If Angels get CJ Wilson...

**stretch** · 11-15-2011

Do they become the favorites to win the division this coming year? They will have a damn good pitching rotation with Weaver, Haren, Santana, and Wilson...

**Jose Canseco** · 11-15-2011

Favorites? I'm not sure. Depends what else they do and what the Rangers do. Getting Kendry Morales back will help their offense some but I think they'd still need to add another bat to that line-up other than him. CJ Wilson gives them the lefty starter they need plus their home stadium is much more pitcher friendly so Wilson could do very well there. But should we expect Weaver to have the same type of season as last year? Maybe, but that will be tough to do. Erwin Santana had a really great year too but in his career, he's been up and down. Not sure if you can expect him to continue to pitch at that level. So there's some give and take.

But the potential signing of Wilson does have a pretty significant impact since it would not only improve the Angels but you would imagine hurt the Rangers. I know some people think Wilson didn't show up in the post season, but he did a of a lot in the regular season to help put the Rangers in position to make the playoffs. I think the scariest thing for Rangers fans would be that if it happens that it could have a similar impact to Napoli switching uniforms. Just have to wait and see.

**Monostradamus** · 11-15-2011

Depends on what the Rangers do. Do they go after Prince Fielder? I know Nolan said they probably won't, but maybe CJ leaving changes that.

imo though, if CJ is gone then it becomes a must to convert Feliz to a starter. I never liked him as a closer to begin with, I think keeping him as a closer is a severe underutilization of his skills, plus the role of the closer is an overrated position in baseball anyways.

**stretch** · 11-15-2011

Mike Adams can handle the closer role just fine, imo.

If Feliz has the stuff, then he should become a starter.

Does Ogando get another run as a starter? He began the season incredibly well. Is it that teams were figuring him out more? Or that his arm was wearing down, from not being used to such a role? If Feliz gets converted to a starter, then the 5th starter likely comes down to Ogando and Feldman. Who should get the nod?

More than anything, I'm incredibly eager to see how Holland will progress for next season. He finished the season well, had a couple up-and-down playoff games, but had the amazing WS game. Hopefully that helps keep his confidence growing.

**JamStone** · 11-15-2011

Derek Holland impressed the out of me. Granted I don't follow the Rangers. But the few times I saw him, he was throwing his fastball around 90-92 MPH. Then all of a sudden in the playoffs he's reaching back for 96-97 heat. The way he ended the season and that stretch of complete game shutouts have to have the Rangers front office excited about him taking another step forward. He's still young, showed his arm has great durability, and he showed stones in the playoffs.

**Axe Murderer** · 11-15-2011

Originally Posted by Jose Canseco

I know some people think Wilson didn't show up in the post season, but he did a of a lot in the regular season to help put the Rangers in position to make the playoffs.

Exactly

Wilson had an outstanding regular season so I think this alone would make the Angels the slight favorite but I still think the Rangers will make some moves to offset the fact. We also have to see what Perez can give us next year. If he comes up and pitches even close to his potential, the Rangers are still the favorite.

If he doesn't, and the Rangers do absolutely nothing in the offseason then yes, the Angels would be the slight favorites IMO

Also Feldman is a wildcard. He was injured pretty much all of last season, but had a great postseason. There's a definite possibility that he could replace a large portion of Wilson's productivity if healthy

**Monostradamus** · 11-15-2011

Originally Posted by Axe Murderer

Also Feldman is a wildcard. He was injured pretty much all of last season, but had a great postseason.

Goddammit, if only Ron went with Scooter right away in the 10th inning, instead of going with Darren ing Oliver. I seriously hate that got more than Hitler. I don't care how solid he was in the regular season, the last 2 postseasons he's ed us over and altogether it's been like 15 years of ing up for the Rangers.

