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Wednesday, March 12, 2008

LA Times: For Angels’ Rivera, it could be wait till next year (RR)

Juan Rivera has been labeled the odd man out in an Angels outfield that features Torii Hunter, Vladimir Guerrero, Garret Anderson and Gary Matthews Jr. Chances are, Rivera will be the odd man in.

“We have a congested outfield, and there is a perception that we have to move him,” General Manager Tony Reagins said of Rivera before Tuesday’s 8-4 exhibition victory over the San Diego Padres.

“We’ve had conversations with other clubs, but I’m not looking to trade this guy. He’s going to be an important part of the team. He provides depth and versatility. And you have to look long term. The makeup of the team could be different in 2009 and 2010.”

Rivera, who hit .310 with 23 home runs and 85 RBIs in 2006 before missing most of 2007 because of a broken leg, could replace Garret Anderson’s production—for a much cheaper price—if the Angels don’t pick up Anderson’s $14-million option for 2009.

Another significant roadblock to a trade of Rivera, who is batting .412 this spring: The Angels probably wouldn’t get equal value. Though the Braves, Mets, Giants and, possibly, the Padres, are looking for an outfielder, they probably wouldn’t trade a starting pitcher, frontline reliever or premier prospect for Rivera.

Isn’t Rivera in his walk year?

NTNgod Posted: March 12, 2008 at 12:03 AM | 24 comment(s)
Related News: General, LA Angels

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1. Dan The Mediocre Posted: March 12, 2008 at 12:08 AM (#2710893)

I wonder how much they're paying for that 5 man outfield. It's amazing to think that in consecutive years, the Angels will have given large contracts to CF who will not be that good.

EDIT: I should correct myself: Hunter will be an above average hitter for a few years still. In the end, I still don't think of it as a good signing.

2. Charter Member of the Jesus Melendez Fanclub Posted: March 12, 2008 at 12:10 AM (#2710896)

This poor guy. It's not hard to imagine a parallel universe where he had made an All-Star team or two by now, maybe headed for a solid 300 HR, 1000 RBI career. Instead he'll probably be completely forgotten. Still has a chance to put together a career, but he he seems to have some bad luck, in different ways.

3. Rich Posted: March 12, 2008 at 12:17 AM (#2710898)

He can be a free agent after the season. He needs to play.

4. AlouGoodbye Posted: March 12, 2008 at 12:35 AM (#2710907)

The Giants are looking for another outfielder? Ye gods.

5. Harry Balsagne Posted: March 12, 2008 at 12:49 AM (#2710913)

It isn't unimaginable that Hunter, Anderson, and Guerrero all miss time due to injuries this year.

6. The Mets make Russlan sad Posted: March 12, 2008 at 12:57 AM (#2710921)

It isn't unimaginable that Hunter, Anderson, and Guerrero all miss time due to injuries this year.

Willits is still on the roster.

7. Softball-Playing Human Refuses to Be Walked Posted: March 12, 2008 at 01:49 AM (#2710946)

He can be a free agent after the season. He needs to play.

Rivera only makes $2.025 million this year. It's likely that the Angels will let Anderson walk at the end of the season, and then say something like, "Look, Juan. We just cleared out a starter's slot and $12 million. You get left field and a $16 million over four years. How's that sound?"

8. Mister High Standards Posted: March 12, 2008 at 01:57 AM (#2710948)

You get left field and a $16 million over four years. How's that sound?

ANf if he has any pride and faith in his ability he says go screw signs a 1 year deal with someone as a starter then signs a 3 year 30mm dollar deal if he stays healthy.

If I'm Rivera, I make them pay a premium to them for taking a hack out of my earnings potentials.

9. The Mets make Russlan sad Posted: March 12, 2008 at 01:59 AM (#2710949)

It's not really up to Rivera but I am sure he'd rather get consistent playing time. Look at what Jose Guillen just got. If Rivera plays everyday and hits .300/.350/.500, he'll get a lot more than 4y/16m.

And the Angels have plenty of other options as well.

Angel fans, would you guys be at all interested in someone Schoeneweis? He is still a good LOOGY (LH haven't slugged over .300 against him in 5 years) or Jorge Sosa, who is a decent swingman? Probably not.

Joe Smith would probably get it done but that's probably too much for the Mets to pay. What could the Mets get as a throw-in to even things out a bit?

10. NTNgod Posted: March 12, 2008 at 02:02 AM (#2710951)

Joe Smith would probably get it done but that's probably too much for the Mets to pay.

Too much? Even with Rivera coming off an injury-shortened year, an unproven reliever isn't exactly a great return.
(unless you're being sarcastic and I missed it, which is always quite possible)

11. The Mets make Russlan sad Posted: March 12, 2008 at 02:08 AM (#2710954)

Too much? Even with Rivera coming off an injury-shortened year, an unproven reliever isn't exactly a great return.

I am not saying it would be a vast overpayment for Rivera's services but Smith has a lot going for him. More than a strikeout per inning and a 2.9 g/f ratio is pretty impressive for a 23 year old who has barely pitched above A-ball. He also has less than a year of service time.

12. Softball-Playing Human Refuses to Be Walked Posted: March 12, 2008 at 02:35 AM (#2710964)

Angel fans, would you guys be at all interested in someone Schoeneweis?

I think Schoenny burned his bridges when he lectured Angel fans in 2002. They were throwing crap onto the field the day the CBA up and a possible strike might begin. Schoeneweis wasn't wrong, but nobody was in a mood to hear it that night. The reaction the next day after his comments were printed was... intense.

This was the game. I was at that game, and the tension in the crowd was brutal. People screaming at the fans, at each other. It was a half-empty house against the D-Rays, and the people who were there didn't seem happy to be there.

