Why the Angels made the right move by signing Shea Hillenbrand.
It's easy to sit here today and say that Shea Hillenbrand has been an overwhelming bust. Unfortunately, it was the right move at the time and, like I've said before, we fans need to get over it.
Again, I need to remind everyone that if Juan Rivera doesn't break his leg in a Winter League game, Hillenbrand would have never been an Angel. Rivera hit 23 home runs last season and was slated to be the Angels' opening day designated hitter. However, once Rivera was hurt, the Angels were in need of a replacement.
The internal options were not that appealing on a team in desperate need of some pop. Robb Quinlan, Maicer Izturis and Kendry Morales would have been at the top of that list, but none of them has a better resume than Hillenbrand.
Realizing that their internal options weren't good enough, the Angels were forced to either sign a free agent or make a trade. Making a trade was never a good idea. Why would the Angels give up a player or prospect for someone who they were essentially just "renting" for three months? Free agency was a much better option.
So it came down to available free agents who could produce and be signed to a one-year deal. Keep in mind, the Angels were just renting a hitter.
So here is the list of free agents who were signed this off season to a one year contract. Who had a better resume than Hillenbrand? He is 31 years old and a .285 career hitter. Last year he hit .271 with 21 home runs. Take a look at this list and see who you think the Angels should've signed last December 26th.
Mike Piazza DH 38 Oak $8,500,000
Moises Alou LF 40 NYM $8,500,000
Luis Gonzalez LF 39 LAD $7,350,000
Shea Hillenbrand 1B 31 LAA $6,500,000
Kenny Lofton CF 39 Tex $6,000,000
Jose Guillen RF 30 Sea $5,500,000
Marcus Giles 2B 28 SD $3,200,000
Cliff Floyd LF 34 Chc $3,000,000
Trot Nixon RF 33 Cle $3,000,000
Mark Loretta 2B 35 Hou $2,500,000
Rod Barajas C 31 Phi $2,500,000
Craig Wilson 1B 30 Atl $2,000,000
Ryan Klesko 1B 35 SF $1,750,000
Doug Mientkiewicz 1B 32 NYY $1,500,000
Jeff Cirillo 3B 37 Min $1,500,000
Royce Clayton SS 37 Tor $1,500,000
Mike Lieberthal C 35 LAD $1,250,000
Daryle Ward RF 31 Chc $1,050,000
Darin Erstad CF 32 Cws $1,000,000
Shannon Stewart LF 33 Oak $1,000,000
Preston Wilson RF 32 StL $1,000,000
Aaron Boone 3B 34 Fla $925,000
Paul Bako C 34 Bal $900,000
Gary Bennett C 35 StL $900,000
Damion Easley 2B 37 NYM $850,000
Chris Woodward 2B 30 Atl $850,000
Jayson Werth RF 27 Phi $850,000
Jose Cruz Jr. LF 33 SD $650,000
*This list includes all free agents who signed one year deals and switched teams.
Honestly, I would have liked to see the Angels sign Mike Piazza. The A's signed him on December 8th, so he wasn't available. He's currently on the DL with a sprained shoulder so in hindsight, he too, was not a great signing. He has only one home run in 103 at-bats.
Moises Alou, Kenny Lofton and Luis Gonzales were all too old for the Angels to sign. Alou is hitting .348 for the Mets, but has sat out the past two games and is beat up. Last week he had an MRI on his shoulder and this week he had swelling in his left knee. He might have lasted the three months the Angels needed him.
Gonzales is having a nice year for the Dodgers, but the last time the Angels tried to bring a career National Leaguer to the American League (Steve Finely) it turned out terribly.
Lofton is hitting .242.
Jose Guillen, Cliff Floyd, Trot Nixon?
The Angels were basically stuck signing Hillenbrand. It hasn't worked out so far but maybe things are going to turn around. Heck, with the double he hit today, he's now on pace for 10 extra base hits this season instead of 5.
If that's not enough optimism for you, think positive, Juan Rivera should be back sometime in July.
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