A.L. WEST NEWS & NOTES - 2/2/10
by Eric Tellez mlbpress@gmail.com
Here is a look at some of the stories that are making headlines in the American League West today:
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Angels have re-signed left hand pitcher Joe Saunders to a one year deal worth $3.7 million. Saunders is 33-14 over the last two seasons, the best record in the league over that time span, and is expected to be the leader of the pitching staff with John Lackey now in Boston.
Is it just me or have the Angels been really quiet this off-season?
The A's acquired centerfielder Willy Taveres and thirdbaseman Adam Rosales from the Reds in exchange for infielder Aaron Miles and a player to be named later.
Tavares struggled last season batting lead-off for the Reds but is a speed demon capable of beating out infield hits and stealing bases when healthy. The current downside to him is that he strikes out too much and doesn't walk enough for a top of the order guy.
I read multiple blog comments regarding this trade and it appears that many seem to believe that this is a trade between 2-teams spinning their wheels.
The Mariners are continuing their off-season assault by signing 1B /C/DH Ryan Garko to a contract worth $550,000 with multiple bonuses.
Garko spent last season with the Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants. He struggled with the Giants hitting only .235 with 1 home run and 12 RBI in 40 games.
Garko is a great player to have on a team because he can play multiple positions and produce when surrounded by a solid line-up.
Prospect pitchers Alexi Ogando and Omar Beltre have been granted visas to play in the United States after a 5-year ban for taking part in a "money-for-marriage" scam that envolved 30 baseball prospects from the Dominican Republican.
The fraud hinged on the ability of foreign baseball players to obtain annual work visas. They way it would work is a player would fill-out some paperwork declaring to be married to a particular woman and when she got her visa secured they would "seperate" without having even met.
The United States Embassy in the Dominican Republic found it odd that so many young prospects had all gotten married in a short span of time to women that had been previously denied visas. After an investiagtion the visas to the players and their "spouses" were all rejected. Most of the players that took part were released by their parent organizations.
Which leads-us to Alexi Ogando, 26, and Omar Beltre, 28. These two players have been considered major league material since they were signed with the Rangers.
Beltre is a pitcher that can consistently pitch in the high 90's and has struck-out far more than he has walked in 4-seasons of minor league baseball in the States. Ogando, a converted outfielder, can also pitch in the high 90's and is considered the better of the prospects because he is two years younger than Beltre and has more command of the pitches in his arsenal.
***That's it for today, Contact me at mlbpress@gmail.com if you want to talk baseball anytime!***
