Mark Saxon

  (2:07 PM)

OK, let's get rolling.

Osiris (Placentia)

Can you give us more details about the rejected burnett for abreu trade?

Mark Saxon

  (2:09 PM)

Osiris, Not a lot, but Burnett has a no-trade clause and apparently has no interest in playing on the West Coast, because his wife doesn't like flying. Abreu to the Yankees would have made some sense, though.

Dave (Hesperia)

Hi Mark I was wondering why the Angels don't try to sign Eric Chavez. He could platoon with Trumbo or Callaspo at third plus he gives them another left-handed bat with power off the bench. He is still a good thirdbaseman as he proved with the Yankees so he could also be a late inning replacement at third for Trumbo.Surely the Angels could come up with the money to sign this guy if they are talking to the Yankees about A.J. What your take on this.

Mark Saxon

  (2:12 PM)

Yeah, Dave, I really like Eric Chavez as a player when he's healthy, but what exactly does he provide that Alberto Callaspo doesn't? They're both good defenders, but Callaspo is younger. Chavez used to have great power, but after all his back injuries, etc. that has eroded. I'm not sure I see him as a great fit, though the left-handed bat has some appeal.

Mike (Reno, NV)

Hey Mark, I know the trade of Abreu for A.J. Burnett fell through, but do you really see the Angels trying to get rid of him for a starting pitcher? I feel we're set at our #5 with either Jerome Williams or Garrett Richards. Shouldn't we be looking for a decent reliever?

Mark Saxon

  (2:14 PM)

Hey Mike, I used to agree with you, but I now see starting pitching depth as one of the team's biggest concerns. Last year, we saw Joel Pineiro and Scott Kazmir go down quickly and the Angels could never really catch up. Most teams need nine starters or so to get through a season and, right now, the Angels only six or seven. There are more possibilities for the bullpen with Kevin Jepsen and Michael Kohn and Loek Van Mil, etc.

ettin (Torrance, CA)

Mark,Could you please talk, more, about the potential logjam at third base and in the outfield? You essentially have Mark Trumbo, Alberto Callaspo, and Maicer Izturis vying for some type of playing time at the hot corner and there is absolutely no room in the outfield for the combination of Wells, Bourjos, Hunter, and Abreu. Kendrys seems to have a lock on the DH spot and Pujols clearly is at first so who stays? Who goes? It seems that Callaspo, Izturis, Abreu, and possibly Trumbo are trade targets, no?

Mark Saxon

  (2:16 PM)

Ettin, Yeah, that's going to be a big focus this spring. Eventually, gluts seem to work themselves out in this game, though, either through an injury a trade or both. I would expect at least a player or two to be unhappy with his playing time early in the season, though. Obviously, Bobby Abreu seems like the most likely candidate to be traded.

Jon (earth)

Anything new since last chat?

Mark Saxon

  (2:18 PM)

I guess the world just orbited the sun seven times, but nothing seems to have changed in the Angels world.

MRV (ANAHEIM)

Hi Mark! Lovin these Angel chats!Which of the youngsters do you think the Angels will package for a trade that may return a power hitting 3rd baseman, great reliever or great on base % hitter...? I mean, a trade is imminent given the trade young trade bait the Angels have right now right?

Mark Saxon

  (2:20 PM)

I don't get the feeling anything is imminent, MRV, but I would expect something to happen by the end of the spring or early in the season. If I had to rank the young guys in order of most likely to be traded, I'd probably go: Hank Conger, Mark Trumbo, Peter Bourjos, Garrett Richards, Mike Trout. Just guessing, really.

Steven (Corona, CA)

Will Ianetta be catching full time, or will we see a platoon with Conger?

Mark Saxon

  (2:22 PM)

Steven, That segways nicely with the previous answer. For whatever reason, Conger hasn't gained Mike Scioscia's confidence and I would expect him to have value with other teams because he can hit and he's a left-handed bat. They've stated that Iannetta will be the full-time catcher with somebody backing him up (Bobby Wilson seems like a better bet as a backup because Conger is son young). We'll see. I can never figure out Scioscia's thinking with catchers.

Osiris (Placentia)

and if you were the angels gm, what would be the top possible trade on your mind?

