What If The Los Angeles Angels Had Traded For Carlos Marmol?

I don’t know if you checked out MLB Trade Rumors today. It’s a relatively slow week around MLB. The week around the big holidays usually are. There was an interesting note that I saw on there though. Remember when Carlos Marmol was almost traded for Dan Haren pre-free agency? Well apparently, that wasn’t the only deal on the table.

Sept 12, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Carlos Marmol (49) pitches against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning at Minute Maid Park. The Cubs won 5-1. Mandatory Credit:

-USA TODAY Sports

The Angels offered Peter Bourjos and an infielder for Marmol according to ESPN Chicago’s Bruce Levine. That got me wondering, who was the infielder? How would this off-season be different if this had happened?Well, for one thing, the team would have a hole at third base. Alberto Callaspo had to be the guy. It wouldn’t be Erick Aybar or Howard Kendrick since the Cubs have Darwin Barney and Starlin Castro. It wouldn’t have been Albert Pujols. If it wasn’t Callaspo, would it be Andrew Romine?

I think Josh Hamilton would’ve been a bigger need for the club too, because Vernon Wells may have had a bigger role if the club didn’t send out Kendrys Morales for Jason Vargas or maybe a different starting pitcher.

Maybe they don’t make that move. Maybe they want a faster guy and signed Michael Bourn. Maybe they sign another free agent starting pitcher like Kyle Lohse.

Sometimes the best moves are the ones you don’t make. To me, the Angels are a better club today because that Bourjos plus an infielder trade didn’t happen. We’ll see if I’m right as the season begins, but to me, the Angels are better off.