13. Mister High Standards Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:09 AM (#2711013)

Joe Smith would not be a reasonable return for Juan Rivera. Not close to reasonable.

14. AROM wants you off his lawn Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:17 AM (#2711022)

Hunter will be an above average hitter for a few years still. In the end, I still don't think of it as a good signing.

Hunter was the best player on the free agent market other than A-Rod.

You get left field and a $16 million over four years. How's that sound?

I'd think even if he only gets 150-200 AB this year, somebody will offer him a lot more than that. Tough call, I can't think of many players who hit free agency while clearly being good enough to start somewhere, but have been buried in a reserve role.

15. RB in NYC (Now with a Training Schedule!) Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:20 AM (#2711023)

Hunter was the best player on the free agent market other than A-Rod.

And if I'm the world's second tallest little person, I'm still short. Your statement doesn't really tell us anything about whether or not signing Hunter was a good idea.

16. Dizzypaco Posted: March 12, 2008 at 09:30 AM (#2711033)

You know, Rivera may actually not be that good. He's a guy with little defensive value who has put up an OPS+ over 110 once in his entire career, and he's coming off an injury. He seems like the type of player that the Orioles specialize in.

I'm not saying he's bad - he's a decent hitter, and he did have one solid year. But people seem to be taking it for granted that he'd be some kind of hot commodity. He could start for some teams, and not be terrible, but there's a real good chance he wouldn't be that great, either.

The Mets do seem like a good fit.

17. Walt Davis Posted: March 12, 2008 at 03:47 PM (#2711405)

I can't think of many players who hit free agency while clearly being good enough to start somewhere, but have been buried in a reserve role.

Mark De Rosa kinda, but he was close to full-time his last year in Texas. Way back you've got Candy Maldonado (Cubs again!).

But I'm with #16. I see no reason to think Rivera is particularly good. Not bad and I'd probably start him over Anderson or Matthews (in a corner) unless his defense is atrocious. But he's an average corner OF at best ... one who has never held a starting job, has a somewhat disproportionate share of PAs against lefties, and is coming off a serious injury. (hey, look what Dye's broken leg did to him). And he'll be 30 in 2009. And he stole Jeter's glove. :-)

If he starts this year and hits around his career averages, he could get Jose Guillen money ... not that Guillen should have gotten Guillen money. But he should probably jump at 4/$16 if such an offer was made cuz, really, his career looks like Matt Murton.

18. The Mets make Russlan sad Posted: March 12, 2008 at 03:51 PM (#2711411)

Joe Smith would not be a reasonable return for Juan Rivera. Not close to reasonable.

Oh well, then.

19. Crispix Attacks Posted: March 12, 2008 at 03:56 PM (#2711415)

I can't think of many players who hit free agency while clearly being good enough to start somewhere, but have been buried in a reserve role.

We'll see if that is happening with Corey Patterson or Paul LoDuca right now.

20. Crispix Attacks Posted: March 12, 2008 at 03:59 PM (#2711418)

Wait, I think I misunderstood the question.

21. AROM wants you off his lawn Posted: March 12, 2008 at 04:30 PM (#2711450)

Rivera had a starting job in 2006.

He's had 2/3 of his PA against righthanders, that might be a little lower than average, but is not much of an issue because he hits righties essentially as well as he hits lefties.

Career averages of 291/340/473, OPS+ of 110. That's an average corner outfielder, with average range and a great throwing arm. An average outfielder goes for 8-10 million these days.

That's what Rivera should get, unless lingering effects of the injury prevent him from playing as well as in the past. Is there a free agent outfielder who is no worse than league average who signed for less than 5 mil recently?

Jose Guillen was a similar player to Rivera, up through 2005. His lost season of 2006 dropped his price to 1 year, 5 million. If Rivera hits 216/276/398 in under 250 AB (effects of injury and sporadic PT) then he should take a 1 year deal, become a starter somewhere, and then cash in.

If he only gets 250 AB but hits 300/350/550, he'll cash in this offseason, 4 years, 40-50 million.

22. JPWF13 Posted: March 12, 2008 at 05:08 PM (#2711477)

Wait, I think I misunderstood the question.

I was about to abuse Cory and LoDuca but nevermind....

23. Barca Posted: March 13, 2008 at 01:53 PM (#2712070)

I think the author's reasoning is flawed:

First, wanting to keep Rivera around to replace GA in leftfield? Matthews Jr. thinks that is his spot. Rivera doesn't take over LF unless Gary is not around. If Reagins can get Matthews Jr to waive his no trade clause, there is no need to trade Rivera and that would seem more desirable for all parties.

Second, if GA will spend a significant amount of time at DH, then he is in the way of Kendry Morales. There is still no need for Rivera even if GA retires, because there is an OF of Vlad, Hunter, Junior and a DH of Morales. Unless another player is removed from the mix.

Third, Quinlan playing in the OF. How does he figure in with Haynes and Evans waiting for their chance? Is it a chance to prove he is move valuable than Morales? Or, are multiple OFs being moved?

Also, notice that Budde has been getting more playing time than Mathis? Scioscia appears to be taking a good look at him in case that he needs to come up from AAA. Perhaps Mathis or Napoli is included in a deal.

24. Rodder Posted: March 13, 2008 at 02:08 PM (#2712086)

I thind Dellucci was in a similar situation in 2006, coming off a 256 ab, 123 OPS+ season with the Phillies. He went on to sign a 3 year $11.5 millions contract with the Indians. Of course, he was a few years older than JR will be.

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LA Times: For Angels’ Rivera, it could be wait till next year (RR)

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