February 25, 200521 yr I know Finley is a vet and a great Center fielder but... First of all he's 39, and singing a guy to a 14m 2 year contract may be risky. But why take the risk with the number of other very good options they have. They have Erstad, a center fielder playing firstbase with 3 HUGE prospects ready for the majors. Kendru Morales (23, From Cuba) Kasey Kotchman (22, Hit .372/5/38 in 200 AB for AAA with very similar #'s in AA.) Robb Quinlan (He's 27, but put up a .344/5/23 clip in 160 ab's in Anaheim) Also Dallas McPherson (40 Homers in minors in 2004) can play both corner infeild postitions. Kotchman as of now is slated for the DH, with McPherson at 3rd platooning with Quinlan, and Morales competing for the DH job with Kotchman, but possibly starting off in AAA to begin the season because there's no room. So instead of moving Erstad to center, Making Kotchman(Gold Glover in the making) the starting 1B, moving Morales/Rivera/Davanon into the DH, they sign a 39 year old Center fielder to a 2 year contract. Keeping a guy he's uncomfortable at 1st baseTthat pretty much waste talent in two ways having Erstad in the IF, and having one of the great prospects out of the lineup. Just for a 39 year old who had a good leave year. The 36 homers is impresive, but can he do it again at 39 with out the motivation of a big contract the following year, it seemed liek the Angels were one of the only teams that didnt really need to add any offense. One reason may be to many rookies scares the front office, who knows, thoughts for anyone who actually cares.
February 25, 200521 yr They had cash to burn (over $20M between Appier, Glaus, Percival) and know first-hand the problems that arise when you lack sufficient depth.
February 25, 200521 yr They had cash to burn (over $20M between Appier, Glaus, Percival) and know first-hand the problems that arise when you lack sufficient depth. 694946[/snapback] If only their was a better, younger option at CF available on the FA market.
February 25, 200521 yr I know Finley is a vet and a great Center fielder but... First of all he's 39, and singing a guy to a 14m 2 year contract may be risky. But why take the risk with the number of other very good options they have. They have Erstad, a center fielder playing firstbase with 3 HUGE prospects ready for the majors. Kendru Morales (23, From Cuba) Kasey Kotchman (22, Hit .372/5/38 in 200 AB for AAA with very similar #'s in AA.) Robb Quinlan (He's 27, but put up a .344/5/23 clip in 160 ab's in Anaheim) Also Dallas McPherson (40 Homers in minors in 2004) can play both corner infeild postitions. Kotchman as of now is slated for the DH, with McPherson at 3rd platooning with Quinlan, and Morales competing for the DH job with Kotchman, but possibly starting off in AAA to begin the season because there's no room. So instead of moving Erstad to center, Making Kotchman(Gold Glover in the making) the starting 1B, moving Morales/Rivera/Davanon into the DH, they sign a 39 year old Center fielder to a 2 year contract. Keeping a guy he's uncomfortable at 1st baseTthat pretty much waste talent in two ways having Erstad in the IF, and having one of the great prospects out of the lineup. Just for a 39 year old who had a good leave year. The 36 homers is impresive, but can he do it again at 39 with out the motivation of a big contract the following year, it seemed liek the Angels were one of the only teams that didnt really need to add any offense. One reason may be to many rookies scares the front office, who knows, thoughts for anyone who actually cares. 694868[/snapback] Erstad playing CF is not an option according to the Angels' GM Stoneman prior to the Finley signing. My take is that Erstad is too injury prone to play CF anymore. Then Erstad has said that he has learned to take it a little easier to protect his body from injury. I will have to wait and see if Erstad strains his hamstring again this year. The probable Angels' DH will be shared by Quinlan, DaVannon and Riveras. Kotchman and Morales will probably be in AAA.
February 25, 200521 yr Finley is a solid pickup. He may be old, but you'll get your moneys worth out of him. Not a whole lot of surprises.
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