The Angels' rookie sensation, Mike Trout, was a bright spot in another otherwise disappointing season. (Getty Images)
As I watched the Oakland A's celebrate their American League West division championship Wednesday after nudging past the Texas Rangers on the final day of the regular season, a buddy texted me saying: "Can you imagine how the Rangers feel right about now?"
I texted back, "How about the Angels???"
After all, as bad as the Rangers epic late-summer swoon was in blowing a 13-game division lead over the A's, at least they still made the playoffs.
The Angels, with all their shiny new toys, Cy Young candidate pitcher and Rookie of the Year/
Most Valuable Player contender, can't even say that for themselves.
With all due respect to the delicious eccentricity of baseball that sometimes renders common sense hopeless, I'm still wrapping my head around the fact a team with Jered Weaver, Mike Trout and Albert Pujols all playing award- caliber baseball and Torii Hunter defying age to have a one of his best seasons can fall short of the playoffs. While the no-name A's make it.
Good for baseball, which defies logic in the most magical ways.
Bad for the Angels, who have no credible excuse for missing the postseason despite adding Pujols and All-Star left-hander C.J. Wilson last winter, then witnessing the breakout year from Trout, who produced one of the greatest rookie seasons in baseball history.
On the surface it seems the Angels merely need some tinkering to close the gap between themselves and the A's and Rangers,
but that is not the case.The fact is they face a number of crucial decisions this winter, internally and in peeking outward for improvements.
On the pitching front, they must decide whether to pick up expensive club options to retain starters Dan Haren and Ervin Santana or part ways with one or both through nominal buyouts.
Meanwhile, do they re-sign Hunter, who enjoyed a marvelous season after dropping 16 pounds last winter and played well beyond expectations for a 37-year-old, 14-year veteran?
And what do you do with promising young center fielder Peter Bourjos, who can't find consistent playing time in the crowded Angels outfield, or catcher Hank Conger, who is blocked by Chris Iannetta?
Maybe it's time to trade them to address more pressing needs.
And finally, after trading for All-Star pitcher Zack Greinke, do they let him walk this winter as a free agent or fork over the six or seven years and $125 million or so it likely will take to retain him?
Fortunately we are here to help second-year general manager Jerry DiPoto and manager Mike Scioscia as they whittle through all those decisions. So here it goes, our to-do list to put the Angels over the top:
This isn't the no-brainer it appears to be, not with Greinke nearing 30 and still battling issues that make him a great home pitcher but not so good on the road. Then there is the part about him wanting close to $130 million on a six- or seven-year deal.
The reality is the Angels have no choice.
It's doubtful they bring back Haren and Santana - but more on that later - so pitching is a huge need and there isn't anyone better than Greinke on the free agent or trade market.
Greinke has had focus issues, but you wonder if long-term financial and location security will help settle him down.
Either way, the Angels have to bring back Greinke.
No doubt the veteran outfielder played his way back into consideration for another run with the Angels after producing one of the best years of his career and coming up with a number of clutch hits as the Angels mounted a last-season playoff push.
Despite the glut of outfielders returning, it's hard to imagine any of them outside of Trout giving the Angels the kind of offense and defense Hunter is capable of delivering.
On top of it, he's a tremendous asset in the clubhouse.
Is it risky giving a 37-year-old the two- or three-year contract it likely will require? Sure, but the bigger risk is letting him walk.
If you bring back Hunter, Bourjos is on the outside looking in again, just like this year when he struggled to find his rhythm while battling through injuries and playing-time issues.
No one is advocating getting rid of a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder who still has a bright future with the bat, but the fact is bringing him back as anything less than a starter is poor use of an asset.
Meanwhile, Kendrys Morales is expendable as the designated hitter with Mark Trumbo a better fit there than in left field.
With the Angels needing established pitching - starters and relievers - a package centered on Bourjos and Morales could land some much-needed help. All the better if Conger and Garrett Richards, a young pitching prospect who hasn't yet gotten untracked in the big leagues, also are dangled as trade bait.
One target could be New York Mets left-hander Jonathan Niese, who is coming off his best season and at 25 is locked up through 2016 for $24 million with club-controlled options for 2017 and 2018.
The Mets have needs across the board - but little money to spend - and might be willing to deal an emerging young pitcher if it means parlaying him into multiple pieces.
It's difficult to let starting pitching go, but the Angels can't risk picking up the $15.5 million option on Haren or Santana's $13 million option. Not with Greinke unsigned and seeking a long-term deal and Haren and Santana coming off down seasons.
The cost of buying both out is $4.5 million, which is a much easier number to digest than the $18.5 million it will cost to retain them. They can re-direct some of the savings to Greinke and use the rest to fill other needs.
Sign Zack Greinke
Re-sign Torii Hunter
Package Morales/Bourjos/
Conger for pitching help
Part ways with
Haren/Santana
vincent.bonsignore@dailynews.com
twitter.com/dailynewsvinny
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