Advertisement

Angels Manager Mike Scioscia can’t get enough pitching

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

New General Manager Jerry Dipoto has cast a wide net in his bid to upgrade the Angels, pursuing numerous free agent and trade possibilities for the rotation, bullpen and offense, but Manager Mike Scioscia made it very clear on Tuesday what his preference is. He wants more pitching.

Asked if he had to pick between adding a starting pitcher such as C.J. Wilson, whom the Angels are pursuing aggressively, and a slugger such as third baseman Aramis Ramirez, whom the Angels are also pursuing, Scioscia, who already has three top-flight starters in Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana, chose the pitcher.

Advertisement

‘We need to get stronger pitching,’ Scioscia said. ‘I know you look at Weav and Haren and Santana and it sounds like you’re getting greedy. But you need five guys going out there during the season to give you a chance to win, and right now we might have an incredible playoff rotation, but you need a full rotation to give yourself that opportunity to get into the playoffs.’

Scioscia’s answer is significant because Dipoto has only has $15 million to $20 million to spend while staying within Arte Moreno’s 2012 payroll parameters -- the owner said he wants to cap spending at $140 million -- so barring a trade to shed a chunk of salary, the Angels can afford either a pitcher such as Wilson or a hitter such as Ramirez, but not both.

Bob Garber, the agent for Wilson, confirmed that he met with the Angels on Monday night. Garber met with the Miami Marlins on Tuesday and is scheduled to have dinner with the Texas Rangers, who are trying to retain their ace, Tuesday night.

ALSO:

Angels trade Jeff Mathis to Toronto

Jerry Dipoto, Ned Colletti seemingly in different places

Advertisement

Angels’ Jerry Dipoto heads to winter meetings with limited budget

-- Mike DiGiovanna in Dallas

Advertisement