Starting pitching options for the Angels

Bronson Arroyo has signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks and it's hard to believe the Angels haven't made a bigger push for someone like him - though I like the Hector Santiago and Tyler Skaggs acquisitions as far picking up two young guys who can potentially be viable starting pitchers, I was hoping the Angels could pick up a durable veteran who can pitch around 200 innings for at least the next couple of seasons [even though Arroyo is closer to 40 than to 20].

According to what I read, the Angels put out an offer to Matt Garza, but took it back quickly, so Garza ended up signing with Milwaukee - the two key free agent starting pitchers are Ubaldo Jimenez and Ervin Santana.

I think either one has shown enough ability, skills and aptitude as Major League pitchers - but maybe there is a certain distrust in either one that make them sort of iffy pick ups.

Maybe the Angels should throw caution to the wind and attempt to sign one or the other - however, I don't know if the Angels would be willing to reunite with Santana and Jimenez seems like basically a younger version of Santana, which means neither one is a suitable option unless the Angels.

Featured autograph - Jason Vargas

I got new Angel acquisition Jason Vargas to sign two or three cards at the end of the 2012 season when the Seattle Mariners were in Anaheim - while I would have liked to see what Kendrys Morales might have done in his second full season after coming back from his horrific injury in 2010, I guess there was some flexibility to make a move for a No. 4 or No. 5 starter like Vargas.

Vargas isn't great, doesn't throw particularly hard, but hopefully he can throw around 200 innings and in the process - nail down enough quality starts for the Angels without getting banged around [served up 35 home runs this past year] too much.

For the Angels, Mark Trumbo probably starts the 2013 season as primary designated hitter - with Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton and maybe Vernon Wells on the short list of Angels players who can also DH if needed.

Featured autograph - Joe Blanton

With the Angels apparent addition of Joe Blanton - the Angels look to have some arms to build around after losing Dan Haren, Ervin Santana and most likely, Zack Greinke.

Blanton is a decent pitcher you can plug into a starting rotation and expect OK [if decidedly underwhelming] results - a good season for the burly righty would be pitching close to 200 innings while recording double digit wins.

A bargain basement signing - the money Blanton is getting to pitch the next two seasons for the Angels doesn't even pay for what current free-agent Greinke is likely to be paid per season.

I don't remember where I got this 2004 Bowman Draft card signed in-person - it might have been during the 2005 season or 2006 spring training, when I remember getting my picture with him at A's camp.

Featured autograph - Tommy Hanson

I was curious as to who the Angels would pick up after their starting rotation was depleted - it looks like the Halos got a solid starting pitcher from the Atlanta Braves in Tommy Hanson and all the team had to give up was reliever Jordan Walden.

I think there were rumblings and concerns about Hanson's delivery and health over the last two years, so the move isn't without its risks - however what's not to like about a big, strong kid who seems like a solid No. 3 behind Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson, but has the potential to be quite a bit better at only 26.

Walden was an All-Star selection back in 2011 but has been a disappointment since - even with closer stuff, he pitched himself out of the Angels' short term plans and lacked a defined role in 2012.

With a different team like the Braves - maybe Walden gets a new opportunity to become a star reliever.

After trading for Hanson, the Angels should be looking to pick up another starting pitcher - do the Angels have any more prospects or young players like Taylor Lindsey and/or Peter Bourjos, Kole Calhoun or Luis Jimenez floating around?

I'd like the Angels to go after another Southern California guy in Florida Marlins pitcher Ricky Nolasco - who suddenly doesn't seem like a fit for the fire sale Marlins, looking to reload with cheap, young players.

A.J. Burnett of the Pittsburgh Pirates could be an option if the Pirates get back enough MLB players - to continue their make-believe game of trying to contend.

As far as free agents, Edwin Jackson seems like he is basically Ervin Santana and his contract demands might not be reasonable - my off the wall idea maybe taking a chance at lefthander Jonathan Sanchez.

Sanchez maybe too inconsistent and beyond repair - but has had his moments as a Major League starting pitcher to warrant a spring training invite.

Featured autograph - Zack Greinke

I probably got this card signed through the mail years ago and I wish the other guy was in professional baseball somewhere because I'd still like to complete it - the card is going into my all-time Angels autograph box to represent Greinke's time with the Angels in 2012.

Obviously Greinke is the most prized free agent this off-season and I'd love for the Angels to have the means to plug him back into a depleted starting rotation for 2013 - who really knows [I'm not betting on it, btw] if the Angels are going to re-sign Greinke to a long term deal for $120 million or more.

If it happens and Greinke is back with the Halos for the next five-seven years - then the team is going to have to tear up the long term deal ace Jered Weaver signed and make sure the face of the Halos' starting rotation is paid comparably.

2010 World Series preview - San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants match up well against the Texas Rangers - except they don't have the middle of the order bashers like Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz and Vladimir Guerrero.

Shortstop Juan Uribe has sort of been a fan favorite in San Francisco - even though he is a player statheads don't like because he makes too many outs.

