Tagged: Chad Qualls
Scioscia says Angels GM has been active
Angels manager Mike Scioscia reiterated Thursday that
general manager Tony Reagins has been active in discussions with other general
managers about trading for pitching depth, specifically in the bullpen.
“He’s been in contact with GMs the last couple weeks, I’m
sure on a daily basis,” Scioscia said. “There are a few things he’s looking at
that can make us better. But there’s also some things that could make us better
but leave a hole in our big league team that he has to consider.”
Scioscia didn’t name any players the Angels are after but the club has reportedly scouted Toronto’s Scott Downs and Brandon League, Baltimore’s George Sherrill and Arizona’s Chad Qualls.
Scioscia, though, said he wasn’t sure if a trade will happen
but said he’s fine with his current roster as it stands if a deal for a bullpen
arm doesn’t work out.
“It’s tough to say right now if we’re going to do anything that
is going to make us better,” Scioscia said. “If we don’t, then particularly in
our bullpen, we’ll have to rely on guys like [rookie Kevin] Jepsen. There’s
potential there but not the certainty that an experienced power arm could bring
to the mix. So if it happens, it happens and even if it doesn’t, we’re going to
play baseball and I like our team.”
— Rhett Bollinger
A need in the bullpen
Right-handed relievers Joel Peralta and Manuel Corpas struggled in the final two innings of Monday night’s win over Arizona, which means speculation over the Rockies’ trading plans began anew. Actually, the feeling that the Rockies need bullpen help has lingered for more than a month. Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post has linked the Rockies to Arizona’s Chad Qualls and Houston’s LaTroy Hawkins (who pitched for the 2007 NL Champion Rockies). Renck also reported recently that the price for obtaining Toronto’s Roy Halladay — righty Ubaldo Jimenez and prospects — is likely too high for the Rockies.
The player to keep an eye on is third baseman Garrett Atkins, who hit .327 in June but has dipped again in July. Teams continue to scout to see if his swing has returned to previous levels.
— Thomas Harding
Trade Talk 