The Los Angeles Angels Continue Tradition
- Updated: December 15, 2014
FILE – In this June 24, 2014, file photo, Miami Marlins’ Andrew Heaney pitches during the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in Philadelphia. Heaney was acquired from the Marlins by the Anaheim Angels this week. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
In the 2012 winter meetings the Los Angeles Angels shocked the MLB world, when they signed Albert Pujols to a 10-year, $254 million deal and CJ Wilson to a five-year, $77.5 million deal.
During the 2013 winter meetings the Los Angeles Angels were in the headlines yet again when they traded their slugger, Mark Trumbo, to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a three-team deal with the Chicago White Sox, that landed the Angels starting pitchers, Tyler Skaggs, and Hector Santiago.
Another winter meeting has come and gone, and the Angels didn’t disappoint. The Los Angeles Angels picked up where they left off last year in the winter meetings, and loaded their bullpen with young talent. They came out the meetings this year with some nice pieces for the team. The most notable player that we left with is no other than lefty Andrew Heaney.
In a three-team deal, the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Howie Kendrick from the Angles and Chris Hatcher, Kike Hernandez, and Austin Barnes from the Marlins. In exchange, the Dodgers traded Dan Haren, Dee Gordon, Miguel Rojas and a player to be named later or possible cash considerations to Miami.
Andrew Heaney, who was acquired from Miami, was sent to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Howie Kendrick. This is good news for the Los Angeles Angles. The Angels lack depth in the bullpen. The lack of bullpen is the main reason why the Angeles didn’t get very far after winning the AL West entering the post season.
Landing Heaney is a great move if you stop and look at his body of work during his scouting reports. Heaney is a great under the radar move for the Los Angeles Angels. Heaney is ranked 18th on mlb.com ‘s list of top 100 prospects with this scouting report:
“Heaney’s fastball sits in the low 90s, and it reaches 95 mph regularly. He mixes it with a wipeout slider and a changeup that has developed into a good third pitch. The improvement of Heaney’s changeup has given him a weapon to combat right-handed hitters, and he actually performed better against them than he did against left-handed hitters in 2013.”
Now he won’t automatically be the answer to our pitching woes because of his ranking on the prospect list, and scouting report, but Heaney is a fairly young player with great potential. With Jared Weaver there to teach him the ropes, Heaney will be in good hands.
If you’re curious to see what Andrew Heaney is about, I’ve provided a brief video, thanks too frangraphs.com, on what we could potentially see in this upcoming season.
Who else is ready for Los Angeles Angels baseball because I am!
Stay with us at Calisportsnews.com as we will keep you up-to-date on all things Los Angeles Angels and the rest of the LA sports teams! All Cali, all the time
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