Tuesday, June 24, 2003
Troy Percival to Boston!
Okay, stop salivating or laughing. It could happen. Here is why:
1. Anaheim is 12.5 games behind the Mariners with Oaktown in the middle. The Angels are 7.5 behind the A’s for the Wild Card as well. If Anaheim does not win the bulk of their next 14 games against Seattle, LA, Texas and Oakland. It should be time to run-up the white flag.
2. Brendan Donnelly is proving last year was no fluke. K-Rod just oozes future star closer. Both are under Angels control for the foreseeable future at a relatively low cost. Either one could move into the closer role for the rest of 2003 and beyond.
3. The Angels have three underperforming high priced players (Appier, Sele and Erstad) under contract for 2004 totaling $28 million according to http://www.bluemanc.demon.co.uk/baseball/mlbcontracts.htm. There is very little hope in moving any of those contracts to keep the payroll at the 2003 level. Percival is due $7.5 million next season. Moving his salary should assist in keeping the young core of the Angels together in 2004.
4. Percival’s relatively low salary for a veteran “star” closer (Rivera – $8.89, Smoltz - $11) and contract status makes him a perfect fit for the Sox. The Sox are one of the few teams that can take on money and should be willing to give up more for Percival since they know he will be playing for them in 2004.
The acquisition of Troy Percival would be an investment in 2003 and 2004. After the 2004 season, Theo can decide on which players (Nomar, Pedro, V-Tek, Lowe, etc.) should be signed beyond this World Series window of opportunity.
Okay, stop salivating or laughing. It could happen. Here is why:
1. Anaheim is 12.5 games behind the Mariners with Oaktown in the middle. The Angels are 7.5 behind the A’s for the Wild Card as well. If Anaheim does not win the bulk of their next 14 games against Seattle, LA, Texas and Oakland. It should be time to run-up the white flag.
2. Brendan Donnelly is proving last year was no fluke. K-Rod just oozes future star closer. Both are under Angels control for the foreseeable future at a relatively low cost. Either one could move into the closer role for the rest of 2003 and beyond.
3. The Angels have three underperforming high priced players (Appier, Sele and Erstad) under contract for 2004 totaling $28 million according to http://www.bluemanc.demon.co.uk/baseball/mlbcontracts.htm. There is very little hope in moving any of those contracts to keep the payroll at the 2003 level. Percival is due $7.5 million next season. Moving his salary should assist in keeping the young core of the Angels together in 2004.
4. Percival’s relatively low salary for a veteran “star” closer (Rivera – $8.89, Smoltz - $11) and contract status makes him a perfect fit for the Sox. The Sox are one of the few teams that can take on money and should be willing to give up more for Percival since they know he will be playing for them in 2004.
The acquisition of Troy Percival would be an investment in 2003 and 2004. After the 2004 season, Theo can decide on which players (Nomar, Pedro, V-Tek, Lowe, etc.) should be signed beyond this World Series window of opportunity.
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Thank you - Red Sox!
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