**stretch** · 11-15-2011

I just wonder if the Rangers can make a 3rd straight WS run. Or really, I wonder what team is going to step up and find a way to de-throne them. As much as everyone wants to say that they pissed their chances away, I don't see a team that really sticks out as being a squad that is or will be flat out better in the AL. Granted there is a long offseason ahead, but still... I just can't quite see it yet. And for every good move that another team makes, I'm fully confident that JD will make a move for the Rangers to combat that. Although this time around, maybe investing in kevlar full-body armor for the entire team might be the best move, so we don't have half our team missing 2-3 months of the season.

While it wouldn't have changed the outcome of the WS, if simply ONE of the three of Josh, Cruz, and Beltre didn't end up missing their 2 months, the Rangers could have easily had 100 wins. That alone makes me still confident that they should be able to at least get back into the playoffs. Not to mention getting to a game 7 in the WS with their best player clearly playing hurt. You have to wonder how the series would have been with a healthy Josh...

**Monostradamus** · 11-15-2011

Josh is always going to be injury prone. We just have to live with it. And when his contract is up, don't give him stupid money. If it ends up he leaves, fine. Can't invest big money in someone that brittle.

**stretch** · 11-15-2011

Originally Posted by Monostradamus

Josh is always going to be injury prone. We just have to live with it. And when his contract is up, don't give him stupid money. If it ends up he leaves, fine. Can't invest big money in someone that brittle.

and its annoying because at times its fluky, odd, 99.9% chance of not happening, injuries.

**ducks** · 11-15-2011

adams should do well as a closer

**JamStone** · 11-15-2011

Originally Posted by stretch

and its annoying because at times its fluky, odd, 99.9% chance of not happening, injuries.

When you run into the outfield wall at full speed, run to home plate full speed, head first, you increase your chances of getting injured. Maybe not all the time, but I wouldn't put it at a 0.1% chance of happening.

**Monostradamus** · 11-15-2011

There's nothing fluky about Josh's injuries IMO. He was always injury prone, and years of smoking crack probably didn't help.

**JMarkJohns** · 11-15-2011

A guy from another site who's been pretty in the know on the Angels says this might just be a ploy to drive up the price, and that the Angels have expressed interest in Oswalt and Bedard for a lesser amount of money, since, afterall, we are talking about the 3rd rotation member at best. Could be BS, but he's been right on several other Angels moves.

**TheMACHINE** · 11-15-2011

Weaver
Haren
Wilson
Santana
Williams

1. Bourjous CF
2. Trout LF
3. Hunter RF
4. Morales DH
5. Trumbo 1B
6. Kendrick 2B
7. Aybar SS
8. Callaspo (or upgrade) 3B
9. ANYONE BUT MATHIS C

I like!!!

**Axe Murderer** · 11-15-2011

Originally Posted by Monostradamus

years of smoking crack probably didn't help.

I've always said this but the bible bangers here have always said "

don't you dare mention Joshy-poo and drugs in the same sentence!!!! Jesus healed him and it's all behind him!!!!

"

When you do that much coke for so long it physically makes you more brittle and slows your healing time. That's why he always takes forever to come back from injury

**ducks** · 11-15-2011

Originally Posted by JMarkJohns

A guy from another site who's been pretty in the know on the Angels says this might just be a ploy to drive up the price, and that the Angels have expressed interest in Oswalt and Bedard for a lesser amount of money, since, afterall, we are talking about the 3rd rotation member at best. Could be BS, but he's been right on several other Angels moves.

their new gm is former diamond employer with low payroll
so he would go cheaper
bedard is the person they need
wilson is going to be overpaid big time by someone

**Monostradamus** · 11-15-2011

Originally Posted by ducks

their new gm is former diamond employer with low payroll
so he would go cheaper
bedard is the person they need
wilson is going to be overpaid big time by someone

But Texas should have an easier time keeping Wilson because they have his Bird rights.

**Kyle Orton** · 11-15-2011

bird rights

**DJ Mbenga** · 11-15-2011

dont worry. once he hits the playoffs he will screw the angels. if that happens im sure buhrle will replace him. kuroda wont pitch in a place not called los angeles or japan. slim pickings