Mark Saxon

  (3:07 PM)

OK, sorry for the brief delay after a technical glitch. Let's get started.

J-Rod (Rubidoux, CA) [via mobile]

I seriously think the Lannon for Bourjous is the dumbest rumor or there the angels would annoy a lot of fans if that were to come to fruition. I think we have the best SP this side of philly, it would be waste of time

Mark Saxon

  (3:09 PM)

Hey J-Rod,A lot of people seem to agree with you. Personally, I think it could -- could -- make sense, because of the teams' relative needs, but not as a one-for-one trade. Peter Bourjos is a far more valuable player than Lannan, but are the Angels a worse team with Trout in center field, Lannan as their fifth starter and another decent player thrown into the mix?

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

How Many times do you go to Disneyland with your Family since you have been Covering the Angels?

Mark Saxon

  (3:10 PM)

Chris, The answer is three times. Thanks for asking.

Big O (Placentia)

Hey Mark, have you been hearing any legitimate trade rumors for anybody on the team?

Mark Saxon

  (3:11 PM)

O, No, I haven't lately. I don't think they'll make another trade until they know what they've got in spring training. You don't see a lot of trades at this time of year. Then, you see a bunch of them as camps are winding down.

Rich (Tarzana)

Do you forsee the Halos making another move before the season starts, or do you see them waiting it out and seeing how the current roster performs?

Mark Saxon

  (3:12 PM)

Rich, I think Jerry Dipoto might do something before the end of spring training. So much of this puzzle depends on the health of a couple guys (Mark Trumbo and Kendrys Morales).

Anthony (Burbank)

Hey Mark- who has a better chat you or Trout? also Keith Law ranked the Halos farm system middle of the pack, what are your early reviews on their scouting director Ric Wilson?

Mark Saxon

  (3:14 PM)

Anthony, I imagine more people are interested to hear what Trout has to say than what I have to say, but I'm going to try to give him a run for his money (figuratively speaking). Too early to tell about Wilson, but the weirdest thing was asking him the day before the draft if he would change directions from what Eddie Bane did and him saying, "No," then doing a complete U-turn on draft day and taking about 95 percent college players.

Christan meridal (os angeles)

How do you feel having albert pujols on your team

Mark Saxon

  (3:16 PM)

Christan, It's not really my team (Unfortunately I couldn't come up with the $280 million in 2003), but I imagine you know that a lot of people in Southern California are excited to be able to watch him on a daily basis. I'm no different.

Mike (Volcano,Hawaii)

Do you see any upgrade at 3B before spring training starts?

Mark Saxon

  (3:18 PM)

I don't think so, Mike. Like I said, things seem quiet right now. Besides, is it really so awful if Alberto Callaspo ends up getting a lot more at-bats? The guy did lead the team in batting average and OBP. As a complimentary player (or is it complementary), he's a solid part of the puzzle. OK, I've got to stop using the word, "puzzle."

Cameron (Orange, CA)

Will the Angels try to trade away any of the extra pieces? Abreu, Trumbo, Morales and get a true 3rd basemen?

Mark Saxon

  (3:19 PM)

Sort of, Cameron. I do think they'll trade one of those guys at some point, but I can't tell you it will be for a third baseman. I can, however, tell you it won't be for a first baseman. It wouldn't be surprising to see them bolster their starting pitching depth or add a late-inning reliever.

carl (los angeles)

In your opinion, who has more pressure on them to perform this year: Pujols, Wells, or K. Morales?

Mark Saxon

  (3:20 PM)

That seems easy, Carl. Albert Pujols has the weight of the baseball world on his shoulders, having just signed a massive 10-year contract and being mid-career in a Hall of Fame-caliber career. I talked to a scout yesterday who said he expects him to have a great season. It's hard to gauge the truly great ones. Do they feel the same pressures you and I might?

D (Mission Viejo, CA)

I need your honest opinion.. Do you really think we should deal Trumbo or Bourjos.

Mark Saxon

  (3:23 PM)

Hmmmm... D, Why would I give you a dishonest opinion? I just don't know the answer yet, because I don't have all the information and I'm not sure the team does either. Put it this way: I would trade Trumbo before I traded Bourjos. And even that is dicey because it's hard to say whether Trumbo might have been just scratching the surface last year. In terms of raw power, he's got as much as virtually anybody in the major leagues. If you deal away a guy who eventually hits 45 or 50 home runs, you might be sorry.

Matt (Burbank)

Hey Mark,How do you see the AL West unfolding this year? Last year at this time we both liked Oakland, but they clearly won't fool us again after unloading Gio Gonzalez and Trevor Cahill. As much as the Angels have upgraded, Texas still has to be a slight favorite...right?

