The Angels and Marlins could likely talk about a big trade over the winter. The Angels have a need at 3B, RF and LHR and the Marlins could offer them all of those in Jorge Cantu, Jeremy Hermida and Reynel Pinto. In return the Angels would have to give up some players they wouldn’t want to. Brandon Wood, Jose Arrendondo, Sean O’Sullivan, Reggie Willits and Bobby Wilson would likely be the kind of players who would interest the Marlins. This is a trade the Angels would have to make as it would fill a lot of holes while not giving up anyone that they can’t replace.

35-year old outfielder Gary Matthews wants out of L.A. as he wants to go somewhere he can start. He played in 103 games for the Angels last season and he was 79 for 316 (.250 avg, .697 OPS) with 44 runs scored, 4 homers, 50 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Matthews really hurt the owner for the Angels (Arte Moreno) when his name was connected with performance enhancing drugs shortly after inking a 5-year deal with the team worth over $50 million bucks. It appears that the Angels got the clean version of Matthews and his numbers definately show that. Matthews has played in 370 games in his 3 years with the Angels and he is 312 for 1,258 (.248 avg, .708 OPS) with 176 runs scored, 30 homers, 168 RBIs and 30 stolen bases. The free agency market is pretty weak at center fielders so the Angels could find a taker for Matthews if they are ready to eat a lot of his remaining contract. With Matthews running his mouth the Angels will likely be very aggressive in trying to move him over the winter.

The Angels have seven potential free agents and it’s looking like a lot of them will be leaving the Angels over the winter. Chone Figgins, John Lackey, Vladimir Guerrero and Bobby Abreu will all likely command top dollar so it will be interesting to see if owner Arte Moreno wants them back or if he wants to spend his money on new players. Robb Quinlan and Kelvim Escobar would probably return on the cheap if the Angels want them back. Darren Oliver is considering retirement but he could have a lot of suitors in free agency pushing his price up. If Chone Figgins moves on to a new team (which is likely) look for the Angels to look for a more traditional power hitting 3B with Adrian Beltre, Joe Crede, Mark DeRosa, Pedro Feliz, Troy Glaus and Melvin Mora getting consideration. If Guerrero and Abreu both leave than the Angels will be looking for a corner outfielder and a DH. Jason Bay, Matt Holliday, Marlon Byrd and Johnny Damon would all probably be considered for the outfield job while Aubrey Huff, Carlos Delgado, Jim Thome and Hideki Matsui would be DHs the Angels would place a call to. The Angels will also be in the market for a starting pitcher as they likely won’t be giving John Lackey a $20 million dollar per year contract. Jon Garland, Tim Hudson (if the Braves let him go), Carl Pavano, Randy Wolf, Erik Bedard, Andy Pettitte, Jarrod Washburn and Doug Davis would all likely get consideration from the Angels. The bullpen could also use some reinforcements from the right side with David Weathers, Danys Baez, Rafael Betancourt (if the Rockies let him go), Kiko Calero, Brendan Donnelly, LaTroy Hawkins, Brandon Lyon and Takashi Saito would probably interest the Angels to varying degrees. The Angels also need a lefty for the bullpen if Darren Oliver leaves or retires. Mike Gonzalez, Joe Beimel, Scott Eyre, John Grabow, Ron Mahay, Will Ohman, Brian Shouse or Jamie Walker would be considered. The Angels have a lot of work to do this winter.

The Los Angeles Angels got a big win in game five of the ALCS to keep their season alive, but they did not have enough in game six and lost the ALCS 4-2 to the New York Yankees.  Angels starting pitcher Joe Saunders did not have a very good start, getting into trouble early and walking a lot of batters.  Saunders only lasted 3.1 innings and gave up three runs on seven hits and five walks.  The Angels stayed in the game though, despite Saunders’ poor start, and it was two eighth inning errors that ultimately cost the Angels.  The Angels could not handle two straight sacrifice bunts, with Howie Kendrick dropping the throw to first on the first sacrifice and Scott Kazmir floating his throw way over first base on the second sacrifice.  The Yankees ended up getting two runs that inning to extend their lead from 3-2 to 5-2.  That sucked all of the hope out of the Angels and Mariano Rivera shut them down in the ninth inning after they were able to get one run off him in the eighth.

Vladimir Guerro had a great game at the plate, going 3-4 with an RBI.  Vlad had a very good series for the Angels, hitting .370 with five RBIs and three runs scored.  Jeff Mathis also had a great series at the plate, hitting .583 with two runs scored and an RBI.  Chone Figgins was nowhere to be found in this series.  The Angels 3B hit .130 with three K’s and only one RBI.  This was a tough ending for the Angels and their very good 2009 season.

The Los Angeles Angels are back in New York tonight for game six after getting a huge 7-6 win at home in game five.  John Lackey pitched well in the game five win and the Angels have built some momentum heading into game six in New York.  Closer Brian Fuentes made things interesting last game, as he loaded the bases with two walks and hit batsmen, but was able to get Nick Swisher to pop out to end the game and extend the series.  The heart of the Angels’ lineup needs another big game tonight.  Vladimir Guerrero, Torrie Hunter, and Kendry Morales combined for six hits and six RBIs in game five.  The Angels have Joe Saunders starting tomorrow night.  The lefthander has to be very careful with Alex Rodriguez, who is hitting .368 in this series with three homers.  He hits lefthanders very well, so when the opportunity arises to pitch around Arod, they should do it every time.  The Angels are still in desperation time and it is win or go home.  I would love to see the Angels force a game 7 and continue to make this an exciting series.