Mark Saxon

  (2:23 PM)

Osiris, I'd probably be trying to get a really solid No. 5 starter so I could keep Jerome Williams in the bullpen as a long guy and Garrett Richards in Triple-A as depth. If you can get a young No. 5 who's under club control for a few years and might improve, that would be ideal.

Luciano (Los Angeles)

If Kendry Morales comes back healthy and Trumbo fails to convert to 3rd, why won't the Angels just hang onto Trumbo and stick him into RF next season after Torii's contract is up? Is re-signing Torii a priority for the Angels next season and should they even if he comes back for cheap?

Mark Saxon

  (2:25 PM)

I think that's exactly the right reason to hold onto Trumbo. In fact, a Bourjos-Trumbo-Trout outfield in a couple of years might be really productive and fun to watch. But Vernon Wells is signed for two more seasons after this one, so right now there's nowhere to play all three. See the conundrum? And no, I think it's virtually impossible Torii comes back unless he's willing to accept a bench role. There's too much young, cheap talent pushing its way up.

Ian (Flagstaff)

How soon will Mike Trout be in the lineup for the 2012 season and under what circumstances?

Phillip (Tucson, AZ)

What are the odds that Trout beats out Wells in Spring Training? And do the Angels even give him the job if he does?

Mark Saxon

  (2:28 PM)

Ian and Phillip from Tucson had similar questions. Jerry Dipoto has said that Vernon Wells has earned the everyday left field job, so Trout appears to have no role at the moment. But if he's hitting well and Wells isn't, could that change by June? I don't know, but I would think so. It's a tense situation for the Angels because of the enormous money they owe Wells for the next few years.

Dave (Hesperia)

About your question what is Mike Trout worth to you. I'll just say this I grew up when the Angels were in the PCL and three hall of fame centerfielders played in the same city, New York the Mick,Willie and the Duke. So I can say without any doubt the Angel shouldn't trade Trout ever. He wil be the Angel's Mickey Mantle someday. Your thoughts.

Mark Saxon

  (2:30 PM)

Dave, That was exactly my response when Halos Daily asked me. I said I wouldn't trade him for anything until I know exactly what I'm giving up. If he doesn't fit in your plans in a year or two, then look to see what you can get, but his upside is too big to risk letting go. Mickey Mantle, of course, was a switch hitter, but Trout's speed has reminded some people of what a young Mantle must have been like.

Robb (Anaheim, CA)

Will the Angels make a move prior to the start of the season? With Abreu, Morales, Trumbo, Pujols, Wells and Trout, it seems as if someone is expendable.

Mark Saxon

  (2:30 PM)

I think they will, Robb, and I think it will be Abreu on the move.

jon (earth)

Wouldn't having 2 utility studs like Trumbo and Abreu coming off bench be a huge benefit for a manager?

Mark Saxon

  (2:32 PM)

Jon, It would, but Trumbo is too young to sit on the bench four or five days a week and Abreu would be unhappy (and maybe less productive) doing so. The Angels will have a deeper bench, but I can't see those guys going to full-time utility roles.

Steve (LA)

Did you catch the episode of Baseball IQ on MLB network last night- our guy Shane is a machine.

Mark Saxon

  (2:33 PM)

Steve, Unfortunately, I missed it, but I've seen Shane Demmitt in action in person and it's impressive. He tries to stump us with baseball trivia almost every morning in spring training and he almost always does. For those who haven't caught the show, one of the Angels' clubhouse guys is on a trivia show on MLB Network.

Anthony (Burbank)

I liked the post about Mike Trout. I don't think you can trade him at this point- he plays a premium defense, offense, speed and most importantly the cost. With the contracts of Pujols, Wells, Weaver, Wilson, etc. You need to have good, CHEAP, players to fill in. Thoughts?

Mark Saxon

  (2:34 PM)

Yep, absolutely. That's why teams have stopped neglecting their scouting and development.

Jeremiah (Las Vegas)

Third base is a very hard position to play, especially if a player has never played the position before. Do you see Trumbo being able to make that transition, and maintain Scioscia's high standards for team defense?

Mark Saxon

  (2:37 PM)

Hey Jeremiah, You're probably right. I guess I'm dubious like you, but it's happened before. Didn't you see Moneyball, where Scott Hatteberg becomes a first baseman overnight? Trumbo's transition is probably harder, though.