Mark Saxon

  (3:27 PM)

Matt, Your memory is too good. I don't think anybody expected the A's to struggle as badly as they did most of the year, but now they're in full-scale rebuilding (as they are every five years or so).It certainly looks like a two-team race. The Mariners have generally been awful for a few years in a row now. I still think Texas is a clear favorite, but it has all the makings of a really fun 162-game race.

Matt (Burbank)

I know you posted an encouraging update on Morales recently, but any updates since then? As spring training gets closer and closer, how soon do you think we'll have a real idea of how effective he will or will not be in 2012?

Mark Saxon

  (3:30 PM)

Matt, I've stopped asking because, while signs are positive, the only appreciable tests will be running the bases at full speed and being able to play on a daily basis. Until those questions are answered -- and they might not be for a month or more -- who cares whether he can jog on a treadmill or swing against a pitching machine?This is Major League Baseball, not Major League Jogging on a Treadmill.

Dan (Villa Park)

How much time do you think the Angels will commit to seeing if they can convert Trumbo to a 3rd baseman?

Mark Saxon

  (3:32 PM)

That's a good way of phrasing it, Dan. I think Alfredo Griffin and other instructors will put a ton of time in with Trumbo at third this spring. It's the perfect thing to do in spring training, on some back field where there's no pressure. But when guys like Alex Rodriguez and Miguel Cabrera are hitting scalding one-hoppers to third, the degree of difficulty goes up, right? I'm skeptical, but I've been wrong before, as my editors and wife would be happy to confirm.

Mario (Ontario)

Are the Angels done shopping for bullpen relief, or is there another arm out there to help out Downs & Co.? Secondly, I've heard that the dimensions for Angel Stadium are much more friendlier for Pujols than the fences at Busch... Any truth to that?

Mark Saxon

  (3:34 PM)

Hey Mario, On the first question, I think they're done but it's been mentioned they might be trying to get Luis Ayala on a minor-league contract. We'll see. The second part: I did a post on this looking at some other peoples' research and can't remember the exact results, but my recollection is that it is slightly more friendly to hitters but not by much. It's still a pitcher's park for sure.

Alan L (Germany)

Hi Mark, do you have any thoughts on what kind of impact Pujols will make on the clubhouse? Is he a vocal leader type, or more of a lead by example kind of player

Mark Saxon

  (3:36 PM)

Alan, I think he'll have a mixed impact in the clubhouse, but won't know until I get around it. I say mixed, because I think having a star of that magnitude can often be divisive by its nature (unless he's as unassuming as Vladimir Guerrero), but Pujols should be a great influence on younger hitters if they keep an eye on how he works.

Matthew James (Anaheim)

I'm honored to say that I made it to the Top 50 Finalists in the MLB 2012 Fan Cave contest! Is there any way that you might want to endorse me and help my quest to represent the Angels in the Cave this season? (Fans can watch my video and vote for me here: http://atmlb.com/ytsRCn)

Mark Saxon

  (3:36 PM)

I think I just did, but I'm not sure.

drew (mumford)

Being from the OC and formerly attending Trumbo's high school (villa park) I am obviously a huge fan of his, as well as the Halos. It seems to me that if Kendrys returns fully healthy that Trumbo will in fact be position-less. 3rd is a long shot, he's a former pitcher, current 1B and probably future DH. I don't think third is as realistic as people think. As much as I would hate to see him traded, I think someone with his prowess should play everyday somewhere. At his ridiculously cheap price, light tower power, and fairly decent glove, what do you think the Halos could get for him in a trade? 2 decent prospects and a solid reliever/or back end starter?? Is that too much for him?

Mark Saxon

  (3:38 PM)

Drew, I agree with everything you said. It's tough to gauge what he could draw in a trade. If he is healthy and hitting the ball as hard as he did last spring, I would think they could get a very good major-league player or two good prospects.

Matt (Burbank)

Angels fans have to be thrilled Mathis is no longer on the team, and trading Chatwood for Ianetta sounds fine right now, but will Mike Scioscia ever give Hank Conger a real shot at becoming our everyday catcher? Shouldn't his offense more than make up for a defensive drop-off?

Mark Saxon

  (3:40 PM)

It's weird how differently Mike Scioscia sees catching from the rest of us who didn't catch 14 years in the big leagues, Matt, so I'm not sure what to say about that. I definitely sense Conger is in his doghouse, because of his inability to master some technical aspects of the position. But if Conger's killing the ball this spring, how could they not consider a platoon of Conger and Iannetta? It seems ideal in so many ways.

Matt (Burbank)

Based on what you know right now, what do you think the Angels' lineup will be on Opening Day?

Mark Saxon

  (3:42 PM)

Opening Day:AybarKendrickPujolsMoralesHunterWellsCallaspoIannettaBourjosBy May, you can flip-flop Bourjos and Aybar.

