Monday, December 22, 2008

No more Marky Mark

Although the rumor is still technically unofficial until Mark Teixeira signs elsewhere, it seems he's not going to be an Angel. And as a bunch of people bitch and moan, I don't really have an issue with the non-signing. Look, Marky Mark is a great baseball player and would have been the face of the franchise as well as the cornerstone of its offense and infield defense, but he's also a Scott Boras client. He's in it for the money. His departure beings a pair of high draft picks. Kendry Morales is a lot better than everyone thinks he is. And finally, for once, maybe the Angels will play the kids and learn that young players can succeed.

Lost in the Tex-mess was the signing of Juan Rivera to a 3 year, 12 million dollar deal that will probably fix the left field hole created by the departure of Garret Anderson. I like the signing. It's a reasonable price for a potentially undervalued player, particularly one with a great arm and a league-average glove. Rivera has shown in limited bursts that he can provide the production a team needs from a corner outfield spot, and it seems as though he'll have the chance to prove it over the upcoming season. This move was probably code for "Happy trails, GA," and "Willits, you're not a major-leauger," neither of which are statements I have any real problems with.

I'm just praying the front office doesn't do something dumb like, oh, sign Pat Burrell as anything other than a DH.

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