Nick (Boston)

Am I the only one who would absolutely hate to see Trumbo traded? Granted, different position, different personalities, different track records (heck, different everything) but I can't help but feel he would have the potential to develop into a Napoliesque monster somewhere else if the Angels let him go for 50 cents on the dollar.

Mark Saxon

  (2:39 PM)

Yeah, I was thinking about that the other day, Nick. If you trade a guy with 45-home run potential in this climate where numbers have come down so drastically would you regret it? One difference, of course, between him and Napoli is the strike-zone discipline. Napoli gets on base at a great rate while Trumbo swings as freely as any hitter in the league. If Trumbo can make strides in that department, they'll hold onto him, I would think.

Luke (OC)

Will Arte raise parking prices to help pay for Pujols and Wilson?

Mark Saxon

  (2:40 PM)

Not sure, Luke, but I'll try to find out. It would take some pretty expensive parking to pay for those two contracts. Look on the bright side, it's a lot cheaper than Dodger Stadium.

Will (Manhattan Beach, CA)

Hey Mark: Any news on how Trumbo and Morales's recoveries are going? I obviously want them to get as much work in before the season as possible. Frankly, if Trumbo can raise his OBP forty points, replicate his hitting from a year ago, and defend close to average at 3B... he's a great asset.

Mark Saxon

  (2:40 PM)

No updates, Will, but I agree with you.

Phil (VA)

Do you think Cantu makes the big league team and has an impact if there is an injury?

Mark Saxon

  (2:41 PM)

Phil, He definitely CAN make the big-league team, but if he doesn't, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Angels trade him or release him as a professional courtesy late in camp.

Brady (Temecula)

Obviously pitching depth is important, but I have a hard time imagining the Angels would trade Bourjos for Lannan from the Nationals like there has been rumors of. Any insight on whether or not this trade might go down?

Mark Saxon

  (2:42 PM)

Brady, If it were a one-for-one trade, it probably would have gone down already. The Nationals signed Rick Ankiel, which might have put an end to this rumor. Still, I know a lot of teams covet Bourjos. It probably will take more than a mediocre lefty to get him, I would think.

Mike (Pasadena)

Why haven't the Angels been able to lock up Aybar with an extension? Do you think it will get done eventually?

Mark Saxon

  (2:43 PM)

Well, it won't get done before the season, Mike, and as these things drag out, players usually want to sample free agency. If it's July and it hasn't gotten done, plus Jean Segura is playing well in the minors, I would expect Aybar to play somewhere else next year.

George (Santa Barbara)

Any chance the Angels make a play for Hanley Ramirez as a shortstop?

Mark Saxon

  (2:45 PM)

George, I thought about that possibility when the Marlins got Jose Reyes, but a couple of things make it seem unlikely. Ramirez has a pretty shaky reputation for his clubhouse demeanor and he's not as good at shortstop as Aybar. Plus, I imagine the Marlins want to hold onto him as a third baseman, hoping he bounces back from an awful year.

Dave (Hesperia)

Mark your answer about being the GM and going after a 5th starter sounded like maybe that lefthanded starter with Washington Nats who is under control for a few more years. Were you thinking of him I understand the Nats are looking for a Centerfielder who could be their lead off hitter. Peter?

Mark Saxon

  (2:46 PM)

Yeah, if Lannan is out there, I bet the Angels have called about him.

Luke (OC)

Do you see similarities between a young Napoli with the Angels and Conger?

Mark Saxon

  (2:47 PM)

Not really Luke, other than the fact that neither really seem to have lived up to Mike Scioscia's defensive standards. They're hitting styles are about as different as they come. They do both have power.

Rich (Irvine)

1.Any chance we can pull Evan Longoria out of Florida? 2.Not too excited about Bourjos in CF and hope Trout beats him out in spring training. Chances?

Mark Saxon

  (2:48 PM)

I would say slim, because why would Tampa want to trade him? He's on a good contract and the heart of a team that makes the playoffs almost every year.

Anthony (Burbank)

Gut feeling- Vladdy going in the HOF as an Angel?