Tony (Santa Cruz)

Mark, I've read most of your pieces and you don't seem one bit convinced that Trumbo, KMO, and Pujols can coexist in the lineup on a DAILY bases. As in, Trumbo at 3rd, KMO at DH and obviously Pujols at 1B. Can you break this down for me? Because I'm a believer and the thought of having all 3 in the lineup sounds dangerous and enticing

Mark Saxon

  (3:44 PM)

It sounds great offensively, Tony, you're right. I'm basing my opinion on conversations with Trumbo last year. Before he knew he might be asked to switch positions, he admitted he struggled mightily to play third in the minor leagues. He's a big guy (6-foot-5) and I'm skeptical he'll be nimble and have quick enough hands to play third very often. How many times have you seen Mike Scioscia make major sacrifices in defense to get more power?

Matt (Burbank)

As it is right now, the bullpen looks like it should be better than it was last year, but it's still unsettling to think about getting the last 9 outs. Assuming the personnel won't change between now and Opening Day, who are some of the lesser-known guys who might make a surprising impact in relief this season?

Mark Saxon

  (3:47 PM)

Hey Matt, There might be some young guys nobody is talking about who could make an impact at some point. What if Garrett Richards doesn't have a rotation spot, but the Angels need bullpen help? He could probably throw even harder than 95 mph if he's only pitching an inning or so. They also have a minor-league pitcher named John Hellweg who is in Keith Law's Top 100. He's starting now, but that could change. He has a 98 mph fastball. There's also the Dutch Windmill, Loek Van Mil. If he does debut for the Angels, he will be the tallest pitcher in major league history at 7-foot-1. He had a pretty good year at Double-A.

CH (Southern California)

How much of a leash will Vernon Wells get this year if he doesnt rebound from last season?

Mark Saxon

  (3:49 PM)

Very very tough question. The fact he's signed for two more seasons beyond next year makes you think it's pretty darn long. But we saw confidence erode a little bit at the end of last year, when he was sitting occasionally in favor of Mike Trout. I would say he's got a free pass through May and, if he can just hit .250 with decent power, probably through the whole year.

jon (earth)

Keep up the great work! Whats your prediction of what Kendrick's stat line will look like at end of the year, if he and Pujols stay healthy?

Mark Saxon

  (3:50 PM)

Jon, I'll say .310, 40 doubles, 15 home runs, 80 runs, 75 RBIs.

Todd (CA)

Hey Mark, What player do you think Mike Trout could resemble if he pans out?

Mark Saxon

  (3:51 PM)

Todd, I'll just give you some of the names I've heard: Kirby Puckett, Rickey Henderson, Mickey Mantle. In other words, there aren't many expectations on this kid.

Matt (Burbank)

What's more likely for Howie Kendrick this year: regression after putting up career-best numbers in 2011, or improvement due to hitting in front of Pujols?

Mark Saxon

  (3:52 PM)

It seems like he's set up for a big leap forward, but he's been a difficult guy to gauge in the past. He's a really good hitter, though, and if he stays confident at this stage of his career he could easily make a big move.

Matt (Burbank)

How far apart are the Angels and Aybar on a long-term deal, and what are the chances he stays beyond this season?

Mark Saxon

  (3:53 PM)

Judging by the fact they didn't get it done, they're obviously pretty far apart. If it goes past the All-Star break or so, I would expect him to test free agency. It could depend on what kind of year he's having and how the on-hand replacement, Jean Segura, is doing in the minor leagues.

Tim (Denver)

I am a beleiver the Angels pulled all the right moves to make them a top team for the world series. My only concern is the closer no faith yet we have a count on closer Walden is by far questionable what are the Angels going to do if he is having problem in spring?

Mark Saxon

  (3:55 PM)

That seems like a potential worry point, you're right, Tim. The thing about Walden is he's exceptionally talented. He throws as hard as anyone and, when it's working, his slider is just as good. If he can't get it together this spring, they might have to overpay in a trade for a veteran closer. There's too much talent elsewhere on the roster to risk blowing a bunch of leads and none of the in-house candidates inspire great confidence.

Matt (Burbank)

Torii Hunter has said he will not play for any team other than the Angels, even after his deal expires this year, but to be painfully honest the Angels should not re-sign him. Trout has to be in the Angels' everyday lineup ASAP. Where do you think Torii's playing come 2013?

Mark Saxon

  (3:57 PM)

Matt, That might depend on what kind of role Torri is willing to accept. If he'll stick around as a part-time outfielder and DH, it could happen. Otherwise, I think he might stick to his word and retire. He's a guy who loves life and has other interests. He'll need time to go to his sons' college football games.

Mark Saxon

  (3:59 PM)

OK, that's going to do it. These things keep getting better and we look forward to keeping them going all year.