7 Bold Moves GM Tony Reagins Should Pursue (Part II)

I believe there are seven avenues Tony Reagins can pursue to help alleviate these pesky problems the Angels have—namely a lack of power, plate discipline, and bullpen arms.

So here we go—my bold suggestions:

1) Trade, release, or make Gary Matthews Jr. a bench option behind Reggie Willits.

This is, of course, much easier said than done, but I believe it's a crucial and necessary move. I don't know if Matthews has much trade value, but I know there are teams in need of a center fielder (Phillies, White Sox, Twins). Where there is a need, there should be a way.

Matthews Jr. wasn't a great signing, as evidenced by how little interest there has been in him in spite of so many teams needing CF help. His signing was mostly based upon one career year at his age 31 season. Previously he'd been a bench player for the lowly Rangers.

He now becomes excess to requirements with Torii Hunter, and a more talented young player like Juan Rivera should not lose playing time to Matthews, big contract and all. It's the right move from a baseball standpoint, even if it hurts the Angels front office.

The important thing is he shouldn't take at-bats away from Rivera or even Reggie Willits for that matter, simply because he is not as good. He's not a bad player at all, he's just not a better hitter than Rivera now or for the next four years, or a better table-setter than Willits. He doesn't have the on-base ability of Willits or the natural gifts of Rivera, even though Matthews looks like a dynamic hitter at the plate.

The numbers tell the story. In 2007 he posted a .252 average, hitting 18 HR (admittedly valuable home runs and second on the team), driving in 72 runs, and scoring 79. More importantly, Matthews Jr. posted a so-so .323 OBP (a full 68 points lower than Willits), and his slugging percentage was nothing special at .419, adding up to an OPS of .742. On-base percentage is the most important offensive stat for a potential leadoff man, and in case you were wondering that OBP ranked 15th out of 20 listed major league centerfielders.

The Angels would be wise to move on and let Matthews Jr. pursue his career elsewhere. They need impact bats in the lineup if they ever want to compete with the Sox, Yankees, Indians, and Tigers. Matthews, though a nice player, just isn't that and he's not a better option than what the Angels already had before signing him.

Preferably someone would take him in a trade, but I would not consider a release an extreme move, given the Angels logjam of current and potentially future OF options (Terry Evans).

2)

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