Next Big Thing is MLB FanHouse's look at emerging teams, trends and stars in 2009.
The Detroit Tigers were easily the most disappointing team in the majors last year. A preseason favorite to win the American League Central and compete for the World Series, they opened the year with seven straight losses, setting the tone for a last-place finish, one game behind the lowly Royals.
When Arte Moreno officially changed the name of his team to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the world chuckled ... but the city of Anaheim cried foul.
If you recall, Moreno hoped the name change would help his efforts to better market the team to the rest of Southern California while at the same time honoring a requirement in his lease for the city-owned stadium stating that "Anaheim" remain in the team's name.
The city, however, didn't appreciate the change, and actually filed a lawsuit in 2006, and then after losing that, an appeal, which wasn't officially resolved until this past December. The final verdict? Once again, in favor of the team.
In a savvy move by the Angels' front office, they let a few months get between the suicide squeeze debacle and signing manager Mike Scioscia to a contract extension. By now, I'm sure enough Angels' fans have forgotten about the incident -- they of the laid-back Cali lifestyle -- and will be happy with the move.
Anyway, the Angels cruised to the AL West division title last year due to much superior talent -- when compared to their pathetic division-mates -- so I guess you have to reward the manager. Who cares if you could have grabbed any Joe off the street (Joe the Manager?!?) and gotten similar results? Arte Moreno and the rest of the Angel's braintrust likes him enough that they have now locked him up through the 2012 season.
On a serious note, I really respect Scioscia as a manager and a man, just as I did as a player growing up. He's a good baseball guy, and commands a serious amount of respect in the locker room. He was at the helm for the Angels only championship, and they have won four of the last five division titles. There aren't many managers I'd rather have.
From the Windup is FanHouse's extended look at a particular portion of America's pastime.
Salary Cap. There's not a more controversial phrase in baseball economics. The prospect of one hung over the strike of 1994 and 1995 before the owners and players managed to settle without implementing a true cap. Since then, baseball has instituted a luxury tax that acts as a sort of soft cap, but it's set high enough that it only really affects the Yankees annually, and they regard it in the same manner that a rhinoceros regards a mosquito.
For the most part, a salary cap hasn't been part of the conversation in baseball for several years. The Yankees ridiculous spending spree this winter, however, has changed things. In the days and weeks since their signings of CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira, Brewers owner Mark Attanasio and Astros owner Drayton McLane have once again begun to call for a salary cap. They're the only two owners to have spoken directly on this issue, but it's hard to think they're alone.
A salary cap in baseball is not a simple thing. In most sports, there's only one line in labor negotiations: the line between the players and the owners. In baseball, there's actually a three-way divide between the players, the "big-market" owners (for lack of a better term), and the "small-market" owners. The MLBPA isn't the only thing that stands in the way of a cap. Some of the owners (think John Henry, the Steinbrenners, naturally, the Wilpons, Frank McCourt, Arte Moreno) would likely be opposed to one as well. After the jump, we'll look at all the obstacles and problems with implementing a cap.
I chided the Brewers and Yankees for letting the proposed "Mike Cameron for Melky Cabrera" swap die simply for lack of a phone call. Apparently, though, that's how people do business in the big leagues.
Moreno sensed by the lack of communication that Boras and Teixeira were holding out for more, but without knowing what exactly they wanted, Moreno opted against bidding against himself. In the end, I don't doubt at all that Teixeira will get paid, but the whole process of annoying prospective teams seems counterproductive.
Has Boras lost his edge? Let's not forget, a year ago he was public humiliated when Alex Rodriguez essentially forced him to quit posturing with the Yankees and get a deal done.
ESPN's Buster Olney suggested yesterday that Boras might be stalling in an effort to top $190 million he got Derek Jeter before the 2001 season. But is is in Teixeira's best interest to hold out so that Boras can top personal milestones? Is his lifestyle going to change one iota whether he signs for $175 million versus $190 million? I don't see it. If more teams like the Angels and Red Sox step back from the bargaining table, don't be surprised if Teixeira forces Boras to re-engage with lower demands and more open lines of communication.
From the Windup is FanHouse's extended look at a particular portion of America's pastime.
Mark Teixeira, merely the best free agent left on the market, is set to choose a team before Christmas. It's probably fitting then that there are four calling birds (and maybe a fifth looming giant) in pursuit of his services.
Teixeira is the ideal Scott Boras client. First and foremost, he's a tremendous ballplayer, but he's also calm and collected with the press, a family man, and, most critically for Boras' purposes, seemingly completely willing to go to the highest bidder.
Let's assume for a second that Teixeira isn't a Boras-bot sent from the future to destroy humanity lighten up some billionaire owner's wallet. Let's assume that big Tex will consider a wide variety of factors as he makes the most important decision of his baseball-playing life.