However he is a key player for the Giants even with his feast-or-famine ability at the plate - his bat got the Giants to the World Series, so he must have done some good things for his team this season.

The rest of the Giants' hitters have to show up with rookie catcher Buster Posey needing to have a big series - most 'baseball experts' and Giants fans have been clamoring for this guy to play all season long and he's proven them right even through the postseason.

Now, he has show up his former mentor [Bengie Molina] and has to compete [at the plate as well as behind the plate] - to see which guy leads his team to a World Series title.

I don't think anyone feels bad for Barry Zito, who signed a $126 million contract to pitch for the Giants - but imagine being once counted upon as the ace of the pitching staff, only to watch your team reach the World Series without your contributions.

I thought some sentimentality would at least play out in finding a World Series roster spot for Zito - but I guess his performance doesn't merit being given an opportunity to appear in the World Series.

The Giants are a good team that reached the World Series - believe they will give the Rangers a fight and perhaps upset another supposed title contender in the making.

I don't know what this guy's deal is, but it was funny watching him punk Chris Rose, who seems like the most genial, wholesome sportscaster - I didn't realize how good this guy has been as a closer in the past year either.

2010 World Series preview - Texas Rangers

I have no rooting interest in this World Series, though I'll say what has been said countless times recently - I'm glad the Philadelphia Phillies and/or the New York Yankees are not one of the representatives to chase after a World Series title.

The New York Yankees can spend $125 million on Cliff Lee this upcoming off-season and might as well be in the World Series again in 2011 - while the Philadelphia Phillies were supposed to steam roll the San Francisco Giants in the National League Championship Series.

However the Phillies were outhustled by the upstarts from the Bay Area - perhaps there is less luster associated with a team that was supposed to be a juggernaut.

It will take a big effort from mashers like Nelson Cruz, Vladimir Guerrero and Josh Hamilton to lead the Rangers to a World Series title - the most important qualities to their team is the ability to pitch, play defense and run the bases.

I think the narrative fits, where it took Nolan Ryan's vision to make pitching more of a priority with the Rangers - however the pitching was only part of the equation, where Ron Washington's vision was to make sure the Rangers played 'small ball' the right way.

The man-love for Hamilton would elevate him to iconic status if the Texas Rangers won the World Series - if he has a monster series [think Barry Bonds circa 2002], then he can do whatever, wherever he wants with everyone on their knees to service him.

It seems like the Rangers have the perfect mix of talent - that they should walk over the Giants regardless of any obstacles and win their first World Series in franchise history.

2010 National League Championship preview

San Francisco's Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Sanchez and Matt Cain are about as good as the Philadelphia Phillies trio of Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels - the key for the Giants having any chance in the National League Championship Series is for their lineup to heat up and hopefully score enough runs.

Outfielder Pat Burrell was a Tampa Bay Rays castoff but was essentially a Phillies player for most of his Major League career - it will be interesting to see how he tries to help the Giants try and beat his old team.

The Phillies are a juggernaut but stars Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard need to get it going - for all the talk of the Phillies' success lately, the duo seems to get lost in the mix but a good series for both would make the Phillies that much more dangerous.

Second baseman Chase Utley was pretty banged up in 2010 - but he is solid All-Star caliber second baseman who gives the Phillies good at-bats and ability to hit for power.

The San Francisco Giants are not going to win the series against Philadelphia but hopefully they don't just fold in the NLCS - to make this Phillies' run to the World Series a little tougher than expected.

2010 American League Championship Series preview

The Texas Rangers enter the American League Championship Series with a good shot to get past the New York Yankees and get to the World Series for the first time in franchise history - thanks in part to a very good pitching staff and a lineup can bash and mash as one of the best in Major League Baseball.

Rangers No. 1 starter Cliff Lee needs no introduction as a legitimate ace - however C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis have performed as well as anyone could have guessed and expect competent pitching performances.

If the two non-Lee pitchers do falter a bit, it will be up to the hitters like Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Michael Young and other to make up for any deficits on the board - sadly it is going to be with the Rangers, but with a big series, 35-year old Vladimir Guerrero has an opportunity to make up for his postseason shortcomings over the past six years.

The New York Yankees are still the best team money can buy, but it boring talking about how great they are - any lineup they put out can match the Rangers hit for hit, run for run.

On the mound, C.C. Sabathia is money and so is Andy Pettitte - the spectre of Mariano Rivera looms in the late innings and the Rangers need to jump on the starters early and be able to hold the lead.

Where every play seems magnified, the Rangers' ability to play small-ball baseball helps them - bunt the ball over, hit the ball to the right side, don't get caught napping on the bases and not making any mental mistakes on the field. Riding the momentum of winning their first postseason series, manager Ron Washington needs to make sure his Rangers play without any jitters.

Ultimately, it would be no surprise to anyone if the Wild Card Yankees got to another World Series stage - but the Rangers are a team that can catch lightning in a bottle and 'upset' the Yankees to win the American League pennant.