November 21, 2004
Is the Noose Tightening on Edgar?
By Brian Walton
On the surface, it seemed like a relatively minor deal. Friday, the Anaheim Angels traded outfielder Jose Guillen to the Washington Expos / Nationals for outfielder Juan Rivera and shortstop Maicer Izturis.
There is no doubt that the primary driver was for the Angels to rid themselves of Guillen, who is making his seventh move in just five years. The man can hit, having driven in a career-high 104 runs in 148 games in 2004. But, Guillen wore out his welcome on Anaheim after three separate incidents last season. His year ended early as he was suspended for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs.
Washington took on a $3.5 million attitude problem in Guillen and Anaheim picked up a couple of youngsters. So, what?
Well, Maicer Izturis is what. Maicer, 24, is the younger brother of Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Cesar Izturis. Prior to the surprise signing of Cristian Guzman by the Expos last week, Izturis was expected to be the Nationals’ starting shortstop in 2005. Scouts say he has plus speed and arm strength slightly less than that of his sibling, who beat out Edgar Renteria for the National League Gold Glove this past season.
Just like his brother, at least prior to Cesar’s breakout 2004 season at the plate, the main question about Maicer was whether or not his bat is of major league caliber. That is starting to be proven. Before being called up to the bigs for a late season cup of coffee, the switch-hitting Maicer batted .338 in 99 games with Triple-A Edmonton.
As a result, the Angels might have found their 2005 starting shortstop. In announcing the trade, Anaheim general manager Bill Stoneman said Izturis will be given the opportunity to win the job in spring training. Incumbent Angels shortstop David Eckstein is slated to move to second base until Adam Kennedy returns from a knee injury that may sideline him until perhaps midseason.
Prior to the Izturis trade, the Angels were expected by some to be a player for Nomar Garciaparra and/or perhaps Edgar Renteria and Orlando Cabrera. However, recent reports state the Angels’ priorities are clearly elsewhere. They are preparing to make a run at a high profile center fielder, likely Carlos Beltran. Their other stated needs are for a designated hitter and a front-line starting pitcher.
The LA Times estimates that even after the Guillen trade, Stoneman has just $9 - $19 million with which to work to meet owner Arte Moreno's desired 2005 Angels’ payroll of $90 - $100 million. And if that front-line starter’s name just happens to be Johnson, Stoneman’s kitty could be shot in one hand.
As a result, do the Angels sound like a team that would make it a priority now to drop $10 million per season on a multi-year contract for a free-agent shortstop? Now, are you starting to see how all this Angels talk affects the Cardinals?
What began as a sellers market for shortstops has quickly become a buyers market instead. And, that is not good news for Renteria and his agent.
Let’s look at those teams who came into the off-season looking for help at the position. The Expos are set and now Angels may be, too. After losing out on Omar Vizquel to the Giants, the White Sox have decided to stay in-house. Same for the Indians, who have prospect Jhonny Peralta ready to step in for Vizquel. Arizona is reportedly on the verge of signing Royce Clayton. Colorado has highly-touted rookie Clint Barmes waiting in the wings. Same with the Twins, who are ready to give the job to top prospect Jason Bartlett, replacing Guzman.
The only teams seemingly remaining who might be willing to pay the kind of money that the “Big Three” of Nomar, Edgar and Cabrera want just happens to be the Cardinals, Cubs and perhaps the Red Sox.
The latter case is unclear, as there have been conflicting reports coming out of Boston. The Sox’ #1 prospect, Hanley Ramirez, is a shortstop, but is likely a year away. Some believe the Sox will go with a short-term fix like Pokey Reese or Barry Larkin until Ramirez is ready. Others point to the Sox’ efforts in trying to get Cabrera to re-sign as a signal they are willing to spend on the position. In the past couple of days, Renteria’s name has hit the Beantown rags. I think that conveniently happened to push Cabrera into making a deal, but we shall see.
Either way, the fact remains that the lesser names, such as Vizquel, Guzman and Clayton, have grabbed available shortstop gigs, leaving fewer and fewer places where the remaining “Big Three” big money free agents might land.
As a result, maybe, just maybe, Renteria will find the best deal out there is to remain a Cardinal, after all.