Mark Saxon

  (3:00 PM)

Gut feeling is no because he had more and, taken together, better years in Montreal. What makes Vladdy a HOF player is the total package (speed, arm, power, high batting average) and by the time he got to Anaheim, some of those skills were gone.

chris pepper (LA)

What is the knock on Conger? What is Dipoto's thoughts on him? He's obviously in Scioscia's doghouse. Seems like a legit propect now stuck behind a journeyman catcher whose upside is that he is better than Mathis. And he's a local kid.

Mark Saxon

  (3:01 PM)

Chris, I tend to agree with those sentiments. I certainly think he deserves a shot to play everyday somewhere.

Ryan (Whittier)

Hey Mark,So I was pretty bummed the Angels didn't add another righty reliever. Do you think Thompson rises to that role or do you think the Angels make a trade down the road?

Mark Saxon

  (3:02 PM)

Ryan, Thompson will definitely be on the team (He's out of options) and I would think he'd be No. 4 on the bullpen depth chart right now. He seems to pitch better in lower-leverage situations, so I don't know.

Luciano (Los Angeles)

Morales is a free agent after the 2013 season. If he stays healthy and can put up numbers like he did in '09 for the next 2 seasons do you see the Angels willing to offer him a long-term contract? He does offer some position flexibility with experience in the OF and 1B and of course could get some time at DH. Wouldn't you think Morales is the more ideal player to trade for the Angels over Trumbo?

Mark Saxon

  (3:03 PM)

Hey Luciano, I think he does fit a little better with what they're trying to do because he can swing left-handed, he's a better defender and a little better on-base percentage. One thing nobody's talking about: If he's healthy, could he be the team's third baseman? He did it in Cuba. We're probably getting way ahead of ourselves, though. The guy hasn't played in almost two years.

Sam (Anaheim)

Speakinig of Aybar - do you think he will lead off and do you expect a drop off from 2011?

Mark Saxon

  (3:04 PM)

Sam, I hope he doesn't lead off, but wouldn't be surprised. I'm sure the team would like Peter Bourjos to do it at some point, but might not rush him into the role. We saw how that worked out for Aybar two years ago.

Tom (L.A.)

Ancient history, but why in the world did the Angels agree to take on nearly all of Wells' contract and not make Toronto eat most of it? We wouldn't be having these "when is Trout going to play?" conversations in that case.

Mark Saxon

  (3:05 PM)

Tom, There's a reason Tony Reagins isn't the GM any more. In fairness, though, that was a decision the whole organization whiffed on and the Angels are paying the price.

Bryan (Springdale, AR)

Are the Angels trembling at the thought of playing the Rangers this year?

Mark Saxon

  (3:06 PM)

They might be, Bryan, but I doubt it.

Dave (Hesperia)

What about this trade,Peter, Abreu, and Callaspo for Lannan and Zimmerman.

Mark Saxon

  (3:06 PM)

Looks a little lopsided in the Angels' favor.

Will (Culver City)

Any chance we get one more hitter or 3rd basemen for Abreu and a minor leaguer.

Mark Saxon

  (3:07 PM)

Depending who the minor-leaguer is, sure, why not?

Daniel (Murrieta)

My friends and I will be going to spring training this year. Any upcoming players we should keep our eye on for future stardom besides Trout?

Mark Saxon

  (3:07 PM)

Yeah, shortstop Jean Segura, pitcher John Hellweg spring to mind.

Maxie (Anaheim)

Hi Mark,With the discussion of Trumbo playing RF in the future, I need to ask, what kind of outfield arm does he have?

Mark Saxon

  (3:08 PM)

Maxie, Judging from the fact he threw 95 mph in high school, I'd say pretty good. It's funny, with Morales and Trumbo, the Angels have two of the strongest-armed first basemen in baseball. It gives you hope they could play elsewhere on the field at some point.

Zolty (NY)

Do you think Bourjos can consistently hit 20 HR's a year?

Mark Saxon

  (3:09 PM)

Zolty, That sounds about right as his power ceiling. He's definitely not a zero in terms of power and he swings hard for a smaller guy.

Mark Saxon

  (3:10 PM)

OK, I managed to get through almost all the questions. I apologize if I didn't answer yours, but several of them had already been asked earlier. These are fun and I'll look forward to talking to you guys next week.

Mark Saxon

  (3:10 PM)

OK, I managed to get through almost all the questions. I apologize if I didn't answer yours, but several of them had already been asked earlier. These are fun and I'll look forward to talking to you guys next week.