Time running out to fill gap up middle
08/30/2008 9:45 PM ET
Time running out to fill gap up middle
Angels facing Sunday night deadline; Eckstein rumored
By Mike Scarr / MLB.com
ANAHEIM -- The arrival of Saturday and a looming deadline brought no further
movement to the Angels' hopes of finding middle-infield help.
Injuries to Howie Kendrick, Maicer Izturis and Erick Aybar have raised the
level of urgency within the ballclub to add depth, specifically at shortstop,
and the team has a wish list of names it has targeted to fill the void.
That would include former fan favorite David Eckstein, Marco Scutaro and John
McDonald from Toronto, along with Omar Vizquel of the Giants and Baltimore's
Juan Castro, according to numerous published reports.
Angels general manager Tony Reagins said nothing had changed in their pursuit
of an infielder since Friday.
"We still have 36 hours to get something done in that time frame," Reagins
said. "We'll keep working at it up to that point."
Players acquired after 9 p.m. PT Sunday cannot be added to a team's playoff
roster.
The upside to Vizquel is a resume that includes 11 Gold Glove Awards at
shortstop and six trips to the postseason, including two World Series. But
he's 41 and is hitting .187 in 203 at-bats this season.
Eckstein would certainly rekindle memories of 2002, when he was a part of the
World Series champion Angels, and he added a second ring with the Cardinals
in 2006. He's not considered as slick a fielder as McDonald, but he has the
edge offensively, batting, 274 to McDonald's .218.
Scutaro would provide something the Angels value highly: versatility. The
32-year-old has played all four infield positions this season and left field.
Reagins said, though, any deal will not be simply reactionary. It has to make
sense.
"I have to look out for the interests of the club. We're not going to do
anything that will jeopardize our future," Reagins said. "We're going to make
the best decisions for the club that we have on the field right now. It's a
good club. I'm content to go to war with these guys."
Kendrick and Aybar both have strained left hamstrings and the club is hopeful
they will be able to return within the next couple of weeks. Izturis is out
for the season with a torn tendon in his left thumb.
The organization has been blessed with depth in the past and previously has
handled similar situations in house, but solutions to this problem are
already on the big club. Both Brandon Wood and Sean Rodriguez are currently
with the Angels and were in Saturday's starting lineup.
The Angels will be able to expand their roster Sept.1 and the first group is
expected to include two pitchers and a catcher from Triple-A Salt Lake. The
most experienced shortstop currently with the Bees is Gary Patchett, who has
played 45 games at short and another 48 at second base.
But a week of games remains for first-place Salt Lake and then the
postseason.
"We have a pool of guys we're looking at. That will be narrowed in the next
48 hours," manager Mike Scioscia said, adding he's targeting bullpen help.
"It is going to be the best fit as far as what we need. There are certainly
needs we have and certainly some experience to be gained in going through the
playoffs down in Triple-A, so it is going to be the best fit for all of us."
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