More on the Konerko talk

by Adam J. Morris on Jan 5, 2008 11:56 AM CST in News Comment 9 comments

The L.A. Daily News has an item up saying that the Angels are apparently pursuing Paul Konerko.

I had dismissed this as unlikely, when it was first broached, but it appears there may be something to it.

And for the life of me, I can't figure out why Anaheim would be doing this.

From the article:

A source has indicated the Angels and Chicago White Sox are discussing a second trade of the offseason, with this one sending Paul Konerko to the Angels, while Howie Kendrick and Ervin Santana are possible candidates to head to Chicago.

Indications are, though, that the White Sox also have inquired about a package that includes Chone Figgins. The White Sox are also in the market for bullpen help after their relievers melted down most of last season.

That baffles me. Konerko is under contract for 3 more years at $12 million per year. He'll be 32 next year. Kendrick, meanwhile, is under team control for 5 more years, and was probably better than Konerko last year.

Here's the explanation from the writer of the article:

An acquisition of Konerko could turn the Angels into one of the best run-producing offenses in baseball along with the NewYork Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers.

Konerko, who will turn 32 in March, has hit at least 31home runs in each of the past four seasons and has recorded at least 90 RBIs in seven of the past eight, going over 100 RBIs four times. He is a career .281 hitter.

Adding Konerko to the roster while losing Kendrick could give manager Mike Scioscia a lineup of Figgins (third base), Gary Matthews Jr. (designated hitter), Garret Anderson (left field), Vladimir Guerrero (right field), Konerko (first base), Hunter (center field), Mike Napoli (catcher), Maicer Izturis (second base) and Erick Aybar (shortstop).

Really? Replacing Casey Kotchman and Kendrick with Konerko and Izturis is going to make the Angels one of the top offensive lineups in the A.L.? Given that Kotchman was better than Konerko last year, and at 7 years younger, seems likely to be at least as good as Konerko going forward, while Kendrick is a better hitter than Izturis, it seems like that would be a net downgrade.

Not to mention that such a trade means that Kotchman, Juan Rivera, and Reggie Willits would all be relegated to the bench. And given that Kotchman can only play first base -- a position that Konerko would, presumably, take over full time -- you'd probably have to deal Kotchman before the season.

This doesn't make sense from the Angels' perspective. This seems like making a move just for the sake of making a move.

If the ChiSox could get Kendrick, Santana, and, say, Reggie Willits for Konerko (the ChiSox apparently want to move Swisher to first base if they make this deal, opening up a spot for Willits in the Chicago outfield), this would be a home run for Chicago.

Meanwhile, I don't get what Anaheim is thinking here.

But if you are a Ranger fan, you should be hoping the Angels decide to get rid of Kendrick and Kotchman so they can add Konerko.

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Kendrick?

Wow, I can't imagine how angry I would be if I were an Angels fan. How in the world could they justify giving up Howie Kendrick for Konerko? Heck, Kendrick and Kotchman or Kendrick and Willits is even worse. Unbelievable. Here is to hoping that the Angels bite the bullet and deal for Konerko.

With Konerko, Hunter, and Vlad, they would have three decent, but aging sluggers. While they might do well in 2008, I highly doubt that combo would continue to produce at an extremely high level for too many more years in the future. By the time 2009 or 2010 rolls around, the Angels would be aging and on the decline while the Rangers should finally be ready to contend for real.

Please Angels, make the deal.

by stephen86 on Jan 5, 2008 12:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

It's so inexplicable

that I don't believe it. Gotta be the common issue of reports getting mixed up because writers don't understand player values.

by Brett Perryman on Jan 5, 2008 3:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe KW can get Adnehart as a sweetner!

If I owned a lightsaber, the blade color would be black light, so that I could use it to fight evil and to liven-up parties.

by rooster on Jan 5, 2008 1:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

More sense

might be to trade GMJ if Chicago wants him to play CF and put Swisher at 1B. That would be a much better deal for Anaheim than letting go of Kendrick and/or Kotchman. Kotchman for Konerko straight up would be a win for Chicago in some ways, getting younger, cheaper and better defensively without sacrificing offense. If they get someone else as well it's just gravy.

Cranberry Sauce

by t ball on Jan 5, 2008 1:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Why would Chicago do that?

by Adam J. Morris on Jan 5, 2008 1:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Do you mean GMJ?

I can't imagine they would, or just Kotchman either, just weighing relative merits.

Cranberry Sauce

by t ball on Jan 5, 2008 1:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

perhaps...

Willits and Santana make more sense? Since LAA has OF depth and CWS has a hole. Swisher could play 1B. And I would think Santana would fit nicely into the rotation, even tho their 5 seem pretty set.

by HaegerChamp on Jan 5, 2008 3:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Does Moreno have Hicks Disease?

Hicks Disease is an hallucination that buying or trading for aging, over-priced sluggers, while neglecting younger players and the farm system, will make a team equivalent to teams that play in the AL East.

The long term effect of this disease is a minimum of ten years without a post-season visit and multiple managers and GMs. To date, the disease appears to be terminal with no cure. However, current research suggests developing a farm system through the drafts and prudent trades, along with a good dose of patience, might cure this terrible disease.

Proud Supporter of the Texas Rangers since 1973

by T Coleman on Jan 5, 2008 3:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs