Des Martini has covered professional and collegiate sports for AOL. He has reported on numerous teams and venues as a freelancer for various publications while living in southern California, Chicago and Boston.

More Articles
Topics

Hello CC Sabathia? Goodbye Jered Weaver?

Francisco Rodriguez and his agent to ignore nonexistent offers

Buyer beware: Garret Anderson and the All-Scott Boras Bust Team

Angels shrewd in Francisco Rodriguez maneuvers

Holiday book club for Angels fans

Examiner Feeds

These websites were picked by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Examiner as useful resources.

View: All Sources

Teixeira > Konerko

OC Register - 1 hr 25 mins ago

Weekend rumors

OC Register - 9 hrs ago

K-Rod, Fuentes prices too steep for Mets?

OC Register - 1 day ago

Angels’ dream rotation: Sabathia, Peavy, Lackey, Santana, Saunders

OC Register - 2 days ago

Looking at the Angels’ offseason scenarios

OC Register - 2 days ago

Informative and engaging baseball sites for Angels fans

Los Angeles Examiners

Chris Farnsworth
Los Angeles Trends Examiner
Most Recent Post
Did you hear that? Space Shuttle booms over LA

Patricia Yuen
Los Angeles Dining Examiner
Most Recent Post
Dine around the clock at kitchen24

Kevin Masterson
Los Angeles Religion & Spirituality Examiner
Most Recent Post
Walking in someone else's shoes

Kurt Barstow
Los Angeles Religion & Spirituality Examiner
Most Recent Post
Integral life practice 4: shadow

Nathan Gotsch
USC Trojans Examiner
Most Recent Post
How Lane Kiffin got exactly what he wanted

Send us your topic suggestions

Rummage sale: Angels should seek insurance at shortstop

Add a Comment

August 20, 1:23 PM

by Des Martini, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Examiner

Attention shoppers. We are closing in 15 minutes. Please take all items for purchase to check out immediately.

These are the words general managers undoubtedly hear in their dreams as the next trading deadline approaches on August 31. For Angels GM Tony Reagins, this dream scenario likely includes the search for reinforcements at the shortstop position in the wake of the season-ending thumb injury to shortstop Maicer Izturis. While the team has shown strong support for the incumbent shortstop, Erick Aybar, and his rookie understudy, Sean Rodriguez, it would behoove them to add an experienced infielder before October. Here are a few possible options for Mr. Reagins in the event these players can clear waivers.

David Eckstein, SS, Toronto

A key member of Anaheim’s 2002 championship squad, Eckstein is obviously the people’s choice. However, his numbers have been in a downward spiral for years, and he is a constant injury risk. But he would still be a useful spot-starter.

John McDonald, SS, Toronto

McDonald is a solid defender, but offers little with the bat. He’s not a sentimental choice like Eckstein, but a more sensible choice in the event he’s needed as a full-time injury replacement for Aybar.

Marco Scutaro, IF, Toronto

If you haven’t noticed, Toronto has cornered the market on light-hitting infielders. Scutaro is a super-sub who has provided some clutch hits in the past. He would strengthen the bench.

Edgar Renteria, SS, Detroit

It is a major long shot that Detroit would trade the veteran shortstop, but the possibility exists that the Tigers might choose to dump his large salary ($11 million in 2009, $3 million buyout) in what has been an underwhelming season for him. He has shown signs of life, though, with a robust August with the bat. Renteria was a member of the World Series champion Marlins in 1997 and would look good in Angel red, though it’s doubtful that shortstop-needy teams like the Dodgers and Cardinals would let him slip by on the waiver wire.

Khalil Greene, SS, San Diego

The Padres would love to get his inflated salary and lethargic bat off the books.

Omar Vizquel, SS, San Francisco

He’s a viable option only if MLB allows him to field his position with a walker.

Miguel Tejada, SS, Houston

If only someone could convince the Astros that they have been out of playoff contention since May.

Whoever is playing shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Is Arky Vaughan still playing short for the Bucs? Tim Foli? Do they still use a shortstop in Pittsburgh?

Conclusion

In the end, Reagins will likely stay with the status quo and pray that Aybar doesn’t come up lame in October. However, he would be wise to inquire about McDonald and Renteria.

Topics: Baseball , MLB , Angels

Feed

Comments

Hello CC Sabathia? Goodbye Jered Weaver?

Add a Comment

November 30, 2:14 PM

If the Angels sign CC Sabathia, they will trade Jered WeaverHow do I know this as fact? Well, I don’t, but like everyone else on the Web, I am engaging in wild speculation. ‘Tis the season. But, in my defense, trading Weaver makes perfect... Read More
Topics: Baseball , MLB , Angels , Offseason

Francisco Rodriguez and his agent to ignore nonexistent offers

Add a Comment

November 28, 2:18 PM

The agent for Francisco Rodriguez, Paul Kinzer, says he won’t begin serious negotiations for his client until the winter meetings begin in Las Vegas December 8.According to the Los Angeles Times, Kinzer doesn’t expect the marketplace to heat... Read More
Topics: Baseball , MLB , Angels , Offseason

Buyer beware: Garret Anderson and the All-Scott Boras Bust Team

1 comment

November 25, 9:03 AM

Any chance the Angels had of resigning Garret Anderson at a discount price evaporated with news that Anderson has hired Scott Boras as his agent. General Manager Tony Reagins can expect an early Christmas present in the form of a phone book-sized document... Read More
Topics: Baseball , MLB , Angels , Offseason

Angels shrewd in Francisco Rodriguez maneuvers

Add a Comment

November 20, 3:35 PM

The decision by Angels management not to acquiesce to Francisco Rodriguez’s outrageous contract demands (allegedly five years, $75 million) appears to be an astute call on many levels.For starters, the market is now flooded with closers, as duly... Read More
Topics: Baseball , MLB , Angels , Offseason

Holiday book club for Angels fans

1 comment

November 12, 6:45 PM

Before the information superhighway of Internet was invented, many people read books to obtain information and knowledge, and some even read for pure enjoyment. These books were available in many places, such as libraries, adult bookstores and gas station... Read More
Topics: Baseball , MLB , Angels , Offseason

CC Sabathia, Ozzie Guilen and the rest of my MLB award picks

Add a Comment

November 9, 9:55 PM

No one asked, but here are my selections for the major MLB awards for 2008.American League MVP: Justin MorneauAfter shedding All-Atars Torii Hunter and Johan Santana, the Twins weren’t expected to do squat. But the Twins evaluate talent better... Read More
Topics: Baseball , MLB , Angels , Offseason

Angels hike ticket prices, Dodgers' prices remain the same

Add a Comment

November 8, 11:10 AM

In the grand tradition of teams sticking it to the most loyal of fans after a winning campaign, the Angels have announced a price hike for the 2009 season. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Angels have raised season ticket prices by an average... Read More
Topics: Baseball , MLB , Angels , Offseason

Rodriguez’s agent scales back demands

1 comment

November 6, 8:19 PM

The agent for Francisco Rodriguez, Paul Kinzer, says his client is not dead set on a five-year, $75 million contract. Kinzer now claims that he and Rodriguez are “flexible” and “creative” in their contract demands. In... Read More
Topics: Baseball , MLB , Angels

Torii Hunter: The man with the golden glove

Add a Comment

November 6, 1:42 PM

In what likely will be the only award bestowed upon any Angel this offseason, Torii Hunter has captured his eighth straight American League Gold Glove. Hunter’s honor comes in his first season as an Angel; his previous seven came in Minnesota.... Read More
Topics: Baseball , MLB , Angels