Angels Burning Questions Pt 1 – Johnny Damon? Scott Posednik?

The Los Angeles Angels Official Website had a great mailbag article that had, in my opinion, a very interesting point of view between the reasons to sign Damon over Posednik. Here is the original article.

"We keep reading and hearing that the Angels will sign a free-agent leadoff man, but nothing yet. Do you think it will happen? And why do you prefer Johnny Damon over Scott Podsednik? I personally think Podsednik is a better fit.— Jimmy G., Irvine, Calif.I do believe the Angels will sign a leadoff man, and my guess is that it will be Podsednik, a proven player who would bring speed and energy to the top of the order. Why do I prefer Damon? Because I think he has consistently performed at a higher level than Podsednik and brings loads of intangibles.Admittedly, I’m more familiar with Damon, based on his longevity and having played in high-profile locales (Boston, Bronx), and I’ve heard nothing but good things about Podsednik as a clubhouse presence. Podsednik will cost less, is two years younger and is a more effective defender than Damon, so I can understand his appeal. I just think Damon is a guy who can take you to another level offensively and shoot off daily sparks on a club filled with quiet, laid-back personalities. Things are heating up with Damon, and it doesn’t appear that the Angels are in play.There’s a side element to this. Reeling in Damon would send a positive message to a doubting public that the Angels can work out a meaningful free-agent deal with super-agent Scott Boras. Apart from Mike Trout with his phenomenal upside, there is no player in the organization as important to the Angels’ long-term plans as Jered Weaver and Kendry Morales. Both are represented by Boras. The two camps need to mend whatever fences, real or imagined, that might exist if the Angels are to keep Weaver and Morales beyond their six years of Major League service time."

HALO HANGOUT’S TAKE: I think the team will go with Posednik as well. As much as I hate to say it, it’s already been obvious to me that the team is more focused on the business side of the team than the baseball side. Posednik will make less money than Damon. I did find it interesting, however, one of the advantages listed in picking up Damon.

"There’s a side element to this. Reeling in Damon would send a positive message to a doubting public that the Angels can work out a meaningful free-agent deal with super-agent Scott Boras"

I never really thought about that! As far as which player would make the larger impact offensively… it would be Damon. He has been a game-changer for a long time and even though he’s up there in age, his clubhouse presence is extremely valuable. Of course, his offensive skills couldn’t hurt either ?

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