Which team, then, should he sign on the dotted line with?
So as things turn out, apparently there are teams in Major League Baseball not named the New York Yankees who are willing to spend money this winter. After letting Francisco Rodriguez leave to join the New York Mets and failing to sign CC Sabathia, the Angels find themselves with some money laying around, and they've decided to spend it on Mark Teixeira.
According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, the Angels have made an offer to the free agent first baseman that would be the biggest contract in the history of the franchise, surpassing the $90 million deal they gave to Torii Hunter last season. While the numbers aren't confirmed, the deal is believed to be an offer of eight years and around $160 million.
Our MLB editor files dispatches from this year's Winter Meetings in Las Vegas in Notes From Sin City.
For better or worse, Las Vegas has been the center of the sports world for the last few days. From O.J. Simpson to Oscar De La Hoya-Manny Pacquiao, Sin City has been a nerve center, and that will continue this week as the entire baseball world descends on the lobby of the Bellagio Hotel for Major League Baseball's annual Winter Meetings.
As always, there figures to be plenty of action on the Strip, but you won't have to go to a poker room or a roulette wheel to find it.
The Hot Stove League has moved at a glacial pace so far, only really beginning to pick up in the last half week and setting the stage for what could be one of the more fascinating Winter Meetings in recent memory. Rarely in the last decade has baseball seen a free-agent class this stocked with quality players or a more vibrant and active trade market.
With that in mind, here is a list of the 10 people to watch most intently over the next few days in Las Vegas.
"There are scenarios where we'd consider bringing Frankie back and scenarios that do not include Frankie," Reagins said. "Nothing has changed from what we've discussed with him." (...)
Paul Kinzer, who represents Rodriguez, said the reliever "still has a great fondness for the Angels. He still considers that home. . . . I can't speak for Arte, but we still feel that the door's open. We were hoping to talk to them later."
The Angels have no doubt seen the closer market shrivel a bit for Rodriguez, with the Mets as the only big money spender out there, bringing his price down a bit. The five-year, $75 million deal that Rodriguez originally wanted would have kept the Angels from doing other things, such as re-signing Mark Teixeira or going after CC Sabathia or Manny Ramirez. But reports have the Mets going after Brian Fuentes and Kerry Wood as well as trading for JJ Putz. If that happens, the price on K-Rod would surely drop a little more, making it affordable for the Angels to get him and not have to abandon their other plans.
Arte Moreno has shown you and your agent the world on your visit with the Angels. Couldn't have been nicer, more accommodating, and more forthcoming with information. You and Scott are wined and dined more than ever.
You come back to Moreno's office to work out the details. They're offering you a four-year deal worth $100 million in order to once again steal the thunder away from the Dodgers in Los Angeles. You are impressed beyond your wildest dreams. But then there's a problem.
EEK EEK!
"Aaaaah!!! What the hell is that???"
"That's our rally monkey."
EEEEEEEEEEEK!!!
"He bit my ear Mr. Moreno!!! Aaaah jeez he's stuck on my braids!!!"
EEK EEK! (fwap!)
"Owwww! Those are my braids on the floor!!! That f-----g monkey ripped my hair out!!!"
Next Big Thing is MLB FanHouse's look at emerging teams, trends and stars in 2009.
When Arte Moreno officially changed the name of his team to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the world chuckled ... but the city of Anaheim cried foul. 
In a savvy move by the Angels' front office, they let a few months get between the suicide squeeze debacle and signing manager Mike Scioscia to a contract extension. By now, I'm sure enough Angels' fans have forgotten about the incident -- they of the laid-back Cali lifestyle -- and will be happy with the move. 
I chided the Brewers and Yankees for letting the proposed "Mike Cameron for Melky Cabrera" swap die simply for lack of a phone call. Apparently, though, that's how people do business in the big leagues. 
From the Windup is FanHouse's extended look at a particular portion of America's pastime.
So as things turn out, apparently there are teams in Major League Baseball not named the New York Yankees who are willing to spend money this winter. After letting Francisco Rodriguez leave to join the New York Mets and failing to sign CC Sabathia, the Angels find themselves with some money laying around, and they've decided to spend it on Mark Teixeira.
Angels owner Arte Moreno seemed to slam the bullpen door shut on his team bringing record-holder Francisco Rodriguez back to Anaheim. But if that door was shut, Angels GM Tony Reagins has opened it up a crack by admitting that Rodriguez could very well come home again and wear the halo once again.
Arte Moreno has shown you and your agent the world on your visit with the Angels. Couldn't have been nicer, more accommodating, and more forthcoming with information. You and Scott are wined and dined more than ever.
