. That makes me feel less happy about this deal. Not that much less though. It’s still only a marginal upgrade for a playoff-bound team anyway—and if they pay a bajillion dollars to keep Teixeira, well, it’s a bajillion they’re not spending on someone else.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jul 29, 2008 3:20 PM PDT   0 recs

Agreed 100 percent

And that’s IF they’re going to break the bank to keep him.

by Blez on Jul 29, 2008 3:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Marginal upgrade?

Texiera becomes their best hitter per his line this season bringing a 139 OPS+ over Vlad’s 121. Certainly is an upgrade over Kotchman’s 105.

by GusanoQuemador on Jul 29, 2008 3:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

See fangraphs

Teixeira’s value.

They assume he’s replacing Juan Rivera, but the difference is minimal.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jul 29, 2008 3:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Every trade

At this point in the year is going to be marginalized due to the fact that there’s only 2 months left in the season. But I’ll go ahead and bite…what potential trades are out there that would present an optimal upgrade from here on out?

by GusanoQuemador on Jul 29, 2008 4:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

For the Angels? There aren't any.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jul 29, 2008 5:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It really depends on what you're trying to upgrade FOR

Teixeira, over Kotchman for the rest of the REGULAR season isn’t a big deal. Even if Teixeira is worth an extra 50 runs to the Angels over Kotchman for the remainder of the regular season, it won’t matter.

I seriously doubt that the Angels are getting Teixeira for the remainder of the regular season.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Jul 30, 2008 10:12 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Long term depends on the extension...

The Angels are just doing this for some AB’s in October. He does nothing for them in August or September as they are in the playoffs. If they can get him signed, very nice for them, if not, hefty price to pay for maybe 20 games in October.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jul 29, 2008 3:21 PM PDT   0 recs

Hmmm.

Right now with Tex the Angels are the odds-on favorite to win it all and all they had to give up was a slighty above-average 1st baseman and 24 year old relief pitcher still playing in Double-A to do it? That’s not much of a “hefty price” to pay for a World Championship.

by Taj Adib on Jul 29, 2008 3:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think it's debatable whether or not Tex

makes the Angels the favorite. Then again, Vlad and Tex in the middle of an order is pretty freaking scary.

by Blez on Jul 29, 2008 3:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Vlad anywhere

is scary.

"And sometimes, when it seems like all hope is gone, Life tosses you a special gift of a baseball game" . 7/10/08 BaseBallGirl headline

by LongTimeFan on Jul 29, 2008 3:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You gotta be kidding me

They aren’t even the best team in the AL with Teixeira. I know they’ve been slapping the Red Sox around a little lately, but I can’t see how they’re the better team.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jul 29, 2008 3:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Better bullpen than Red Sox, about the same starting pitching, little less punch in the lineup.

Better pitching overall than the Yankees, younger, healthier, deeper offense.

I say they’re pretty freakin’ close to being the “class of the American League” at this point.

by Taj Adib on Jul 29, 2008 3:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

"Little less punch"?

Their lineup is f*ing terrible. The Red Sox have 130 more EqR to this point in the season (on pace for about 200 more over a full season).

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jul 29, 2008 3:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Slight understatment on my part.

Regardless, I think this move virtually assures that the Angels will make it to the ALCS, and it’ll definitely be a real close call between Lackey (twice), Santana and Saunders against Beckett (twice), Lester and Dice-K.

by Taj Adib on Jul 29, 2008 3:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Horsefeathers

5 game series? Against Tampa? I’m picking the Rays, and it’s not particularly close.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jul 29, 2008 3:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hahaha, please say "I told you so..."

once the Rays trade for Street and Jason Bay in the next few days…

by Taj Adib on Jul 29, 2008 3:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

BTW, I hope you're right on that.

My allegiance now lies with the boys from St Pete…

by Taj Adib on Jul 29, 2008 3:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Me, too!

I have liked the Rays, the DRays, the Devilrays for a while now. They remind me of some our teams. I would love to see them playing in October – deep into October.

"And sometimes, when it seems like all hope is gone, Life tosses you a special gift of a baseball game" . 7/10/08 BaseBallGirl headline

by LongTimeFan on Jul 29, 2008 3:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Rays in October

Just got the mental image of the heckler at a W.S. game. What do they do about him?

by asfansince1989 on Jul 29, 2008 4:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

well if they improve their attendance

he won’t be as visible or audible

by OaklandSi on Jul 29, 2008 5:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think the odds are actually really tiny that this upgrade makes any difference in their chances in the first round

Something like:
90% chance of same result.
7% chance Tex wins it for them over Kotchmann
3% Kotchmann would have won it over Tex.

And that’s being very generous with those percentages, both to the 90% (probably low) and to the Tex>Kotchmann.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jul 29, 2008 3:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

There's probably no way to know for sure.

But going Vlad-Tex or Tex-Vlad 4-5 times a game will put A LOT of pressure on the opposing pitching staff…

by Taj Adib on Jul 29, 2008 3:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Over 25 AB in a 5-game series

Teixeira reaches base 1.5 more times and generates 1.5 more total bases.

Not earth shattering.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jul 29, 2008 3:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Worth the cost for LAAA

I think the mentality in LA is “win now” and not “glad just to be competitive”. They know they are close to winning it all, so they will over pay just to get that little extra. With a good ball club like LAAA, there is not much room to upgrade. Maybe they could have upgraded at another position, but player like Tex doesn’t become available all too often. Maybe him over Kotchman is not the best value, but I doubt that value is high on LAAA’s priority list.

by asfansince1989 on Jul 29, 2008 4:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Not terrible at all unless the injuries return

The current group should be very easily above average.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jul 29, 2008 3:45 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

BoSux are rolling over like little punks..

for the Halos this year. Buchholz was in full meltdown mode in the 3rd inning before Vlad grounded into a double-play with the bases loaded to end the inning.

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on Jul 29, 2008 4:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Disagree there...

But I like Kotchman more than you do apparently. My point is that (Unless he agrees to extend) they don’t need him to make the playoffs….so they are moving Kotch for 50 AB’s in October….Tough.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jul 29, 2008 3:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed

Especially if they don’t keep Tex. Kotchman was still relatively cheap and under control for a few more years, I think.

I would’ve liked to have seen them give up Adenhart or someone else as well, but I won’t mind not seeing Kotchman any more.

by Blez on Jul 29, 2008 3:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Any Boras client will go for the most money

and will make a team way overpay for the value. Which means there’s a great chance Tex is a two-month rental and a small chance the Angels invest too much in him to improve elsewhere.

I like this deal for Oakland.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jul 29, 2008 4:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

ditto all that, plus ...

... since Reagins is in win-now mode, I like what it implies about his thinking re: the A’s ‘09-beyond.

Worse than being dead is being hot. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jul 29, 2008 4:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

ditto all that, but...

I think the move is more indicative of Reagins & Moreno compensating for past first round playoff exits from an expensive core of rapidly aging players than anything directly having to do with Oakland. I realize their front office has been very cautious over these types of moves in the past, but this move reeks of the style of their on-the-field play – namely, Atlanta dropped their guard/asking price on a player thay have coveted for some time, and they went for the kill.

They’ve been looking beyond us to an assumed playoff showdown with Boston/NY/Detroit/... since the offseason. The time for them to strike is now, regardless of how well the A’s are set for the future.

by elhefe on Jul 29, 2008 4:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I just mean I like any Angels move

that makes them worse later to be better now – since now is irrelevant to the A’s.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jul 29, 2008 5:00 PM PDT