Angels reportedly chasing Holliday
According to the Rocky Mountain News and foxsports.com, the Angels are interested in Rockies slugger Matt Holliday. So far the Angels are quiet on the subject, as is to be expected. Holliday would certainly deliver an offensive upgrade. Gary Matthews Jr. could be sent to Colorado in the deal, along with prospects, and the Angels will likely be on the hook for much of Matthews' salary. The trade deadline ends at the end of the month so we will see how this rumor moves along.
Doesn't Matthews have a no trade clause? I believe he does. I don't think he'd waive it and let the Angels trade him. Besides, we all know it won't happen. Maybe it will get Matthews to start hitting better though. I think this current roster is good enough. They just need to start having better at-bats. When I say better I mean on a 2-0 count make the pitcher throw a strike before swinging. Don't pop up the next pitch. These guys just aren't having enough smart at-bats. They're all good hitters. Start hitting like it.
That would be a great pickup, but this would still lead to the same hitting shuffle. Holliday would be the second best (maybe first if Vladdy slumps again) hitter in the lineup, and I sure wouldn't want to see him riding the pine very often. I would like to see a powerful lefty be acquired, but I'm not sure who besides Ken Griffey would be available. Griffey could use a rest every few days, and still has enough to produce down the stretch. He probably could be acquired for fringe prospects, not the top guys in the organization like Adenhardt and Wood (even though I would trade Wood for the right player now, not too confident of his success in the majors).