Chicago Tribune is reporting that the Yankees and Angels are on the verge of the following deal:The rumored deal would have Jose Valentin and Paul Konerko going to the Angels, Troy Glaus going to the Yankees and Jarrod Washburn and Darin Erstad going to the White Sox.
This seems like overkill on the Angel's part. I'd like to hear DodgerRefugee's take on this one.I don't think that Valentin and Konerko are going to make the Angel team better when you take away Glaus and Washburn.What are the Angels thinking?I'd say that this rumor is just a Chicago sportswriter's wishful thinking.
The Angel's need a legitimate first baseman. Konerko is better than Erstad and is two years younger. They would like to dump Erstad's salary. Glaus is coming off rotator cuff problems and lasik eye surgery. There's no guarantee that he will return to form.Valentin will be insurance at third base in case Glaus bombs. With The big name pitching free agents the Angel's picked up over the winter, Washburn is expendable(though I hate to see him go).
I think that pitching is the name of the game in the American League... giving up Washburn for Konerko (based on last year's stats) is too much of a gamble.The Angels - barring injuries - are playoff bound this year... just might be ready for another championship (as much as it pains me to say).